By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) What began as a science-fiction inspired art project developed into a heavy metal culture phenomenon. This documentary details the journey of several creative and rebellious minds who contributed to the theatrical and sometimes controversial metal band known as GWAR. Director Scott Barber tells the true, but… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: THIS IS GWAR
Category: Reviews
Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: BINGO HELL
By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ It is hard not to have the film title, Bingo Hell, jump out among the many films offered during the festival. Everyone may not be intrigued, but it will most definitely catch the attention for any of us who have or had ties to the Bingo world, whether personally or… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Review: BINGO HELL
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) As I began this film, there is much about the Evan Hansen character with which I could definitely relate. Growing up, I was definitely a painfully shy individual and have continued to struggle with social anxiety. By the end of the movie, though, I feel that… Continue reading DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Fantasia Film Festival Capsule Reviews: Key Favorites Are Featured at the Fantastic Fest in Austin
AGNES InAgnes, the latest from prolific filmmaker Mickey Reece (Climate of the Hunter), a dissident priest and a bright-eyed neophyte are sent to investigate rumours of demonic possession at a convent. Both will be met with temptation as the strange goings-on test their faith, as well as that of one specific nun in residence. This… Continue reading Fantasia Film Festival Capsule Reviews: Key Favorites Are Featured at the Fantastic Fest in Austin
COPSHOP
By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Director Joe Carnahan (Boss Level) and co-screenwriter Kurt McLeod have created an action thriller screenplay that some cinefiles may think they know what to anticipate at every scene. It shouldn’t be judged quite yet, even if the two lead roles include Frank Grillo and Gerard Butler (and share producing credits)… Continue reading COPSHOP
BLUE BAYOU
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Writer/director/actor Justin Chon has chosen to use film to reveal a very ugly flaw within US immigration laws that is only well-known to anyone who has faced a similar struggle to remain in this country. This particular law has to do with Asian immigrants who were… Continue reading BLUE BAYOU
THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Tammy Faye and her one time husband Jim Bakker once had a popular evangelical television program called The PTL Club and hoped to spread their “philosophy” of Christianity to the world. Well as most of the world knows it, The PTL Club and Jim Bakker would… Continue reading THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE
CRY MACHO
By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Clint Eastwood’s filmmaking in front and behind the camera is legendary and iconic. He has created unique, memorable characters and directed impressive films. Now in his 90’s, the veteran is still drawing at the box office, but perhaps, this is the time to sit back and enjoy his later years.… Continue reading CRY MACHO
KATE
By Laurie Coker Rating: C There seems to be a more noticeable trend now for taking traditional male roles and casting women in them, especially in the violent action film genre. The problem with this lies in the fact that these stories aren’t fresh. Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan makes a genuine effort to create an action-packed… Continue reading KATE
MALIGNANT
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Admittedly, horror films don’t thrill me. I prefer old-school scary movies like Hitchcock’s. He knew how to terrify with implication and camera angles and not gratuitous violence and floods of blood. Director James Wan’s ‘Malignant’ does use some impressive approaches to the terror factor, but ultimately, he relies far too… Continue reading MALIGNANT