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
Category: Film Reviews
Review: RULES DON’T APPLY
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
Review: BLEED FOR THIS
By Laurie Coker Rating: A- Last year’s Creed manage to make boxing interesting to the masses and this year, Bleed For This, starring Miles Teller, sets its sights on doing the same. Director and screenwriter Ben Younger, tells the true story of Vinny Pazienza, the only boxer to compete and win championships in three different… Continue reading Review: BLEED FOR THIS
Review: FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
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
Review: THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
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
Review: BLEED FOR THIS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1991, professional boxer Vincenzo Pazienza, aka “Vinny Paz,” not long after winning the junior middleweight world title, suffered a severe neck injury in an automobile accident. Told by doctors that he would never completely recover and box again, Vinny thumbed his nose at his prognossis… Continue reading Review: BLEED FOR THIS
Austin Film Festival 2016 Review and Interview: THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
By Liz Lopez Rating: B There are many teen movies that have been created in the past couple of decades, some more memorable than others. The young stars go on to have extended careers for their performances, as well as those of the adults who star alongside the young leads in each film. Many of… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2016 Review and Interview: THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN
Review: NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Writers and other artists have various purposes and agendas for their works. Typically, these messages are very personal and reflect ideals or emotions felt due to past experiences or trauma in their lives. The new movie by writer/director Tom Ford (A Single Man) tells an intriguing… Continue reading Review: NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Review: GIMME DANGER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) In 1967, Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Stooges made their bid to take the music world by storm. Singer James Newell Osterberg, Jr., a man who would eventually earn both fame and infamy under the stage name Iggy Pop, and his band of visionary musical misfits hoped… Continue reading Review: GIMME DANGER
Review: ARRIVAL
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Though not as ambitious nor extravagant in its presentation as Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, director Denis Villeneuve’s (Prisoners, Sicario) Arrival still manages to accomplish more by succeeding where Nolan falters–in the more emotional beats of the story. Based on the short story, “The Story of Your Life,”… Continue reading Review: ARRIVAL