By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Mike “Madman” Mendez’s ode to monster movies is an absolute entertainment blast that had me grinning from ear to ear throughout most of the screening and laughing quite often. If anything, my only criticism would be that not all of the jokes win, some of them… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: BIG ASS SPIDER
Category: Festivals
2013 SXSW Review: ZERO CHARISMA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Scott Weidemeyer (Sam Eidson) lives for writing and developing role playing games. As the “Master” of his weekly gaming group, Scott takes his games way too seriously. So when a new member of the group challenges the master’s authority and game scenarios bringing an element of… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: ZERO CHARISMA
SXSW 2013 Review: MALADIES
By Laurie Coker Rating: D+/C- The term maladies refers to illnesses of sort, sicknesses mental or physical. In the film Maladies starring Catherine Keener and James Franco, the title Maladies refers to broken people, in particular three odd, quirky, damaged people who live in the same house and suffer from varying mental defects. The problem,… Continue reading SXSW 2013 Review: MALADIES
2013 SXSW Review: MALADIES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This film really won my heart because of the genuine attempt to realistically portray people with mental illnesses and those suffering from oppression due to these illnesses and other non-traditional behavior. Taking place during the 1960s, Maladies tells a fictional story of a small group of… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: MALADIES
Review: SPRING BREAKERS (SXSW 2013)
By Laurie Coker Rating: D+ From 1973 to 1986, every year (yes, starting in high school), my friends and I traveled to South Padre Island (only 100 miles from home) for spring break. I know firsthand and all too well, having held many a head over the toilet, the decadence and pandemonium typical of this… Continue reading Review: SPRING BREAKERS (SXSW 2013)
2013 SXSW Review: SPRING BREAKERS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Given Harmony Korine’s reputation for making dark and often bizarre films, I really didn’t know what to expect from his latest entry. Considering that former Disney actresses were cast in lead roles made any kind of real expectations nearly impossible. Now as for audiences unfamiliar with… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: SPRING BREAKERS
2013 SXSW Review: DON JON
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) The uber-talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt writes, directs and stars in this superb portrait of a young man struggling to find happiness in his love life, but seeking it in the wrong places and people. Jon Martello, known to his admiring buddies as “Don Jon”, has a smooth… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: DON JON
2013 SXSW Review: REWIND THIS!
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) This film has to be my favorite documentary at SXSW this year. As a huge film geek and someone who grew up renting and watching VHS movies, this film definitely struck a chord with me. Director Josh Johnson’s Rewind This! recounts the history of the home… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: REWIND THIS!
2013 SXSW Review: I AM DIVINE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Divine was born as Haris Glen Milstead in Baltimore, Maryland in 1945. As a young man, he struggled with coming to terms with his sexual orientation, but during the 60s and 70s, he came out in a huge way and found his calling as a wildly… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Review: I AM DIVINE
2013 SXSW Interview & Review: AND WHO TAUGHT YOU TO DRIVE?
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) And Who Taught You to Drive? was the first film I saw this year at the 2013 South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival. And, I am glad it was because it is just the kind of quirky slice of life film I love to see at… Continue reading 2013 SXSW Interview & Review: AND WHO TAUGHT YOU TO DRIVE?