By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Captain America: The First Avenger definitely wears its heart on its sleeve and works as a nostalgic nod to superhero serials from the 1930s and 40s. Captain America (Chris Evans), an altruistic hero stands firmly for morals and ideals in a golden era where the sides of… Continue reading Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
Category: Reviews
Review: SABOTAGE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Arnold Schwarzenegger’s transition from politics back to acting has left much to be desired. Performances in silly actioners, The Expendables (1&2), The Last Stand (though I like it), and Escape Plan have simply lacked the punch, and er, muscle, so to speak. The appearances in these films… Continue reading Review: SABOTAGE
2014 SXSW Review: CESAR CHAVEZ
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) I must say that it has taken way too long for a movie about the celebrated labor activist to arrive. Though this film may not be all that Cesar Chavez deserves, it certainly is a valiant and passionate effort by director Diego Luna and his talented… Continue reading 2014 SXSW Review: CESAR CHAVEZ
2014 SXSW Review: SPACE STATION 76
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) As a fan of science fiction, as well as spoofs of the genre, this was one film I could not pass up at the festival. Also, because I was born in the 1970s and grew up watching Glen A. Larson’s Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in… Continue reading 2014 SXSW Review: SPACE STATION 76
2014 SXSW Review: BEFORE I DISAPPEAR
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) After being somewhat disappointed with some of the films I had seen so far, this one came as a most pleasant surprise. Based on the Academy Award® winning short film, Curfew, Before I Disappear takes its audience on a night journey that will change the life… Continue reading 2014 SXSW Review: BEFORE I DISAPPEAR
2014 SXSW Review: FAULTS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) This year, some of the films of SXSW have had unusual and disappointing ending twists or reveals. Faults certainly belongs in that list. This movie starts off well, with a great mix of comedy, drama, and tension; however, the climax leads to a disappointing and ridiculous… Continue reading 2014 SXSW Review: FAULTS
2014 SXSW Review: THAT GUY DICK MILLER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Any film buff who has studied the works of Corman, Dante, Cameron, and Demme, knows the face. Some film geeks actually knows his name. Not everyone, however, knows his story and background, and how actor Dick Miller became one of the most popular character actors in… Continue reading 2014 SXSW Review: THAT GUY DICK MILLER
2014 SXSW Review: PREDESTINATION
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2.5 (Out of 4 Stars) As far as time travel movies go, this one really had me instensely engaged. A sort of “Whodunnit, Why, and What the hell is really happening here?” Predestination works, until the answers to these questions are revealed. Ethan Hawke stars as a time traveling Temporal agent… Continue reading 2014 SXSW Review: PREDESTINATION
Review: BAD WORDS (SXSW)
By Laurie Coker Rating: C+/B- At SXSW, after seeing the opening night film, I rushed to the Zach Scott Topher theatre to see Bad Words, starring Jason Bateman, who appeared in person for red carpet and after film Q&A, but as luck would have it, a mistake by a rookie volunteer and some creative line… Continue reading Review: BAD WORDS (SXSW)
Review: CHEAP THRILLS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Going into this movie, I had no idea what to expect. The fact that David Koechner usually plays goofy and cartoonish characters really threw me off. While this film does have its silly, lighter scenes, the film slowly devolves into a dark and disturbing commentary on human… Continue reading Review: CHEAP THRILLS