Category: Reviews

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) When it comes to this comedy film series, either one likes it or one doesn’t.  At least that seems to be my take from the mixed responses I get whenever mentioning it.  I can totally get why these films aren’t one’s proverbial “cup of tea.”  They… Continue reading Review: THE TRIP TO SPAIN

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+ Generally, Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden are extremely funny men. Coogan oscillates nicely between comedy and drama and his name draws fans from both sides of the pond. Bryden and Coogan traveled together to Northern England and to Italy in previous “trips” and now embark on a journey to Spain.… Continue reading Review: THE TRIP TO SPAIN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) It is a story as old as time.  A young aspiring artist, struggling to survive in poverty, has the tenacity, the skills, and the passion to use that talent to rise above the situation.   Hip hop has had plenty of heroes that fits this description… Continue reading Review: PATTI CAKE$

By Mark Saldana Rating:  3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Ben and Josh Safdie, the acclaimed filmmakers who wrote and directed Heaven Knows What and Lenny Cooke, comes this gritty, seedy, adrenaline-fueled crime drama that plays out like a wild comedy of errors and bad decisions.  The title of the film may be Good Time, but… Continue reading Review: GOOD TIME

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From director Steven Soderbergh, the filmmaker who brought audiences Ocean’s 11, 12, and 13, comes a different kind of heist comedy, but one that plays like a less famous, redneck relative of that trilogy.  Logan Lucky doesn’t have the suave and debonair, fast-quipping crew that Danny Ocean… Continue reading Review: LOGAN LUCKY

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) The world’s top bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) gets a new client, a hit man (Samuel L. Jackson) who must testify at the International Court of Justice. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time (IMDB). Writer Tom O’Connor’s… Continue reading Review: THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Taylor Sheridan, the acclaimed writer of Sicario, and Hell or High Water, comes this powerful and intense slow-burning mystery thriller that addresses the horrible treatment of Native American people in the United States.  Wind River is not just another screenplay for Sheridan, it is also a… Continue reading Review: WIND RIVER

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) More mediocrity and dullness is what this highly unnecessary sequel has to offer.  Like the first installment, The Nut Job 2 has an excellent voice cast, but does so little with them.  Unfunny attempts at humor and a transparent plot will no doubt bore parents or… Continue reading Review: THE NUT JOB 2: NUTTY BY NATURE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Dave McCary and Kyle Mooney, two creative minds from TV’s Saturday Night Live, with co-writer Kevin Costello have come up with this heartfelt, endearing and entertaining movie which examines fandom and the creative juices fandom often fuels.  In addition to writing, Mooney also stars as the… Continue reading Review: BRIGSBY BEAR

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) First introduced in James Wan’s The Conjuring and later given its own movie Annabelle, the utterly creepy doll returns in a film which serves as a predecessor to the first Annabelle film and the other Conjuring films.  The first Annabelle movie did have its moments, but… Continue reading Review: ANNABELLE: CREATION