Friday, October 28, 2005
Capote
This is the story of Truman Capote, author of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, as he was researching and writing his last book, “In Cold Blood”. Capote develops a friendship and a close bond with one of the killers in the quadruple slayings of a Kansas family. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives a remarkable and complex portrayal of this peculiar, yet fascinating man. Alien enjoyed Hoffman’s performance, but didn’t care for the cold, slow-paced story.
Alien gives it 1 ½ “nonfiction novel” stars out of 4.
This is the story of Truman Capote, author of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, as he was researching and writing his last book, “In Cold Blood”. Capote develops a friendship and a close bond with one of the killers in the quadruple slayings of a Kansas family. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives a remarkable and complex portrayal of this peculiar, yet fascinating man. Alien enjoyed Hoffman’s performance, but didn’t care for the cold, slow-paced story.
Alien gives it 1 ½ “nonfiction novel” stars out of 4.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
G
Here is a review by one of my junior critics in training.
There are words for this movie Hip Hop Flip Flop confusion with no plot. G is Hip Hop in the Hampton’s living with groupies and chucky. G is looking to reconnect with an college sweet heart whom disappeared from his life some 10 years ago and married the man with the bling, Mr. Chip a cheating husband living a double life in the Hampton’s with wifie (sophisticated hoochie) and girlfriend (ghetto from the Bronks) both living in the Hampton’s in separate houses a slave to his money. These people are all brought together by Cousin wimpy or confused; he works for Mr. Chip’s father’s magazine to which he is trying to get the exclusive on G which turns out to be a murder in the first degree. Wife ends up dead and girlfriend homeless G and Mr. Chip and Cousin wimpy go on with there lifes. And no Hip Hop has no heart in this movie…..
Movie G rating 1/2 star for effort
Here is a review by one of my junior critics in training.
There are words for this movie Hip Hop Flip Flop confusion with no plot. G is Hip Hop in the Hampton’s living with groupies and chucky. G is looking to reconnect with an college sweet heart whom disappeared from his life some 10 years ago and married the man with the bling, Mr. Chip a cheating husband living a double life in the Hampton’s with wifie (sophisticated hoochie) and girlfriend (ghetto from the Bronks) both living in the Hampton’s in separate houses a slave to his money. These people are all brought together by Cousin wimpy or confused; he works for Mr. Chip’s father’s magazine to which he is trying to get the exclusive on G which turns out to be a murder in the first degree. Wife ends up dead and girlfriend homeless G and Mr. Chip and Cousin wimpy go on with there lifes. And no Hip Hop has no heart in this movie…..
Movie G rating 1/2 star for effort
The Legend of Zorro
Zorro is back as a family man, a divorced man, a drunken man, an acrobatic man, and, of course, a swordsman. It’s the “Wild, Wild West” meets “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” meets “Spy Kids” meets “Batman Begins” with James Bond stunts and Indiana Jones action. Comic relief is provided by Zorro Jr. and Tornado, the trusty horse. Zorro and family must save the day when the bad guys try to blow up California. Forget about realism and just enjoy the good clean fun in this “PG” rated film that you can take the kids to.
Alien gives it 3 “foxy swashbuckling” stars out of 4.
Zorro is back as a family man, a divorced man, a drunken man, an acrobatic man, and, of course, a swordsman. It’s the “Wild, Wild West” meets “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” meets “Spy Kids” meets “Batman Begins” with James Bond stunts and Indiana Jones action. Comic relief is provided by Zorro Jr. and Tornado, the trusty horse. Zorro and family must save the day when the bad guys try to blow up California. Forget about realism and just enjoy the good clean fun in this “PG” rated film that you can take the kids to.
Alien gives it 3 “foxy swashbuckling” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The Weather Man
Chicago in the dead of winter captures the mood of weather man David Spritz’s bleak and dreary life. He struggles with a career decision and hopes to win back his dysfunctional family. Alien found this dark comedy only mildly funny and a waste of Nicolas Cage’s and Michael Caine’s talents. Rated “R”, most of the funnier moments rely on unsophisticated humor involving bad language, sexual content, and the tossing of fast foods. Just like most winters, the movie’s pace is slow and depressing, causing people to wish it would just be over.
Alien gives it 1 ½ “meteorological” stars out of 4.
Chicago in the dead of winter captures the mood of weather man David Spritz’s bleak and dreary life. He struggles with a career decision and hopes to win back his dysfunctional family. Alien found this dark comedy only mildly funny and a waste of Nicolas Cage’s and Michael Caine’s talents. Rated “R”, most of the funnier moments rely on unsophisticated humor involving bad language, sexual content, and the tossing of fast foods. Just like most winters, the movie’s pace is slow and depressing, causing people to wish it would just be over.
