By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Occasionally, films come along which absolutely turn people’s stomachs, make audiences uncomfortable and just leave some feeling miserable. However, a filmmaker can justify eliciting these responses from an audience if that is the intended effect. Films, whether well or poorly made can have these effects on… Continue reading SXSW Film 2015 Review: EXCESS FLESH
Category: Reviews
Review: HOME
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) This colorful and vibrant looking film will offer young children ninety-four minutes of entertainment and valuable lessons, but this is one movie that will lose its luster after repeated viewings. The screening I attended seemed to keep the children in the audience interested and invested; however,… Continue reading Review: HOME
SXSW Film 2015 Review: GET HARD
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) On my fourth night of SXSW, this screening began uproariously as director Etan Cohen and stars Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell took the stage of the Paramount Theater to introduce their film. Some bass thumping hip hop music cued the emergence of the director and his… Continue reading SXSW Film 2015 Review: GET HARD
Review: SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Seymour Bernstein may be a brilliant classical pianist and excellent teacher who has lived an extraordinary life; however, Ethan Hawke ‘s documentary tribute to his close friend and mentor will probably leave a bit more to be desired. While the film does feature some touching and… Continue reading Review: SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION
SXSW Film 2015 Review/Interview: DANNY SAYS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) As far as rock documentaries go, this particular film is not presented in a particularly unique way. It is the subject of this film who is totally unique and quite remarkable. Danny Fields became a regular fixture in the sixties rock scene, hanging with The Velvet… Continue reading SXSW Film 2015 Review/Interview: DANNY SAYS
SXSW FILM 2015 Review/Interview: THE LAST MAN ON THE MOON
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) I started my SXSW film festival with a documentary which appeals to my inner child. When I was in elementary school, the idea of space travel truly fascinated me. From the fantasy of the Star Wars movies to the reality of the space shuttle missions and… Continue reading SXSW FILM 2015 Review/Interview: THE LAST MAN ON THE MOON
Review: TREADING WATER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Typically, the expression “ugh” comes to mind when I think about reviewing romantic comedies. There really is only so much one can do with such a story without wearing out the usual cliches and tropes. Still, I tried to view this movie with an open mind… Continue reading Review: TREADING WATER
Review: RUN ALL NIGHT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) I went into this film thinking, “Great, another Taken knock-off”. I left the theater thinking, “That actually was better than I was expecting.” This latest Liam Neeson movie feels like a modern knock-off of Road to Perdition, but still engaging and interesting.” Run All Night will… Continue reading Review: RUN ALL NIGHT
Review: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) After watching Vince Vaughn deliver nearly the same kind of performance for several films, I used to complain that his shtick was growing stale and tiresome. Now that he has toned down his acting for his last film (The Delivery Man) and this latest comedy, I… Continue reading Review: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review: THE LAZARUS EFFECT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) From Frankenstein to Re-Animator and Flatliners (among others), movie writers and filmmakers have enjoyed telling stories of ambitious scientists attempting to bring the dead back to life. However, perhaps too many of these filmmakers have tread along the same familiar paths, telling similar stories with similar or… Continue reading Review: THE LAZARUS EFFECT