Category: Festivals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: A The French comedy, Holidays At All Cost, world premiered at Dances With Films 24 in Los Angeles, followed by screenings at festivals in New York City, Montreal and Germany, and recently won awards in Marbella (Best Story), Edmonton (Jury Award for Best International Feature – Dramatic) and Austria (Best Feature – Austrian Indie… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2021 Review and News: HOLIDAYS AT ALL COST