Category: Reviews

Review: FERDINAND

By Laurie Coker Rating: C Ferdinand is a great deal of bull. Even with voice talent as varied as the bulls in the yard, the picture book turned animated feature, Ferdinand, fails to please audience members over the age of six or seven. There just isn’t much meat on the bones of the story. The… Continue reading Review: FERDINAND

Review: FERDINAND

Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios present "Ferdinand."

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the children’s book, The Story of Ferdinand, by Munroe Leaf (author) and Robert Lawson (illustrator),  this family, feature-length film expands on the short story about the peaceful, flower-loving bull and works as a delightful and charming piece.  Working with a screenplay by Robert L. Baird,… Continue reading Review: FERDINAND

Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: DARKEST HOUR

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Despite remarks made by others about multiple Winston Churchill or Dunkirk related films that have been released, this year director Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” and Joe Wright’s “Darkest Hour” relates a part of history with a different story and each has value. I viewed the highly successful “Dunkirk” twice in the… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: DARKEST HOUR

Review: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The Star Wars saga continues and this time, in the hands of talented writer/director Rian Johnson (Brick, The Brothers Bloom, Looper)  The acclaimed filmmaker takes the reigns of the beloved space opera franchise from J.J. Abrams (who helmed previous installment The Force Awakens) and launches the… Continue reading Review: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

Review: THE SHAPE OF WATER

By Liz Lopez Rating: A+ Leave it to writer/director Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Crimson Peak”) to infuse the romance genre with a story about a relationship set in the workplace between unexpected characters – a South American from the Amazon and another – a working gal who lives in Baltimore. The one line description… Continue reading Review: THE SHAPE OF WATER

Review: WONDER WHEEL

By Mark Saldana Rating 2 (Out of 4 Stars) With Blue Jasmine, filmmaker Woody Allen presents a story heavily influenced by Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire, but maintains the cinematic quality of its presentation.  The film is not only an intriguing character study, but is also an amazing showcase of Cate Blanchett’s acting prowess. Allen… Continue reading Review: WONDER WHEEL

Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) From Dan Gilroy, the acclaimed writer/director of Nightcrawler comes this enthralling, but somewhat wonky movie that features another stunning performance by Denzel Washington.  The role gives Washington another opportunity to show his acting range and has a definite shot at gaining some award nominations.  The movie,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.

Review: COCO

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Disney/Pixar attempts to celebrate and honor the Mexican cultural celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with their newest film.  Much like Disney celebrated Polynesian folklore in Moana, Coco highlights the annual celebration in Mexico that honors loved ones who are no longer living. … Continue reading Review: COCO