Category: Reviews

By Renee’ C. Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander), the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push herself beyond her limits when she finds herself on the island where her father (Dominic West) disappeared (IMDB). I went into this film not expecting much because the first two installments with… Continue reading Review: TOMB RAIDER

By Renee’ C. Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) Gringo, a dark comedy mixed with white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, explores the battle of survival for businessman Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) when he finds himself crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal (IMDB). Oyelowo is the perfect choice for the role of Soyinka… Continue reading Review: GRINGO

The Dark “Thoroughbreds” features Two Cute Wealthy Teens and Murder By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Childhood friendships either last a lifetime, or terminate at someplace along the way in life. At times, those friends may have a “reunion” of sorts and it is not always a sought out meeting by one or the other of… Continue reading Review: THOROUGHBREDS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) British actor David Oyelowo is probably best known for his stellar dramatic work.  With Gringo, the classically trained actor shows movie audiences what he can do with comedic material.  Written by Anthony Tambakis, Matthew Stone and directed by Nash Edgerton, this wild dark comedy does offer… Continue reading Review: GRINGO

By Liz Lopez Rating: B No matter what color this bird chooses to be from day to day, this spy thriller, “Red Sparrow,” directed by Francis Lawrence (“Hunger Games”), keeps the viewers attention as Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) has a life – altering injury one evening. She is not expecting the abrupt career change and… Continue reading Review: RED SPARROW

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) This wonderful Chilean film received nominations for multiple awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and the Academy Award in the same category.  Though it did not win the Globe, it might have a chance at winning the Oscar.  The movie which deals… Continue reading Review: A FANTASTIC WOMAN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Francis Lawrence, the director of Hunger Games installments Catching Fire and Mockingjay, Parts 1 & 2  has been tapped to take on a spy thriller/drama and does so with confidence, style and intensity.  With a screenplay by Justin Haythe, Lawrence and Haythe adapt Jason Matthews’s novel… Continue reading Review: RED SPARROW

By Liz Lopez Rating: B Board games are still very popular after many decades and in fact, game night is alive and well in Austin in many homes – and not just among the elderly. Various types of games are not only for entertainment, as families and friends enjoy the competition, showing off how much… Continue reading Review: GAME NIGHT

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) With Office Christmas Party, Horrible Bosses 1 & 2, Identity Thief, and a handful of other comedy films, actor Jason Bateman has found a comfortable niche portraying a likable, and sometimes flippant straight man reacting to outrageous situations and wildly comedic characters.  With a few exceptions… Continue reading Review: GAME NIGHT

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Alex Garland, the brilliantly innovative mind behind 28 Days Later and Ex Machina, uses his visionary talents to adapt the first novel of Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy.  With Annihilation, Garland takes his audiences through another disturbing, science fiction journey and does so with gorgeously realized visuals… Continue reading Review: ANNIHILATION