Alien at the Movies

Bee Movie

It’s “Antz” meets “The Graduate” in DreamWorks’ latest animation where Jerry Seinfeld is reincarnated as Barry B. Benson. Barry has just graduated and decides to explore the world outside of the hive instead of just being a drone for the rest of his life. This is a honey of a story combining the talents at DreamWorks with that unique Seinfeld wit and a saving the world message. Keep your antennae alert and your multi-eyes focused because the jokes are swarming everywhere. You may have to buzz through this film a couple of times to catch all the humorous details. You’ll laugh at the human condition as seen through the eyes of the bees. It is great fun for the young and the old so make a bee-line to the theaters to see what all of the buzz is about.

Alien gives it 3 “smoker” stars out of 4.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

In a movie that seems to be way too long (160 minutes) like its title, we don’t find the glamorous gunslinger of the wild west, but a brutal, cold-blooded killer in a dull and dreary setting. As we spend time with the James Gang, we realize this film is more of a psychological portrait of two men, Jesse James (Brad Pitt) and Robert Ford (Casey Affleck). The film is deliberately slow-paced to set the mood and allows Pitt and Affleck to simmer their characters to perfection. Both are excellent. In today’s world, Robert Ford would be labeled a celebrity stalker. The realism and authentic look of those times will make feel like you have journeyed back to that era. Despite all of the pluses, Alien really didn’t really enjoy this sad story about these unlikable characters.

Alien gives it 2 “betrayal” stars out of 4.

Martian Child

It’s “Annie” meets “ET” meets “Lars and the Real Girl” as two misfits find each other in a charming story about a weird little boy who hides in a box. Widowed science fiction writer David Gordon (John Cusack) decides to adopt the boy, Dennis (Bobby Coleman), who claims he is from Mars. David struggles with parenthood and Dennis’ fantasies, but they eventually begin to bond. This warm and tender story about caring and coping is based on real life incidents. Cusack and Coleman have a terrific chemistry between them. Amanda Peet, Sophie Okonedo, Oliver Platt, Richard Schiff, Joan Cusack, and Anjelica Huston round out the cast as the side characters. It is a great feel good family film.

Alien gives it 2 ½ “Martian wishes” stars out of 4.

Lions for Lambs

Politicians, the media, the military, educators, and complacent Americans all come under fire in this dialogue-driven film which raises lots of questions, but offers no solutions. The film is essentially a series of lectures and political speeches made through engaging conversations between a charismatic senator (Tom Cruise) and a probing reporter (Meryl Streep) in Washington D.C. and between a liberal professor (director Robert Redford) and a disillusioned student (Andrew Garfield) in California while 2 former students (Derek Luke and Michael Pena) fight for their lives in Afghanistan. You got to really pay attention because the words and ideas will fill your head nonstop as the movie cuts from one scene to another and then back again. Wake up, America, and get engaged! It is food for thought, a thinking man's film.

Alien gives it 2 ½ “preachy” stars out of 4.

Reservation Road

“Reservation Road” takes you down a dark and dreary path along with 2 families on a downward spiral after a tragic event. It has an all-star cast with Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly, Mark Ruffalo, Mira Sorvina, and little Elle Fanning. They all do quality work here, but they can’t save this slow-paced, depressing movie. There are no sympathetic characters as anger, guilt, and bitterness begins to destroy the families. If Joaquin had watched “Death Sentence”, he would have never stopped his car at that gas station late at night. If this is supposed to be another one of those vigilante films, it is a poor one. The coincidences in this film are just too improbable. The film is too sad and unsatisfying to be entertaining. Sometimes, there is no justice.

Alien gives it 1 ½ “hit and run” stars out of 4.

Dan in Real Life

Love and family are explored in this hilarious film about a single dad (Steve Carell) who is struggling to raise 3 girls. Suddenly, he thinks he has found love again at the big family gathering. It is about young love, forbidden love, and love of family. The movie feels very warm and cozy as the family plays together, sings together, and laughs together. The entire cast is wonderful. Carell and Juliette Binoche play well off of each other as the story builds and starts to turn. Both Carell and Dane Cook are dialed back enough from their usual comedy extremes to be more human and enjoyable. This movie is so cute, so adorable, and such great fun that you’ll wish you were a part of this family.

Alien gives it 3 ½ “please adopt me” stars out of 4.

Lars and the Real Girl

Lars Lindstrom is a peculiar and painfully shy young man who becomes involved in an unconventional relationship with a new girlfriend, Bianca, who he says he met on the internet. It is a charming and touching story about a dysfunctional man who has the love and support of an entire community. Oh, did I mention that in this strange little comedy, the girlfriend is an anatomically-correct sex doll. Yes, it is kind of weird. You’ll either love it or hate it. Ryan Gosling in excellent as the delusional one and is surrounded by a good cast of supporting characters. Everyone plays it straight up and you can help but laugh when you see Bianca in the middle of these everyday situations. If you are looking for something different and quirky, this movie might be right for you. Alien found it better than he anticipated.

