Friday, April 29, 2005
XXX: State of the Union
Alien never saw the original, but this seems to be the type of action flick that you can just plug in any charismatic macho stud and no one would know any difference. It's a James Bond movie with a touch of "Mission: Improbable", except this Bond comes from the 'hood with rap music and a lot of attitude. Ice Cube is the new triple X. It's hot cars and hot women, big guns and bigger explosions, ex-navy seals and car jackers, a military coup and a classic frame up. This movie is pure escapism. Hiss at the bad guys and cheer for the good guys.
Alien gives it 3 "patriotic zealot" stars out of 4.
Thanks again for the invite, Denise. Hope to see you at the movies.
Alien never saw the original, but this seems to be the type of action flick that you can just plug in any charismatic macho stud and no one would know any difference. It's a James Bond movie with a touch of "Mission: Improbable", except this Bond comes from the 'hood with rap music and a lot of attitude. Ice Cube is the new triple X. It's hot cars and hot women, big guns and bigger explosions, ex-navy seals and car jackers, a military coup and a classic frame up. This movie is pure escapism. Hiss at the bad guys and cheer for the good guys.
Alien gives it 3 "patriotic zealot" stars out of 4.
Thanks again for the invite, Denise. Hope to see you at the movies.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
It's "Star Wars" gone wild with a trace of "Star Trek". Follow the adventures of earthling, Arthur Dent, who suddenly finds himself traveling through the universe in his jammies, robe, and slippers. Meet the Vogons and Marvin, the manic depressive droid. See how worlds are created and destroyed. Travel through portals. If you are a fan of the books and/or the radio shows and/or the BBC TV shows, then you will probably love this movie. Alien was unfamiliar. This brand of British humor just didn't quite appeal to Alien, but Alien did find it unique, bizarre, and mildly amusing.
Alien gives is 2 "Don't Panic" stars out of 4.
It's "Star Wars" gone wild with a trace of "Star Trek". Follow the adventures of earthling, Arthur Dent, who suddenly finds himself traveling through the universe in his jammies, robe, and slippers. Meet the Vogons and Marvin, the manic depressive droid. See how worlds are created and destroyed. Travel through portals. If you are a fan of the books and/or the radio shows and/or the BBC TV shows, then you will probably love this movie. Alien was unfamiliar. This brand of British humor just didn't quite appeal to Alien, but Alien did find it unique, bizarre, and mildly amusing.
Alien gives is 2 "Don't Panic" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
The Year of the Yao
Follow the journey of the Houston Rockets' 2002 number one draft pick, Yao Ming, during his rookie season in the NBA. Witness Yao Ming struggle with the American language, culture, and style of basketball. Then watch him grow into an emerging star and role model. See him deal with the pressures of the game and being the idol of fans in China and the U.S. Meet Yao's interpreter, Collin, who is 29 years old and white. Chinese is Collin's second language and basketball becomes his third.
Alien gives it 2 "hoop" stars out of 4.
Follow the journey of the Houston Rockets' 2002 number one draft pick, Yao Ming, during his rookie season in the NBA. Witness Yao Ming struggle with the American language, culture, and style of basketball. Then watch him grow into an emerging star and role model. See him deal with the pressures of the game and being the idol of fans in China and the U.S. Meet Yao's interpreter, Collin, who is 29 years old and white. Chinese is Collin's second language and basketball becomes his third.
Alien gives it 2 "hoop" stars out of 4.
Friday, April 22, 2005
King's Ransom
Oh no, not again... twice in one week.
Anthony Anderson plays an obnoxious, rich man who becomes the center of multiple kidnap plots and a case of misidentification. It sounds like "Ruthless People" meets "What's Up Doc?", but it is not nearly as funny. In fact, the funniest moments occurs in the third reel when the movie begins to play upside down and backwards (someone neglected to rewind the reel). The best thing that Alien got out of this preview was a re-admission ticket to the theater for any movie because this film was not restarted. Though it felt like the film was going to be sub par...
Alien can only give it an "oops, they did it again" incomplete.
Oh no, not again... twice in one week.
Anthony Anderson plays an obnoxious, rich man who becomes the center of multiple kidnap plots and a case of misidentification. It sounds like "Ruthless People" meets "What's Up Doc?", but it is not nearly as funny. In fact, the funniest moments occurs in the third reel when the movie begins to play upside down and backwards (someone neglected to rewind the reel). The best thing that Alien got out of this preview was a re-admission ticket to the theater for any movie because this film was not restarted. Though it felt like the film was going to be sub par...
Alien can only give it an "oops, they did it again" incomplete.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Interpreter
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn give marvelous performances in this drama with the United Nations as the backdrop. One is an U.N. interpreter from a fictional African country and the other is a secret service agent. It is a story of international intrigue and suspense. Unfortunately, this preview screening had a one and a half hour intermission due to technical difficulties (something about reel 6 being played after reel 1 and everything having to be rewound and re-spliced). The first half of the film was great, but Alien seemed to lose interest or was just too tired to focus on the movie as the hour neared eleven. Even the free popcorn and soda couldn't keep Alien awake. Maybe the little critics-in-trainees could help me out or Alien will have to rescreen again.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Lost in Translation" stars out of 4.
