By Liz Lopez Rating: B+ Sometimes we hear or know of a movie script that falls under the category of WAR and potentially rule it out as one that is predictable for any number of reasons. I honestly believe there are many stories to be told by soldiers, their families and friends, especially with as… Continue reading Review: THE WATER DIVINER
Category: Film Reviews
Review: ROAD TO JUAREZ
By Liz Lopez Rating: C- I strongly believe in supporting independent films and appreciate the efforts by writers/directors who work at creating a debut feature film. I especially seek to support the artistic efforts of writers who have a story to tell, but not when the story continues to feature Latinos as thieves, drug dealers,… Continue reading Review: ROAD TO JUAREZ
Cine Las Americas 18 Review: THE MARTINI SHOT
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) For the opening night film, the 18th annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival began with an English language comedy that had the audience laughing at the silly hysterics taking place on the big screen. Written by Enrico Natale and directed by Demetrius Navarro, The Martini… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 18 Review: THE MARTINI SHOT
Review: EX MACHINA
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by Alex Garland, the screenwriter of 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, and Dredd, Ex Machina serves as Garland’s directorial debut and evidence of talents behind the camera in addition to his writing. Machina may not tell an original science fiction tale, but Garland… Continue reading Review: EX MACHINA
Review: EX MACHINA
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) A young programmer, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I., Ava (Alicia Vikander) (IMDB). What is the total and complete fascination with the human need to create computers that… Continue reading Review: EX MACHINA
Review: EX MACHINA (SXSW)
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- Having spent several blocks having my students demonstrate their analysis of setting, theme and character for a novel using Minecraftedu, and watching a friend of mine take a graduate class in part inside a virtual world called Second Life, I looked forward to seeing Ex Machina at SWSX. I watched… Continue reading Review: EX MACHINA (SXSW)
Review: TRUE STORY
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Movie audiences know that actors James Franco and Jonah Hill both like to perform in comedic and dramatic roles. For their second film together (the first being This Is The End), Franco and Hill perform opposite one another in a compelling dramatic feature, based on actual… Continue reading Review: TRUE STORY
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