Review: EARTH TO ECHO

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) If one has already seen E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, or the more recent Super 8, this latest entry in space alien/human child relationships will offer few surprises story-wise. I know that statement probably looks strange under a somewhat favorable rating of 3 stars, but I do have… Continue reading Review: EARTH TO ECHO

Review: BEGIN AGAIN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Any film that expresses a love for music and song has already scored some points with me.  This particular film, which stars Mark Ruffalo as a washed-up record producer and Keira Knightley as one of his new discoveries, wears it love for music and lyrics on… Continue reading Review: BEGIN AGAIN

Review: TAMMY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) After sitting through the abysmally bad Identity Thief and the lukewarm The Heat, I went into Tammy not expecting much, but hoping for a decent comedy.  After some breakthrough performances by Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids and This is 40, I had become rather disappointed with the… Continue reading Review: TAMMY

Review: BEGIN AGAIN

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Unlike his surprise hit Once, Dubliner John Carney’s latest film Begin Again’s credits roll through the names of some far more famous faces.   Keira Knightly and Mark Ruffalo lead a cast of knowns and unknowns through a tender story of relationship recovery and self-discovery. In spite of its heart-string-pulling corniness,… Continue reading Review: BEGIN AGAIN

Review: TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 2.5 (Out of 5 Reels) Director Michael Bay brings us yet another installment of the Transformer eye candy series.  An automobile mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings down the Autobots – and a paranoid government official – on them (IMDB).

Review: JERSEY BOYS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Feeling more like a standard music artists’ biopic and less like a musical, Clint Eastwood’s adaptation of the Tony Award winning and critically acclaimed Broadway musical seems to lack a vibrancy and energy that I expected.  I have never actually seen a stage production of Jersey… Continue reading Review: JERSEY BOYS

Review: THINK LIKE A MAN TOO

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) With the first film, I remember liking the way screenwriters Kerry Merryman and David A. Newman incorporated elements of Steve Harvey’s book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, into an otherwise cliché and formulaic romantic comedy. At least that film had that quality going… Continue reading Review: THINK LIKE A MAN TOO

Review: OBVIOUS CHILD

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) I have to say that this is one of the more difficult reviews I have written, and perhaps have yet to write. The controversial subject matter of the film, along with my personal beliefs on said material must be set aside to objectively critique the film. … Continue reading Review: OBVIOUS CHILD