Category: Reviews

Review: BRIDGE OF SPIES

By Laurie Coker Rating: A Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies is a subtle, yet emotionally stirring, historically-based film. Co-writers Joel and Ethan Coen, from an original script by Matt Charman, weave a watchable tale of cold war espionage, but perhaps more importantly, they offer up sharp dialogue and rich characters that clearly represent the theme of honor… Continue reading Review: BRIDGE OF SPIES

Review: FREEHELD

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In 2015 the United State Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Oberfell v. Hodges, ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry.  This decision not only legalizes civil unions between couples of all sexes, but it now impacts the legal benefits that come with… Continue reading Review: FREEHELD

Review: BRIDGE OF SPIES

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Steven Spielberg’s latest film may not be a grand slam, but it is definitely a home run.  Based on the true events involving Soviet spy Rudolf Abel, American spy Francis Gary Powers and the lawyer James B. Donovan who negotiated for their trade, Bridge of Spies… Continue reading Review: BRIDGE OF SPIES

Review: GOOSEBUMPS

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) I have never read any of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books nor have I ever seen the television series, based on those novels, which aired during the late 1990s.  I do recall that the TV series actually looked rather creepy for children’s programming, but I never bothered… Continue reading Review: GOOSEBUMPS

Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: CRIMSON PEAK

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) This year, Fantastic Fest offered its attendees two secret screenings.  The first one took place on Friday evening with audiences excitedly anticipating their surprise.  As it turned out, the film was Guillermo Del Toro’s Crimson Peak and Del Toro and Tim League took the stage to… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: CRIMSON PEAK

Review: LADRONES

By Liz Lopez Rating: B- In the fall of 2007, audiences in the United States were introduced to the Spanish language feature film, Ladrón que roba a ladrón (Thieves Who Rob Thieves), directed by Joe Menendez and written by JoJo Henrickson. It has a huge draw featuring several Latin American telenovela and film heart throbs… Continue reading Review: LADRONES

Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: THE MISSING GIRL

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by A.D. Calvo, The Missing Girl plays out like  comic books written by the late Harvey Pekar (American Splendor) or Daniel Clowes (Ghost World) where the trials and tribulations of ordinary average people make for fascinating and compelling story material.  In Calvo’s film,… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: THE MISSING GIRL

Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: IN SEARCH OF THE ULTRA-SEX

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) More like a novelty comedy, In Search Of the Ultra-Sex is a clever film project by French filmmakers Nicolas Charvet and Bruno Lavaine who watched over 2500 porn films to compile scenes for a story of their own. And their story definitely sounds like the plot… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: IN SEARCH OF THE ULTRA-SEX