Alien gives it 3 “my girlfriend is a real doll” stars out of 4.

Things We Lost in the Fire

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

Tragedy brings people together in a story about loss, addiction, and recovery. Benecio Del Toro’s performance is amazing as the drug addict trying to straighten out his life. Halle Berry is convincing as the wife and mother having difficulty trying to cope with her loss. The supporting cast is also very good. Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster ride as these two lost souls come together and try to move forward in their lives. This film will break your heart as the cast deals with grief, anger, dependency, jealousy, and hope.

Alien gives it 3 ½ “accept the good” stars out of 4.

30 Days of Night

Welcome to Barrow, Alaska. Population: 152. It is the last day of sunlight for a month and unwelcomed visitors have arrived. Based of a graphic novel, it is a blood bath as the town is cut off from civilization and brutally picked apart one at a time by some quick and powerful savage vampires. They are creepy foreigners stopping by for a human feast. If you like to be scared, this movie will keep you jumpy throughout as townsfolk try to stay safe and not be eaten. Melissa George stars in this “Turistas” type horror film with another Josh (Hartnett instead of Duhamel) and swapping the tropical climate for some freezing weather as they play 10 little Indians.

Alien gives it 3 “big axe” stars out of 4.

The Seeker: The Dark is Rising

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

“The Seeker” is not the story of a quidditch player, but the tale of an adolescent boy on the verge of developing his special powers. It’s “Harry Potter” meets “Star Wars” meets “The Birds” as an American transplanted to England struggles in the battle between good and evil. Nothing very original here, but it is good old fashion fantasy action adventure family entertainment for the kids.

Alien gives it 3 “six signs & seven sons” stars out of 4.

Feel the Noise

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

It's Hip Hop meets Raggaeton in JLo's latest movie production. A wannabe rapper from Harlem gets himself in trouble and must flee to Puerto Rico and live with the father he never knew. The story is predictable and contrived, but it has lots of energy. Expect some good Rap/Latin music and well choreographed dance numbers with hot bodies gyrating. In this perfect world, all of the right people come together to assist the rising star as he dodges a few road blocks.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "Puerto Rican pride" stars out of 4.

The Darjeeling Limited

All aboard for a spiritual journey with the Whitman brothers, Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody), and Jack (Jason Schwartzman), on a strange and peculiar train ride through India. If you are a fan of director Wes Anderson (“Rushmore” and “The Royal Tannenbaums”), you may just love this movie, but Alien simply didn’t get his sense of humor. A control freak, a kleptomaniac, and a lover boy create silly sight gags in senseless scenes strung together seemingly going nowhere. Was there even a script to follow here? Alien wanted to scream out “let me off of this train wreck”. But perhaps I judge this artsy feeling film too harshly; its humor and symbolism may be too sophisticated and subtle for my simple mind. I am lost and need some direction. And what was the point of Bill Murray and the uncredited Natalie Portman in this movie. Odd, weird, bizarre, quirky, haven’t seen anything like it before.

Alien gives it 1 ½ “sweet lime drink” stars out of 4.

Gone Baby Gone

Ben Affleck directed and co-wrote the screenplay for this dark and bittersweet mystery about a missing 4-year old girl. Ben’s little brother Casey stars as one of the local detectives hired by the family to find out what the police can’t. Casey is terrific as the baby-faced investigator who is street smart and tough enough to stand up against the thugs. You will feel immersed in Boston accents as you get a heavy dose of local color as the script drags you from Dorchester to Chelsea to Quincy to the old rock quarry. The working class neighborhoods and people feel real and some of them seem just like the ones on Jerry Springer Show. Can you figure out the lies, pick out the bad guys, and solve the case? See how everyone is affected by the case. By the end, the film sets up a moral dilemma for the audience to ponder. This movie is rated “R” for violence, drug content, and extreme language, but it’s wicked good.

Alien gives it 3 ½ “local flavor” stars out of 4.

We Own the Night

It’s “The Departed” meets “Eastern Promises” as New York chief of police Burt Grusinsky (Robert Duvall) and his son, Capt. Joe Grusinsky (Mark Wahlberg) engage in a drug war with the Russian mafia. The family black sheep son, Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix), and his sexy Puerto Rican girlfriend Amada (Eva Mendes) get involved during a drug raid at the popular nightclub that Bobby manages. This movie has all of the makings for a great action/thriller, but it just lies there rather flat. The film doesn’t build any real tension except for the hot and steamy opening scene. The story is a little too perfect and contrived to be believable. However, Alien was impressed by the CGI rain created for one of the chase sequences.

Alien gives it 2 “brothers on opposite sides of the law” stars out of 4.

Why Did I Get Married?

