Author: Mark Saldana

Cine Las Americas 16 Review: DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 4) Writer/director Iris Almaraz along with guest writer/director Gustavo Ramos deliver a sweet, hilarious and heart warming portrait of a late blooming, young lady pursuing an adult life on her own. Lulu (Leana Daly), a twenty-something year old woman still lives with her father and stepfamily and… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 16 Review: DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

Cine Las Americas 16 Review: 3

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Uruguay, this film by director Pablo Stoll, tells the story of a true modern, nuclear family. Dentist Rodolfo’s (Humberto De Vargas) most recent relationship has fallen apart and in his loneliness, he attempts to reconnect with his daughter Ana (Anaclara Ferreya Palfy) and his ex-wife… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 16 Review: 3

Cine Las Americas 16 Review: BLANCANIEVES

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) It is a fairy tale that has been told and retold countless times, but never like this. Opening the 16th Annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, writer/director Pablo Berger’s version of the Brothers Grimm tale, has a darker, more realistic take than other incarnations and… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 16 Review: BLANCANIEVES

Riley’s SXSW 2013 Midnighter Roundup Reviews for: YOU’RE NEXT, CHEAP THRILLS, and THE LORDS OF SALEM

YOU’RE NEXT Rating: A+ What was supposed to be a happy and fun family reunion for the Davisons turns awry when some uninvited guests show up and start to terrorize the group. Fortunately, for this family, one of their own, has a surprising background, and a few tricks up her sleeve, as she turns the… Continue reading Riley’s SXSW 2013 Midnighter Roundup Reviews for: YOU’RE NEXT, CHEAP THRILLS, and THE LORDS OF SALEM

Review: STARBUCK

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Typically when a film’s story has a ridiculous or implausible premise, it is a huge turn off for me.  Occasionally, though, a film comes along that can take the preposterous and run with it so well that it becomes easy to forget its absurdity. French Canadian… Continue reading Review: STARBUCK

Review: 42

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers broke some major racial barriers when they signed African American baseball player Jackie Robinson. This courageous decision would set a precedent which would later influence efforts to remove the policy of segregation in all facets of everyday life, a policy first… Continue reading Review: 42

Review: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

By Mark Saldana  Rating 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Derek Cianfrance really is an exceptional film writer and director.  His romantic tragedy Blue Valentine broke the hearts of film audiences and earned the acclaim of critics in 2010.  He has such wonderful grasp of human relationships and the consequences of our behavior and actions.  While… Continue reading Review: THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

Review: TRANCE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Acclaimed director Danny Boyle, the filmmaker who brought audiences 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire, brings a film to theaters which feels a bit closer to his earlier work (Trainspotting, Shallow Grave), though not as satisfying. Trance is a sometimes mesmerizing head-scratcher of a mystery thriller that… Continue reading Review: TRANCE

Review and Interview: AFF Best of the Fest Presents JUNK

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4) The Austin Film Festival has continued their post-festival film series showcasing the Audience Award winners from last year. At the 2012 festival, Kevin Hamedani’s Junk took home the audience’s choice for best film in the Narrative Feature category.  On April 1, AFF screened the film with writer/director/star… Continue reading Review and Interview: AFF Best of the Fest Presents JUNK