By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This year’s Fantastic Fest closed with a delightfully smart, mystery thriller which would possibly impress Agatha Christie herself. Writer/director Rian Johnson has taken the classic “whodunnit” and offers an engrossing and entertaining twist on the genre. With a talented ensemble cast, intelligent writing and superb direction,… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2019 Review: KNIVES OUT
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Review: QUEEN & SLIM
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Director Melina Matsoukas makes her feature film debut with a gorgeously- shot portrait of unwitting outlaws involved in a violent killing. Matsoukas takes the tropes of outlaws-on-the-run and utilities them to make a bold stance against prejudice and police corruption. Her film, though not superbly executed,… Continue reading Review: QUEEN & SLIM
Other Israel Film Festival 2019 Review: SAMARITAN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Those who are of Catholic or other Christian faiths are probably very familiar with the Biblical parable of The Good Samaritan. At the same, it is probably easy to take for granted the actual history and relevance of the Samaritan culture. Samaritans bridge the gap between… Continue reading Other Israel Film Festival 2019 Review: SAMARITAN
Other Israel Film Festival 2019 Review: Cause OF DEATH
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Between November 14 and 21, New York City hosted the 13th annual Other Israel Film Festival which showcased various works by Jewish and Arabic filmmakers. These movies intend to offer insight on and educate about the cultures of Jewish and Arabic nations. I was given the… Continue reading Other Israel Film Festival 2019 Review: Cause OF DEATH
Knives out
By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ Nothing beats a good murder mystery and Knives Out starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plumber, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas and a host of other awesome actors keeps the audience guessing like an old-style Agatha Christie novel. Writer/director Rian Johnson plays every trick in… Continue reading Knives out
Review: A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Last year’s documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? opened up my eyes, heart, and mind to realize what a truly extraordinary human Fred Rogers was. As a child, I grew up occasionally watching Mr. Rogers, not truly appreciating his unusual approach to children’s television or the… Continue reading Review: A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Austin Film Festival 2019 Review: WAVES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) As usual, this year’s Austin Film Festival featured an exciting lineup of movies, but definitely offered some great headliners which may be considered for accolades at the year’s end. The one film which seriously blew me away came from writer/director Trey Edward Shults. Shults originally caught… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2019 Review: WAVES
Review: HONEY BOY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) To anyone who has wondered what the deal is with Shia LeBeouf, the actor who has written this rather personal statement of who he is and why he’s had his share of personal turmoil. I suppose it has become easy to dismiss the actor as just… Continue reading Review: HONEY BOY
Review: FROZEN II
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf return in a new adventure that amuses and entertains, but lacks a solid story as its foundation. It is a simple case of sequelitis that keeps this new installment from achieving the same heights of greatness and passion, but it is… Continue reading Review: FROZEN II
Review: 21 BRIDGES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Television director Brian Kirk makes his cinematic debut with a movie that shows much talent behind its tense beats and action sequences, but is held back by a thin story and lackluster character development. 21 Bridges, with all of its talent in front of its lenses,… Continue reading Review: 21 BRIDGES