By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the acclaimed play by Anton Chekhov, this film features a spectacular cast whose talents are unfortunately wasted on a frustratingly dull adaptation. Though I have not previously read the source material, I feel that better screenwriters and directors could have done much more than… Continue reading Review: THE SEAGULL
Category: Film 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
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
Review: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) After going through production problems that got original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller dismissed and Ron Howard hired, Solo: A Star Wars Story has miraculously made it to theaters. It wouldn’t be the first time a Star Wars film faced and overcame production woes, but… Continue reading Review: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
Review: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” Entertains with the Origin Story about Han Solo By Liz Lopez Rating: B Director Ron Howard took the helm on this production, “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” (after it was first started by directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller) based on a script written by Lawrence Kasdan (“Star Wars:… 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)