Alien at the Movies

One of Those Days

Two homies from the hood are about to have one of those days in this female buddy comedy. Dreux (Keke Palmer) & Alyssa (SZA) are roommates & BFFs. Dreux is a diner waitress hoping to get a managerial job. Alyssa is an aspiring artist. They live in a rundown apartment complex with a strict landlord. Alyssa’s good-for-nothing boyfriend, Keshawn, also crashes with them. It’s the first of the month & the landlord demands the rent money which both girls believe was paid, but Keshawn needed investment money. With the clock ticking, the girls race to solve their money problems. Join them on their wild hilarious adventure to get quick cash fast. Will they meet their deadlines or will they suffer the consequences? How will Dreux’s job interview go? Will this mishap tear their friendship apart? Will the girls finally get their lives on track?

Alien gives it 3 “Air Jordans” stars out of 4.

Stay the Night

Two strangers meet by chance & impact each other’s lives. Both have just received some bad news & are struggling with the ramifications & who they really are. Grace (Andrea Bang) is an Human Resources adviser &  didn’t get her promotion. She was told she was too reserved. Her roommate says she is giving up on her dates with men too easily. Carter (Joe Scarpellino) is a professional hockey player who is being demoted to the minors. Trying to prove people wrong, Grace eventually tries to put herself out there after she meets Carter. Carter is trying to drown his sorrows in drink & ends up hitting on Grace. This becomes a very awkward hookup attempt as their secrets eventually spill out. While they each try to psychoanalyze each other, they become more comfortable talking to each other. Carter even advises Grace how to approach her colleague who she likes. The emotional connection between Grace & Carter over this one night is what makes this romance story work.

Alien gives it 3 “one night stand” stars out of 4.

Wolf Man

Opening with a scene of a wasp & a bunch of crawling ants… a statement appears about a missing man in 1994 & an animal virus that locals call “hills fever” & the indigenous natives’ name for it translates to “face of wolf”. This may not be the werewolf film that you were looking for. Jump to scenes of a father & son hunting in the forest for deer. A protective dad warns his son about the beauty & the dangers of the forest. Jump to 30 years later, the son, Blake, is a stay-at-home dad & writer in between jobs living in San Francisco. Charlotte is a his workaholic wife. Daughter Ginger is a “daddy’s girl”. Blake plans a family trip back to his Oregon childhood home to put things in order when his dad has gone missing & is presumed dead. Near their destination, they have an auto accident & then the fun begins. A creature attacks & the family barricades themselves in the old family home. Blake was scratched & may be infected. The creature stalks them & they plan an escape. This one is more suspense than horror. If you are more old school werewolf passionate, you may be disappointed. Who will survive this howling full moon night? Director/writer Leigh Whannell also did his modern remake of “The Invisible Man” in 2020. Does he have another Universal Pictures monster story to tell?

Alien gives it 3 “protect your family“ stars out of 4.

Wish Dragon

In modern China, two kids, Din & Li Na, meet at school & become best friends. However, Li Na & her father soon move away to seek better opportunities. Ten years later, Din & Li Na find that they have taken different paths in life. Din misses his old friend & plans to see her again. While on his job delivering food to customers, Din meets a mysterious old man who gives him a magical teapot. A dragon named Long (Lóng or Lung in Chinese means dragon) appears from the teapot & grants Din 3 wishes. Din uses one of his wishes to reunite with Li Na. If you haven’t realized it yet, this story is sounding a lot like “Aladdin”. A magical creature trapped in an item with a handle & a spout. A poor boy uses a wish to reunite with a rich girl. There is also a bad guy trying to get his hands on the magic container. I️ do like the bits of Chinese culture & traditions added to this version of the Arabian fairy tale classic. This animated film is about being yourself & choosing friends & family over wealth & greed.

Alien gives it 3 “the Midas touch” stars out of 4. 

In the Land of Saints & Sinners

It’s 1974 in Northern Ireland, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson) is hitman trying to leave his dark past behind & lead a quiet life in a small quaint coastal town away from the political violence gripping the rest of the country at that time. However, 4 IRA members are hiding out nearby too. When one abuses a local little girl, Finbar feels the need to step in & stop him for good. The gang’s search for their missing member leads them to Finbar. This then becomes a cat & mouse game with Finbar trying not to expose his secret while protecting the locals, his friends & neighbors. Will he be exposed? Will he save his adopted town? Can he stop this gang? Will the gang get their revenge? I loved this Irish setting & their lovely accents, although I️ sometimes had a little trouble understanding what they said.

Alien gives it 3 “fulfill a contract, plant a tree” stars out of 4. 

