Category: Reviews

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 5 (Out of 5 Reels) A young woman (Auli’I Cravalho) uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island. Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson) (IMDB). Disney has managed to find another spectacular voice in Cravalho who was actually born in… Continue reading Review: MOANA

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) With Moana, Disney has not made just another “princess” tale, they have created a movie rich with culture, vibrant characters, and a story of female empowerment that should inspire girls and young women of all ages.  And because it is a Disney affair, the movie is… Continue reading Review: MOANA

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Warren Beatty’s attempted romantic comedy is a film that is neither romantic, nor all that funny.  The film does have a few genuinely funny moments, but not enough to make it entertaining, or really worth anyone’s while.  As a director, Beatty does have the right sensibilities… Continue reading Review: RULES DON’T APPLY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Too much shock, no heart, and too little wit make Bad Santa 2 a terrible sequel.  All of the things that makes the first Bad Santa a raunchy holiday classic are mostly absent and that makes this latest installment an exercise in filth for lucre with no… Continue reading Review: BAD SANTA 2

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In modern day Mongolia, hunting with trained eagles is an ancient tradition that has been passed on through generations of Kazakh men.  It has grown into a full-fledged competitive sport where men gather to show their training skills and showmanship with their birds.  For the very… Continue reading Review: THE EAGLE HUNTRESS

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) In 1942, an intelligence officer (Brad Pitt) in North Africa encounters a female French Resistance fighter (Marion Cotillard) on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. When they reunite in London, their relationship is tested by the pressures of war (IMDB). Director Robert Zemeckis with the help… Continue reading Review: ALLIED

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 1.5 (Out of 5 Reels) An unconventional love story of an aspiring actress (Lily Collins), her determined driver (Alden Ehrenreich), and the eccentric billionaire (Warren Beatty) who they work for (IMDB). This film is well made and acted but the problem is some, including this film critic, will find Howard Hughes… Continue reading Review: RULES DON’T APPLY

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) The adventures of writer Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school. (IMDB). As might be expected no expense was spared in making this film because of the blockbuster Harry Potter… Continue reading Review: FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Teen angst and frustration has never been better written better as that of protagonist Nadine Byrd in this entertaining and touching film.  Writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig does a tremendous job with her directorial debut and actress Hailee Steinfeld (2010’s True Grit)  offers a wonderful breakthrough performance as… Continue reading Review: THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN