Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
Jeff (Jason Segel) is a 30-year-old pothead living in his mom's (Susan Sarandon) basement. The film starts out as a comedy of errors by a couple of idiots (Ed Helms plays Jeff's older brother), but it takes an enlightening turn at the end. If you believe in signs, you may enjoy this quirky little tale of a family of lost souls finding their destiny. However, the film doesn't seem to what genre it wants to be as it plods along until it reaches the punchline.
Alien gives it 2 "catching the Kevin clues" stars out of 4.
Jeff (Jason Segel) is a 30-year-old pothead living in his mom's (Susan Sarandon) basement. The film starts out as a comedy of errors by a couple of idiots (Ed Helms plays Jeff's older brother), but it takes an enlightening turn at the end. If you believe in signs, you may enjoy this quirky little tale of a family of lost souls finding their destiny. However, the film doesn't seem to what genre it wants to be as it plods along until it reaches the punchline.
Alien gives it 2 "catching the Kevin clues" stars out of 4.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
John Carter (3D)
It's "Avatar" meets "Star Wars" when "Conan" on Mars rescues "Xena, Princess Warrior"/"Runaway Bride". A Confederate soldier who has lost his purpose finds himself on Mars and caught in the middle of another civil war in Disney's version of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel. Alien loved the primitive/high tech civilization and its 4-armed green bipeds and dog-like creature. The special effects, storyline, characters, action, and humor will make this movie popular with audiences, not the 3D. A warning to those who don't speak Martian, there will be some subtitles early on.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "transport medallion" stars out of 4.
It's "Avatar" meets "Star Wars" when "Conan" on Mars rescues "Xena, Princess Warrior"/"Runaway Bride". A Confederate soldier who has lost his purpose finds himself on Mars and caught in the middle of another civil war in Disney's version of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel. Alien loved the primitive/high tech civilization and its 4-armed green bipeds and dog-like creature. The special effects, storyline, characters, action, and humor will make this movie popular with audiences, not the 3D. A warning to those who don't speak Martian, there will be some subtitles early on.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "transport medallion" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Project X
Four loser teens conspire to throw an epic 17th birthday bash that will make them cool and get them hot girls. Of course, things explode way out of control. This party gone wild is outrageously hilarious because it's just so wrong. You won't believe what's happening right before your eyes as the stunts escalate to absolute absurdity. Their crack security team is a crazy crackup. This modern day "Animal House" (lame & tame by comparison) is a blueprint for teens and a warning to their parents. This over-the-top film was actually a lot better than Alien expected. Once again, hand held video cam recording realistic (but extremely dumb) behavior seems to work here. This movie was actually inspired by an Australian teen who caused $20,000 in damages to his neighborhood. Rated "R" for nudity, language, sexual content, drug and alcohol use.
Alien gives it 3 "shock and awe comedy attack" stars out of 4.
Four loser teens conspire to throw an epic 17th birthday bash that will make them cool and get them hot girls. Of course, things explode way out of control. This party gone wild is outrageously hilarious because it's just so wrong. You won't believe what's happening right before your eyes as the stunts escalate to absolute absurdity. Their crack security team is a crazy crackup. This modern day "Animal House" (lame & tame by comparison) is a blueprint for teens and a warning to their parents. This over-the-top film was actually a lot better than Alien expected. Once again, hand held video cam recording realistic (but extremely dumb) behavior seems to work here. This movie was actually inspired by an Australian teen who caused $20,000 in damages to his neighborhood. Rated "R" for nudity, language, sexual content, drug and alcohol use.
Alien gives it 3 "shock and awe comedy attack" stars out of 4.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Lorax
Dr. Suesss fans will be delighted with this charming film about a boy trying to impress a girt with a tree, something practically unknown in the plastic city of Thneedville. The animation is terrific. Alien loved the Suessian creatures, poetic verse, and the song & dance numbers. The movie runs a bit long and slow to hold the attention span of the wee little ones for long. It is also heavy handed on its environmental message.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "let it grow" stars out of 4.
Dr. Suesss fans will be delighted with this charming film about a boy trying to impress a girt with a tree, something practically unknown in the plastic city of Thneedville. The animation is terrific. Alien loved the Suessian creatures, poetic verse, and the song & dance numbers. The movie runs a bit long and slow to hold the attention span of the wee little ones for long. It is also heavy handed on its environmental message.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "let it grow" stars out of 4.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Gone
It's "The Brave One" meets "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf" when a young woman (Amanda Seyfried) is convinced her sister has been kidnapped and the cops don't believe her. This psychological thriller will keep you as paranoid as the heroine suspecting everyone as she follows the trail of clues racing against time and eluding the authorities. Is she just crazy? Will she get justice? Will there be a disappointing ending? The suspense is decent, but not spectacular in this one person performance vehicle. This story of a serial killer and bones buried in a deep hole echoes of a recent local news item.
Alien gives it 3 "Digger with the rapy eyes in the Royal Hotel" stars out of 4.
It's "The Brave One" meets "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf" when a young woman (Amanda Seyfried) is convinced her sister has been kidnapped and the cops don't believe her. This psychological thriller will keep you as paranoid as the heroine suspecting everyone as she follows the trail of clues racing against time and eluding the authorities. Is she just crazy? Will she get justice? Will there be a disappointing ending? The suspense is decent, but not spectacular in this one person performance vehicle. This story of a serial killer and bones buried in a deep hole echoes of a recent local news item.
