Author: Mark Salcido

Lorcan Finnegan is an intriguing director, to say the least. The filmmaker uses surreal storytelling to convey levels of tragedy, self-discovery, and just plain f**ked situations. Yet, the man knows how to make what’s on-screen visually pleasing without dropping LSD. Finnegan decided to continue his trademark style and combine it with the wildcard acting of Nicolas Cage for his recent movie, The Surfer. For the most part, the film works and can be a serious mind trip; however, that doesn’t completely cover up the movie’s faults. The Surfer, directed by Finnegan, follows The Surfer, which Cage plays. Written by Thomas…

Ben Affleck has proven himself to be a competent action star. 2016’s The Accountant was just another flex for the actor/director/writer who answered a hypothetical question: “What if Bruce Wayne was autistic and raised in a middle-class home?” The film was entertaining enough to warrant a sequel, though it took 9 years, with the aroma of trying to build a franchise. Whatever the good intentions were from the studio or the creative team, the result of The Accountant 2 is a reminder that some sequels don’t need to be made, and this one should’ve been taken out back and shot.…

Andor arrived on Disney+ at an interesting time in the Star Wars franchise. The finale of the Skywalker saga ended with an embarrassing splat, but the IP was showing some promise with The Mandalorian. The success of Andor presented that Star Wars could step away from Jedi, Sith, The Force, and lightsabers to exhibit there was so much more in a galaxy far, far away. The success of Andor warranted a second season, and thankfully, the series sticks the landing and should instill in us that Star Wars still has life in it. Andor season two sees the return of…

Ryan Coogler has been on a trajectory that many filmmakers wish to achieve. The director, writer, and producer made his presence known with 2013’s Fruitvale Station. He brought back to life the Rocky franchise with his hard-hitting and emotionally driven movie, Creed. Then Marvel came knocking with Black Panther and its sequel, which Coogler would make the movies a cultural and blockbuster touchstone in cinema. Now Coogler returns with his most original idea, Sinners, and the film can cement the artist as one of the most innovative storytellers currently working today. Sinners, written and directed by Coogler, follows twin brothers…

Horror and thrillers are nothing new to Christopher Landon. The filmmaker has been at since the late 90s, and the man just knows how to roll with the times. His script for Paranormal Activity showcased how to bring horror back to its Blair Witch roots, and Landon decided to leap into director to realize fully his creative voice. Drop, the latest film from Landon, is another example of the director taking a simple premise and making it a wild ride. Drop, directed by Landon and written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, pits a widowed mother against the wall with…

You know what you’re getting with a Fox Searchlight-produced or disrupted film. The studio is primarily known to bring independent and often unique films that generally do well during the film festival circuit. Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Suburbia, and Slums of Beverly Hills are just some of the bangers cinephiles have connected with, and another is around the horizon. Although filmmaker Michael Angarano’s sophomore film, Sacramento, may not be a Fox Searchlight movie, it certainly earns the respect that many of those films have garnered over time. Yet, it still has several glaring issues. Sacramento, directed by Angarano and written alongside…

I want to start by saying that I’ve been a massive fan of Flying Lotus, also known as Steven Ellison, and his music since 2007’s Reset. I remember hearing the hypnotic beats from ‘Tea Leaf Dancers’ on an Adult Swim promo and became hooked. So, naturally, I was excited when the trailer for Ash dropped online from the music producer turned director. The preview showcased a heavily inspired sci-fi Cronenberg-esque style horror mixed with 2001: A Space Odyssey that oozed with promises of stunning visuals and a hell of a sophomore entry from FlyLo. Upon viewing, I saw a fantastic…

Steven Soderbergh has a style with his filmmaking that’s often imitated but never truly replicated. One of the prominent figures of the early 90s indie film movement has a signature look recognized by many cinephiles. His movies align with realistic dialogue that’s cleaver and poignant with hints of cheeky humor and tonally shot akin to a jazzy bebop session with enough coolness to wear shades in a dimly light room. The filmmaker’s filmography has been eclectic all these years, but he’s returned to his spy thriller ways with his latest movie, Black Bag. Thankfully, the movie is a reminder of…

Daredevil has had an interesting ride to becoming a fixture in television. The character appeared in the 1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk and has inched his way into the pop-culture zeitgeist with other appearances. The creation of Marvel Studios and its partnership with Netflix cemented the Man Without Fear series in the “required viewing” category. This, in turn, made the character a major player in the era of comic adaptation. With the Netflix series put to rest, Marvel Studios had a chance to either reboot or bring the well-established storyline, tone, and actors to their Disney Plus streaming…

Ke Huy Quan has been riding high since returning to the acting world with Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Academy Award-winning has been popping up in other projects here and there, and it was only a matter of time before he starred in a leading man role. Stunt coordinator and performer Jonathan Eusebio finally heard the call to direct his first feature film, and that’s when the stars began to align. The script for Love Hurts, known initially as With Love, wound up in both men’s hands, and everything clicked. Eusebio and Quan saw something special in the script written…