Alien gives it 1 ½ “meteorological” stars out of 4.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Stay
Maybe this movie should have been called “Dreamer” because Alien feels like he was caught up in some bad dream, very surreal and quite mixed up. The visuals were very artsy and the images kept morphing from one reality to another. It was hard to make sense of all that was viewed and in the end it just seemed pointless… just like in most dreams. A two-hour nap would have been more beneficial. Some critics will probably rave about this one, but Alien would have renamed this film “Stay Away”.
Alien gives it a ½ “wit idea” star out of 4.
Maybe this movie should have been called “Dreamer” because Alien feels like he was caught up in some bad dream, very surreal and quite mixed up. The visuals were very artsy and the images kept morphing from one reality to another. It was hard to make sense of all that was viewed and in the end it just seemed pointless… just like in most dreams. A two-hour nap would have been more beneficial. Some critics will probably rave about this one, but Alien would have renamed this film “Stay Away”.
Alien gives it a ½ “wit idea” star out of 4.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Dreamer: Inspired by a true story
The horse is this movie is named Sonador, which is Spanish for Dreamer, and this movie is about a little girl’s dream. Dakota Fanning is the girl, Kurt Russell is the dad, and Kris Kristopherson is the grandfather. They are 3 generations of horse lovers. When this special horse comes into the lives of this troubled family, it brings them closer together. This good family film is inspirational and uplifting. Dakota never fails to be charming as she steals all the scenes.
Alien gives it 3 “sport of kings” stars out of 4.
The horse is this movie is named Sonador, which is Spanish for Dreamer, and this movie is about a little girl’s dream. Dakota Fanning is the girl, Kurt Russell is the dad, and Kris Kristopherson is the grandfather. They are 3 generations of horse lovers. When this special horse comes into the lives of this troubled family, it brings them closer together. This good family film is inspirational and uplifting. Dakota never fails to be charming as she steals all the scenes.
Alien gives it 3 “sport of kings” stars out of 4.
North Country
“North Country” is Minnesota, the land of hockey, snow, and an iron mine. The film tells the emotionally charged story of a young single mother’s struggle against sexual harassment in 1989. This fictionalized account was inspired by the true events of the first class-action sexual-harassment lawsuit. The performances all around are top notch. The stars of “North Country” include Academy Award winners Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, and Sissy Spacek. The movie brings out the types of unfair treatment some women faced and the attitude towards women in some work places before today’s sexual harassment policies were put in place. It is a powerful film that will make you angry at the mistreatment and injustice facing these women iron mine workers, who didn't think they could do anything about it, but take it. Obviously rated “R” for language and violence, but necessary to tell this important story.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines” stars out of 4.
“North Country” is Minnesota, the land of hockey, snow, and an iron mine. The film tells the emotionally charged story of a young single mother’s struggle against sexual harassment in 1989. This fictionalized account was inspired by the true events of the first class-action sexual-harassment lawsuit. The performances all around are top notch. The stars of “North Country” include Academy Award winners Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, and Sissy Spacek. The movie brings out the types of unfair treatment some women faced and the attitude towards women in some work places before today’s sexual harassment policies were put in place. It is a powerful film that will make you angry at the mistreatment and injustice facing these women iron mine workers, who didn't think they could do anything about it, but take it. Obviously rated “R” for language and violence, but necessary to tell this important story.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines” stars out of 4.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Green Street Hooligans
This is a classic fish-out-of-water story as Frodo meets “The Gangs of New York” in the land of “Shaun of the Dead” where the accents are very thick. Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) is a Harvard journalism student unjustly expelled just 2 months before graduation. He escapes to London on a visit to his sister and gets caught up in the mob mentality of some brutal British soccer fans. His new buddies are members of the GSE (Green Street Elite) “firm” and their team is the West Ham United. The movie shows the group’s camaraderie and loyalty. The film is powerful and very violent. Sometimes, life’s valuable lessons can’t be learned just in school.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “brick-tossing/club-swinging/head-butting” stars out of 4.
This is a classic fish-out-of-water story as Frodo meets “The Gangs of New York” in the land of “Shaun of the Dead” where the accents are very thick. Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) is a Harvard journalism student unjustly expelled just 2 months before graduation. He escapes to London on a visit to his sister and gets caught up in the mob mentality of some brutal British soccer fans. His new buddies are members of the GSE (Green Street Elite) “firm” and their team is the West Ham United. The movie shows the group’s camaraderie and loyalty. The film is powerful and very violent. Sometimes, life’s valuable lessons can’t be learned just in school.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “brick-tossing/club-swinging/head-butting” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Eliszabethtown
Cameron Crowe paints a pretty picture of small town USA, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where everyone knows everyone and everything. Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) who is facing a huge business fiasco and dealing with the death of his father encounters a cheery and charming flight attendant name Claire (Kirsten Dunst) who helps him get through his difficult times in this romantic comedy. The movie has its moments and Kristen’s character is intriguing, but pretty boy Orlando is rather dull. Behind the backdrop of a wedding, a funeral, and a road trip with some good old Southern hospitality and some zany relatives, a young man finds something unexpected during his darkest hours. Though the film may not be a winner, Cameron Crowe should package and promote his clever road trip guide to America.
