Category: Film Reviews

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) After Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow and Before I Fall, does cinema really need another movie where the protagonist repeats the day over and over until he or she does it correctly? Is cinema falling into a self-prophetic vicious cycle of repeated plots?  I would have to answer… Continue reading Review: HAPPY DEATH DAY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) The list of revenge flicks in existence may run for miles, but there’s a good reason for this.  This type of movie, when executed well, makes for compelling cinema.  Usually, the protagonist is portrayed as a sympathetic character for whom audiences can cheer, and when the… Continue reading Review: THE FOREIGNER

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Even though the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution abolished slavery and made the former slaves free citizens, African-Americans to this very day face prejudices in the legal system.  Of course this is not for a lack of trying and fighting for fairness.  Established in 1940,… Continue reading Review: MARSHALL

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Just outside of Walt Disney World, “The Most Magical Place On Earth,” in Kissimmee, Florida exists a poor and working class community where, for these people,  this magical theme park neighbor might as well be on the other side of the planet.  Within this community, people… Continue reading Review: THE FLORIDA PROJECT

‘Blade Runner 2049’ does not disappoint after the original. By Liz Lopez Rating B+ Ridley Scott’s 1982 “Blade Runner” showed us a dystopian future that became so popular, it inspired the multi – million dollar sequel, “Blade Runner 2049,” directed by Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival”) co-written by Hampton Fancher (from the original) and Michael Green. Even… Continue reading Review: BLADE RUNNER 2049

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Kate Winslett and Idris Elba star in this survival film which has a few compelling moments, some thrills, and a seemingly forced romance.  Based on the novel by Charles Martin, writers J. Mills Goodloe, Chris Weitz, and director Hany Abu-Assad offer the expected story elements that come with survival… Continue reading Review: THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Introduced in 1982, Hasbro’s My Little Pony line of toys would endure through different iterations and multiple generations of children and fans.  The popularity of the toys inspired some TV movies and a couple of animated series.  The more recent program, My Little Pony: Friendship Is… Continue reading Review: MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Based on the Manga series by Hiroaki Samura, this action-packed, slice and stab samurai fest is not all about the badass violence, it has much heart and lovely character development as well.  Directed by prolific filmmaker Takashi Miike, Blade of the Immortal delivers on so many levels.  The… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2017 Review: BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) To quote actor Thomas Jane, who has starred in three Stephen King adaptations, “We all like Stephen King. It’s a good year for him.”  There’s no denying the popularity of King’s stories or how well they often translate to movies. In 2017, Gerald’s Game is the… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2017 Review: GERALD’S GAME