Source: SXSW Austin, Texas, January 16, 2019 — South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals announced the features and episodic premieres lineup for the 26th edition of the Film Festival, running March 8-17, 2019 in Austin, Texas. The acclaimed program draws thousands of fans, filmmakers, press, and industry leaders every year to immerse themselves in the… Continue reading SXSW 2019 News: FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2019 FEATURES AND EPISODIC PREMIERES
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Review: DESTROYER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Redemption takes many forms, and like the protagonist of the neo-noir film Destroyer, sometimes one has to get downright dirty to accomplish it. The new film from director Karyn Kusama (The Invitation) is a prime example of this nasty, regressive process. Nicole Kidman’s character, Erin Bell,… Continue reading Review: DESTROYER
Review: THE UPSIDE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) After France’s The Intouchables received acclaim from both critics and the general public, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood would make an American version, and after eight years, The Intouchables redo is finally seeing the light of day. Dubbed, The Upside, the US… Continue reading Review: THE UPSIDE
Austin Screening Pass Giveaway: THE UPSIDE
Source: STX Entertainment TVR is giving away passes (good for two people) to an advance screenings of this movie in Austin, TX, scheduled for Wednesday, January 9 at 7:00 p..m. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. Must be 18 or older to enter. See this movie early and free of charge before it opens in theaters!
Review: ESCAPE ROOM
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) A form of amusement which has grown in popularity over the past few years is “The Escape Room.” A group of people enters a facility where they are supposedly tapped and must use their wits, evade threats, and overcome challenges and obstacles to get out. I… Continue reading Review: ESCAPE ROOM
Review: ON THE BASIS OF SEX
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
Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: SHOPLIFTERS
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
Mark Saldana’s Best Films of 2018
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
Review: IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
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
Review: VICE
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