Author: Mark Saldana

SXSW 2020 Review: GUNPOWDER HEART

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Guatemala comes this tremendously powerful film from writer/director Camila Urrutia who makes her feature film debut here. Urrutia tells the story of two girlfriends enjoying life and love in an impoverished country with few opportunities for prosperity. On one life-changing night, Claudia (Andrea Henry) and… Continue reading SXSW 2020 Review: GUNPOWDER HEART

SXSW 2020 Review: CAT IN THE WALL

By Mark Saldana Rating 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Among the few SXSW 2020 narrative features available for streaming now, this European import makes for an interesting, though not thoroughly satisfying, watch. Writers/directors Vezela Kazakova and Mina Milena hope to shed much light upon the Bulgarian immigration experience in London while presenting and critiquing the… Continue reading SXSW 2020 Review: CAT IN THE WALL

Blu-Ray/DVD Release: THE WAY BACK

Source: Warner Bros Home Entertainment Burbank, CA– Follow the road to redemption when “The Way Back” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on May 19. Academy Award winner Ben Affleck (“Argo,” “The Accountant”) stars in “The Way Back,” directed by Gavin O’Connor (“The Accountant,” “Warrior,” “Miracle”). The film also stars Al Madrigal (“Night School”), Michaela Watkins (“Wanderlust,”… Continue reading Blu-Ray/DVD Release: THE WAY BACK

SELAH AND THE SPADES

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Available on April 17, 2020 for streaming through Amazon is an intriguing high school drama that features an assortment of new, young acting talent and marks the feature film debut of gifted filmmaker Tayarisha Poe. Selah and the Spades doesn’t necessarily reinvent the high school drama,… Continue reading SELAH AND THE SPADES

WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Now available for streaming through Amazon Prime is an amiable and heartwarming romantic comedy that should help pass your quarantine time quite gently. As what happens to a lot of indie films, What Love Looks Like deserves more attention than what it is getting. Writer/director Alex… Continue reading WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE

ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020: THE WITCH HUNTERS

Mihajlo Milavic and Silma Mahmuti appear in THE WITCH HUNTERS by Rasko Miljkovic, an official selection of the Kids program at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute. All photos are copyrighted and may be used by press only for the purpose of news or editorial coverage of Sundance Institute programs. Photos must be accompanied by a credit to the photographer and/or 'Courtesy of Sundance Institute.' Unauthorized use, alteration, reproduction or sale of logos and/or photos is strictly prohi

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Serbian director Rasko Miljkovic, comes this lovable and poignant story of friendship between two troubled preteens. The two main characters of The Witch Hunters may have their own different struggles in life, but the bond they share helps both of them to find the courage… Continue reading ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020: THE WITCH HUNTERS

ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020: OUR TIME MACHINE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) From directors Yang Sun and S. Leo Chiang comes this beautiful and heartbreaking documentary about an artist bonding with his beloved father, an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Our Time Machine gives audiences a look behind the scenes of Chinese artist Maleon’s new passion project.… Continue reading ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020: OUR TIME MACHINE

ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020: CODE OF THE FREAKS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My festival coverage continues with an insightful documentary that examines Hollywood’s obsession with the disabled. Featuring candid interviews with intelligent disabled people, director Salome Chasnoff takes a good, hard look at disabled tropes in cinema, some of the various formulaic stories that are often told and… Continue reading ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020: CODE OF THE FREAKS