Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Milk
Director Gus Van Sant has created a powerful and moving film about a man on a mission during the 1970s fighting for gay rights. One of the highlights is the actual film footages from that era that are interweaved into the story. The other is Sean Penn’s outstanding performance as Harvey Milk, the nation’s first openly gay political official. Emile Hirsch, James Franco, and Josh Brolin are a terrific supporting cast. The film captures the spirit of the man trying to make changes in the Castrol District, in San Francisco, in California, and beyond for human rights and equality. During the credits, you’ll be treated to photo comparisons between the actors and their real life counterparts.
Alien gives it 3 "No on Proposition 6" stars out of 4.
Director Gus Van Sant has created a powerful and moving film about a man on a mission during the 1970s fighting for gay rights. One of the highlights is the actual film footages from that era that are interweaved into the story. The other is Sean Penn’s outstanding performance as Harvey Milk, the nation’s first openly gay political official. Emile Hirsch, James Franco, and Josh Brolin are a terrific supporting cast. The film captures the spirit of the man trying to make changes in the Castrol District, in San Francisco, in California, and beyond for human rights and equality. During the credits, you’ll be treated to photo comparisons between the actors and their real life counterparts.
Alien gives it 3 "No on Proposition 6" stars out of 4.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Four Christmases
While Alien was exploring the Outback, he sent scouts D&H to check a new holiday film. Here is their report:
More like One Christmas, as Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn attempt to avoid their fractured families over the Yule Tide and simultaneously come to grips with changing feelings between themselves. Vaughn still has some quick witty lines, but they get drowned out as they go in circles and Reese stands firm in contrast. The most raucous laughter comes from babies vomiting. As they zig-zag to each others parents houses various spectacles of the past and present ensue, but the near future cries DVD.
While Alien was exploring the Outback, he sent scouts D&H to check a new holiday film. Here is their report:
More like One Christmas, as Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn attempt to avoid their fractured families over the Yule Tide and simultaneously come to grips with changing feelings between themselves. Vaughn still has some quick witty lines, but they get drowned out as they go in circles and Reese stands firm in contrast. The most raucous laughter comes from babies vomiting. As they zig-zag to each others parents houses various spectacles of the past and present ensue, but the near future cries DVD.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Australia
Crikey, it’s "Red River" meets "Pearl Harbor" meets "Quigley Down Under" in an old fashion epic tale about the underdog trying to save the failing ranch from the clutches of the evil cattle baron. Nicole Kidman is Lady Sarah Ashley, the prim and proper aristocrat who must adapt to Australia's wild frontier. Hugh Jackman is the handsome and rugged drover (one who drives cattle). Of course, you can expect a romantic relationship. The scenery is breathtaking. There is nothing like the classic cattle drive where everything goes wrong. Throw in a cute kid, a magic man, some racial issues, and let World War II explode on the big screen. In the end, there is nothing like family and no place like home. It is a heart warming story that runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "somewhere over the rainbow" stars out of 4.
Crikey, it’s "Red River" meets "Pearl Harbor" meets "Quigley Down Under" in an old fashion epic tale about the underdog trying to save the failing ranch from the clutches of the evil cattle baron. Nicole Kidman is Lady Sarah Ashley, the prim and proper aristocrat who must adapt to Australia's wild frontier. Hugh Jackman is the handsome and rugged drover (one who drives cattle). Of course, you can expect a romantic relationship. The scenery is breathtaking. There is nothing like the classic cattle drive where everything goes wrong. Throw in a cute kid, a magic man, some racial issues, and let World War II explode on the big screen. In the end, there is nothing like family and no place like home. It is a heart warming story that runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "somewhere over the rainbow" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire
It’s a Hindi version of "City of God" meets "Oliver Twist" meets "August Rush" meets "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" when an uneducated 18 year old gets arrested under the suspicion of cheating on a game show. Upon interrogation, his life's story is revealed as well as why he is on this game show. The film pulls in the audience as pieces of the puzzle are slowly solved, one answer at a time. Through astonishing flashbacks, the source of Jamal Malik's eclectic knowledge (his life's lessons) is uncovered. Alien loved the uncensored travel tour through India’s less fortunate population. Alien also enjoyed the relationship between the two brothers and their third musketeer. During the credits, you'll be treated to a bit of Bollywood.
Alien gives it 3 "kismet" stars out of 4.
