By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ Take Out Girl is a little Indy film that almost could have been – great. Director Hisonni Johnson can’t quite pull off the tension necessary to capture the heart of the deeply disturbing story of desperation and deceit. Rich characters and a solid cast offer promise but the film falls… Continue reading TAKE OUT GIRL
Category: Reviews
Synchronic
By Laurie Coker Rating: C Filmmaking partners Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, best known for off-Hollywood-type films, team up in Synchronic, a sci-fi mystery starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan. Playing on their knack for arthouse-style filmmaking, the directing duo delves into some dark places -physical and mental – creating what might have been a… Continue reading Synchronic
A Celebration of Fantastic Fest 2020 Review: TEDDY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Even though I began my virtual festival a day early with a screener, the actual virtual fest began the following night with a beastly opener from France. Every Fantastic Fest has a central theme, and usually the festival highlights and celebrates the films of a particular… Continue reading A Celebration of Fantastic Fest 2020 Review: TEDDY
A Celebration of Fantastic Fest 2020: LAUGHTER
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
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