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn give marvelous performances in this drama with the United Nations as the backdrop. One is an U.N. interpreter from a fictional African country and the other is a secret service agent. It is a story of international intrigue and suspense. Unfortunately, this preview screening had a one and a half hour intermission due to technical difficulties (something about reel 6 being played after reel 1 and everything having to be rewound and re-spliced). The first half of the film was great, but Alien seemed to lose interest or was just too tired to focus on the movie as the hour neared eleven. Even the free popcorn and soda couldn't keep Alien awake. Maybe the little critics-in-trainees could help me out or Alien will have to rescreen again.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Lost in Translation" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
The Upside of Anger
This is not a sneak preview; this film was already released.
Joan Allen gives a powerful performance as a angry woman whose world starts to crumble when she discovers her husband has suddenly left one night. As she struggles to raise her four girls (3 teenagers and 1 a bit older), alcohol becomes her solution. Along comes Kevin Costner, a has-been baseball player and now radio personality, who becomes her drinking buddy. This estrogen charged film focuses on the dysfunctional relationships of the mother and her daughters (Alicia Witt, Erika Christiansen, Keri Russell, and Evan Rachel Wood). In the end, we learn how anger and resentment can sabotage our lives. This movie is filled with great performances of unlikable characters.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "desperate and resentful housewife" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview; this film was already released.
Joan Allen gives a powerful performance as a angry woman whose world starts to crumble when she discovers her husband has suddenly left one night. As she struggles to raise her four girls (3 teenagers and 1 a bit older), alcohol becomes her solution. Along comes Kevin Costner, a has-been baseball player and now radio personality, who becomes her drinking buddy. This estrogen charged film focuses on the dysfunctional relationships of the mother and her daughters (Alicia Witt, Erika Christiansen, Keri Russell, and Evan Rachel Wood). In the end, we learn how anger and resentment can sabotage our lives. This movie is filled with great performances of unlikable characters.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "desperate and resentful housewife" stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Kung Fu Hustle
"Kung Fu Hustle" is not just another spectacular Chinese martial arts film released a year earlier, subtitled, and imported to the U.S. It's "Hero" meets "The Matrix" meets "The Godfather" meets "Road Runner and Wiley Coyote" meets "The Three Stooges". It is hilarious and visually simulating. Set in 1940's China, two scheming imbeciles wander into a run-down ghetto called Pig Sty Alley and get in trouble impersonating members of the notorious "Axe Gang". The battles between the kung fu masters are outrageous and beyond one's imagination. Understanding Cantonese is a plus.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "kung fu fighting-looney tunes" stars out of 4.
"Kung Fu Hustle" is not just another spectacular Chinese martial arts film released a year earlier, subtitled, and imported to the U.S. It's "Hero" meets "The Matrix" meets "The Godfather" meets "Road Runner and Wiley Coyote" meets "The Three Stooges". It is hilarious and visually simulating. Set in 1940's China, two scheming imbeciles wander into a run-down ghetto called Pig Sty Alley and get in trouble impersonating members of the notorious "Axe Gang". The battles between the kung fu masters are outrageous and beyond one's imagination. Understanding Cantonese is a plus.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "kung fu fighting-looney tunes" stars out of 4.
That's all folks.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
The Amityville Horror
Is it the American dream or nightmare? A mother with three children remarries and buys a new home for a fresh new start, but the house has an ominous past. Strange things begins to occur. The film makers here use just about every horror story device ever portrayed on the big screen. It is more of a terror story than a horror tale. If you are in the mood for a good scare or want to watch others get scared, this may be a fun movie for you. It's another one of Alien's guilty pleasures.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "possessed" stars out of 4.
Is it the American dream or nightmare? A mother with three children remarries and buys a new home for a fresh new start, but the house has an ominous past. Strange things begins to occur. The film makers here use just about every horror story device ever portrayed on the big screen. It is more of a terror story than a horror tale. If you are in the mood for a good scare or want to watch others get scared, this may be a fun movie for you. It's another one of Alien's guilty pleasures.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "possessed" stars out of 4.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Fever Pitch
This romantic comedy stars Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, and the Boston Red Sox. Drew plays a workaholic executive, Jimmy plays a school teacher obsessed with the Red Sox, and the Red Sox play baseball. Drew and Jimmy date and begin to fall in love. Then their relationship is tested once baseball season starts. See what each is willing to sacrifice for the other. Fallon is just perfect for the part in this very funny film.
Alien gives it 3 "World Series" stars out of 4.
