By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Robert Redford stars solo in a film about a yacht sailor lost in the vast Indian Ocean. Superb cinematography, precision editing, astounding visual effects, and an excellent, though nearly mute, performance by Redford are all reasons to see this often absorbing film. Now because of the… Continue reading Review: ALL IS LOST
Category: Film Reviews
AFF 2013 Review: LAST I HEARD
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) In a genuinely heartfelt and true to life human interest tale, actor Paul Sorvino portrays a former Mafia Capo named Joe Scoleri. However, this isn’t a typical take on Mafia criminals. Writer/director David Rodriguez focuses his story on the man who is Joseph Scoleri, and not… Continue reading AFF 2013 Review: LAST I HEARD
AFF 2013 Review: THE MAID’S ROOM
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Part psychological thriller and part soap opera, The Maid’s Room does offer suspense, tension and some unexpected twists, but some of the beats play out a bit too cheesy for its own good. Nevertheless, the talented cast manages to maintain some gravity to their story, making… Continue reading AFF 2013 Review: THE MAID’S ROOM
AFF 2013 Review: LIVING DOLLS
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Certainly a curiosity piece, Living Dolls is a documentary which focuses on an unusual assortment of doll collectors. A young man who lives with his companion and parents has an obsession with collecting Barbie dolls and her accessories. A very eccentric artist loves turning Barbies and… Continue reading AFF 2013 Review: LIVING DOLLS
AFF 2013 Review: INNOCENCE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 2 (Out of 4 Stars) Teenage supernatural stories are all the rage right now, thanks to the success of the Twilight saga books and movies. The latest entry, which attempts to capitalize on this trend, takes place mostly in a private all girls school run by a faculty of supernatural, sexy… Continue reading AFF 2013 Review: INNOCENCE
Review: 12 YEARS A SLAVE
By Savannah Wood Rating: A+ Out of Hollywood’s greatest modern auteurs, no one captures the intricacies of human suffering quite like Steve McQueen. Anyone familiar with his previous two films, Hunger and Shame, knows how adept he is at conveying anguish in its most excruciating, raw form. His most recent film, 12 Years a Slave,… Continue reading Review: 12 YEARS A SLAVE
Review: ABOUT TIME
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4.5 (Out of 5 Reels) I am a huge fan of British comedies in general because they are usually smart funny which is especially what I enjoy. So, when I saw the preview for this film and the fact that it was made by the same folks that gave us Love… Continue reading Review: ABOUT TIME
Review: 12 YEARS A SLAVE
By Renee’ Collins Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels) To say this film is intense is an understatement. These types of films are not one’s to see over and over again, at least not for me, but I think everyone should see them to have any idea about what slavery used to be. I will… Continue reading Review: 12 YEARS A SLAVE
Review: ABOUT TIME
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Written and directed by Richard Curtis, who previously helmed Love Actually and Pirate Radio, About Time is a time traveling movie in the guise of a romantic comedy. Actually, let me re-label that genre, because I feel it would be unfair to Curtis to dismiss his sweet, heartfelt,… Continue reading Review: ABOUT TIME
Review: 12 YEARS A SLAVE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Some of the most important films that deserve viewing by everyone are often the most difficult ones to sit through. Director Steve McQueen’s adaptation of Solomon Northrup’s autobiography Twelve Years a Slave certainly falls into this category. McQueen never shies away from vividly and graphically recreating… Continue reading Review: 12 YEARS A SLAVE