Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Immediately following the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home, Jon Watts’ latest addition to the MCU’s/Sony’s live-action Spiderverse challenges Peter Parker in new ways that will eventually threaten his moral code. I must admit that there was a part of me that feared that this movie, and all that… Continue reading SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
Author: Mark Saldana
NIGHTMARE ALLEY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) To preface this review, I must disclose that I have never once seen the 1947 film adaptation, nor have I ever read the book that inspired both that movie and this new adaptation by acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro. That said; I have watched and enjoyed… Continue reading NIGHTMARE ALLEY
THE HAND OF GOD
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From acclaimed Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, comes a film that very well feels like a very personal fictionalized depiction of the filmmaker’s life during his teen years. Much like Roma does for Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron and Belfast is to Irish filmmaker Kenneth Branagh, The Hand… Continue reading THE HAND OF GOD
RED ROCKET
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Both Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers, The Beach Bum) and Sean Baker love representing and depicting characters best described as social outcasts on the fringe. However their styles of storytelling certainly differ in that Korine tends to blend realism with cartoonish, over-the-top elements while Baker is much… Continue reading RED ROCKET
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
By Liz Lopez Rating: B- National Champions is directed by Ric Roman Waugh (Greenland, Angel Has Fallen) based on the screenplay by Adam Mervis (21 Bridges) and based on the synopsis provided, I anticipated viewing a very interesting story about a young man ready to inspire change in a college athletics system to benefit the… Continue reading NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
WEST SIDE STORY (2021)
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Steven Spielberg reimagines one of Hollywood’s and Broadway’s most beloved musicals and delivers another masterful film. I am sure there are plenty of people who absolutely adore either the 1961 version of West Side Story or experienced a stage production of the musical that is near… Continue reading WEST SIDE STORY (2021)
BEING THE RICARDOS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the tumultuous relationship between television sweethearts Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and a scandal regarding Ball’s political leanings, writer/director Aaron Sorkin depicts a particularly rough week for everyone working on the I Love Lucy sitcom. Sorkin, who is known for his dialogue-heavy scripts, delivers… Continue reading BEING THE RICARDOS
Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: SILENT NIGHT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Leave it to Fantastic Fest to conclude their film extravaganza with a Christmas movie. Of course, this is not the typical, feel-good holiday fare one comes to expect from the season. What is served up is a pitch-black comedy that takes place during Christmas, but during… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: SILENT NIGHT
Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: BENEDETTA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Always an evocateur, Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven takes on Catholicism in a film that empowers women and challenges its audience to think critically about the conventions that often prevent Christian religions from remaining relevant to the people they are supposed to serve. Verhoeven, who utilizes exploitation… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: BENEDETTA
C’MON C’MON
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Life, as seen through the perspectives of adults and children, are usually very different things. While grownups are more knowledgeable and often jaded by what the world has to offer, the youth sometimes have more hopeful and promising outlooks on their future. This new film by… Continue reading C’MON C’MON