One would that at the collegiate level, racism would not be a systemic problem at all. Writer/director Mariama Diallo strongly states otherwise in a powerful and emotional film that takes the issue of racial prejudice and utilizes it to spin a supernatural horror tale. The movie screened at this year’s SXSW festival and is now… Continue reading SXSW 2022: MASTER
Category: Festivals
SXSW: EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE
I like whacky films as much as the next guy. Cowriters/directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert take on familiar themes at a breakneck pace, taking the best advantage of their impressive cast. Plot twists, action, weirdness, bizarre, asinine, silly, riotous – sign me up. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once goes beyond these descriptors and offers… Continue reading SXSW: EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE
Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: SILENT NIGHT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Leave it to Fantastic Fest to conclude their film extravaganza with a Christmas movie. Of course, this is not the typical, feel-good holiday fare one comes to expect from the season. What is served up is a pitch-black comedy that takes place during Christmas, but during… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: SILENT NIGHT
Fantasia Film Review 2021: IDA RED
Rating: B-/C+ The new crime thriller written and directed by John Swab (Body Brokers), Ida Red, may not be the most original in story, but I did find it entertaining and a good switch from the other films I was viewing virtually during the Fantasia International Film Festival. I have viewed many films that star… Continue reading Fantasia Film Review 2021: IDA RED
Fantastic Fest 2021 Review/News: THE BETA TEST
Rating: B Jim Cummings is back as co-director and star in this pitch – black film biz satire. Cummings revels in the full spectrum of bad behavior, leaving you laughing and gasping in equal measure. Cummings stars as a married Hollywood agent who receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter. After deciding to… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Review/News: THE BETA TEST
Austin Film Festival 2021 Review: SPENCER
Rating: B+ If you are not sure if you want to view Spencer because it is another film to talk about the late Princess Diana’s life, then know that Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín (Jackie, Neruda) has not created a typical biopic about her. Instead, he has focused on a specific time in her life and… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2021 Review: SPENCER
Film Review and News: THE BIG BEND
Rating: B+ The Big Bend is the latest feature film from writer/director Brett Wagner (The Hidden, Chief) and it had the World Premiere at the Austin Film Festival. The premiere had a sold-out theater and probably the same for the second screening during the festival. It was so popular it was a Buzz Screening selection… Continue reading Film Review and News: THE BIG BEND
Fantastic Fest Film 2021 Review: DEAD & BEAUTIFUL
Rating: B – When someone mentions a vampire film, some horror fans will jump right in and be ready to watch, while others may think it is a tired theme. Dead & Beautiful is written and directed by David Verbeek (R U There, How to Describe a Cloud, Full Contact) and his story shows the audience what… Continue reading Fantastic Fest Film 2021 Review: DEAD & BEAUTIFUL
Cinejoy Film Festival 2021 Review: WOMAN ALIVE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From November 4 through 14, Cinejoy, a virtual film festival component of the Cinequest Film Festival, will bring films from all over the world to the homes of movie enthusiasts. This year I had the privilege of screening and reviewing a rather impressive entry from Israel.… Continue reading Cinejoy Film Festival 2021 Review: WOMAN ALIVE
Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In choosing my preferred films for this year’s Fantastic Fest, I was definitely blessed in that I was able to receive access to all of my choices. For those unfamiliar with their system, the people in charge of Fantastic Fest utilize a lottery system for seating… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: LAST NIGHT IN SOHO