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
Category: Reviews
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
Spanish Review: FURIOUS 7
Por Liz López Rating: B Para los fanáticos de cine que tiene una pasión para la franquicia de películas Fast and Furious, encontraran todo lo que desean de acción y emoción en la última entrega, Furious 7 con los personajes que iniciaron la serie en el 2001 – Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), el líder del equipo;… Continue reading Spanish Review: FURIOUS 7
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
SXSW Film 2015 Review/Interview: A SPACE PROGRAM
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I must say that this film is unlike any other film I watched during the festival. Director Van Neistadt’s movie is not really a documentary or narrative film. This is more like an abridged presentation of the work of artist Tom Sachs and his crew that… Continue reading SXSW Film 2015 Review/Interview: A SPACE PROGRAM
SXSW Film 2015 Review: EXCESS FLESH
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
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