It’s a Hindi version of "City of God" meets "Oliver Twist" meets "August Rush" meets "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" when an uneducated 18 year old gets arrested under the suspicion of cheating on a game show. Upon interrogation, his life's story is revealed as well as why he is on this game show. The film pulls in the audience as pieces of the puzzle are slowly solved, one answer at a time. Through astonishing flashbacks, the source of Jamal Malik's eclectic knowledge (his life's lessons) is uncovered. Alien loved the uncensored travel tour through India’s less fortunate population. Alien also enjoyed the relationship between the two brothers and their third musketeer. During the credits, you'll be treated to a bit of Bollywood.
Alien gives it 3 "kismet" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Twilight
First off, for you rabid Twilight book fans, Alien never read the books or heard of this movie until very recently.
It’s "Underworld" meets "90210"when a clumsy awkward girl from Arizona moves to the Pacific Northwest and tries to fit in at her new high school. This is classic teenage drama for 17 year old girls dealing with issues about boyfriends, parents, peer pressure, prom, addiction, and attraction, but with a vampire-ish twist. You'll meet the pale Cullen clan and some interesting Native Americans. The characters are fascinating and too bad there is not enough time to explore them all more fully. Witness the awesome powers of these mighty vamps. The setting and the folk lore are a perfect match for the marvelous story that will leave you with a blood thirst for more. You can already label this one with cult status for screaming teenage girls and romantic hearts.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "the cold one" stars out of 4.
First off, for you rabid Twilight book fans, Alien never read the books or heard of this movie until very recently.
It’s "Underworld" meets "90210"when a clumsy awkward girl from Arizona moves to the Pacific Northwest and tries to fit in at her new high school. This is classic teenage drama for 17 year old girls dealing with issues about boyfriends, parents, peer pressure, prom, addiction, and attraction, but with a vampire-ish twist. You'll meet the pale Cullen clan and some interesting Native Americans. The characters are fascinating and too bad there is not enough time to explore them all more fully. Witness the awesome powers of these mighty vamps. The setting and the folk lore are a perfect match for the marvelous story that will leave you with a blood thirst for more. You can already label this one with cult status for screaming teenage girls and romantic hearts.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "the cold one" stars out of 4.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Quantum of Solace
This 007 sequel to "Casino Royale" picks up right where the last one ended exploding out of the gate with a high octane car chase sequence and continues with an endless series of chase scenes on land, sea, and in the air. With its car smashing quick cut edits, close quarters hand to hand combat, and roof top, balcony leaping style, this movie has a "Bond Ultimatum" feel to it and you almost expect 007 to introduce himself as Bourne, Jason Bourne. This film is action packed with a Timex Bond who takes a licking, but he keeps on ticking. Alien still misses Q and those nifty spy gadgets along the familiar Bond theme song riff. For fans of the Sean Connery Bond films, there is a bit of a homage to "From Russia with Love" and "Goldfinger". These Bond girls can hold their own in a fight. The villains of the mysterious Quantum are weak. Alien was disappointed, but still hoping for more evolution in Daniel Craig's portrayal of the famed James Bond.
Alien gives it 3 "Green Planet" stars out of 4.
This 007 sequel to "Casino Royale" picks up right where the last one ended exploding out of the gate with a high octane car chase sequence and continues with an endless series of chase scenes on land, sea, and in the air. With its car smashing quick cut edits, close quarters hand to hand combat, and roof top, balcony leaping style, this movie has a "Bond Ultimatum" feel to it and you almost expect 007 to introduce himself as Bourne, Jason Bourne. This film is action packed with a Timex Bond who takes a licking, but he keeps on ticking. Alien still misses Q and those nifty spy gadgets along the familiar Bond theme song riff. For fans of the Sean Connery Bond films, there is a bit of a homage to "From Russia with Love" and "Goldfinger". These Bond girls can hold their own in a fight. The villains of the mysterious Quantum are weak. Alien was disappointed, but still hoping for more evolution in Daniel Craig's portrayal of the famed James Bond.
Alien gives it 3 "Green Planet" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Childhood innocence and humanity are themes explored in this powerful film about two 8-year-old boys, Bruno and Shmuel, who meet across a barbed wire fence. Life changes for a German family when the father gets a promotion and moves his family to the country next to a farm where the workers wear striped pajamas. This is a different perspective of WWII and the Nazi concentration camps. See how each family member is affected by the war. The performances by the mother (Vera Farmiga) and the son (Asa Butterfield) are particularly outstanding. There are no raging gun battles or gruesome visuals of atrocities, but this memorable film is no less tragic and frightening in its presentation of a dark time in history.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "checker board friends" stars out of 4.
