Thursday, June 25, 2009
Public Enemies
It’s 1933 Chicago and J. Edgar Hoover has put G-Man, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), in charge of a nationwide manhunt for public enemy #1, John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). Dillinger is a smart and bold bank robber who has achieved American folk hero status, but his luck is running out with the changing times. What could be more glamorous than blazing Tommy guns and riding on running boards? If you add in the likes of Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and Frank Nitti, you'd think you'd get a great gangster flick. Alien thought the film was an interesting slice of history, but it seemed kind of flat in between the flashes of bank hold ups, jail breaks, and gun battles. The movie looked great and is well acted, but it didn't move me.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "bye, bye blackbird" stars out of 4.
It’s 1933 Chicago and J. Edgar Hoover has put G-Man, Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), in charge of a nationwide manhunt for public enemy #1, John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). Dillinger is a smart and bold bank robber who has achieved American folk hero status, but his luck is running out with the changing times. What could be more glamorous than blazing Tommy guns and riding on running boards? If you add in the likes of Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and Frank Nitti, you'd think you'd get a great gangster flick. Alien thought the film was an interesting slice of history, but it seemed kind of flat in between the flashes of bank hold ups, jail breaks, and gun battles. The movie looked great and is well acted, but it didn't move me.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "bye, bye blackbird" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My Sister's Keeper
Experience the joys and pains of a family struggling to cope with a child stricken with cancer. How far do you go to save your child from death? Does a child have rights to their own body parts? These are some of the tough questions posed in this emotionally charged film about life and death. Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, and Cameron Diaz head a talented cast that will touch your heart. You will smile, laugh, and cry as you witness the love that radiates through this family as it is being consumed by the big C. Some of the movie's best moments are speechless as it grabs you with an actor’s look or some pictures. This powerful film won't leave a dry eye in the house.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "engineering a designer baby" stars out of 4.
Experience the joys and pains of a family struggling to cope with a child stricken with cancer. How far do you go to save your child from death? Does a child have rights to their own body parts? These are some of the tough questions posed in this emotionally charged film about life and death. Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, and Cameron Diaz head a talented cast that will touch your heart. You will smile, laugh, and cry as you witness the love that radiates through this family as it is being consumed by the big C. Some of the movie's best moments are speechless as it grabs you with an actor’s look or some pictures. This powerful film won't leave a dry eye in the house.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "engineering a designer baby" stars out of 4.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
All of your favorites are back for part two with more robots of many shapes and sizes, bigger explosions, a huge show of military might, a good dose of humor, and more Megan Fox running for her life. Sam Witwicky is set to go to college and trying to lead a normal life when destiny puts him again in the middle of the battle between the 'bots. You will get a whole lot of dizzying action, a little romance, a "Chuck" like infusion, a "Terminator" like impersonation, and multiple resurrections. It is a fun thrill ride so buckle up and hang on tight.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "Beware of the Fallen" stars out of 4.
All of your favorites are back for part two with more robots of many shapes and sizes, bigger explosions, a huge show of military might, a good dose of humor, and more Megan Fox running for her life. Sam Witwicky is set to go to college and trying to lead a normal life when destiny puts him again in the middle of the battle between the 'bots. You will get a whole lot of dizzying action, a little romance, a "Chuck" like infusion, a "Terminator" like impersonation, and multiple resurrections. It is a fun thrill ride so buckle up and hang on tight.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "Beware of the Fallen" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Year One
It’s "Dumb and Dumber" meets "10,000 BC" meets "Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist" as two cavemen (Jack Black & Michael Cera) journey through biblical history and ridicule religion in a twisted retelling that you never heard in Sunday school. Is it sacrilegious and blasphemous? Oh, yeah. Jack is being very Jack Blackish and Michael continues to expertly do his awkward innocent Cera thing. If you love them, you'll probably have a great time laughing at all the sick and gross jokes. Alien found it funny, but not that funny. If you are religious, you may want to pass on this one or you may have to visit the confessional for atonement afterwards.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "The Chosen One" stars out of 4.
