By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This festival entry is the only horror film I watched from CLAIFF this year. From Uruguay, director Maximiliano Contenti has obviously studied the work of great Giallo filmmakers such as Dario Argento, because he definitely has a great eye for visuals, particularly in his use of… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 23: THE LAST MATINEE
Category: MAIN
Cine Las Americas 23 Review: MISSING IN BROOKS COUNTY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Another documentary that focuses on the issues and problems with the immigration system in the United States is the Hecho En Tejas spotlight film Missing In Brooks County. The Hecho En Tejas category highlights films made in Texas, and this particular film is probably the best… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 23 Review: MISSING IN BROOKS COUNTY
Cine Las Americas 23 Review: AT THE READY
By Mark Saldana Rating 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This engrossing and affecting documentary officially kicked of my virtual Cine Las Americas 23. Just from reading the premise, I had a strong feeling that the timely themes and issues it addresses would make for a very compelling and revelatory film. Director Maisie Crow follows a… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 23 Review: AT THE READY
F9: THE FAST SAGA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) After twenty years and nine previous movies, the Fast & Furious family are back again with yet another crazy adventure. It is pretty wild, when one thinks about it, how a simple and silly crime story about thieving street racers has been developed and reinvigorated into… Continue reading F9: THE FAST SAGA
LUCA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now available for streaming via Disney+ is a remarkable animated film from Disney/Pixar which celebrates the Italian culture experienced by director Enrico Casarosa, based on his childhood as an Italian native. Even though Luca never achieves the heights of fantasy and brilliance that other Disney/Pixar films… Continue reading LUCA
GAIA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) “Nature finds a way.” is the key message of message of this horror film. And even though I am quoting from Jurassic Park, this message rings especially true in this movie about the negative impact the human race has had on our planet. From South America,… Continue reading GAIA
Cine Las Americas 23 Review: RITA MORENO – JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) From her humble beginnings, Puerto Rican native Rita Moreno seemed destined for stardom. Her vibrant personality and charisma made her a natural for show business. However, it was her abilities to sing, dance, and act that guaranteed her future success in America. This was never an… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 23 Review: RITA MORENO – JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT
SXSW 2021 Review: The Sparks Brothers
By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Every year I look forward to the SXSW Film Festival, and among my many favorite films offered are the ones screened in the 24 Beats Per Second category. Each documentary provides details about the musicians I already know of or am familiar with, but then I learn so much about… Continue reading SXSW 2021 Review: The Sparks Brothers
HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Even though I moderately enjoyed The Hitman’s Bodyguard, I felt that the writing and direction withheld the movie from hitting “11” on all cylinders. To its benefit, the comic timing of both Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, along with their lovely chemistry, make it a… Continue reading HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD
HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD’S
By Renee’ C. Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) The bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) continues his friendship with assassin Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) as they try to save Darius’s wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) (IMDB). This is the first film in person at the theater in over a year because of COVID. Luckily for… Continue reading HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD’S