Author: Mark Saldana

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

ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020 Review: OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) So, this is my first review after a several week break courtesy of COVID-19. To clarify, I have been most fortunate (so far) that I have not fallern ill to the utterly frightening Coronavirus that has spread like wildfire across the globe. Unfortunately, though, the quarantines… Continue reading ReelAbilities Film Festival 2020 Review: OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE

THE DOG DOC

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now available via VOD and Digital platforms is an engrossing and compelling documentary about alternative veterinary medicine. Most people (myself included) have viewed healthcare for pets in rather short-sighted and limited ways. Such is not at all the case for veterinarian Dr. Martin Goldstein and his… Continue reading THE DOG DOC

NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) There are never, ever any easy answers to the questions teenage pregnancy poses, especially when such pregnancy occurs as the result of abuse. Writer/director Eliza Hittman presents this troubling dilemma to her audiences in this heartbreaking and powerful film. Hittman delivers a gut-wrenching and stressful movie… Continue reading NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS

I STILL BELIEVE

By Liz Lopez Rating: B-/C+ The faith-based drama, “I Still Believe” is directed by the Erwin Brothers, Andrew and Jon, the filmmaking team behind their successful “I Can Only Imagine” (2018). “I Still Believe” is based on the real events in Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp’s life. He was inspired to write a Christian/Gospel song… Continue reading I STILL BELIEVE

THE HUNT

Betty Gilpin as Crystal in "The Hunt," directed by Craig Zobel.

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Watching the trailer to a film may be the way someone decides to view a film or skip it as something that is not interesting to them, or they have a pre-conceived notion of what it is about, so they don’t give it a second thought. “The Hunt” is one… Continue reading THE HUNT

BLOODSHOT

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the Valiant Comics, Bloodshot introduces movie audiences to the character of Ray Garrison, an unwitting pawn in a race to create a team of enhanced super soldiers for mostly financial gain and power. The movie serves as a hopeful opportunity to launch another comic-inspired… Continue reading BLOODSHOT