Author: Mark Saldana

From the legendary filmmaker who brought audiences The Brood, Scanners, and The Fly, but also A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, and A Dangerous Method, comes a sort of return-to-roots movie that promises the shock-and-awe for which he is (in)famous. David Cronenberg has had a rather fascinating career in cinema. He made a name for… Continue reading CRIMES OF THE FUTURE

Thirty-six years after Tony Scott’s Top Gun opened in theaters, and further launched the stardom of actor Tom Cruise, a sequel is finally playing in theaters. Over thirty years is a very long time between movie installments, but director Joseph Kosinsky, the film’s writers and producer/star Tom Cruise have made damn sure the movie has… Continue reading TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Though I have never watched the Bob’s Burgers animated series religiously, I have enjoyed the funny and goofy antics of the Belcher family from time to time. It is definitely one of those comfortable, mostly inoffensive animated shows with humor and themes geared mostly toward adults. To be honest, it has been a long time… Continue reading THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE

From Blumhouse Television, comes a tense horror-thriller that reflects the dark, corruptive nature of ambition. Based in the Country music world, Torn Hearts tells the tale of two hungry musical artists who are desperate to be discovered on a larger level, and are so determined to get there. Director Brea Grant, with writer Rachel Koller… Continue reading TORN HEARTS

Since Stephen King’s novel, Firestarter, was first published in 1980, the acclaimed and popular story inspired one cinematic adaptation in 1984, and a straight-to-television sequel in 2002. Though I have never watched the sequel, I do recall getting frightened and disturbed by the first movie version which stars E.T.’s Drew Barrymore. Of course, at the… Continue reading FIRESTARTER

When it comes to MCU films, there exists an undeniable compromise between the vision of the director, and the overall vision of the producers of the franchise. Sometimes, that “bigger picture” prevents directors from making an impact that sings their individual, signature styles. Thankfully, that is not the case when it comes to Sam Raimi’s… Continue reading DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

In the late 1970s and early 1980s a young guitarist made an impact on the world of hard rock and heavy metal that would outlast his life. Randall William Rhoads was born in Santa Monica, California in 1956. His love of both hard rock and classical music would influence his style of playing, and would… Continue reading RANDY RHOADS: REFLECTIONS OF A GUITAR ICON

In 2014, director Martin Shore took audiences on a journey, exploring the rich musical culture of Memphis, Tennessee. Seven years later, Shore has returned with another damn fine musical documentary which honors and celebrates the also rich musical tradition of New Orleans, Louisiana. Narrated by New Orleans resident, John Goodman, the film not only serves… Continue reading TAKE ME TO THE RIVER: NEW ORLEANS

The casting of the wrong actor in the lead role will most definitely affect the overall quality of a movie, regardless of how compelling or intriguing the story’s premise or concept is. Now, I know that might seem like an obvious fact, but in the case of the crime drama Memory, the casting of actor… Continue reading MEMORY