Tyler Perry has a talent for creating funny stories that appeal to black urban audiences. He manages to still provide positive role models while playing off of stereotypical characters with common human flaws. At a marriage retreat for couples, secrets are exposed causing relationships to become even more strained. But don’t worry because you’ll be laughing harder and harder as their situations get worse and worse. Couples will recognize the familiar bickering and pushing of one’s buttons to get even. It’s a good date movie where you can watch others fight and, hopefully, you’ll learn to appreciate your significant other more and treat them better.

Alien gives it 3 “sister with attitude” stars out of 4.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush reprise their roles in the 1998 movie “Elizabeth”. Blanchett gives her always reliable strong performance. She does regal justice to the amazing woman who led a country during dire times showing great strength, compassion, and command over her subjects. The film takes you into the royal court as well as behind the scenes. The sets are stunning and the costumes are magnificent. The movie involves a holy war, treachery, King Philip II, the Spanish Armada, Mary Queen of Scots, Sir Walter Raleigh, a love story, and an assassination attempt, but it moves at a painfully slow pace. It felt more like a very well dressed up 16th century English history lesson rather than a stimulating story about the powerful Queen of England. Unless you are intrigued by historical recounts, you may find this visually attractive film rather dull.

Alien gives it 2 “I’m so pretty” stars out of 4.

Many thanks to the good people at Metro PCS. For cell phone service, check them out at: http://www.metropcs.com/

Michael Clayton

At first thought, a movie about corporate lawyers and a class action suit sounds kind of dry and boring, but from the opening dialogue to the Chinese gambling den to the end of the film, the mystery and suspense builds and will keep you on the edge of your seat. You get an ominous feeling throughout while trying to piece together the true story here and you’ll meet some extremely scary people that you’ll never want to meet in real life. The performances by the entire cast, which includes George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton, are terrific. The movie has an outstanding script and some great dialogue. Who is Michael Clayton? He is the company fixer, the janitor who comes in to clean up the ugly messes, and he is really good at it. Ironically, he can’t seem to clean up his own personal life.

Alien gives it 3 ½ “Realm + Conquest” stars out of 4.

The Final Season

It’s “Friday Nights Lights” meets “Glory Road” on the baseball diamond in Small Town, America. Based on a true story, Iowa’s Norway High School has won 19 State Championships, but is being phased out through an unwanted school district merger. Their baseball coach (Powers Boothe) is being replaced by a girls volley coach (Sean Astin). All looks grim as the team sets their sights on a 20th title. Of course, this is a feel good inspirational movie and you can’t help but root for the home team. Two outsiders join the team, step up to the plate, and play ball in a town where baseball is not a sport, but a tradition. The real charm of this film is in the people and their Midwestern small town values and humor. It is a little corny, but what else would you expect to find in those Iowan cornfields. Enjoy this delicious slice of American pie where trains run by just outside of center field. It is a terrific family film.

Alien gives it 3 “how do you want to be remembered” stars out of 4.

Across the Universe

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

It’s “Moulin Rouge” smothered with Beatle music used to teleport you back to the 1960s where you can relive the hippies, the Vietnam war, the draft, protest marches, posterization, and psychedelic buses. This creatively bold film is a treat for the ears and eyes. It takes over 30 Beatle songs and cleverly weaves them into the story line with great choreography and harmony. Then add to the mix the many Beatle references and pop icon images from that era as it dares you to try and pick them out. The movie is visually fun and exciting to watch. Also, be on the look out for a few cameo performances. The young actors/singers are terrific. This movie will bring new meaning to familiar Beatle lyrics.

Alien gives it 3 “Beatle mania” stars out of 4.

Sea Monsters 3D (IMAX)

While Alien was getting a sex education lesson, scouts were sent out in search of prehistoric sea monsters.

“Sea Monsters” tells the compelling story of ‘Dolly’ the dolichorhynchops through the work of paleontologists and computer generated animation. It is a fascinating story of how life might have been in the great inland sea of North America during the Late Cretaceous period. The film is visually stunning and a great prehistoric adventure.

My scouts give it 4 “photorealistic” stars out of 4.

The Heartbreak Kid

A “Superbad” “40-Year-Old-Virgin” becomes interested in another woman while on his honeymoon in this remake of the 1972 black comedy. It has the same premise, but it switches from the New York-Miami locale to San Francisco-Cabo and has been updated to be more of a sex comedy with the crazy antics of Ben Stiller as the lovable buffoon. Malin Akerman is hilarious as the wacky new bride in her Cameron Diaz-styled performance. Jerry Stiller, a surprise cameo, and a good supporting cast of characters will keep you laughing throughout. However, this crude-rude-lewd funny film is not for the sexually squeamish and it is rated “R” for language, nudity, drug use, and some outrageous sexual encounters. Don’t look for any redeeming social or moral values here. Stay through the ending credits for 2 unexpected bonus scenes.

Alien gives it 3 “rat boy & donkey woman” stars out of 4.