This romantic comedy stars Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, and the Boston Red Sox. Drew plays a workaholic executive, Jimmy plays a school teacher obsessed with the Red Sox, and the Red Sox play baseball. Drew and Jimmy date and begin to fall in love. Then their relationship is tested once baseball season starts. See what each is willing to sacrifice for the other. Fallon is just perfect for the part in this very funny film.
Alien gives it 3 "World Series" stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Sahara
The premise and the trailers lead you to believe this movie is a confederate "National Treasure" in the desert, but it is really more like Indiana Jones meets James Bond without the spy gadgetry. Two ex-military types looking for underwater treasure get mixed up with a World Health Organization doctor looking for an outbreak of the plague... only to find themselves in the middle of a third world civil war as a coverup unfolds in the desert. This funny action-adventure film is a romp and a wild ride through the desert. It's somewhat predictable, but still entertaining if you check your brain at the door.
Alien gives it 3 "long lost treasure" stars out of 4.
The premise and the trailers lead you to believe this movie is a confederate "National Treasure" in the desert, but it is really more like Indiana Jones meets James Bond without the spy gadgetry. Two ex-military types looking for underwater treasure get mixed up with a World Health Organization doctor looking for an outbreak of the plague... only to find themselves in the middle of a third world civil war as a coverup unfolds in the desert. This funny action-adventure film is a romp and a wild ride through the desert. It's somewhat predictable, but still entertaining if you check your brain at the door.
Alien gives it 3 "long lost treasure" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Millions
What would you do if you found a huge bag of money? Learn about money and faith through the eyes of two young English brothers. One is a financial wizard and the other has visions of saints. These children are charming. The film is very funny, delightful, and whimsical. Kids will enjoy the movie and so will the adults. Oh, did I mention that the find comes just days before England changes over to the euro; so the money must be spent or exchanged before it becomes worthless.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "priceless" stars out of 4.
What would you do if you found a huge bag of money? Learn about money and faith through the eyes of two young English brothers. One is a financial wizard and the other has visions of saints. These children are charming. The film is very funny, delightful, and whimsical. Kids will enjoy the movie and so will the adults. Oh, did I mention that the find comes just days before England changes over to the euro; so the money must be spent or exchanged before it becomes worthless.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "priceless" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Beauty Shop
This is not a sneak preview; this film was already released.
Although Alien has never seen "Barber Shop" nor "Barber Shop 2", "Beauty Shop" seems to be a spinoff spawn from them. Queen Latifah stars as the beauty shop owner who is in competition with her former boss, played by Kevin Bacon. Watch her struggle to succeed. Alien hoped it would have been funnier.
Alien gives it 2 "hair appointment" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview; this film was already released.
Although Alien has never seen "Barber Shop" nor "Barber Shop 2", "Beauty Shop" seems to be a spinoff spawn from them. Queen Latifah stars as the beauty shop owner who is in competition with her former boss, played by Kevin Bacon. Watch her struggle to succeed. Alien hoped it would have been funnier.
Alien gives it 2 "hair appointment" stars out of 4.
Sin City
This is not a sneak preview; this film was already released.
Do you enjoy dark gritty pulp fiction detective stories where the heroes are tough and shady men and the women are curvy and scantily clad dames? "Sin City" is a highly stylized, extremely violent, black and white film with bright splashes of color accenting Frank Miller's graphic novel stories involving 3 avengers. The movie is visually mesmerizing, but it is not for the faint-hearted. Rated "R" for nudity and shocking violence.
Alien gives it 3 "testosterone-charged" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview; this film was already released.
Do you enjoy dark gritty pulp fiction detective stories where the heroes are tough and shady men and the women are curvy and scantily clad dames? "Sin City" is a highly stylized, extremely violent, black and white film with bright splashes of color accenting Frank Miller's graphic novel stories involving 3 avengers. The movie is visually mesmerizing, but it is not for the faint-hearted. Rated "R" for nudity and shocking violence.
Alien gives it 3 "testosterone-charged" stars out of 4.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
The Aryan Couple
It's "Schindler's List" meets "Hotel Rwanda" meets "Casa Blanca". While the Nazis are arresting Jews in Hungary, a wealthy industrialist tries to buy his family safe passage to Switzerland and freedom. Working for the family is an Aryan couple who have a secret. Suspicion and danger ensue. Will they escape or be caught? Who will live and who will die? Alien expected bleak and depressing, but was surprised with a bright and beautiful looking thriller.
Alien gives it 3 "papers of transit" stars out of 4.
It's "Schindler's List" meets "Hotel Rwanda" meets "Casa Blanca". While the Nazis are arresting Jews in Hungary, a wealthy industrialist tries to buy his family safe passage to Switzerland and freedom. Working for the family is an Aryan couple who have a secret. Suspicion and danger ensue. Will they escape or be caught? Who will live and who will die? Alien expected bleak and depressing, but was surprised with a bright and beautiful looking thriller.
Alien gives it 3 "papers of transit" stars out of 4.
