Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Ocean Wonderland 3D
This IMAX film gives the audience the feel of scuba diving, but without the air tanks or getting wet. The fish just seem to swim right pass your face and you want to reach out and touch them. See the beauty of all kinds of coral reefs. Most of the film is very soothing and relaxing, like viewing an endless aquarium for 45 minutes; then witness sharks in a feeding frenzy. The visuals are spectacular, but the film could use a better story line.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "save the coral reef" stars out of 4.
This IMAX film gives the audience the feel of scuba diving, but without the air tanks or getting wet. The fish just seem to swim right pass your face and you want to reach out and touch them. See the beauty of all kinds of coral reefs. Most of the film is very soothing and relaxing, like viewing an endless aquarium for 45 minutes; then witness sharks in a feeding frenzy. The visuals are spectacular, but the film could use a better story line.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "save the coral reef" stars out of 4.
Shark Tale
It's The Godfather/Goodfellas meets Finding Nemo/Jaws. In this animated fish story, a hustling bottom feeder tries to raise his status by claiming to have knocked off the son of a mobster boss shark. Alien loved the characterizations of Will Smith, Renee Zellweger, and Robert De Niro as fish. Though brought to you by the makers of Shrek and Shrek 2, this movie is not nearly as good. Dreamworks dangles a big fat juicy worm as bait, but Alien doesn't bite. The film does have some good laughs, but it should play better for the younger kids than the older crowd.
Alien gives it 2 spineless jellyfish (pretty to look at, but really that not much there) stars out of 4.
It's The Godfather/Goodfellas meets Finding Nemo/Jaws. In this animated fish story, a hustling bottom feeder tries to raise his status by claiming to have knocked off the son of a mobster boss shark. Alien loved the characterizations of Will Smith, Renee Zellweger, and Robert De Niro as fish. Though brought to you by the makers of Shrek and Shrek 2, this movie is not nearly as good. Dreamworks dangles a big fat juicy worm as bait, but Alien doesn't bite. The film does have some good laughs, but it should play better for the younger kids than the older crowd.
Alien gives it 2 spineless jellyfish (pretty to look at, but really that not much there) stars out of 4.
Friday, September 24, 2004
The Forgotten
How strong is the bond between a mother and child?
Jullianne Moore begins to panic as all traces of her son start to disappear. Is she going crazy? Are aliens abducting people? Are there paranormal forces at work here? Is there a government conspiracy? The audience is taken on quite a ride, but really doesn't seem to go anywhere.
Alien gives it 2 ½ shades of X-Files stars out of 4.
How strong is the bond between a mother and child?
Jullianne Moore begins to panic as all traces of her son start to disappear. Is she going crazy? Are aliens abducting people? Are there paranormal forces at work here? Is there a government conspiracy? The audience is taken on quite a ride, but really doesn't seem to go anywhere.
Alien gives it 2 ½ shades of X-Files stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Shaun of the Dead
A bunch of losers spend the day and night trying not to be eaten by a town of zombies.
If you like hilarious gore and bloody fun, you may enjoy this Cheers/Friends meets Dawn of the Dead/28 Days film. It is a horror/comedy/love story. The film is clever and smart while poking fun at zombie movies. Rated R for language, gore, and violence.
This might be the quirkiest movie of the year.
Alien gives it 3 zany zombie stars out of 4.
A bunch of losers spend the day and night trying not to be eaten by a town of zombies.
If you like hilarious gore and bloody fun, you may enjoy this Cheers/Friends meets Dawn of the Dead/28 Days film. It is a horror/comedy/love story. The film is clever and smart while poking fun at zombie movies. Rated R for language, gore, and violence.
This might be the quirkiest movie of the year.
Alien gives it 3 zany zombie stars out of 4.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Hero
This is Alien's first review that is not actually a sneak preview. "Hero" has already been released to the U.S. movie theater audience. And actually, Alien has already previewed "Hero" on a legal Mandarin DVD prior to the U.S. release. And actually, "Hero" originally released in 2002, just not here.
