Category: Reviews

SXSW 2018 Review/Interview: UPGRADE

Leigh Whannell’s Award Winning “Upgrade” Hits Theaters.   By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Filmmaker Leigh Whannell (D: “Insidious: Chapter 3” and writer/actor of the “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises) wrote and directed “Upgrade” and made the World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival this past March. The Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Theater was packed to the gills… Continue reading SXSW 2018 Review/Interview: UPGRADE

Review: ADRIFT

By Renee’ C.. Rating: 3 (Out of 5 Reels) Based on the true story of survival, a young couple’s (Tami (Shailene Woodley) and Richard (Sam Claflin) chance encounter leads them first to love, and then on the adventure of a lifetime as they face one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history (IMDB). This… Continue reading Review: ADRIFT

SXSW 2018 Review/Interview: UPGRADE

By Mark Saldana  Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I went into this South by “Midnighter”with high hopes, but restrained expectations. Writer/director/actor Leigh Whannell had previously impressed me with his work on the Saw, Insidious, and Conjuring franchises, but my instincts told me that this foray into pulpy science fiction could be something really special. … Continue reading SXSW 2018 Review/Interview: UPGRADE

Review: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

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By Renee’ C. Rating: 5 (Out of 5 Reels) During an adventure into a dark criminal underworld, Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) meets his future copilot Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and encounters Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) years before joining the Rebellion (IMDB). I must start by saying I am a total science fiction junkie therefore I was… Continue reading Review: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

SXSW 2018 Review: FIRST REFORMED

Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed” stars Ethan Hawke in a Brilliant Performance   By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Writer/director Paul Schrader (“Taxi Driver,” “American Gigalo,” “Raging Bull” among the many he has written) presents his latest work, “First Reformed” that debuted at the Toronto Film Festival last fall and was screened in the Festival Favorites of… Continue reading SXSW 2018 Review: FIRST REFORMED

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA HORA DE LA MERIENDA (TEA TIME)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Spain, this pleasing and lovable film won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short of the festival.  Though the film does call for a little suspension of disbelief, I still enjoyed and appreciated the message it offers, and a timely one it is.  The story… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA HORA DE LA MERIENDA (TEA TIME)

Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA SUERTE DEL SALAO (UNLUCKY’S LUCKY)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This Colombian entry in the Narrative Shorts Competition is an often hilarious and joyful film about an always down on his luck man, whose luck miraculously changes for the better just for one night.  Pelito, the protagonist, is currently unemployed, in debt and about to lose… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA SUERTE DEL SALAO (UNLUCKY’S LUCKY)

Review: BOOK CLUB

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Now I know I am certainly not the target demographic of this film, nor is said film my cup of coffee, but I do hope to offer some insight as a male audience member and cinephile.  For Book Club, I will say this; the filmmakers have… Continue reading Review: BOOK CLUB