Alien at the Movies

Weapons

There is something really wrong here in the small town of Maybrook when one night at exactly 2:17 am, 17 students (all but one) from Miss Gandy’s classroom suddenly vanished for no apparent reason!!! This sets off this community to ask why… how… who or what is behind is behind this eerie event? As shown on security camera footage, these children left their homes willingly in the middle of the night all at the same time. Just so bizarre. What witchcraft is this? Is it paranormal? Is it supernatural? Is it demonic? What evil plot is this? And what is the meaning of this movie’s title? So many questions! This horror mystery is told in personal chapters…. teacher, contractor, cop, druggie, student, principal… each giving some little pieces of clues… what’s relevant… what’s relative… By about the third chapter, I️ was beginning to see a purpose to this method. This movie is more mystery & suspense in the beginning but quickly ramps up the terror & fright after the reveal. Can you figure out what evil is driving this plot before the key players? The teacher is driven to drink from all of the accusations against her. The angry dad is confrontational. The lone remaining student seems very shy & has nothing to say. The cop & the druggie have a couple of run-ins. The principal is searching for answers & trying to calm the upset parents. Filmmakers have constructed an elaborate puzzle feeding audiences little hints a little at a time for them to solve this weird case. This one feels more creepy at the start but shifts quickly to horror mode for the finale. I️ liked that look of the film & the actors were terrific. Even the actor kids seemed to relish their big scenes. I️ am not a particular big fan of the horror genre, but I️ was impressed with how well crafted this film was. Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, Alden Ehrenreich, & Amy Madigan highlight the cast.

Alien gives it 4 “running with airplane wings” stars out of 4.

The Naked Gun

Following in the footsteps of his bumbling father, Detective Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) gets involved in a bank robbery heist case & a murder case. However, his methods may force the closure of the Police Squad. This action comedy is a parody of the noir detective genre. Toss in Pamela Anderson as the femme fatale Beth to spice up the romance film parody parts. If you have seen any of the Police Squad/Naked Gun or Airplane franchise films, you will know what to expect. It’s 85 minutes of nonstop fast-paced slapstick comedy & surreal humor including verbal puns & visual gags, running jokes, as well as some dark humor. This film pokes fun at everything from Mission Impossible to Spirit Halloween Stores to frosty ménage à trois. Look for some cameos.  Depending on your sense of humor, it’s tons of fun & laughs. During the credits, see Frank break the Fourth Wall & get your eyesight tested. There is one “Weird” scene at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3 “cups of coffee” stars out of 4.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

The latest Fantastic Four reboot starts off 4 years after that comic storm altered the DNA of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grim (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), & Storm (Joseph Quinn) giving them superpowers. With a quick recap battling some of their classic Marvel villains, we find Reed & Sue are married & now expecting their first child. However, when the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) appears, she gives notice that Galactus is coming to destroy their planet. So the Fantastic Four team launches off to deal with thees new menaces. We get a good look at the team in action as they desperately fight this huge formidable foe & his servant. This film is about making difficult choices as well as parenting, family, & sacrifices. Never underestimate the strength of a mama bear. I️ loved late 50’s retro look on this Earth 828. Will we see Galactus & the Silver Surfer again? Does Sue & Reed’s new born inherit any comic powers? Look for a doomsday reveal during the credits. There is also a Fantastic Four cartoon played at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3 “It’s clobber’n’ time” stars out of 4.

The Bad Guys 2

Those Bad Guys are back, but they are trying to be Good Guys & reformed. However, finding gainful employment is difficult given their reputation. This animated anthropomorphic animal sequel to the 2022 original movie feels like “Ocean’s Eleven” meets “Ocean’s Eight” as our lovable Bad Guys seem to be being framed by some Bad Girls gang’s heists. Also returning are Governor Foxington & Professor Marmalade. Being blackmailed, can Mr. Wolf, Ms.Tarantula, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, & Mr. Shark clear their names? This is great family fun for the kids with nods/references to shows like “Taken” & “The A-Team”. Will there be a third movie? Will are villain/heroes evolve to their next level of adventure? A mid credit clip reminds you not to forget about one particular character. There is a final farewell at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3 “Lords of Lucha” stars out of 4.

