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MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM

By Liz Lopez Rating: A Many of us have heard of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom as the last film performance by the late Chadwick Boseman and have highly anticipated it. The new Netflix film is directed by George C. Wolfe based on the acclaimed play by August Wilson, adapted by film and television series actor,… Continue reading MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM

GREENLAND

GREENLAND

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) When I signed up to review this film, I had the strong feeling that I had selected a disastrous disaster film. What I mean by disastrous is that I just had a bad feeling that this would be another horrendous overindulgent spectacle of bad CG destruction… Continue reading GREENLAND

FATALE

Michael Ealy, Hilary Swank on the set of FATALE. Photo By: Courtesy of Lionsgate

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Both writer David Loughery and director Deon Taylor seem to enjoy making thriller flicks about psychotic obsessives, as this film isn’t their first rodeo. Last year, the filmmaking duo made the fun melodramatic thriller The Intruder. Now granted, both The Intruder and their latest collaboration, Fatale,… Continue reading FATALE

I’M YOUR WOMAN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now available on Amazon Prime Video is a noir thriller that definitely had me on the edge of my seat with that utterly nervous feeling in my tummy. Actress Rachel Brosnahan shines brightly as a confused and frightened woman on the run with her child in… Continue reading I’M YOUR WOMAN

WANDER DARKLY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Wander Darkly, in more ways than one, is an apt title for this film. For audiences, the film can feel like wandering around in the dark, looking for light and clarity. Writer/director Tara Miele disorients her audience quite effectively and often frustratingly. The journey does eventually… Continue reading WANDER DARKLY

News: Festival Internacional de Guadalajara in Los Angeles Celebrates the 10th Edition Rebranded

By Liz Lopez The GuadaLAjara Film Festival in Los Angeles, presented by University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, Grodman Foundation, the Festival Internacional de Guadalajara and is formerly known as FICG in LA, announced a 100% virtual 2020 program reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival, celebrating ten years since its premiere in Los Angeles, also revealed… Continue reading News: Festival Internacional de Guadalajara in Los Angeles Celebrates the 10th Edition Rebranded

Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: STARDUST

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) The fact that the Bowie estate disavowed this movie and did not allow the use of David Bowie’s music was definitely a bad sign from the get-go. Nevertheless, the Austin Film Festival, a movie fest which celebrates and whole-heartedly supports the role of writing in filmmaking,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: STARDUST

NOMADLAND

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) While Nomadland is mainly a character study of one woman’s attempt to survive and endure past hardships, it is also a reflection of a group of people who have given up the traditional life that once failed them. Writer/director Chloe Zhao has taken Jessica Bruder’s non-fiction… Continue reading NOMADLAND

BLACK BEAR

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The black bear is that elephant in the room that is the soul of humanity. It is the ugly, animalistic beast that often destroys, maims, and wreaks havoc when it escapes us. The black bear often emerges from within the hearts and souls of artists as… Continue reading BLACK BEAR