Author: Mark Salcido

When released in 2019, Joker was a big hit, making over a billion dollars at the box office and granting actor Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar. It would only come naturally that the Todd Phillips-directed movie would get a sequel greenlit—which was released this year. Unfortunately, the critical and commercial flop of that film, Joker: Folie A Deux, might be a sign that audiences could be tired of The Clown Prince of Crime. However, one actor wants a crack at the character, and it’s none other than Jack Kesy from Hellboy: The Crooked Man. Hellboy: The Crooked Man is the latest…

Pharell Williams is one of those artists who has spoken to several generations. The Virginia-born producer has significantly influenced the music industry for decades and has worked with top talents like Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dog, Kendrick Lamar, No Doubt, and many others. It would stand to reason that Williams would carry stories about his creativity, views on the world, and what makes him tick. Of course, anybody can make a documentary on a gifted person like Williams; however, filmmaker Morgan Neville worked with the multi-grammy-winning producer to create something extraordinary with Piece by Piece. The result possibly embodies Williams’s…

A particular type of whimsicalness is expected from a Studio Ghibli film. The vibrant color palette, music, phenomenal voice acting, and simple storylines filled with complex nuance are standard from the well-known studio. With Chris Sanders’s The Wild Robot, you get all of that. The film provides the chance to explore the beautiful world Dreamworks Animation offers and gives it so much heart. It’ll have you leaving the movie with a bit more hope in your core and an appreciative outlook on life. The Wild Robot comes from Chris Sanders and Peter Brown’s creative mind. If the first name sounds…

It’s no secret that Marvel Studio’s track record has been spotty recently. In some of its projects, the powerhouse studio has encountered hiccups, misfires, and straight duds. With some bad, there has been good. X-Men ’97 and Deadpool and Wolverine have been hits among fans, and the studio is hoping to continue that trend with their latest series, Agatha All Along. The spinoff of the widely popular Wandavision promises to put Marvel Studios back on the right track for success with interweaving storylines, visuals, and some order to their chaotic Phase 5. Although the show is somewhat entertaining, it won’t…

2024 is coming to an end, and that means Beyond Fest is upon us! The genre festival, the go-to for any true cinephile, has been a staple in Los Angeles for decades, and the people behind it are back. This year’s festival will be another fantastic feat in cinema viewing, with its lineup of little-known movies all the way to the heavy hitters in cinema. The 2024 slate will include World, West Coast, International Premieres, special screenings, and many more, with the filmmakers and cast in attendance. Beyond Fest has been known to bring their “A” game when showcasing hidden…

Alien: Romulus is around the corner, and questions come with every new installment in an I.P. How will this version differ from the others? Will this respect the source material? How much of the lore do I need to know beforehand? All legit questions in our sequels, prequels-filled entertainment, and the latest Alien movie is no exception. Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus is said to occur between the events of 1979’s Alien and 1986’s Aliens, but it’s ideal to find out if doing some homework on the movies from the Alien franchise is required. The film is the seventh film in…

1996’s Twister was a cultural phenomenon that took everyone by surprise. The disaster film had the DNA of many of its predecessors with a 90s flair that gave it a distinct look. Millennials and above deem this movie a classic with its subtle humor, neat camera tricks, and not-too-shabby special effects/CGI. Now it appears that WB hopes to catch lightning in a bottle twice with filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters. The film has all the markings to be a summer blockbuster; however, a couple of things dampen the chances of Twisters reaching the heights of the 1996 movie directed by…

I’m going to come out of the gate and say that I love the Mad Max franchise. George Miller created this vivid look at a post-apocalyptic world through exciting characters, designs, and fantastic action with practical effects. Max Rockatansky’s story is almost mythical, with Miller using little to make that happen. He’s been able to use the idea of society crumbling and one man surviving to convey a message there is a sliver of hope and justice during the fall of men. Miller showcases this through Max and four movies, yet now he gives another go, only this time with…

Stunt work is another form of art in filmmaking. The power to craft entertaining action set pieces and those performing these feats is essential to cinema. It takes a lot of experience to know how to fall, fly, crash, and dive in a manner that will cause minimal damage. While some build a life-making memorable stunt work in cinema, others have gone on to impact the craft more. Former stuntman and now filmmaker David Leitch understands the importance of the art of stunt work and found a way to utilize his knowledge for his latest film, The Fall Guy. Though…

If you’re a fan of horror films, then you’re well aware of the Happy Death Day movies. The Christopher Landon movies are a great addition to the comedy-slasher genre and have built a fanbase over time. Starring Jessica Rothe in a Groundhog Day-like scenario, the franchise holds two films under its belt, and many have been waiting and hoping for a third movie to complete the trilogy. Rothe has not wasted time exploring other options as she co-stars in Mortiz Mohr’s upcoming directorial debut, Boy Kills World, but the thought of another Happy Death Day 3  has not left her…