Fall

Would you rather be 47 meters down with sharks or 2,000 feet up with vultures? These survival thrillers like put two females in these precarious situations. Are you afraid of heights? Well, this is your first warning. When Becky, her husband Dan, & her BFF Hunter go rock climbing, tragedy occurs & leaves Becky grief stricken, alcoholic, & suicidal. She has shut down & isolated herself from everyone. Approaching the 1 year anniversary of Dan’s death, Hunter reaches out to Becky to snap her out of her funk. Hunter is a social media influencer who wants to climb an old abandoned 2,000 foot TV broadcasting tower in the middle of the desert. She needs a climbing partner & convinces Becky to join her so Dan’s ashes could be spread from the top. What could go wrong? Of course, in this case, just about everything. It’s a seemingly simple premise. Climb the maintenance ladder to the top & then climb the ladder back down. Easy peasy. It’s not rock climbing. Face your fears & get back to living life. A couple of rusty bolts later & no ladder. See how the girls try to McGiver their way out of their predicament. I️ was amazed how these ladies could act & say their lines from high atop their tiny platform stage. My legs were shaking as my eyes took in the cringing visuals. The storyline leaves nice little bread crumbs along to way to feed your brain later & move the plot along. I️ don’t know if it was movie magic or what, but I️ felt like I️ was up there with them. Underwater makes me feel claustrophobic but up in the air feels so open. It’s a stressful time up there as the girls try to stay optimistic even as a secret is revealed. Tired, sleepy, injured, hungry, & thirsty… will they survive her nightmare?

Alien gives it 3 “If you are afraid of dying, don’t be afraid to live… 1-4-3” stars out of 4.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Those stop action animated characters Wallace & Gomit are back for another fun misadventure. A penguin named Feathers McGraw tries to steal the Blue Diamond but is foiled by Wallace & Gromit. McGraw gets locked away behind bars. Meanwhile, inventor Wallace builds a robotic gnome, Norbot, to do gardening. The news about Norbot gets out & requests for his services pour in. While locked up, McGraw hatches a plan for vengeance, his escape, & reacquiring the Blue Diamond. McGraw manages to reprogram Norbot to be his accomplice for his new scheme. Hilarity ensues as McGraw’s plans unfold with Wallace & Gomit giving chase as law enforcement is also hot on the trail. Hang on for a hilarious fun thrill ride.

Alien gives it 3 “turnip” stars out of 4.

Unstoppable 

In the spirit of “Rocky” & “The Karate Kid”, comes an underdog American biographical sports drama film about Anthony Robles, a wrestler who was born with only one leg. This is the true coming-of-age story of a college athlete overcoming societal prejudice & physical challenges to develop a resilient spirit. Robles (Jharrel Jerome) displays remarkable technique, focus, & resilience on his way to a National Championship while also enduring personal problems at home. Although initially doubted by his coaches & teammates, he becomes a formidable competitor. Jerome is outstanding in his performance. The real Anthony Robles acts as a body double & mentoring advisor/coach in the film. Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Michael Pẽna, & Bobby Caravelle are fantastic as the supporting cast. This truly heart-warming & inspirational film may bring some emotional tears to your eyes. Photos & summary statements about the real characters are displayed at the end.

Alien gives it 3½ “I️ see you now” stars out of 4.

Den of Thieves: Pantera

This is the sequel to the 2018 big heist film “Den of Thieves”. Nick (Gerard Butler) & Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr) are back for more fun & games playing cops & robbers. In case you aren’t familiar with the original, Nick was the cop that tried to busted up a Federal Reserve bank heist. Donnie was a robber who that got away. When Nick discovered Donnie’s true connection to that heist, he has been on the lookout for Donnie & spots a familiar M.O. in a recent diamond heist overseas. Donnie has now joined an international team to pull off a seemingly impossible diamond heist. However, there is no honor among thieves so no one really trusts anyone. When Nick tracks down Donnie in Europe, he manages to join this gang. It’s fun watching how precision timing & teamwork gets the them into the vault, but of course, something goes wrong with the exit & leads to a wild car chase. Will they get away with the heist? Will they get caught? It ain’t over until the fat lady sings. Will there be a third installment? Like with the first film, a real life theft serves as the inspiration.

Alien gives it 3 “Don’t mess with the Mafia” stars out of 4.

Nosferatu 

Writer/director Robert Eggers has made his gothic horror remake of the 1922 silent film, “Nosferatu”, which itself is based on Bram Stoker’s 1897’s novel, Dracula”. As a young girl, Ellen, makes a psychic connection to an evil spirit. Years later in 1838 Germany, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) is married to Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). Thomas pays a visit to Count Orlok in Transylvania for a business proposition. Despite warnings for the local gypsies, Thomas too falls under the spell of Noferatu/Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Thus, begins Nosferatu’s secret journey back to Ellen bringing the plague & death with him. Meanwhile, a professor (Willem Dafoe) suspects Nosferatu’s plot & devises a scheme to stop him. Eggers has created a dark & murky setting to capture his gothic mood but it doesn’t help in holding the audience’s attention in this slow movingly storyline with vintage dialogue. I️ got a bit lost in the details. Will Ellen & Thomas live happily ever after? Will this vampire die at the stake or will he survive another day to take another bite? The acting was terrific but I️ wished there was more up on the screen to stimulate my interest.

Alien gives it 2 “sacrificing to win” stars out of 4.