It’s What’s Insde

This is a mind-bending twisted psychological thriller about a group of college friends who dare play a mind blowing game that will mess with your mind. A pre-wedding reunion brings old buddies back together to reminisce about their good old days, but secrets & jealousies also are revealed as rounds 1 & 2 play out. These 8 individuals have these out of body experiences playing this bizarre game packaged in this mysterious suitcase. The less you know about the film going into it, the better the effect. It will feel trippy like these people are on drugs or something. It’s geared for a young adult audience. I️ was definitely in the dark & confused at the beginning trying to make sense of what was going on. I️ also had a hard time keeping track of who was who. It seemed like it was just some crazy game until tragedy struck. Then the cops were called. The group scrambles to fix things. Just when you thinks it’s over & the credits run, hold on… there comes an even bigger plot twist. Is anyone the same after their disturbing game?

Alien gives it 3 “who do you trust” stars out of 4.

I️ Know What You Did Last Summer

When 5 friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident & decide to cover up their involvement, they make a pact to keep the incident a secret rather than face the possible consequences. One year later, one of them receives a note saying “I️ know what you did last summer”. This is the iconic title & premise of the 1997 original film resulting in 2 more films in this classic franchise. So is this a reboot or a sequel? Well, it is 27 years after the Tower Bay murders & another hook-wielding killer dressed in a fisherman’s slicker terrorizes these friends in Southport, North Carolina. A social media influencer arrives in town to investigate. The group’s research leads them to 2 survivors from the first murders. This pretty much plays like any teen slasher movie… jump scares, twists & turns, a few likely suspects, obvious set ups leading to another killing, & misdirections. Who will survive? Can you guess who’s disguised as the vengeful fisherman? Look for some cameos. I’ve never seen any of this franchise’s films, but I’m guessing they all play out about the same. Look for a mid credit scene. Will there be a sequel to this one? If you like murder mysteries, you may have a fun time trying to solve this one.

Alien gives it 3 “live, love, slaughter” stars out of 4.

Smurfs

This latest Smurfs movie is a reboot of the 2011 “The Smurfs” series. Papa Smurf has been hiding a magic book in the Smurf village. He has been hiding other secrets too. Audiences are introduced to No Name Smurf who is trying to figure out his special talent & acquire a more suitable name. His desperate wish comes true but when he demonstrates his new power, Papa Smurf gets taken away. Smurfettte leads the Smurfs to seek out Ken & rescue Papa Smurf. It’s seems that Gargamel & his brother Razamel along with 3 other evil wizards were plotting to get the magic book. It’s snooter poots, the real world, various animated dimensions, & magic highlighting this musical fantasy comedy about good versus evil. This reboot is targeting younger kid audiences. Look for a mid credit clip.

Alien gives it 2½ “finding oneself” stars out of 4.

Superman

James Gunn’s Superman reboot is fabulous. Gunn quickly cuts to the chase with a quick word summary about metahumans & Kryton’s favorite son’s arrival to Earth. Superman (David Corenswet) has been badly beaten losing for the first time. But how? Superdog Krypto comes to the rescue. It seems that Lex Luthor (Nicolas Hoult) is behind a sinister plot to disgrace & eliminated his nemesis Superman. Lex has the Engineer, the Hammer of Boravia (Ultraman), & his Luthorcorp Raptor soldiers at his command. From the start. Lois (Rachel Brosnahan) & Clack are already an item & she knows he’s Superman. The Justice Gang (Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, & Mister Terrific) arrives to help Superman. This film is action packed with fight scenes, a pocket universe, a kaiju, & a black hole rift. Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, & Perry White from the Daily Planet are along for the ride. An elemental alien named Metamorpho is forced to due Lex’s bidding. Look for many cameos, but you will have to listen for some of those voice cameos. Krypto is totally CGI animated & modeled to look & behave like Gunn’s actual dog. He is kind of a scene stealer. Hoult does an excellent job as the evil & obsessed villain. Audience will get to see this Superman’s greatest power as well as his vulnerability. There is one short mid credit clip & one final scene at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3½ “secret harem & saving Joey” stars out of 4. 

About Fate

This is story of Margot (Emma Roberts) & Griffin (Thomas Mann), two strangers who live in different communities of the same apartment complex. He is a lawyer & she is a realtor. It’s December 30. He is planning to propose to his girlfriend Clementine & she hopes to be proposed to by her boyfriend Kip. However, Fate has other plans for Margot & Griffin. They cross paths at the same restaurant & thus begins their comedy of errors begins in this romantic comedy. Margot & Kip breakup. A drunken mistake leads to Griffin pretending to be Margot’s boyfriend at her sister’s wedding. Griffin is a hit at wedding until the ruse is exposed. True to the genre, Margot & Griffin fall in love with each others.

Alien gives it 3 “Breakfast at Tiffany’s & pink coat” stars out of 4.