Category: Reviews

Review: TRUE STORY

By Laurie Coker Rating: C Actor Jonah Hill flexes his acting muscles in his latest film True Story, but co-star James Franco never quite measures up to the character he means to emulate. Base on a the true story of New York Times writer, Michael Finkle’s fall from fame, director Rupert Goold’s film left me… Continue reading Review: TRUE STORY

Review: UNFRIENDED

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I cannot honestly say this movie completely works as a horror film, but does work as a suspenseful and highly amusing critique of teenagers and their obsessive use of electronic devices and social media. Though I did tense up in some scenes, I spent most the… Continue reading Review: UNFRIENDED

Review: BLACK SOULS/ANIME NERE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Opening in New York on April 10, this Italian import might be the most realistic looking portrayal of violence in organized crime.  Based on the novel by Gioacchino Criaco, writer/director Francesco Munzi and co-writers Maurizio Brauchi and Fabrizio Ruggirello have made a no-frills, never glossy film… Continue reading Review: BLACK SOULS/ANIME NERE

Review: THE LONGEST RIDE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This latest adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel (with the same title) features a somewhat intriguing subplot that actually outshines what is supposed to be the main plot of the story.  The subplot involving a past romance actually feels a bit more like the compelling romance… Continue reading Review: THE LONGEST RIDE

Review: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, The Squid and the Whale), this sharp and hilarious comedy examines the pains of approaching mid-life crises and the strain it can put on marriages.  Baumbach’s film has a much lighter tone than some of his other films;… Continue reading Review: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

Review: FURIOUS 7

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his team of “gear heads” are back! This latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise has a new director at the helm.  Regardless of this personnel change, the new leader doesn’t miss a beat. In fact, director James Wan with… Continue reading Review: FURIOUS 7

Review: WOMAN IN GOLD

By Laurie Coker Rating: B+ Taking a softer approach to a film about the Nazi occupation of Austria can be daunting, but Simon Curtis creates a palatable, audience pleasing, recount of the case of Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), an elderly Jewish woman living in Los Angeles who has claim to one of artist Gustav Klimt’s… Continue reading Review: WOMAN IN GOLD

Review: WOMAN IN GOLD

By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family (IMDB). Maria is an unassuming woman who owns a woman’s clothing store in Los Angeles.  What sets her apart is having lived in Austria… Continue reading Review: WOMAN IN GOLD