By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Starting a new life in a foreign land can be both frightening and exciting. It is more frightening for those who have had to do it alone. Whether done legally or illegally, immigrants attempt this in our country all the time and have done so for… Continue reading Review: BROOKLYN
Category: Reviews
Review: THE NIGHT BEFORE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) My biggest complaint with Love the Coopers had to do with how formulaic it really is. I also get somewhat annoyed with how wholesome holiday movies often are. I do realize that holiday films usually have the goal of appealing to the entire family, and that’s… Continue reading Review: THE NIGHT BEFORE
Review: TRUMBO
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood’s top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs (IMDB). There are few actors who can convincingly transform into whatever character they choose to portray because they are just that good. Fortunately,… Continue reading Review: TRUMBO
Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 3 (Out of 5 Reels) As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow (Donald Sutherland), while all she holds dear hangs in the balance (IMDB). Finally… Continue reading Review: THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2
Review: THE 33
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The 2010 Copiapo mining accident was a frightening ordeal that should have killed the thirty-three miners trapped underground for over two months. During the course of their cave-in and rescue attempts, the world was captivated by this story and sat on edge the entire time, hoping… Continue reading Review: THE 33
Review: MY ALL AMERICAN
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) The legendary story of Freddie Joe Steinmark is one with which most Texas Longhorn football fans are familiar. During the late 1960s, Steinmark played for the team under the venerable Coach Darrell Royal. He played safety during his career at the University and was a part… Continue reading Review: MY ALL AMERICAN
Review: LOVE THE COOPERS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Almost every single modern, ensemble holiday movie seems to have the same structure. Characters have problems. The holiday, whichever one it is, seems to magnify the character’s woes. Characters have to face their problems. Characters develop new relationships or reinforce established ones and this helps with… Continue reading Review: LOVE THE COOPERS
Austin Film Festival 2015 Review: A SINGLE FRAME
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) During the late 1990s while covering the Kosovo War, acclaimed photojournalist Alexandra Boulat took a powerful and emotional photo of Albanian refugee Sadik Kadrijaj. The now deceased photographer probably realized how incredible the image was, but neither she nor Sadik probably ever thought that the photo would… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2015 Review: A SINGLE FRAME
Austin Film Festival 2015 Review: MISS YOU ALREADY
By Laurie Coker Rating: A Miss you Already, starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette, offers a warm embrace to friendship, love, and inner strength. While the subject matter isn’t always joyful, the themes presented by screenwriter Morwenna Banks are universal and director Catherine Hardwicke’s approach draws us into his dynamic and real characters. Collette and… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2015 Review: MISS YOU ALREADY
Review: SPECTRE
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) A cryptic message from Bond’s (Daniel Craig) past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M (Ralph Fiennes) battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE (IMDB).… Continue reading Review: SPECTRE