By Laurie Coker Rating: A+ Tom Hank’s News of the World blends relevant themes, rich storytelling, and remarkable characters into an awe-inspiring Western for the ages. Written by director Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies from Paulette Jiles’s novel, News of the World demonstrates what true storytelling can provide in more ways than one. There are… Continue reading NEWS OF THE WORLD
Category: MAIN
IT WAS THE MUSIC
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) As a kid, teen, or even college student, I was never all that into “Roots Music.” I would later discover this genre and fall in love with it through a film. That film is Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz. Now for those unfamiliar with the movie,… Continue reading IT WAS THE MUSIC
Giveaway: THE CROODS: A NEW AGE
ENTER HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AT AT-HOME SCREENING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! Source: Dreamworks ON DECEMBER 18TH, THE CROODS COME HOME. DREAMWORKS ANIMATION PRESENTS THE HOLIDAY EVENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! NICOLAS CAGE, EMMA STONE, RYAN REYNOLDS, PETER DINKLAGE, LESLIE MANN AND KELLY MARIE TRAN IN THE CROODS: A NEW AGE. To enter for a… Continue reading Giveaway: THE CROODS: A NEW AGE
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
By Liz Lopez Rating: A Many of us have heard of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom as the last film performance by the late Chadwick Boseman and have highly anticipated it. The new Netflix film is directed by George C. Wolfe based on the acclaimed play by August Wilson, adapted by film and television series actor,… Continue reading MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
GREENLAND
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) When I signed up to review this film, I had the strong feeling that I had selected a disastrous disaster film. What I mean by disastrous is that I just had a bad feeling that this would be another horrendous overindulgent spectacle of bad CG destruction… Continue reading GREENLAND
FATALE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Both writer David Loughery and director Deon Taylor seem to enjoy making thriller flicks about psychotic obsessives, as this film isn’t their first rodeo. Last year, the filmmaking duo made the fun melodramatic thriller The Intruder. Now granted, both The Intruder and their latest collaboration, Fatale,… Continue reading FATALE
I’M YOUR WOMAN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now available on Amazon Prime Video is a noir thriller that definitely had me on the edge of my seat with that utterly nervous feeling in my tummy. Actress Rachel Brosnahan shines brightly as a confused and frightened woman on the run with her child in… Continue reading I’M YOUR WOMAN
WANDER DARKLY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Wander Darkly, in more ways than one, is an apt title for this film. For audiences, the film can feel like wandering around in the dark, looking for light and clarity. Writer/director Tara Miele disorients her audience quite effectively and often frustratingly. The journey does eventually… Continue reading WANDER DARKLY
Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: STARDUST
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) The fact that the Bowie estate disavowed this movie and did not allow the use of David Bowie’s music was definitely a bad sign from the get-go. Nevertheless, the Austin Film Festival, a movie fest which celebrates and whole-heartedly supports the role of writing in filmmaking,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2020 Review: STARDUST
NOMADLAND
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) While Nomadland is mainly a character study of one woman’s attempt to survive and endure past hardships, it is also a reflection of a group of people who have given up the traditional life that once failed them. Writer/director Chloe Zhao has taken Jessica Bruder’s non-fiction… Continue reading NOMADLAND