Category: Reviews

Review: EX MACHINA

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by Alex Garland, the screenwriter of 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, and Dredd, Ex Machina serves as Garland’s directorial debut and evidence of talents behind the camera in addition to his writing.  Machina may not tell an original science fiction tale, but Garland… Continue reading Review: EX MACHINA

Review: EX MACHINA

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) A young programmer, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I., Ava (Alicia Vikander) (IMDB). What is the total and complete fascination with the human need to create computers that… Continue reading Review: EX MACHINA

Review: EX MACHINA (SXSW)

By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Having spent several blocks having my students demonstrate their analysis of setting, theme and character for a novel using Minecraftedu, and watching a friend of mine take a graduate class in part inside a virtual world called Second Life, I looked forward to seeing Ex Machina at SWSX. I watched… Continue reading Review: EX MACHINA (SXSW)

Review: TRUE STORY

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Movie audiences know that actors James Franco and Jonah Hill both like to perform in comedic and dramatic roles.  For their second film together (the first being This Is The End), Franco and Hill perform opposite one another in a compelling dramatic feature, based on actual… Continue reading Review: TRUE STORY

Review: TRUE STORY

By Laurie Coker Rating: C Actor Jonah Hill flexes his acting muscles in his latest film True Story, but co-star James Franco never quite measures up to the character he means to emulate. Base on a the true story of New York Times writer, Michael Finkle’s fall from fame, director Rupert Goold’s film left me… Continue reading Review: TRUE STORY

Review: UNFRIENDED

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I cannot honestly say this movie completely works as a horror film, but does work as a suspenseful and highly amusing critique of teenagers and their obsessive use of electronic devices and social media. Though I did tense up in some scenes, I spent most the… Continue reading Review: UNFRIENDED

Review: BLACK SOULS/ANIME NERE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Opening in New York on April 10, this Italian import might be the most realistic looking portrayal of violence in organized crime.  Based on the novel by Gioacchino Criaco, writer/director Francesco Munzi and co-writers Maurizio Brauchi and Fabrizio Ruggirello have made a no-frills, never glossy film… Continue reading Review: BLACK SOULS/ANIME NERE

Review: THE LONGEST RIDE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This latest adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel (with the same title) features a somewhat intriguing subplot that actually outshines what is supposed to be the main plot of the story.  The subplot involving a past romance actually feels a bit more like the compelling romance… Continue reading Review: THE LONGEST RIDE

Review: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, The Squid and the Whale), this sharp and hilarious comedy examines the pains of approaching mid-life crises and the strain it can put on marriages.  Baumbach’s film has a much lighter tone than some of his other films;… Continue reading Review: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG