Category: Reviews

Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: LAZER TEAM

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) My Fantastic Fest got started with a science fiction movie of the late-night comedy variety.  From Rooster Teeth Productions, a company known for their online shorts, comes their first feature film.  When the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence discovers that the threat of attack is imminent, government… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: LAZER TEAM

Review: 99 HOMES

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Despite this film’s not-so-original plot, predictability, and it’s all-too-familiar archetypes, writer/director Ramin Bahrani keeps the material highly relevant and the stakes heartfelt and relatable.  These positive points helps prevent 99 Homes from becoming just another tiresome morality parable.  Economic strife is an issue with which most… Continue reading Review: 99 HOMES

Review: PAN

By Laurie Coker Rating: D The new, prequel of sorts, to the tale of Peter Pan and Neverland, Pan, while visually stunning is fraught with blandness in storyline and in a one notable and annoying performance. Starring Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Rooney Mara and Garrett Hedlund, Pan may appeal to young children, by virtue of… Continue reading Review: PAN

Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: THE KEEPING ROOM

By Liz Lopez Rating: B Drafthouse Films, The Keeping Room, directed by Daniel Barber, was one of the Opening Night Films at Fantastic Fest on Thursday, September 24th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin. Brit Marling was in attendance for The Keeping Room screening, as well as writer Julia Hart for the Austin premiere. They walked the… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2015 Review: THE KEEPING ROOM

Review: COMING HOME

By Liz Lopez Rating: A There is no doubt in my mind the film, Coming Home, written by Zou Jingzhi and directed by Zhang Yimou, will be a film that leaves my memory very soon. Based on the novel The Criminal Lu Yanshi by Yan Geling, the film is set during the Cultural Revolution and… Continue reading Review: COMING HOME

Review: PAWN SACRIFICE

By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Whether or not you are a fan of, or play chess, director/producer Edward Zwick’s feature film about American chess legend Bobby Fischer- Pawn Sacrifice – is definitely a film to watch. It is so much more than watching people play the game. Although Steven Knight’s screenplay does not delve heavily… Continue reading Review: PAWN SACRIFICE

Review: THE INTERN

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated, The Holiday), The Intern initially struck me as a sappy, overly saccharine movie attempting to make women cry and some men cringe in their seats.  Well, at least that was my impression of the promos I had seen… Continue reading Review: THE INTERN

Review: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Maybe Adam Sandler is better suited for children’s movies.  Well, I have to say his work in family animated  fare works a hell of a lot better than his attempts at raucous comedy.  Sandle co-writing with Robert Smigel and having Genndy Tartakovski return to direct proves… Continue reading Review: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2

Review: EVEREST

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Reaching the top of earth’s highest mountain is a challenge that endangers the life of anyone who attempts it.  Several people have achieved this goal and lived to tell about it.  Others have either died trying or succeeded, but didn’t survive the climb down.   In… Continue reading Review: EVEREST