Category: Reviews

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 2 (Out of 5 Reels) Young Thomas (Ben Barnes) is apprenticed to the local Spook (Jeff Bridges) to learn to fight evil spirits. His first great challenge comes when the powerful Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) escapes her confinement while the Spook is away (IMDB).

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 3 (Out of 5 Reels) In a bright and colorful future, a young destitute caretaker gets targeted by a ruthless son of a powerful family that live on a planet in need of a new heir, so she travels with a genetically engineered warrior to the planet in order to stop… Continue reading Review: JUPITER ASCENDING

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2  (Out of 4 Stars) Though this movie has some cool conceptual ideas for a universe, the plot and its characters feel all too familiar and embrace the typical tropes of swashbuckling space operas. Jupiter Ascending has the damsel in distress, the roguish warrior protecting her, and the greedy and power… Continue reading Review: JUPITER ASCENDING

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) This week I watched two films which attempt to offer audiences fun and exciting popcorn entertainment.  While both lack depth and feature character cliches, Seventh Son actually works as a whole. With Jeff Bridges in a delightful and lovable role, and Julianne Moore hamming it up… Continue reading Review: SEVENTH SON

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 5 (Out of 5 Reels) This film depicts the life story of Italian violinist and composer, Niccolò Paganini, who rose to fame as a virtuoso in the early 19th Century (IMDB).  Those who like period pieces will find themselves completely drawn into this wonderful film which delves into the life of… Continue reading Review: THE DEVIL’S VIOLINIST

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) For a film about some heavy topics as race relations, addiction, and child custody battles, I was rather perplexed that Mike Binder would choose a hackneyed climax that comes unexpectedly (not in a good way) and is so unnecessary and out of place.  As for the… Continue reading Review: BLACK OR WHITE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by J.C. Chandor, this slow simmering period piece had me engaged and engrossed for almost all of the film’s run time.  Then, in the last act of the story, it takes a serious “WTF?” moment that pretty much negates all of the drama… Continue reading Review: A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1 (Out of 4 Stars) I am grateful to have been one of the few Austin press members allowed to see this film early; however, my gratitude comes from not having to waste my money to do so. I have not read the novels which inspired this terrible movie, but if… Continue reading Review: MORTDECAI

By Mark Saldana Rating: 1.5 (Out of 4 Stars) For those who have already seen various films about stalkers or obsessive admirers (particularly the 1996 film Fear), have pretty much already seen The Boy Next Door. This latest version embraces just about every stalker movie cliche available and has very few surprises to offer. Though… Continue reading Review: THE BOY NEXT DOOR