Alien gives is 2 “Route 66“ stars out of 4.
Cameron Crowe paints a pretty picture of small town USA, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where everyone knows everyone and everything. Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) who is facing a huge business fiasco and dealing with the death of his father encounters a cheery and charming flight attendant name Claire (Kirsten Dunst) who helps him get through his difficult times in this romantic comedy. The movie has its moments and Kristen’s character is intriguing, but pretty boy Orlando is rather dull. Behind the backdrop of a wedding, a funeral, and a road trip with some good old Southern hospitality and some zany relatives, a young man finds something unexpected during his darkest hours. Though the film may not be a winner, Cameron Crowe should package and promote his clever road trip guide to America.
Alien gives is 2 “Route 66“ stars out of 4.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Gospel
Alien sends his junior critics-in-training out again for a sneak preview.
Alien's junior critic thought the movie was inspirational and loved the music and the main character. My junior critic gave it 2 ½ stars out of 4.
Alien sends his junior critics-in-training out again for a sneak preview.
Alien's junior critic thought the movie was inspirational and loved the music and the main character. My junior critic gave it 2 ½ stars out of 4.
Domino
This film allegedly is the true story of Domino Harvey (Keira Knightley), not only the daughter of actor Laurence Harvey, but a Ford Agency model turned bounty hunter. Raw, gritty, hard, and edgy are becoming the trademark of Tony Scott films. The movie is shot like a MTV music video and told in flashbacks to give the appearance of being artistic and more mysterious. However, the attempt is just a jumbled mess with not much of a plot. It has taken a real person’s life story and fictionalized it into a comic book adventure by portraying it in an over-the-top and exaggerated style. Also, the characters are not likable. Bad girl Domino’s solution to her problems usually results in someone getting a broken nose.
Alien gives it 1 ½ “wanted: dead or alive” stars out of 4.
This film allegedly is the true story of Domino Harvey (Keira Knightley), not only the daughter of actor Laurence Harvey, but a Ford Agency model turned bounty hunter. Raw, gritty, hard, and edgy are becoming the trademark of Tony Scott films. The movie is shot like a MTV music video and told in flashbacks to give the appearance of being artistic and more mysterious. However, the attempt is just a jumbled mess with not much of a plot. It has taken a real person’s life story and fictionalized it into a comic book adventure by portraying it in an over-the-top and exaggerated style. Also, the characters are not likable. Bad girl Domino’s solution to her problems usually results in someone getting a broken nose.
Alien gives it 1 ½ “wanted: dead or alive” stars out of 4.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Serenity
This is not a sneak preview. This movie has already been released.
It’s cowboys in space meets Buffy, the vampire slayer, with spectacular special effects and a good sense of humor, but what else would you expect for Joss Whedon. Serenity is the name of the spaceship. Its crew is from the short-lived television series, Firefly (already has cult status). This great ensemble of interesting personalities explode onto the big screen and takes you on a wild ride across the galaxy while trying to elude the ever-pursuing Alliance. It is great fun in the spirit of the old westerns. Firefly fans should be pleased and maybe a sequel with follow.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “final frontier” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This movie has already been released.
It’s cowboys in space meets Buffy, the vampire slayer, with spectacular special effects and a good sense of humor, but what else would you expect for Joss Whedon. Serenity is the name of the spaceship. Its crew is from the short-lived television series, Firefly (already has cult status). This great ensemble of interesting personalities explode onto the big screen and takes you on a wild ride across the galaxy while trying to elude the ever-pursuing Alliance. It is great fun in the spirit of the old westerns. Firefly fans should be pleased and maybe a sequel with follow.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “final frontier” stars out of 4.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
It’s “Gumby” meets “The Were-Wolf” meets “The Hulk” meets “King Kong” meets “Frankenstein” meets “Ben-Hur” meets “Inspector Gadget” in this “G” rated stop-action animation. An inventor and his smart dog are trying to protect the town’s prize vegetable crops from some hungry rabbits. It is hilarious fun for kids and adults.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “cute as a bunny” stars out of 4.
PS A great 10-minute movie short starring the penguin gang from Madagascar in a Christmas Caper preceded Wallace & Gromit.
It’s “Gumby” meets “The Were-Wolf” meets “The Hulk” meets “King Kong” meets “Frankenstein” meets “Ben-Hur” meets “Inspector Gadget” in this “G” rated stop-action animation. An inventor and his smart dog are trying to protect the town’s prize vegetable crops from some hungry rabbits. It is hilarious fun for kids and adults.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “cute as a bunny” stars out of 4.
PS A great 10-minute movie short starring the penguin gang from Madagascar in a Christmas Caper preceded Wallace & Gromit.
