Wednesday, May 31, 2006
The Break-Up
It’s the “Odd Couple” caught in between “10 Ways To Lose A Guy” and “War of the Roses” in this anti-romantic comedy about former lovers living as hostile roommates after a big fight. The couple claim they want to break up or do they? Things get more and more out of hand as they drift further apart. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn play charming and likable characters, but even they can’t save this disappointing bittersweet love story about misunderstandings.
Alien gives it 2 “breaking up is hard to do” stars out of 4.
It’s the “Odd Couple” caught in between “10 Ways To Lose A Guy” and “War of the Roses” in this anti-romantic comedy about former lovers living as hostile roommates after a big fight. The couple claim they want to break up or do they? Things get more and more out of hand as they drift further apart. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn play charming and likable characters, but even they can’t save this disappointing bittersweet love story about misunderstandings.
Alien gives it 2 “breaking up is hard to do” stars out of 4.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Roving Mars
It’s “Battle Bots” on a “Mission to Mars” in this latest exploration of space showing at the IMAX. Meet the people and the equipment employed in man’s search for evidence of Martian life. Two robotic rovers are sent to Mars to study the rocks. Like R2D2 on Tatooine, one explorer must make a long and lonely journey on its brave quest to complete its mission. See the excitement and reactions in the control room and some wonderful animation of the journey to Mars. These mighty robots have survived well beyond their expected lifespan and are still functioning out there going where no man has gone before.
Alien gives it 3 “Spirit and Opportunity” stars out of 4.
It’s “Battle Bots” on a “Mission to Mars” in this latest exploration of space showing at the IMAX. Meet the people and the equipment employed in man’s search for evidence of Martian life. Two robotic rovers are sent to Mars to study the rocks. Like R2D2 on Tatooine, one explorer must make a long and lonely journey on its brave quest to complete its mission. See the excitement and reactions in the control room and some wonderful animation of the journey to Mars. These mighty robots have survived well beyond their expected lifespan and are still functioning out there going where no man has gone before.
Alien gives it 3 “Spirit and Opportunity” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
X-Men: The Last Stand
It’s life and death, fire and ice, the powerful and the powerless, beauty and the beast blues as well as a love story in this third installment of those Marvel superheroes called the X-Men. Just as mutants are gaining acceptance in their world, a cure is discovered, but that implies being a mutant is being diseased. It’s good mutants, the X-Men, versus evil mutants, the Brotherhood, in a battle for control of the planet with humans caught in the crossfire. Some of your favorites return and some new characters are introduced. Look for a cameo by Stan Lee. This movie has some shocking events that will stun the X-Men fans in the audience, but stay seated to the very end of the credits to witness a key revealing scene. There is lots of good action and great special effects as expected. It’s the classic summer fun blockbuster. Alien thinks one and two were okay, but this one is definitely the best of the bunch.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “prejudice versus tolerance” stars out of 4.
It’s life and death, fire and ice, the powerful and the powerless, beauty and the beast blues as well as a love story in this third installment of those Marvel superheroes called the X-Men. Just as mutants are gaining acceptance in their world, a cure is discovered, but that implies being a mutant is being diseased. It’s good mutants, the X-Men, versus evil mutants, the Brotherhood, in a battle for control of the planet with humans caught in the crossfire. Some of your favorites return and some new characters are introduced. Look for a cameo by Stan Lee. This movie has some shocking events that will stun the X-Men fans in the audience, but stay seated to the very end of the credits to witness a key revealing scene. There is lots of good action and great special effects as expected. It’s the classic summer fun blockbuster. Alien thinks one and two were okay, but this one is definitely the best of the bunch.
Alien gives it 3 ½ “prejudice versus tolerance” stars out of 4.
Friday, May 19, 2006
The Da Vinci Code
First off, Alien has not read the book. Secondly, there is way too much hype and controversy about this work of fiction.
It’s “National Treasure” meets “The Fugitive” meets the “Passion of the Christ” meets the “History Channel” in this murder mystery about a curator killed inside the Louvre. If you like ciphers, anagrams, puzzles, secret societies, and the double cross, then you may like trying to solve this crime. Ian McKellen and Paul Bettany give memorable performances, but the locales set in France and England are the real stars of the film. The opening chase/murder scene witnessed only by the museum masterpieces is impressive. When the action is on, it is a thrill ride, but in between the pace is too long and slow as the film tries to explain the background for this complex mystery.
