By Mark Saldana Rating 4 (Out of 4 Stars) This French Canadian entry is not what one might expect from Fantastic Fest, and I do sincerely mean that in the best possible way. Don’t get me completely wrong. I absolutely relish the popcorn horror flicks and entertaining, comedic thrillers and action movies, but this movie… Continue reading A Celebration of Fantastic Fest 2020: LAUGHTER
Category: Reviews
THE DEVIL HAS A NAME
By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ The Devil Has a Name” is a fictionalized drama of true events in California. News in recent years have shed light on the practice of oil companies dumping toxic wastewater into vital waterways and director and Oscar-nominated actor Edward James Olmos’ latest feature the Central Valley’s water contamination, based on… Continue reading THE DEVIL HAS A NAME
REBECCA
By Laurie Coker Rating: C There is wonder in the escapism of classic literature. I love the beauty of a well-filmed period piece. Based on the riveting 1938 Daphne Du Maurier novel, director Ben Wheatley presents a tale of love and secrecy set against the backdrop of breathtaking Hartland Quay in Devon and Hatfield House… Continue reading REBECCA
THE WAR WITH GRANDPA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the children’s novel of the same name, The War With Grandpa is a fun and amiable movie for the whole family to enjoy. The film focusses on two vastly different generations, each with their own problems, but with one thing in common. Both parties… Continue reading THE WAR WITH GRANDPA
A Celebration of Fantastic Fest Review: THE WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Writer/director/actor Jim Cummings first got my attention when I experienced his feature film debut Thunder Road at 2018’s SXSW Film Festival. Because Cummings created and starred in an incredible, low budget indie pic that hits all the right notes, I was truly blown away by his… Continue reading A Celebration of Fantastic Fest Review: THE WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW
A Celebration of Fantastic Fest Review: THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) When it comes to Fantastic Fest thrillers, this movie has just about everything one would want from this type of movie. This has harrowing action, tight, nail-biting action, visceral violence, and of course blood and gore. In addition to this lovable qualities, The Boy Behind The… Continue reading A Celebration of Fantastic Fest Review: THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR
A Celebration of Fantastic Fest Review: THE STYLIST
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I began my virtual festival with this dark tale of obsession and envy. Writer/director Jill Gervargizian puts a more compelling spin on this type of story by making a psychotic killer the protagonist of her film, and a sympathetic one at that. To make things even… Continue reading A Celebration of Fantastic Fest Review: THE STYLIST
HUBIE HALLOWEEN
By Laurie Coker Rating: C- Keeping the kids entertained these can be nearly impossible and with all the CDC expectations for avoiding normal Halloween activities, parents are trying to get creative. Old favorites in spooky family fun are streaming and on-demand, but Adam Sandler and a host of other familiar faces, like Steve Buscemi, Rob… Continue reading HUBIE HALLOWEEN
ON THE ROCKS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Much like Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola’s latest film feels very personal and expressive of the filmmaker’s feelings and life experiences. At the same time, though, this latest entry in her filmography lacks the same level of emotion, introspection, and joie de vivre. Nevertheless, I see… Continue reading ON THE ROCKS
SAVE YOURSELVES!
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) An alien invasion premise sounds like the fodder for a joke directed at 2020. It also happens to be the basic premise for a new comedy movie getting released in this bizarre year. Though the idea of a global, catastrophic event might seem inappropriate given our… Continue reading SAVE YOURSELVES!