Childhood innocence and humanity are themes explored in this powerful film about two 8-year-old boys, Bruno and Shmuel, who meet across a barbed wire fence. Life changes for a German family when the father gets a promotion and moves his family to the country next to a farm where the workers wear striped pajamas. This is a different perspective of WWII and the Nazi concentration camps. See how each family member is affected by the war. The performances by the mother (Vera Farmiga) and the son (Asa Butterfield) are particularly outstanding. There are no raging gun battles or gruesome visuals of atrocities, but this memorable film is no less tragic and frightening in its presentation of a dark time in history.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "checker board friends" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Rachel Getting Married
This is not a sneak preview. This movie has already released.
When chain-smoking Kym (Anne Hathaway) gets released from rehab just in time for her sister Rachel's wedding, family tensions become strained and guilt from the past is dredged up. Hathaway and Bill Irwin are very good in this sad little movie about a dysfunctional family. You'll feel like a trapped guest at a family get together where these people you don't know very well always seem to be bickering. To top it off, the whole film is shot to look like you are viewing it from the family camcorder with the only music accompaniment supplied by musicians hired for the wedding. This film and the wedding within it are very unique and unexpected, but Alien can't say he cared for it so much. Apparently, it's another critics' choice that I don't get.
Alien gives it 2 "damaged goods" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This movie has already released.
When chain-smoking Kym (Anne Hathaway) gets released from rehab just in time for her sister Rachel's wedding, family tensions become strained and guilt from the past is dredged up. Hathaway and Bill Irwin are very good in this sad little movie about a dysfunctional family. You'll feel like a trapped guest at a family get together where these people you don't know very well always seem to be bickering. To top it off, the whole film is shot to look like you are viewing it from the family camcorder with the only music accompaniment supplied by musicians hired for the wedding. This film and the wedding within it are very unique and unexpected, but Alien can't say he cared for it so much. Apparently, it's another critics' choice that I don't get.
Alien gives it 2 "damaged goods" stars out of 4.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Role Models
Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star in this bad behavior comedy that pokes fun at Big Brother mentoring programs, Red Bull type energy drinks, and Dungeons & Dragons style role playing games. Two energy drink representatives get in trouble with the law and must complete 150 hours of community service working with two difficult young boys. This predictable film has its moments when it is funny and sweet. It has heart, but it probably could have been a better film without the coarse language and cheap sex jokes. This could have been a fun film for kids if the film makers weren't targeting the "R" rated crowd. Having a young kid utter filthy words and behaving very badly for no good reason just seems so wrong and not funny.
Alien gives it 2 "whispering eye" stars out of 4.
Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star in this bad behavior comedy that pokes fun at Big Brother mentoring programs, Red Bull type energy drinks, and Dungeons & Dragons style role playing games. Two energy drink representatives get in trouble with the law and must complete 150 hours of community service working with two difficult young boys. This predictable film has its moments when it is funny and sweet. It has heart, but it probably could have been a better film without the coarse language and cheap sex jokes. This could have been a fun film for kids if the film makers weren't targeting the "R" rated crowd. Having a young kid utter filthy words and behaving very badly for no good reason just seems so wrong and not funny.
Alien gives it 2 "whispering eye" stars out of 4.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Madagscar: Escape 2 Africa
The Lion, the Zebra, the Hippo, and the Giraffe are returning to continue their hilarious misadventures in Africa with a New York accent. They are still trying to make their way back to NYC with the help of their lemur hosts and those adorable MacGiver-ish penguins. It's the "Lion King" with a touch of the "Twilight Zone", "Jaws", and "West Side Story". There is plenty of laughs for the kids along with adult jokes spread throughout the movie, especially if you pay close attention. It's a great kids film that will entertain the grownups too. Fans of the original won't be disappointed. Alien liked the sequel better.
Alien gives it 3 1/2 "move it, move it, move it" stars out of 4.
The Lion, the Zebra, the Hippo, and the Giraffe are returning to continue their hilarious misadventures in Africa with a New York accent. They are still trying to make their way back to NYC with the help of their lemur hosts and those adorable MacGiver-ish penguins. It's the "Lion King" with a touch of the "Twilight Zone", "Jaws", and "West Side Story". There is plenty of laughs for the kids along with adult jokes spread throughout the movie, especially if you pay close attention. It's a great kids film that will entertain the grownups too. Fans of the original won't be disappointed. Alien liked the sequel better.
Alien gives it 3 1/2 "move it, move it, move it" stars out of 4.
