By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Directed by Ridley Scott, House of Gucci is a very entertaining (albeit very long) story about the Gucci empire and the family drama full of greed, backstabbing – oh and I cannot forget to mention murder. Scott works from a script by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna, based on Sara… Continue reading HOUSE OF GUCCI
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JULIA
Rating: A Julie Cohen and Betsy West’s feature-length documentary, Julia, appealed to me so much more than any other previous film about Julia Child’s life and career. I did not anticipate feeling quite so satisfied with this story about a very well known and often written about celebrity cookbook writer and TV cooking show pioneer.… Continue reading JULIA
SURVIVING SUPERCON
Rating: B+ SYNOPSIS: Surviving Supercon is a zany behind the scenes look at how a rag-tag Mom & Pop organization pulls off one the biggest pop culture conventions in the United States. Directed and edited by Steven Shea, Surviving Supercon is an insider look at convention production, following husband and wife owners Mike Broder and… Continue reading SURVIVING SUPERCON
GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Jason Reitman has obviously chosen a career that follows in his father’s footsteps in cinema. This has never been more apparent until he chose to make a sequel to his father’s (Ivan Reitman) iconic Ghostbusters movies. Though not as overtly comedic as his Ivan Reitman’s first… Continue reading GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE
TICK, TICK…BOOM!
By Mark Saldanay Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now playing in some theaters, as well as available for streaming via Netflix is a wonderful musical that tells the story about the humble beginnings of the acclaimed late playwright Jonathan Larson. Larson, who is best known for his successful musical play Rent, struggled as a… Continue reading TICK, TICK…BOOM!
VANDAL
Rating: B Jose Daniel Freixas’ feature directorial debut Vandal is a drama about the young leader Nick ‘Damage’ Cruz (Daniel Zovatto, Don’t Breathe) of an infamous graffiti crew in Miami who experiences love, loss, and the consequences of his actions as he comes of age, struggling to justify his obsession with illegal street graffiti. Director/producer… Continue reading VANDAL
NO FUTURE
Rating: B-/C+ I was drawn to the film No Future upon finding Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Catherine Keener has a lead role as the mother of a son with addiction. She is a talented actress and has a range of roles to her credit. This outstanding performance is one to watch, especially dealing… Continue reading NO FUTURE
BELFAST
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) When filmmakers choose to tell their personal stories from childhood, this often makes for compelling cinema. Such is the case with Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast. Branagh, who was born and partially raised in Ireland, eventually moved to England with his family as a child, due to the… Continue reading BELFAST
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