Category: Film Reviews

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) A problem with some slow-burning thrillers is the tendency to fizzle out when they are supposed to erupt with excitement and surprises.  Such is the key issue with Gore Verbinski’s A Cure for Wellness, a creepy and strange movie that spends too much of its run time… Continue reading Review: A CURE FOR WELLNESS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Director Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) is a filmmaker, well-known for a gorgeous and majestic style.  For his latest movie The Great Wall, his first film with an American lead actor, Yimou employs some of his elegant sensibilities, but isn’t afraid to get gritty… Continue reading Review: THE GREAT WALL

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) After returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life (IMDB). Missing the first installment of John Wick will not matter because this installment stands on its own. This film is… Continue reading Review: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) The title of this movie promises a much darker tone than the first installment of the series. However, after watching it, I can definitely say that Fifty Shades Darker is a misnomer.  If anything, this sequel offers an attempt at something more romantic, poignant, dramatic and… Continue reading Review: FIFTY SHADES DARKER

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) With Batman becoming such a delightfully comedic, breakout character from The Lego Movie, it makes perfect sense that the Warner Animation Group gave him his own spin-off movie.  And with actor Will Arnett delivering an exceptional voice performance as the Dark Knight in The Lego Movie,… Continue reading Review: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In 2014, John Wick hit theaters and offered audiences incendiary action sequences with outstanding stunt work, along with imaginative and exciting world building.  This formula makes the first installment a cool and badass action flick that earned a gleeful fan base.  More of these same elements that make… Continue reading Review: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Taylor Hackford’s newest film is a bewildering and sometimes frustrating mess that does have some hilarious moments, but also has some painfully unfunny moments and poor development of its main character.  Robert De Niro stars as a one-time comic superstar barely hanging on to the remains… Continue reading Review: THE COMEDIAN