Alien’s biggest unsolved puzzle from the movie is where was director Ron Howard’s little brother, Clint.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “breaking the code” stars out of 4.
First off, Alien has not read the book. Secondly, there is way too much hype and controversy about this work of fiction.
It’s “National Treasure” meets “The Fugitive” meets the “Passion of the Christ” meets the “History Channel” in this murder mystery about a curator killed inside the Louvre. If you like ciphers, anagrams, puzzles, secret societies, and the double cross, then you may like trying to solve this crime. Ian McKellen and Paul Bettany give memorable performances, but the locales set in France and England are the real stars of the film. The opening chase/murder scene witnessed only by the museum masterpieces is impressive. When the action is on, it is a thrill ride, but in between the pace is too long and slow as the film tries to explain the background for this complex mystery.
Alien’s biggest unsolved puzzle from the movie is where was director Ron Howard’s little brother, Clint.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “breaking the code” stars out of 4.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Over the Hedge
Woodland creatures awaken from winter’s deep hibernation to find something new in their world… a huge hedge… and on the other side… a large housing development. Along comes a roguish, con-artist raccoon who introduces these critters to the pink primates as he secretly works his scam. Based a comic strip, this animated film satirizes and pokes fun of suburban living, obsessive consumerism, and man’s craving for gadgetry. The gags come fast and furiously. It’s hilarious and hysterically funny. The characters are just perfect with great voice match-ups. The adults will be laughing harder than the kids. Forget “MI3”, this impossible missions caper is far superior in excitement, team work action, and inventiveness. If the lines are too long for the “Da Vinci Code”, you might be quite surprised at the good time you’ll have at this kiddies show.
Alien gives it 4 “cute, cuddly, clever, and creative” stars out of 4.
Woodland creatures awaken from winter’s deep hibernation to find something new in their world… a huge hedge… and on the other side… a large housing development. Along comes a roguish, con-artist raccoon who introduces these critters to the pink primates as he secretly works his scam. Based a comic strip, this animated film satirizes and pokes fun of suburban living, obsessive consumerism, and man’s craving for gadgetry. The gags come fast and furiously. It’s hilarious and hysterically funny. The characters are just perfect with great voice match-ups. The adults will be laughing harder than the kids. Forget “MI3”, this impossible missions caper is far superior in excitement, team work action, and inventiveness. If the lines are too long for the “Da Vinci Code”, you might be quite surprised at the good time you’ll have at this kiddies show.
Alien gives it 4 “cute, cuddly, clever, and creative” stars out of 4.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Goal! The Dream Begins
It’s “Rocky” kicking a soccer ball on the turf of the “Green Street Hooligans” in this “Cinderella” story. A naturally gifted Mexican-American gets a chance to tryout for a professional soccer team in England. The film’s game plan plays every heart-felt scenario ever devised as ploy to create inspiration.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “follow your dream” stars out of 4.
It’s “Rocky” kicking a soccer ball on the turf of the “Green Street Hooligans” in this “Cinderella” story. A naturally gifted Mexican-American gets a chance to tryout for a professional soccer team in England. The film’s game plan plays every heart-felt scenario ever devised as ploy to create inspiration.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “follow your dream” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Just My Luck
Do you believe in fate, karma, superstitions, good luck, and bad luck? If so, maybe this movie is for you. It’s kind of “Reversal of Fortune” meets “Freaky Friday” meets “I Love Lucy” in this romantic comedy about an extremely lucky girl and an equally unlucky guy who unexpectedly swap fortunes. If you know who Lindsay Lohan, Anna from the O.C., and McFly are, then you are probably young enough to fully appreciate this film. Why is watching another person’s misfortunes so funny? It just is. There is really nothing new here, but it still is funny and entertaining. It is good light-hearted summertime fun.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “cosmic forces of the universe” stars out of 4.
