Sunday, April 30, 2006
United 93
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s “Munich” meets “24” in this gripping drama recounting that famous 9/11 event told in real time. The movie recreates what might have happened as reconstructed from records and interviews. You get to see behind the scenes of the unfolding tragedy, the military confusion, and the passengers’ bravery. Even though you already the final outcome, the tension builds and takes you through many emotions, including apprehension, sadness, terror, and anger. Are you prepared to take this emotional thrill ride; it is well worth the trip. Don’t be surprise if the experience brings some tears to your eyes.
Alien gives it 4 “hijacked plane” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s “Munich” meets “24” in this gripping drama recounting that famous 9/11 event told in real time. The movie recreates what might have happened as reconstructed from records and interviews. You get to see behind the scenes of the unfolding tragedy, the military confusion, and the passengers’ bravery. Even though you already the final outcome, the tension builds and takes you through many emotions, including apprehension, sadness, terror, and anger. Are you prepared to take this emotional thrill ride; it is well worth the trip. Don’t be surprise if the experience brings some tears to your eyes.
Alien gives it 4 “hijacked plane” stars out of 4.
Hoot
“Cowgirl”, “Mullet Fingers”, and “Beatrice the Bear” band together to protect each other and to save some burrowing owls from greedy land developers. In this idealistic children’s world, the kids are smart and able while the adults are caricatures. It is good clean fun and adventure in this “after school special” with appearances by Luke Wilson, Jimmy Buffet, and Robert Wagner.
Alien gives it 2 “Environmental Species Act” stars out of 4.
“Cowgirl”, “Mullet Fingers”, and “Beatrice the Bear” band together to protect each other and to save some burrowing owls from greedy land developers. In this idealistic children’s world, the kids are smart and able while the adults are caricatures. It is good clean fun and adventure in this “after school special” with appearances by Luke Wilson, Jimmy Buffet, and Robert Wagner.
Alien gives it 2 “Environmental Species Act” stars out of 4.
Friday, April 28, 2006
RV
Overworked Bob Munro's (Robin Williams) Hawaiian vacation plans get deterred and he must choose between saving his job and saving his family. Not wanting to lose either, he figures he can hang on to both by renting a recreational vehicle, dragging his reluctant family to Colorado, and secretly meeting his boss and an important new client there. Of course nothing goes right along the way, but all is well in the end. It is predictable, but still funny with the usual Robin Williams type antics. It is a hoot.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “family vacation nightmare” stars out of 4.
Overworked Bob Munro's (Robin Williams) Hawaiian vacation plans get deterred and he must choose between saving his job and saving his family. Not wanting to lose either, he figures he can hang on to both by renting a recreational vehicle, dragging his reluctant family to Colorado, and secretly meeting his boss and an important new client there. Of course nothing goes right along the way, but all is well in the end. It is predictable, but still funny with the usual Robin Williams type antics. It is a hoot.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “family vacation nightmare” stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The Notorious Bettie Page
Relive the fifties as this biopic transports you back capturing the look, the sounds, and the attitudes of a more innocent time. Remember white gloves, croquet, and soda fountains. Bettie Page is the most famous unknown pin-up girl of 1950s. She is a smart and sweet girl from a conservative and religious Nashville family who moves to New York City to become a model and actress. Her bathing suit poses make her a modeling sensation, but her bondage pictures make her the target of a Senate investigation. The 1950s pornography world depicted here is not dirty or shameful. Compared to today’s standards, it is rather tame and even silly. Gretchen Mol gives an amazing portrayal. Rated “R” for nudity, sexual content, and language.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “naughty and nice” stars out of 4.
Relive the fifties as this biopic transports you back capturing the look, the sounds, and the attitudes of a more innocent time. Remember white gloves, croquet, and soda fountains. Bettie Page is the most famous unknown pin-up girl of 1950s. She is a smart and sweet girl from a conservative and religious Nashville family who moves to New York City to become a model and actress. Her bathing suit poses make her a modeling sensation, but her bondage pictures make her the target of a Senate investigation. The 1950s pornography world depicted here is not dirty or shameful. Compared to today’s standards, it is rather tame and even silly. Gretchen Mol gives an amazing portrayal. Rated “R” for nudity, sexual content, and language.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “naughty and nice” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Stick It
Once again, Texas is the setting for another team sport movie. First, it was high school football in “Friday Night Lights”. Next, it was college basketball in “Glory Road”. Now, it is girls gymnastics in Houston and the National Championship. A troubled and rebellious teenager butts heads with the law and a tough coach on her journey to prove herself at an elite gymnastics academy. Choreography, bright colors, unusual camera angles, special effects, and humor are used to spice up the scenes in and out of the gym. What starts out looking like a typical fairytale story takes a surprise turn by making commentary on the sports subjective judging system. Alien’s warning to parents: almost all little girls are attracted to gymnastics, but bad behavior in this film does not inspire positive role models for preteens; thus the “PG-13” rating.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “rebel with a cause” stars out of 4.
