Author: Mark Saldana

WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton, director Thor Freudenthal’s and screenwriter Nick Naveda’s film adaptation offers a mostly moving portrait of a teen struggling with mental illness and the people who love him that are determined to see him persevere. Actor… Continue reading WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS

SPUTNIK

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From IFC Midnight comes what quite obviously is the Russian counterpart of Ridley Scott’s Alien. And even though that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is a plot/concept homaged or blantantly stolen by several other movies. To its benefit, the filmmakers behind Sputnik offer some fresh… Continue reading SPUTNIK

BOYS STATE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now available for viewing via AppleTV + is a film that gives its audiences an astute, critical look at U.S. politics through the ambitious eyes of our youth. The documentary focuses on a long-running program run by The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary. In… Continue reading BOYS STATE

JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1958, photographer Bert Stein filmed segments of The Newport Jazz Festival, some footage behind the scenes, along with some coverage of the 1958 America’s Cup Yacht Races. The resulting feature, Jazz On A Summer’s Day, premiered at the 1959 Venice Film Festival and has been… Continue reading JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) To be completely honest and transparent, I feel the need to preface this review. I have known the film’s writer/director, Daniel Tucker, for several years now. He is a good friend and overall great person. Before pursuing a career as a filmmaker, Daniel used to review… Continue reading NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

THE SECRET: DARE TO DREAM

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the ideas and principles of Rhonda Byrne’s 2006 self-help book, The Secret, this “romantic” drama from director Andy Tennant comes across like a saccharine feel-good movie-of-the week often found on the Hallmark channel. Now for some, this might be a major selling point, but… Continue reading THE SECRET: DARE TO DREAM

WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES

Sena Nakajima, Keita Ninomiya, Mondo Okumura and Satoshi Mizuno appear in We Are Little Zombies by Makoto Nagahisa, an official selection of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition 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 prohibited.

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Japanese filmmaker Magato Nagahisa makes his feature film debut with a movie that deals with grief and disappointment through the eyes and minds of children. That opening sentence might make this film sound like a dour and depressing affair, but Nagahisa channels his inner child well… Continue reading WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES

SUZI Q

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Prior to viewing this documentary, my knowledge about Suzi Quatro was mostly limited to the small series of appearances she made on television’s Happy Days durting the 1970s. I was also aware that she was a rock musician and singer, but I honestly had no idea… Continue reading SUZI Q

7500

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) “Just when you thought it was safer to take a flight,” could have easily been a corny tagline for this hijacking movie. It would’ve been appropriately corny, given that there have been plenty of entries already in this thriller subgenre. Still, I have to give some… Continue reading 7500