Author: Mark Saldana

By Liz Lopez Rating: B – “In the Shadow of the Moon” is a police drama with a Sci-Fi feel, and violence that a young Philadelphia cop, Thomas Lockhart (Boyd Holbrook, known as “Locke” to his friends and colleagues), can’t help but want to investigate although he is not a detective. As he is immersed… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ “9:40” is the 12 minute Spanish language short horror film from Mexico starring Kristyan Ferrer (“Sin Nombre,” “600 Miles”). Ferrer’s performance in the “Sin Nombre” film written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga is among many of the outstanding performances from that film and I knew to anticipate an engaging… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: 9:40

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From India, but not from “Bollywood,” comes an outstanding achievement in direction, cinematography, editing and sound that has a simple story with astute political connotations. This film, by director Lijo Jose Pellissery and writers R. Jayakumar and Hareesh S., challenges people’s perceptions of strength and valor… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: JALLIKATTU

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ This Spanish language feature film from Spain peeked my interest from the initial description I read, however, I was not prepared for all the levels of drama that happen between the two main characters, David (David Pareja) and Javi (Javier Botet). They have been lifelong friends, or so it appears… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: AMIGO

By Liz Lopez  Rating: B+ “In the Tall Grass” is directed by Vicenzo Natali and the screenplay is one her adapted from the novella written Stephen King and his son Joe Hill. I have never liked stepping into or walking in overgrown grass, much less grass that is taller than I am, so watching this… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: IN THE TALL GRASS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) After taking an extended break from narrative feature filmmaking, director Richard Stanley is back with an adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story, The Color Out of Space. Stanley is no stranger to Fantastic Fest, as he attended the festival in 2014 in support of the… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: COLOR OUT OF SPACE