During the 3rd century BC, one ruler's attempt to unify warring kingdoms is threatened by 3 assassins and appears to be saved by a nameless hero. The defeat of the assassins is told and retold through flashbacks, each time accented by a distinct color, as an elaborate mystery unravels. Spoken in Mandarin with English subtitles, this film's visuals are breathtaking. The grace and fluidness of the choreographed fight scenes and the striking beauty of the Chinese landscape are highlights of the movie. Simple things like water and leaves are cleverly incorporated into the sword battles scenes.
Alien gives it 3 deadly assassins stars out of 4.
This is Alien's first review that is not actually a sneak preview. "Hero" has already been released to the U.S. movie theater audience. And actually, Alien has already previewed "Hero" on a legal Mandarin DVD prior to the U.S. release. And actually, "Hero" originally released in 2002, just not here.
During the 3rd century BC, one ruler's attempt to unify warring kingdoms is threatened by 3 assassins and appears to be saved by a nameless hero. The defeat of the assassins is told and retold through flashbacks, each time accented by a distinct color, as an elaborate mystery unravels. Spoken in Mandarin with English subtitles, this film's visuals are breathtaking. The grace and fluidness of the choreographed fight scenes and the striking beauty of the Chinese landscape are highlights of the movie. Simple things like water and leaves are cleverly incorporated into the sword battles scenes.
Alien gives it 3 deadly assassins stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
National Lampoon's Gold Diggers
Two young losers meet up with two old spinsters, both, with the goal of getting rich quick off of the other. As the pairs court and marry, their love scenes are torturous to watch. This disaster struggles to be funny. Alien predicts this little nugget will be quickly reburied.
Alien gives it ½ a fool's gold star out of 4.
Two young losers meet up with two old spinsters, both, with the goal of getting rich quick off of the other. As the pairs court and marry, their love scenes are torturous to watch. This disaster struggles to be funny. Alien predicts this little nugget will be quickly reburied.
Alien gives it ½ a fool's gold star out of 4.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Wimbledon
An aging British tennis player, Peter Colt, meets a young up-and-coming U.S. tennis star, Lizzie Bradbury, at Wimbledon. They become involved and affect each other's game. The film takes you down on the grass court from the player's perspective. Witness some great tennis plays with commentaries by John McEnroe and Chris Evert.
Alien gives it 2 ½ Centre Court stars out of 4.
An aging British tennis player, Peter Colt, meets a young up-and-coming U.S. tennis star, Lizzie Bradbury, at Wimbledon. They become involved and affect each other's game. The film takes you down on the grass court from the player's perspective. Witness some great tennis plays with commentaries by John McEnroe and Chris Evert.
Alien gives it 2 ½ Centre Court stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
What would a 1930's sci-fi serial movie look like using today's advanced computer graphics?
"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" pays homage to the 1930's, "King Kong", "The Wizard of Oz", and Sir Laurence Olivier. The film looks like those colorized vintage sepia-toned photographs. There are missing scientists, dirigibles, giant robots, ray guns, planes with flapping wings, and the planned destruction of the earth. It's "Star Wars" meets "Indiana Jones" meets "Buck Rodgers" and "Flash Gordon". The characters have names like Joe Sullivan, Polly Perkins, Franky Cook, Dex Dearborn, and Dr. Totenkopf (German for dead head or skull). Alien thought it was great fun with lots of subtle hidden messages... so pay attention.
Alien gives it 3 ½ retro-rocket stars out of 4.
What would a 1930's sci-fi serial movie look like using today's advanced computer graphics?
"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" pays homage to the 1930's, "King Kong", "The Wizard of Oz", and Sir Laurence Olivier. The film looks like those colorized vintage sepia-toned photographs. There are missing scientists, dirigibles, giant robots, ray guns, planes with flapping wings, and the planned destruction of the earth. It's "Star Wars" meets "Indiana Jones" meets "Buck Rodgers" and "Flash Gordon". The characters have names like Joe Sullivan, Polly Perkins, Franky Cook, Dex Dearborn, and Dr. Totenkopf (German for dead head or skull). Alien thought it was great fun with lots of subtle hidden messages... so pay attention.
Alien gives it 3 ½ retro-rocket stars out of 4.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
It's the "Tomb Raider" versus the "Terminator" in an "Escape From New York" during the "Night of the Living Dead".
