When it comes to science-fiction disaster, Roland Emmerich definitely comes to mind. I don’t mean his movies are always total disasters, because some of them have been actually entertaining, but the filmmaker is best known for sci-fi movies that involve global disasters that either involve space aliens or natural phenomena threatening our beloved planet. With… Continue reading MOONFALL
Author: Mark Saldana
SCREAM (2022)
I just recently wrote a review addressing how studios often squeeze and milk movie franchises for more dollars. And on the surface, the idea of releasing another Scream movie would seem to be just that–another attempt at pressing money out of a dedicated fan base that wants more of what entertains and amuses them. Now,… Continue reading SCREAM (2022)
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA
There are some movie franchises that deliver something great with every installment, and there are those that lose some steam with each entry. Unfortunately, such is the case with the Hotel Transylvania saga. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first two movies, I can honestly say, at this point in my movie-watching experience, that the third… Continue reading HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA
THE TENDER BAR
Based on the memoir of the same name by J.R. Moehringer, screenwriter William Monahan and director George Clooney deliver a solid effort in their adaptation of this sweet and enjoyable coming-of-age story. While everyone in the cast performs solidly, it is Ben Affleck that genuinely stands out as the protagonist’s uncle and father figure. It… Continue reading THE TENDER BAR
THE 355
Despite the fact that this movie has an impressive cast, the writing of this, nevertheless entertaining movie, suffers from mostly unoriginal writing and espionage thriller cliches. With solid direction and dedicated performances by the cast, The 355 is not a total disaster, and will probably have some fans wanting more. Well, this might not be… Continue reading THE 355
Mark’s Best of 2021
By Mark Saldana While 2021 was not the dumpster fire 2020 was, COVID-19 in its variant forms has still remained with us and is on the rise once again. Thankfully, things did improve with multiple vaccines available. As more people got immunized for the virus, the numbers of COVID-19 cases reduced. This allowed for people… Continue reading Mark’s Best of 2021
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Acclaimed filmmaker Joel Coen tackles Shakespeare and the results are miraculous. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into when I attended this screening, because Coen, who usually works with his brother Ethan, usually has a penchant for off-beat and idiosyncratic movies, storytelling, and characters.… Continue reading THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
AMERICAN UNDERDOG
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) After watching the trailer to this movie, a longtime friend and fellow movie buff griped that this film looks like a television movie of the week. While that description is not completely true, American Underdog comes pretty close to being just that. However, the decent writing,… Continue reading AMERICAN UNDERDOG
LICORICE PIZZA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) If one happens to be a fan of time capsule, “ride along,” slice-of-life movies, then Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza is definitely one’s jam. Other similar movies include Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, and George Lucas’ American Graffiti.… Continue reading LICORICE PIZZA
SWAN SONG
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Impressing writing, skillful dlrection and an incredible, transcendent performance by Mahershala Ali make Swan Song a must-see science fiction drama. Written and directed by Benjamin Cleary, the film tells the tragic story of a loving and good-hearted man facing his untimely demise due to a terminal… Continue reading SWAN SONG