Category: Reviews

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My second film of AFF 2017 was the hilarious romantic comedy Wild Honey. Sweet, charming and a little bit risque, this movie aims for crowd-pleasing status and succeeds without being overly saccharine.  Written and directed by Francis Stokes, the film realistically deals with the issues associated with… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: WILD HONEY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From writer/director Pat Mills comes this joyous, inventive and hysterical teen underdog movie which features a wonderful breakout performance by Michelle McLeod.  There have been several great teen comedies dealing with similar protagonists, but not one quite like this, nor quite as entertaining as McLeod’s Irene. … Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: DON’T TALK TO IRENE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Two years ago at AFF, I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing a phenomenal documentary titled A Single Frame and enjoyed meeting and interviewing its Austin-based director Brandon Dickerson.  An AFF regular, Dickerson has screened some of his films at the festival and brings his latest… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: AMANDA & JACK GO GLAMPING

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Actress Greta Gerwig makes her directorial debut with a film that is sure to get some serious attention during awards season.  Often uproarious, sometimes poignant, and always full of heart, Lady Bird tells the story of an intelligent, strong-willed, and downright lovable teenage girl. The movie… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: LADY BIRD

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In the tradition of Hal Needham (Smokey and the Bandit) and more recently, Chad Staheski and David Leitch (John Wick), stunt coordinator-turned- director Brian Smrz helms this intense, visceral and violent action flick which stars Ethan Hawke.  Hawke stars as Travis Conrad, a former elite soldier… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: 24 HOURS TO LIVE

By Mark Saldana In 1990, the sketch comedy series In Living Color aired on the Fox Network and took America and the world by storm.  Actor/comedian/filmmaker Keenen Ivory Wayans wanted to offer television audiences a new alternative to Saturday Night Live that gave African-American comedians a stronger voice and place to show their talents.  Despite the… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2017 Review: IN LIVING COLOR (1990-1994)-Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2, Presented By Keenen Ivory Wayans