Alien gives it 3 "Digger with the rapy eyes in the Royal Hotel" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wanderlust
Take a trip back to those hippy-dippy days of the late 60's when yuppie New Yorkers (Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd) fall on hard times and end up getting the full commune experience. It's lots of laughs in this Judd Apatow production featuring free spirits, hallucinogenic drugs, nudists, sharing everything lifestyle, and free love. This film is a one note song that quickly feels over played. It is rated "R" for the many F-bombs dropped, sexual content, and the full frontal nudity, but not the kind you'd want to look at. Look for some gag reel goofs at the beginning of the credits and a Real Housewives of Atlanta joke at the end.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "topless Norma Rae at Elysium" stars out of 4.
Take a trip back to those hippy-dippy days of the late 60's when yuppie New Yorkers (Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd) fall on hard times and end up getting the full commune experience. It's lots of laughs in this Judd Apatow production featuring free spirits, hallucinogenic drugs, nudists, sharing everything lifestyle, and free love. This film is a one note song that quickly feels over played. It is rated "R" for the many F-bombs dropped, sexual content, and the full frontal nudity, but not the kind you'd want to look at. Look for some gag reel goofs at the beginning of the credits and a Real Housewives of Atlanta joke at the end.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "topless Norma Rae at Elysium" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Three people with a common dream drive this charming love story involving fish, politics, faith, and a miracle. Good cast chemistry (Ewan McGreggor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas), clever dialogue, and an interesting premise with some surprising events make this sleeper more entertaining than one would expect. This romantic dramedy slyly pokes fun at scientists, politics, and bureaucracy while promoting hope, dreams, and falling in love. With over 35 years experience dealing with water transfer/fisheries issues, Alien felt this movie was a fairly honest representation except for a fish release scene and a hydraulics sequence. Salmon is the gimmick and the allegoric metaphor for this romcom/fisherman's delight film. Go see it. It's a great catch. Don't let it be the one that got away.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "Anglo-Yemeni Co-operation" stars out of 4.
Three people with a common dream drive this charming love story involving fish, politics, faith, and a miracle. Good cast chemistry (Ewan McGreggor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas), clever dialogue, and an interesting premise with some surprising events make this sleeper more entertaining than one would expect. This romantic dramedy slyly pokes fun at scientists, politics, and bureaucracy while promoting hope, dreams, and falling in love. With over 35 years experience dealing with water transfer/fisheries issues, Alien felt this movie was a fairly honest representation except for a fish release scene and a hydraulics sequence. Salmon is the gimmick and the allegoric metaphor for this romcom/fisherman's delight film. Go see it. It's a great catch. Don't let it be the one that got away.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "Anglo-Yemeni Co-operation" stars out of 4.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Chronicle
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It's "Cloverfield" meets "Where No Man Has Gone Before" meets "X-Men" when a boy's obsession with video taping documents a trio's new telekinesis abilities. High school horseplay turns deadly dark as things get out of hand. The kids act and feel real to draw you into the story and the special effects are amazingly spectacular. This little film that could is lots of fun and entertaining.
Alien gives it 3 "seduced by the Force in Seattle" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It's "Cloverfield" meets "Where No Man Has Gone Before" meets "X-Men" when a boy's obsession with video taping documents a trio's new telekinesis abilities. High school horseplay turns deadly dark as things get out of hand. The kids act and feel real to draw you into the story and the special effects are amazingly spectacular. This little film that could is lots of fun and entertaining.
Alien gives it 3 "seduced by the Force in Seattle" stars out of 4.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Great balls of fire! Johnny Blaze aka Ghost Rider (Nicolas cage) is back and in search for his soul and the son of Satan. He is the same old motorcycle riding flaming skull head, but now amped up by "Crank". The fiery 3D special effects are the real stars here as the power of the deal and the power of decay wrestle for domination. The filmmakers have decided to punctuate their over-the-top film with over-played humor hoping to amuse the audience. Cage ratchets himself up to another insane level as only Cage could do. This sequel is better than the first, but not by much. Hopefully, this luke-warm comic book character has finally burned itself out.
Alien gives it 2 "like father, like son" stars out of 4.
Great balls of fire! Johnny Blaze aka Ghost Rider (Nicolas cage) is back and in search for his soul and the son of Satan. He is the same old motorcycle riding flaming skull head, but now amped up by "Crank". The fiery 3D special effects are the real stars here as the power of the deal and the power of decay wrestle for domination. The filmmakers have decided to punctuate their over-the-top film with over-played humor hoping to amuse the audience. Cage ratchets himself up to another insane level as only Cage could do. This sequel is better than the first, but not by much. Hopefully, this luke-warm comic book character has finally burned itself out.
Alien gives it 2 "like father, like son" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Titanic (3D)
Titanic in 3D is absolutely stunning. James Cameron has made his classic tragic love story even more breath-taking, richer, and grander. At over three hours long, this enhanced version on the big screen is well worth the price of admission. It is hard to imagine, but this marvelous movie about love and survival just got better. The April release date is set to mark the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking.
Alien gives it 4 "Tri-tanic Dimensionally" stars out of 4.
Titanic in 3D is absolutely stunning. James Cameron has made his classic tragic love story even more breath-taking, richer, and grander. At over three hours long, this enhanced version on the big screen is well worth the price of admission. It is hard to imagine, but this marvelous movie about love and survival just got better. The April release date is set to mark the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking.
Alien gives it 4 "Tri-tanic Dimensionally" stars out of 4.