Once again, Texas is the setting for another team sport movie. First, it was high school football in “Friday Night Lights”. Next, it was college basketball in “Glory Road”. Now, it is girls gymnastics in Houston and the National Championship. A troubled and rebellious teenager butts heads with the law and a tough coach on her journey to prove herself at an elite gymnastics academy. Choreography, bright colors, unusual camera angles, special effects, and humor are used to spice up the scenes in and out of the gym. What starts out looking like a typical fairytale story takes a surprise turn by making commentary on the sports subjective judging system. Alien’s warning to parents: almost all little girls are attracted to gymnastics, but bad behavior in this film does not inspire positive role models for preteens; thus the “PG-13” rating.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “rebel with a cause” stars out of 4.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Silent Hill
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Who says I don't know Jack? Alien had a scheduling conflict last week with the "Silent Hill" preview, but one of my minions turned in this report.
It's the "Forgotten" meets the "Amityville Horror" in this film version of the video game of the same name. The story is fascinating and the special effects are very good, but the acting left a lot to be desired.
My trainee gives it 2 ½ stars out of 4.
Roger Ebert says it's an incredibly good-looking film, but he could not figure out the plot so he gives it 1 ½ stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Who says I don't know Jack? Alien had a scheduling conflict last week with the "Silent Hill" preview, but one of my minions turned in this report.
It's the "Forgotten" meets the "Amityville Horror" in this film version of the video game of the same name. The story is fascinating and the special effects are very good, but the acting left a lot to be desired.
My trainee gives it 2 ½ stars out of 4.
Roger Ebert says it's an incredibly good-looking film, but he could not figure out the plot so he gives it 1 ½ stars out of 4.
Friday, April 21, 2006
The Wild
This is not a sneak preview. This movie has already released.
It’s “Madagascar” meets “Ice Age” meets “The Lion King” meets “Finding Nemo” in this Disney animated feature about zoo animals rescuing a lost lion cub shipped to the jungle by mistake. Alien never knew animals spoke with British, East Indian, and New York accents. The movie has great texture (check out the fur). Kids will probably love the film, but adults may be a bit bored.
Alien gives it 2 “father/son bonding” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This movie has already released.
It’s “Madagascar” meets “Ice Age” meets “The Lion King” meets “Finding Nemo” in this Disney animated feature about zoo animals rescuing a lost lion cub shipped to the jungle by mistake. Alien never knew animals spoke with British, East Indian, and New York accents. The movie has great texture (check out the fur). Kids will probably love the film, but adults may be a bit bored.
Alien gives it 2 “father/son bonding” stars out of 4.
Sentinel
Learn some tricks of the Secret Service in this straight up thriller involving assassination, adultery, and blackmail. It is the old mentor (Michael Douglas) versus the younger protégé (Kiefer Sutherland) and the pretty rookie (Eva Longoria). Is there a traitor in the Secret Service ranks? Gripping tension throughout the film keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
Alien gives it 3 “season for treason” stars out of 4.
Learn some tricks of the Secret Service in this straight up thriller involving assassination, adultery, and blackmail. It is the old mentor (Michael Douglas) versus the younger protégé (Kiefer Sutherland) and the pretty rookie (Eva Longoria). Is there a traitor in the Secret Service ranks? Gripping tension throughout the film keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
Alien gives it 3 “season for treason” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
American Dreamz
It’s “American Idol” obsession meets presidential buffoonery meets 9/11 terrorism paranoia in this satire of reality TV and American ideals. Any similarities between this film’s characters or incidents and any presidential administration or your favorite singing idol show are purely coincidental. Ha! It is a clever and funny script with a great cast (Dennis Quaid, Marcia Gay Harden, Willem DaFoe, Hugh Grant, and Mandy Moore) poking fun from a behind the scenes view of American popular and political culture.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “vote for your favorite idol” stars out of 4.
