By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1958, photographer Bert Stein filmed segments of The Newport Jazz Festival, some footage behind the scenes, along with some coverage of the 1958 America’s Cup Yacht Races. The resulting feature, Jazz On A Summer’s Day, premiered at the 1959 Venice Film Festival and has been… Continue reading JAZZ ON A SUMMER’S DAY
Category: MAIN
BOYS STATE
By Laurie Coker Rating: B- Some people are born natural leaders, while others are fine tuned into leaders and Boys State, a documentary by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss highlights the roots of some of our most prominent leaders. The pair chronicles the experiences of a thousand 17-year-old boys from across Texas as they gather… Continue reading BOYS STATE
Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Magazine
By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ Like so many others, music played a huge role in my life growing up. Important milestones, memories, and miseries are measured by the bands and singers who topped the charts and made their way into our world. I perhaps remember magazines like Rolling Stone and Billboard best, but CREEM, published… Continue reading Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Magazine
THE SECRET GARDEN
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] By Renee’ C. Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) An orphaned girl (Dixie Egerickx) discovers a magical garden hidden at her strict uncle’s (Colin Firth) estate (IMDB). The Secret Garden was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and… Continue reading THE SECRET GARDEN
THE BIG UGLY
By Laurie Coker Rating: D The Big Ugly has promise with its solid testosterone-driven cast, but it falls short in plot, creativity, and character. Writer/director Scott Wiper works hard, or so it seems, to create a film with thematic substance, but instead offers up a carbon-copy of dozens of revenge-based movies with no heart. While… Continue reading THE BIG UGLY
NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) To be completely honest and transparent, I feel the need to preface this review. I have known the film’s writer/director, Daniel Tucker, for several years now. He is a good friend and overall great person. Before pursuing a career as a filmmaker, Daniel used to review… Continue reading NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD
WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Japanese filmmaker Magato Nagahisa makes his feature film debut with a movie that deals with grief and disappointment through the eyes and minds of children. That opening sentence might make this film sound like a dour and depressing affair, but Nagahisa channels his inner child well… Continue reading WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES
SUZI Q
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Prior to viewing this documentary, my knowledge about Suzi Quatro was mostly limited to the small series of appearances she made on television’s Happy Days durting the 1970s. I was also aware that she was a rock musician and singer, but I honestly had no idea… Continue reading SUZI Q
7500
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) “Just when you thought it was safer to take a flight,” could have easily been a corny tagline for this hijacking movie. It would’ve been appropriately corny, given that there have been plenty of entries already in this thriller subgenre. Still, I have to give some… Continue reading 7500
THE VAST OF NIGHT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Retro sci fi meets indie, character/dialogue-driven drama in this exciting and riveting thriller. Though that might sound like an unusual mix to some people, cinephiles and science fiction enthusiasts should already know that some of the best genre movies and shows have exceptional writing and compelling… Continue reading THE VAST OF NIGHT