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By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been in the news lately, but sadly, this been due to some health problems.  Still, there is no denying her amazing contributions to social justice–particularly her work in advancing women’s rights.  This new movie by director Mimi Leder attempts… Continue reading Review: ON THE BASIS OF SEX

AFF’s “Shoplifters” (Manbiki Kazoku) from Director Hirokazu Koreeda Takes Your Heart   By Liz Lopez Rating: A Director/writer/editor Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters” (original title, Manbiki Kazoku) is one of those films that grabs your attention from the onset and then takes your heart to add this emotional and moving story about a Japanese “family” that survives… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: SHOPLIFTERS

By Mark Saldana 2018 was another fantastic year for cinema, but it was a particularly exciting year for me.  In addition to reviewing hundreds of films this year, and attending my four usual film festivals, I was accepted into the Austin Film Critics Association.  With this honor comes even more access to films before their… Continue reading Mark Saldana’s Best Films of 2018

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the acclaimed novel by James Baldwin, this movie offers a fictionalized take on the African-American experience during the 1970s. Still, this is a story that reflects the real injustices and turmoil that Black Americans went through during the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement. … Continue reading Review: IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

By Mark Saldana  Rating 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From writer/director Adam McKay, the filmmaker made the razor sharp satire, The Big Short, comes another biting and witty film that pulls no punches.  With Vice, McKay takes on the political career of Dick Cheney and how he literally became the most powerful Vice President of… Continue reading Review: VICE

Jennifer Lopez Shines in the Romance Comedy “Second Act” By Liz Lopez Rating: B- Jennifer Lopez stars in and produces “Second Act,” an office comedy that also features the issues she has with her romantic partner, and also the strong bond she has with her close friends. The screenplay written by Justin Zackham (“The Big… Continue reading Review: SECOND ACT

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In 2002, artist Mark Hogancamp was brutally attacked outside a bar.  Even though Hogancamp physically recovered to a certain level, he was left brain damaged and unable to draw.  Mark was also left with severe mental wounds that troubled him for some time since the incident. … Continue reading Review: WELCOME TO MARWEN

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) With the exception of last year’s Wonder Woman, every DCEU film  has been rather messy.  Despite the production woes of Justice League and the last minute changes, the filmmakers  managed to salvage a fun and watchable movie.  This offered some hope for what seemed to be… Continue reading Review: AQUAMAN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Fifty-four years after Mary Poppins debuted in theaters and began winning of the hearts of children and their families for many generations, the magical nanny has finally returned in a sequel.  Why Disney took so long to do this is uncertain.  However, considering that that the… Continue reading Review: MARY POPPINS RETURNS