Author: Mark Saldana

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Iran comes a stressful and gripping drama that can has great writing, even greater direction and superb performances by the talented actors in the cast. Writer/director Kazem Mollaie uses a tension-filled abduction story to a make a commentary on the world today. This is actually… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: THE BADGER

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) We live in a sad and scary time when school shootings occur almost regularly. It seems like just when we are in the process of healing and recovering, another violent tragedy takes place. It is indicative of our inability to unite and help fight the causes… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: PAPER TIGER

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) A sort of spiritual relative to Can’t Hardly Wait, The Get Together focuses on a group of twenty-somethings at a house party facing scary and uncertain futures as they attempt to fully embrace their lives as true adults. Shot in and around the Austin, Texas area,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: THE GET TOGETHER

By Mark Saldana Rating 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My festival officially began with this “Marquee” opener. I have seen several movies that envision or imagine the “afterlife.’ Never before had I ever seen a film that presents the “before-life.” Written and directed by Edson Oda, Nine Days gives its audience an visionary and highly… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: NINE DAYS