Author: Mark Saldana

Movie Review: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH Fails To Revive a Dying Franchise

Much like the scientists who want to make a Jurassic theme park work, the filmmakers of the Jurassic World franchise have scoured to keep it alive. Nothing has worked entirely since the very first Jurassic Park movie. Every further attempt to milk this cash cow has struggled, stumbled, and failed to keep it afloat. There… Continue reading Movie Review: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH Fails To Revive a Dying Franchise

Movie Review: F1: THE MOVIE Is An Audio-Visual Experience That Has A Familiar Story

Now, my headline may imply that I didn’t enjoy this movie, but that’s not the case. I enjoyed this film. I feel that the writing involved is familiar and redundant. That said, director Joseph Kosinski and his crew deliver a summer sports flick that has plenty of great cinematography, superb sound, and charismatic characters who… Continue reading Movie Review: F1: THE MOVIE Is An Audio-Visual Experience That Has A Familiar Story

Movie Review: ELIO Is Not Disney/Pixar’s Savior, But Is A Step In The Right Direction

Disney/Pixar has not had a big winning movie in recent years. It has been a while since the label released an all-time outstanding film. While the studio could benefit from a win, it doesn’t help that the film’s promotion has been so limited. So, while Elio will not completely revitalize the Disney/Pixar name, it at… Continue reading Movie Review: ELIO Is Not Disney/Pixar’s Savior, But Is A Step In The Right Direction

Movie Review: MATERIALISTS

Writer/director Celine Song is back with a new film about relationships. Her feature film debut, Past Lives, made it into my top five movies of 2023 (at number 5). Her examination of relationships, past and present, and the various feelings, emotions, and troubles people face when still longing for past love despite having moved on,… Continue reading Movie Review: MATERIALISTS

CLAIFF 27 Movie Review: QUERIDO TROPICAL (BELOVED TROPIC)

On my third night of the festival, I watched a film that hit a little close to home. From Panamanian director Ana Endara comes a film that examines the challenges of caring for an older adult whose mental state is declining due to dementia. The movie also portrays the challenges that undocumented immigrants may face… Continue reading CLAIFF 27 Movie Review: QUERIDO TROPICAL (BELOVED TROPIC)

CLAIFF 27 Movie Review: LA INFILTRADA (UNDERCOVER)

Last month in Austin, Texas, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival kicked off its 27th year on May 14. TVR’s Liz Lopez and I attended the fest. For anyone unfamiliar with CLAIFF, the festival organization programs and screens films over five days every year. The event showcases films from Spanish-speaking countries and Portuguese-speaking countries,… Continue reading CLAIFF 27 Movie Review: LA INFILTRADA (UNDERCOVER)

CLAIFF 27 Movie Review: EL LADRON DE PERROS (THE DOG THIEF)

From Bolivia comes a film about an impoverished orphan boy haunted by the death of his mother and the desire to seek revenge against the man he believes is his father, who abandoned him and his mother before he was born. Working as a shoeshine boy, Martin (Franklin Aro Huasco) begins to observe and learn… Continue reading CLAIFF 27 Movie Review: EL LADRON DE PERROS (THE DOG THIEF)

Movie Review: THE LIFE OF CHUCK Is One of the Year’s Top Movies

When most people hear or read the name Stephen King, the first word that comes to mind is horror. However, let us not forget that the prolific author has written several stories that have nothing to do with that genre. Several of these stories have already been adapted into movies. The films Stand by Me,… Continue reading Movie Review: THE LIFE OF CHUCK Is One of the Year’s Top Movies