By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The summer movie season has begun and so has “Phase 2” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For those unfamiliar with this description or terminology, the imaginative people at Marvel Studios dubbed their franchise of films leading to The Avengers, Phase 1 and the next series of… Continue reading Review: IRON MAN 3
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Review: IRON MAN 3
By Laurie Coker Rating: B While certainly not perfect, Iron Man 3 is, plain and simple, FUN! Most of which can be attributed to Robert Downey Jr.’s playful, wit-ridden delivery and wild antics. Director (and co-writer with first-timer Drew Pierce) Shane Black who is better known behind the pen (Lethal Weapon) than in front, gives… Continue reading Review: IRON MAN 3
Movie News: STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS V.I.P. Screening
WHAT: PARAMOUNT PICTURES, BAD ROBOT AND CHARITYBUZZ PARTNER TO OFFER STAR TREK FANS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DIRECTOR J.J. ABRAMS AND THE CAST OF “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” AT THE FILM’S LOS ANGELES PREMIERE. PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE MISSION CONTINUES. Charitybuzz, the leading destination for online charity auctions, will host the bidding for a… Continue reading Movie News: STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS V.I.P. Screening
Movie News/Local Events: VIVAN LAS ANTIPODAS
“Vivan Las Antipodas” Screens Again Saturday 5/4 & Sunday 5/5 Victor Kossakovsky’s movie is a feast for the senses, a fascinating kaleidoscope of our planet. ¡VIVAN LAS ANTIPODAS! – Long Live The Antipodes! Every screening begins with a 3-minute short film from GE FOCUS FORWARD and is followed by a pre-taped Q&A with Mr.… Continue reading Movie News/Local Events: VIVAN LAS ANTIPODAS
Cine Las Americas 16 Reviews: Narrative/Panorama Shorts
By Mark Saldana One the things I really like about Cine Las Americas is the fact that before most feature films, they present one of the shorts submitted to the festival. Because my coverage involves mostly feature length films at festivals, I rarely get the opportunity to view shorts showcases. This year I was able… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 16 Reviews: Narrative/Panorama Shorts
Review: MUD
By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ Matthew McConaughey is on fire. He’s made more movies in the past two years than most actors dream of and his characters are wide and varied. Regardless of the role, he seems to rise up and make it his own. In his most recent film MUD, he plays the title… Continue reading Review: MUD
Cine Las Americas 16 Review: 7 CAJAS/7 BOXES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) For the piece de resistance, Jean Laurer and her programmers picked an awesome gem of a film to close out the festival. This import from Paraguay had me thoroughly engaged and invested in its story and characters from start to finish. Of all the films I… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 16 Review: 7 CAJAS/7 BOXES
Cine Las Americas 16 Filmmaker Spotlight: Valente Rodriguez
By Mark Saldana CLAIFF Programmer Jean Lauer, Composer Michael Ramos, Valente Rodriguez
Review: THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
By Laurie Coker Rating: B- “The company you keep is a direct reflection on how people perceive you.” These words, from my mother, resonate in my mind, and I have passed them on to my son and my students. Robert Redford’s new movie The Company you Keep demonstrates the very notion of my mother’s (and… Continue reading Review: THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
Cine Las Americas 16 Review: Panorama Double Feature
By Mark Saldana As part of their Panorama Short Films line up, this year’s Cine Las Americas festival had a double feature of two, hour long, short films on Saturday night (April 20th). The Panorama section celebrates Narrative and Documentary films which “represent innovative and independent filmmakers in complement to the rest of the program;… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 16 Review: Panorama Double Feature