By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) As the closing credits to this film concluded, I thought to myself, “It’s too early in the year for a movie this good.” My thought refers to the fact that the months of January and February are the dumping grounds for Hollywood’s mediocre and worst films.… Continue reading Review: KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE
Category: Film Reviews
Review: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
By Laurie Coker Rating: C- I did it. I read Fifty Shades of Grey and the two sequels by pulp writer E.L. James. I sat curled up in my bed, glued to the poorly written pages of soft porn and a silly, Cinderella storyline and I wasn’t alone. Director Sam Taylor-Johnson takes on the challenge… Continue reading Review: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
Review: SEVENTH SON
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 2 (Out of 5 Reels) Young Thomas (Ben Barnes) is apprenticed to the local Spook (Jeff Bridges) to learn to fight evil spirits. His first great challenge comes when the powerful Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) escapes her confinement while the Spook is away (IMDB).
Review: JUPITER ASCENDING
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 3 (Out of 5 Reels) In a bright and colorful future, a young destitute caretaker gets targeted by a ruthless son of a powerful family that live on a planet in need of a new heir, so she travels with a genetically engineered warrior to the planet in order to stop… Continue reading Review: JUPITER ASCENDING
Review: JUPITER ASCENDING
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Though this movie has some cool conceptual ideas for a universe, the plot and its characters feel all too familiar and embrace the typical tropes of swashbuckling space operas. Jupiter Ascending has the damsel in distress, the roguish warrior protecting her, and the greedy and power… Continue reading Review: JUPITER ASCENDING
Review: SEVENTH SON
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) This week I watched two films which attempt to offer audiences fun and exciting popcorn entertainment. While both lack depth and feature character cliches, Seventh Son actually works as a whole. With Jeff Bridges in a delightful and lovable role, and Julianne Moore hamming it up… Continue reading Review: SEVENTH SON
Review: MOMMY
By Laurie Coker Rating: A Parenting is rarely easy. As is often noted, children do not come with user guides, so we do our best. Single parenting challenges even the strongest of hearts, and such is the case with a mother struggling to raise her unpredictable 15 year-old son, in director Xavier Dolan’s film Mommy.… Continue reading Review: MOMMY
Review: THE DEVIL’S VIOLINIST
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 5 (Out of 5 Reels) This film depicts the life story of Italian violinist and composer, Niccolò Paganini, who rose to fame as a virtuoso in the early 19th Century (IMDB). Those who like period pieces will find themselves completely drawn into this wonderful film which delves into the life of… Continue reading Review: THE DEVIL’S VIOLINIST
Review: BLACK OR WHITE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) For a film about some heavy topics as race relations, addiction, and child custody battles, I was rather perplexed that Mike Binder would choose a hackneyed climax that comes unexpectedly (not in a good way) and is so unnecessary and out of place. As for the… Continue reading Review: BLACK OR WHITE
Review: A MOST VIOLENT YEAR
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by J.C. Chandor, this slow simmering period piece had me engaged and engrossed for almost all of the film’s run time. Then, in the last act of the story, it takes a serious “WTF?” moment that pretty much negates all of the drama… Continue reading Review: A MOST VIOLENT YEAR