It’s “American Idol” obsession meets presidential buffoonery meets 9/11 terrorism paranoia in this satire of reality TV and American ideals. Any similarities between this film’s characters or incidents and any presidential administration or your favorite singing idol show are purely coincidental. Ha! It is a clever and funny script with a great cast (Dennis Quaid, Marcia Gay Harden, Willem DaFoe, Hugh Grant, and Mandy Moore) poking fun from a behind the scenes view of American popular and political culture.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “vote for your favorite idol” stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Scary Movie 4
It is hard to believe this is already the fourth in the series of horror movie spoofs. Although Alien has never seen any of the previous versions, they are all the same, but yet they are all different. Each time, they poke fun at a new set of films. This time, it’s “War of the Worlds”, “The Grudge”, “Saw”, “The Village”, “Million Dollar Baby”, and “Brokeback Mountain”. It’s rude, crude, and lewd, but if that’s what you like, you’re in for a few laughs. Expect lots of celebrity cameos.
Alien gives it 2 “goofy spoofy” stars out of 4.
It is hard to believe this is already the fourth in the series of horror movie spoofs. Although Alien has never seen any of the previous versions, they are all the same, but yet they are all different. Each time, they poke fun at a new set of films. This time, it’s “War of the Worlds”, “The Grudge”, “Saw”, “The Village”, “Million Dollar Baby”, and “Brokeback Mountain”. It’s rude, crude, and lewd, but if that’s what you like, you’re in for a few laughs. Expect lots of celebrity cameos.
Alien gives it 2 “goofy spoofy” stars out of 4.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Greece: Secrets of the Past
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Alex Spanos sponsors this latest IMAX film exploring Greek culture, history, and archeology. See beautiful aerial shots over Greece. Search for the lost city of Atlantis. View computer recreations of Greek relics and ruins.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “glacial core sample” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Alex Spanos sponsors this latest IMAX film exploring Greek culture, history, and archeology. See beautiful aerial shots over Greece. Search for the lost city of Atlantis. View computer recreations of Greek relics and ruins.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “glacial core sample” stars out of 4.
Friday, April 07, 2006
The Benchwarmers
It’s “Bad News Bears” meets “Napoleon Dynamite” (Jon Heder) meets “Deuce Bigalow” (Rob Schneider) meets “Dickie Roberts” (David Spade) meets “Field of Dreams” in a comedy about three grownup losers challenging little leaguers in a baseball tournament. A geeky billionaire (Jon Lovitz) fills out the gang along with some cameos. As expected, this film relies heavily on sophomoric and moronic humor and gags, but it does have a positive message for all of those geeks and nerds out there who have ever warmed a bench. You'll laugh at them and you'll cheer for them.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “it’s not if you win or lose, but how you play the game” stars out of 4.
It’s “Bad News Bears” meets “Napoleon Dynamite” (Jon Heder) meets “Deuce Bigalow” (Rob Schneider) meets “Dickie Roberts” (David Spade) meets “Field of Dreams” in a comedy about three grownup losers challenging little leaguers in a baseball tournament. A geeky billionaire (Jon Lovitz) fills out the gang along with some cameos. As expected, this film relies heavily on sophomoric and moronic humor and gags, but it does have a positive message for all of those geeks and nerds out there who have ever warmed a bench. You'll laugh at them and you'll cheer for them.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “it’s not if you win or lose, but how you play the game” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Deep Sea 3D
This is not a preview review. This movie has already released.
IMAX takes you deep below the ocean’s surface to witness the diversity and the beauty of the sea life found there. You will see how the plants and animals live, interact, and depend on each other. It is a wondrous world before you as these creatures swim and float past your eyes. The 3D effect enhances this movie experience. This film is a real treasure found buried beneath the sea.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “big fish eats little fish” stars out of 4.
This is not a preview review. This movie has already released.
IMAX takes you deep below the ocean’s surface to witness the diversity and the beauty of the sea life found there. You will see how the plants and animals live, interact, and depend on each other. It is a wondrous world before you as these creatures swim and float past your eyes. The 3D effect enhances this movie experience. This film is a real treasure found buried beneath the sea.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “big fish eats little fish” stars out of 4.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Thank You for Smoking
It’s “Spin City” meets the “Marlboro Man” meets “Kramer vs Kramer” in this cleverly satirical look at the tobacco industry. This very politically incorrect film is about a tobacco lobbyist (Aaron Eckhart) trying to convince the world there is a positive side to smoking while being a good role model for his impressible son (Cameron Bright). It is smartly written and funny.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “sultan of spin” stars out of 4.
It’s “Spin City” meets the “Marlboro Man” meets “Kramer vs Kramer” in this cleverly satirical look at the tobacco industry. This very politically incorrect film is about a tobacco lobbyist (Aaron Eckhart) trying to convince the world there is a positive side to smoking while being a good role model for his impressible son (Cameron Bright). It is smartly written and funny.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “sultan of spin” stars out of 4.