First off, Alien hasn't seen the video game nor the original movie "Resident Evil". But supposedly, this film picks up where the first film ended. An evil corporation unleashes a deadly virus threatening the city and the band of good guys trying to rescue a little girl and themselves. Rated R for a little language, a little nudity, and lots of violence, but what else would you expect from this type of action/horror film. If you like scary monsters and enjoy guns blazing and big explosions, this may be a fun movie for you. It's a mindless thrill ride.
Alien gives it 3 shooting stars out of 4.
It's the "Tomb Raider" versus the "Terminator" in an "Escape From New York" during the "Night of the Living Dead".
First off, Alien hasn't seen the video game nor the original movie "Resident Evil". But supposedly, this film picks up where the first film ended. An evil corporation unleashes a deadly virus threatening the city and the band of good guys trying to rescue a little girl and themselves. Rated R for a little language, a little nudity, and lots of violence, but what else would you expect from this type of action/horror film. If you like scary monsters and enjoy guns blazing and big explosions, this may be a fun movie for you. It's a mindless thrill ride.
Alien gives it 3 shooting stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Cellular
The cell phone is so prominent in today's world. So what took it so long to be featured on the big screen?
Kim Bassinger gets kidnapped and must convince a total stranger answering his cell to help her and save her family. Get ready for a fun thrill ride where the heroes are ordinary, but smart people. The tension builds as twists and turns constantly detour the good samaritan. The cell phone is truly the star of this film. This screen play was written by Larry Cohen who also wrote "Phone Booth". This film has the same intensity, but with a lot more changes of scenery.
Alien gives it 3 stellar cellular stars out of 4.
The cell phone is so prominent in today's world. So what took it so long to be featured on the big screen?
Kim Bassinger gets kidnapped and must convince a total stranger answering his cell to help her and save her family. Get ready for a fun thrill ride where the heroes are ordinary, but smart people. The tension builds as twists and turns constantly detour the good samaritan. The cell phone is truly the star of this film. This screen play was written by Larry Cohen who also wrote "Phone Booth". This film has the same intensity, but with a lot more changes of scenery.
Alien gives it 3 stellar cellular stars out of 4.
Friday, September 03, 2004
The Cookout
Just in time for the Labor Day weekend comes "The Cookout", East Coast term for barbeque. This funny film features the mishaps of the NBA's number one draft pick as he tries to deal with fame and fortune when they clash with his family roots. He moves from the "hood" to a gated community where he celebrates his success with a cookout, a long time tradition in his family. Queen Latifah is outrageous as the gung ho, overzealous, by-the-book security guard trying to enforce the four volumes of rules and regulations.
Alien gives it 2 bouncing basketball stars out of 4.
Just in time for the Labor Day weekend comes "The Cookout", East Coast term for barbeque. This funny film features the mishaps of the NBA's number one draft pick as he tries to deal with fame and fortune when they clash with his family roots. He moves from the "hood" to a gated community where he celebrates his success with a cookout, a long time tradition in his family. Queen Latifah is outrageous as the gung ho, overzealous, by-the-book security guard trying to enforce the four volumes of rules and regulations.
Alien gives it 2 bouncing basketball stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Vanity Fair
Reese Witherspoon stars as Becky Sharp, an orphan girl who aspires to improve her social status in London during the early 1800's. The film uses great sets and costumes to detail the lives of its characters in this period piece. So while the scenes look really authentic and paint a colorful world, the movie seems to ramble around and fails to provide characters that we really care about. Also while the film spans more than 30 years, Reese and company don't seem to age a day. But the film's most annoying moment comes in the form of a MTV-like music video dance sequence featuring Reese among Indian belly dancers. What was that all about? Maybe this just wasn't Alien's cup of tea.
Alien gives it 2 Reese's pieces stars out of 4.
Reese Witherspoon stars as Becky Sharp, an orphan girl who aspires to improve her social status in London during the early 1800's. The film uses great sets and costumes to detail the lives of its characters in this period piece. So while the scenes look really authentic and paint a colorful world, the movie seems to ramble around and fails to provide characters that we really care about. Also while the film spans more than 30 years, Reese and company don't seem to age a day. But the film's most annoying moment comes in the form of a MTV-like music video dance sequence featuring Reese among Indian belly dancers. What was that all about? Maybe this just wasn't Alien's cup of tea.
Alien gives it 2 Reese's pieces stars out of 4.
