Category: Reviews

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) For my second film, I selected one that has a more serious tone and explores a different culture in Iran. Hendi & Hormoz takes place on the Iranian island of Hormuz where a very impoverished, third world group of people struggle to thrive. The film follows… Continue reading Iranian Film Festival NY 2019 Review: HENDI & HORMOZ

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From January 10 through 15, the first annual Iranian Film Festival New York took place. Though I was unable to attend the event, I was given the opportunity to cover some of the films which screened during the festival. The first of which was a delightful… Continue reading Iranian Film Festival NY 2019 Review: I WANT TO DANCE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Redemption takes many forms, and like the protagonist of the neo-noir film Destroyer, sometimes one has to get downright dirty to accomplish it.  The new film from director Karyn Kusama (The Invitation) is a prime example of this nasty, regressive process.  Nicole Kidman’s character, Erin Bell,… Continue reading Review: DESTROYER

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) After France’s The Intouchables received acclaim from both critics and the general public, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood would make an American version, and after eight years, The Intouchables redo is finally seeing the light of day.  Dubbed, The Upside, the US… Continue reading Review: THE UPSIDE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) A form of amusement which has grown in popularity over the past few years is “The Escape Room.”  A group of people enters a facility where they are supposedly tapped and must use their wits, evade threats, and overcome challenges and obstacles to get out.  I… Continue reading Review: ESCAPE ROOM

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been in the news lately, but sadly, this been due to some health problems.  Still, there is no denying her amazing contributions to social justice–particularly her work in advancing women’s rights.  This new movie by director Mimi Leder attempts… Continue reading Review: ON THE BASIS OF SEX

AFF’s “Shoplifters” (Manbiki Kazoku) from Director Hirokazu Koreeda Takes Your Heart   By Liz Lopez Rating: A Director/writer/editor Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters” (original title, Manbiki Kazoku) is one of those films that grabs your attention from the onset and then takes your heart to add this emotional and moving story about a Japanese “family” that survives… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2018 Review: SHOPLIFTERS

By Mark Saldana 2018 was another fantastic year for cinema, but it was a particularly exciting year for me.  In addition to reviewing hundreds of films this year, and attending my four usual film festivals, I was accepted into the Austin Film Critics Association.  With this honor comes even more access to films before their… Continue reading Mark Saldana’s Best Films of 2018

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the acclaimed novel by James Baldwin, this movie offers a fictionalized take on the African-American experience during the 1970s. Still, this is a story that reflects the real injustices and turmoil that Black Americans went through during the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement. … Continue reading Review: IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

By Mark Saldana  Rating 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From writer/director Adam McKay, the filmmaker made the razor sharp satire, The Big Short, comes another biting and witty film that pulls no punches.  With Vice, McKay takes on the political career of Dick Cheney and how he literally became the most powerful Vice President of… Continue reading Review: VICE