Do you believe in fate, karma, superstitions, good luck, and bad luck? If so, maybe this movie is for you. It’s kind of “Reversal of Fortune” meets “Freaky Friday” meets “I Love Lucy” in this romantic comedy about an extremely lucky girl and an equally unlucky guy who unexpectedly swap fortunes. If you know who Lindsay Lohan, Anna from the O.C., and McFly are, then you are probably young enough to fully appreciate this film. Why is watching another person’s misfortunes so funny? It just is. There is really nothing new here, but it still is funny and entertaining. It is good light-hearted summertime fun.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “cosmic forces of the universe” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Poseidon
Beware of the rogue wave which strikes every 34 years at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve capsizing luxury cruise liners named Poseidon. Survivors must battle for their lives in order to escape a watery death. A fireman, a gambler, a stowaway, a single mom with a small child, a kitchen worker, a secretly engaged couple, a suicide contemplator, and an obnoxious guy named Lucky Larry (no preacher or Shelly Winters in this remake) band together searching for a way out of a world turned upside down. Who will live and who will die? If you like disaster films and you have fears of drowning, fire, electrocution, heights, and confining spaces, you may like this mindless adventure/thriller. Yeah, it is kind of cheesy and predictable (in case you didn’t figure it out) but Alien was still entertained. It was just about what Alien expected.
Alien gives it 3 “how long can you hold your breath” stars out of 4.
Beware of the rogue wave which strikes every 34 years at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve capsizing luxury cruise liners named Poseidon. Survivors must battle for their lives in order to escape a watery death. A fireman, a gambler, a stowaway, a single mom with a small child, a kitchen worker, a secretly engaged couple, a suicide contemplator, and an obnoxious guy named Lucky Larry (no preacher or Shelly Winters in this remake) band together searching for a way out of a world turned upside down. Who will live and who will die? If you like disaster films and you have fears of drowning, fire, electrocution, heights, and confining spaces, you may like this mindless adventure/thriller. Yeah, it is kind of cheesy and predictable (in case you didn’t figure it out) but Alien was still entertained. It was just about what Alien expected.
Alien gives it 3 “how long can you hold your breath” stars out of 4.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Volcanoes of the Deep Sea
In search of fossils, IMAX takes you miles below the surface to the bottom of the ocean where life is discovered surviving without sunlight amongst toxic gases and temperatures hot enough to melt lead. See how hydrothermal energy, volcanic chimneys, hydrogen sulfide, chemosynthesis, bacteria, tubeworms, shrimp, and crabs work together in a unique symbiotic community. The film is fascinating.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “deep sea vent food web” stars out of 4.
In search of fossils, IMAX takes you miles below the surface to the bottom of the ocean where life is discovered surviving without sunlight amongst toxic gases and temperatures hot enough to melt lead. See how hydrothermal energy, volcanic chimneys, hydrogen sulfide, chemosynthesis, bacteria, tubeworms, shrimp, and crabs work together in a unique symbiotic community. The film is fascinating.
Alien gives it 2 ½ “deep sea vent food web” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Mission Impossible III
Mr. Briggs and Mr. Phelps are gone, but Mr. Hunt is back in J.J. Abrams’ version of the I.M. Force where “Felicity” meets “Alias” meets “24”. Mission Impossible fans won’t be disappointed with the expected latex masks, self-destructing message, kidnapping, rescue, heist, explosions, deceit, double cross, car and helicopter chases, cables and winches, parachute, and weapons fire. This mission will send the IMF team from D.C. to Berlin to Vatican City to Shanghai. The difference with number 3 is things get personal. It is classic Tom Cruise heroism versus Philip Seymour Hoffman villainy. It is packed with action and adventure, but with a little too much of the Tom Terrific show. It needs more team and Hoffman time. Ving Rhames returns as Luther. Laurence Fishburne, Keri Russell, Michelle Monaghan and Simon Pegg help round out the cast. Greg Grunberg appears to be Abrams’ Clint Howard (Ron's little brother).
Alien gives it 3 “rabbit’s foot” stars out of 4.
Mr. Briggs and Mr. Phelps are gone, but Mr. Hunt is back in J.J. Abrams’ version of the I.M. Force where “Felicity” meets “Alias” meets “24”. Mission Impossible fans won’t be disappointed with the expected latex masks, self-destructing message, kidnapping, rescue, heist, explosions, deceit, double cross, car and helicopter chases, cables and winches, parachute, and weapons fire. This mission will send the IMF team from D.C. to Berlin to Vatican City to Shanghai. The difference with number 3 is things get personal. It is classic Tom Cruise heroism versus Philip Seymour Hoffman villainy. It is packed with action and adventure, but with a little too much of the Tom Terrific show. It needs more team and Hoffman time. Ving Rhames returns as Luther. Laurence Fishburne, Keri Russell, Michelle Monaghan and Simon Pegg help round out the cast. Greg Grunberg appears to be Abrams’ Clint Howard (Ron's little brother).
Alien gives it 3 “rabbit’s foot” stars out of 4.
