By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW The semi-autobiographical film follows spoiled rich girl Sasha Li (Anna Akana), who after blowing through most of her trust fund, is forced by her father (Richard Ng) to go back to China and work for the family toy business. What begins simply as a way to regain financial support… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: GO BACK TO CHINA.
Category: Reviews
SXSW 2019 Review: MICKEY AND THE BEAR
By Jan Hamilton Synopsis Source: SXSW It’s April in Anaconda, Montana,and headstrong teenager Mickey Peck (Camila Morrone) is doing what she can to keep her single, veteran father (James Badge Dale) afloat, navigating his mercurial moods, opioid addiction, and grief over the loss of his wife. Secretly, Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: MICKEY AND THE BEAR
SXSW 2019 Review: RUNNING WITH BETO
SXSW “Running With Beto” Audience Award Winning Documentary Available on HBO By Liz Lopez Rating B+ Director David Modigliani’s documentary, “Running With Beto” had multiple screenings during the SXSW Film Festival this past March and went on to win the Audience Award in the Documentary Spotlight category. The documentary shows the audience about Beto O’Rourke’s… Continue reading SXSW 2019 Review: RUNNING WITH BETO
Review: SXSW Premiere of Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart” hits Theaters for End of School Fun
By Liz Lopez Rating: B Sometimes you can see a trailer for a comedy film with teens facing the usual coming of age challenges that we have already seen in past popular films and decide to pass on seeing it. Although, it might sound slightly predictable, the four screenwriters, Susanna Fogel (“The Spy Who Dumped… Continue reading Review: SXSW Premiere of Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart” hits Theaters for End of School Fun
Review: BRIGHTBURN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From producer James Gunn, comes this wicked and sometimes shocking serving of subversion which offers an evil flipside to the Superman mythos. Presented as a nightmarish horror flick, Brightburn examines what happens when great power gets paired with no responsibility and a sociopathic mind. I wasn’t… Continue reading Review: BRIGHTBURN
Review: ALADDIN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Disney’s plan for live action/CGI remakes continues with this update on the popular and acclaimed 1992 animated film. So far, most of Disney’s new remakes have either been good or great and this latest one barely makes good. Though the filmmakers attempt to better develop the… Continue reading Review: ALADDIN
Cine Las Americas 22 Review: OCHO DE CADA DIEZ (EIGHT OUT OF TEN)
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) From Mexican writer/director Sergio Umansky Brener, comes this dark and gritty tale of vengeance that rings truthfully and accurately, based on the current state of crime and law enforcement in Mexico. Acclaimed actor Noé Hernández stars as Aurelio, a humble father and husband dealing with the… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 22 Review: OCHO DE CADA DIEZ (EIGHT OUT OF TEN)
Cine Las Americas 22 Review: MEDEA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) From Costa Rica comes a provocative and shocking film that addresses the issues of women’s rights, sexism, and society’s complacency in addressing these issues. Writer/director Alexandra Latishev takes a realistic, slice-of-life approach to her presentation, but still pulls no punches when it comes to her messages.… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 22 Review: MEDEA
Review: POKEMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the Pokemon franchise and on the video game of the same name, this film adaptation does offer some entertaining comedy, mostly courtesy of the hilarious voice work by star Ryan Reynolds. Fans of the pop culture franchise are sure to find much enjoyment in… Continue reading Review: POKEMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU
Review: POMS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I sincerely hate to be the bad guy when it comes to tearing down movies about underdogs trying to overcome adversity, but this movie just doesn’t have much good to offer in terms of storytelling and character development. I am sure the filmmakers who conceived this… Continue reading Review: POMS