By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) One of my favorite films at SXSW this year is this intimate glimpse into the life of a romatic relationship. Writer/director Tom Cullen tells the story of Jenna (Tatiana Massey) and Leon (Jay Duplass) through six different scenes, detailing six key moments in their relationship. From… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: PINK WALL
Category: Reviews
SXSW 2019 Review: ALICE
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW Participants After discovering that her husband’s addiction to escorts has left their family penniless, Alice finds herself drawn into the world of high-end prostitution as a means of caring for herself and her child. Alice (Emilie Piponnier), her husband Francois ( Martin Swabey), and her son Jules are the… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: ALICE
SXSW 2019 Review: THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW Participants The dark comedy “The Art of Self-Defense” stars Jesse Eisenberg and is set in the world of karate. Eisenberg plays a man who is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), in an effort… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE
SXSW 2019 Review: EXTRA ORDINARY
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW Participants Rose, a sweet, lonely driving instructor in rural Ireland, is gifted with supernatural abilities. Rose has a love/hate relationship with her ‘talents’ & tries to ignore the constant spirit related requests from locals – to exorcise possessed rubbish bins or haunted gravel. But Christian Winter, a washed up,… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: EXTRA ORDINARY
SXSW 2019 Review: I SEE YOU
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW Participants In a perfect town filled with perfect families, twelve-year-old Justin Whitter has gone missing. Greg Harper, lead investigator on the case, struggles to balance the pressures of the investigation which has brought to attention a similar case thought to be buried in the past, while finding a way… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: I SEE YOU
SXSW 2019 Review: SWORD OF TRUST
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW Participants When Cynthia & Mary (Jillian Bell & Michaela Watkins) show up to collect Cynthia’s inheritance from her deceased grandfather, the only item she’s received is an antique sword that was believed by her grandfather to be proof that the South won the Civil War. The two attempt to… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: SWORD OF TRUST
Review: MA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Not too long after another psychological thriller hit theaters (The Intruder) another one arrives at the ready to take its place. To its credit, Ma does have a compelling and interesting story to offer, but this doesn’t quite prevent the filmmakers from retreading some all-too-familiar territory.… Continue reading Review: MA
Review: ALL IS TRUE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From director Kenneth Branagh, an obvious fan of Shakespeare and his works, comes this fictionalized take on “The Bard’s” retirement and the aftermath of a life dedicated to one’s passionate career. Though poignant and interesting at times, the film often meanders and waxes a bit too… Continue reading Review: ALL IS TRUE
SXSW 2019 Review: LA MALA NOCHE (THE LONGEST NIGHT)
By Mark Saldana Rating 4 (Out of 4 Stars) From Ecuador, comes this riveting and disturbingly visceral thriller that offers an insightful glimpse into the lives of sex workers and the victims of human trafficking in Latin America. Nöelle Schönwald stars as “Dana,” a seemingly high class escort/prostitute working for ruthless pimp, human trafficker, and… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: LA MALA NOCHE (THE LONGEST NIGHT)
SXSW 2019 Review: THE BEACH BUM
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW The Beach Bum follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog (Matthew McConaughey), a rebellious rogue who always lives life by his own rules. Co-starring Snoop Dog, Zac Efron, and Isla Fisher, The Beach Bum is a refreshingly original and subversive new comedy from director Harmony Korine (Kids, Spring Breakers).