It’s "Dumb and Dumber" meets "10,000 BC" meets "Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist" as two cavemen (Jack Black & Michael Cera) journey through biblical history and ridicule religion in a twisted retelling that you never heard in Sunday school. Is it sacrilegious and blasphemous? Oh, yeah. Jack is being very Jack Blackish and Michael continues to expertly do his awkward innocent Cera thing. If you love them, you'll probably have a great time laughing at all the sick and gross jokes. Alien found it funny, but not that funny. If you are religious, you may want to pass on this one or you may have to visit the confessional for atonement afterwards.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "The Chosen One" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Drag Me to Hell
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A former farm girl/pork queen ends up trapped in another kind of 4H Club... Horror, Hallucinations, Humor, and Hellfire. When a bank loan officer denies an old lady her third extension, she becomes cursed by the old lady and then the fun begins. The Raimi brothers with an oral fixation use every horror genre trick in the book to startle. They include a séance, the evil eye, flies, a graveyard, and animal sacrifice. It's not so much scary or gory, but more gross and Hollywood horror with a sense of humor.
Alien gives it 3 "day curse of the black goat" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A former farm girl/pork queen ends up trapped in another kind of 4H Club... Horror, Hallucinations, Humor, and Hellfire. When a bank loan officer denies an old lady her third extension, she becomes cursed by the old lady and then the fun begins. The Raimi brothers with an oral fixation use every horror genre trick in the book to startle. They include a séance, the evil eye, flies, a graveyard, and animal sacrifice. It's not so much scary or gory, but more gross and Hollywood horror with a sense of humor.
Alien gives it 3 "day curse of the black goat" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Away We Go
A loving and funny expectant couple (Maya Rudolph & John Krasinski) journey from Denver to Phoenix to Tucson to Madison to Montreal to Miami and back home searching for the perfect place to raise their child. Along the way, we meet their kooky friends and family in little vignettes exploring motherhood and parenthood. Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal play two of the more outrageous characters. This one is rated "R" for language and sexual content.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Prego Shuffle" stars out of 4.
A loving and funny expectant couple (Maya Rudolph & John Krasinski) journey from Denver to Phoenix to Tucson to Madison to Montreal to Miami and back home searching for the perfect place to raise their child. Along the way, we meet their kooky friends and family in little vignettes exploring motherhood and parenthood. Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal play two of the more outrageous characters. This one is rated "R" for language and sexual content.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Prego Shuffle" stars out of 4.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Imagine That
A workaholic finance executive and single dad (Eddie Murphy) tries to juggle work clients and family time with his cute little daughter who has imaginary friends and a security blanket. Thomas Hayden Church plays Johnny Whitefeather, Eddie’s chief rival within the company. This kid friendly film is cookie cutter predictable. Eddie is his usual over the top silly self, mugging and pandering to the camera. This film is filled with familiar faces and Beatle tunes. Alien recommends it for the 7 and under crowd.
Alien gives it 2 "calls to your inner child" stars out of 4.
A workaholic finance executive and single dad (Eddie Murphy) tries to juggle work clients and family time with his cute little daughter who has imaginary friends and a security blanket. Thomas Hayden Church plays Johnny Whitefeather, Eddie’s chief rival within the company. This kid friendly film is cookie cutter predictable. Eddie is his usual over the top silly self, mugging and pandering to the camera. This film is filled with familiar faces and Beatle tunes. Alien recommends it for the 7 and under crowd.
Alien gives it 2 "calls to your inner child" stars out of 4.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
The Taking of Pelham 123
A tattooed bad ass (John Travolta), a civil servant fat ass (Denzel Washington), and a policeman dumb ass (John Turturro) hold the lives of subway hostages in their hands in this remake of a 1974 thriller. Travolta rocks in his role of the madman mastermind. Denzel plays it as Joe Average, the reluctant hero and a man with a past. The drama and tension builds as the clock ticks down. New Yorkers will love the flavor of this flick.
Alien gives it 3 "motorman" stars out of 4.
A tattooed bad ass (John Travolta), a civil servant fat ass (Denzel Washington), and a policeman dumb ass (John Turturro) hold the lives of subway hostages in their hands in this remake of a 1974 thriller. Travolta rocks in his role of the madman mastermind. Denzel plays it as Joe Average, the reluctant hero and a man with a past. The drama and tension builds as the clock ticks down. New Yorkers will love the flavor of this flick.
Alien gives it 3 "motorman" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Land of the Lost
Parental warning: This may be a Sid & Marty Krofft Production, but it is not your Saturday morning kiddie show. Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) has invented a tachyon amplifier that is capable of opening time warp portals. New interpretations of Will and Holly get sucked along with Rick into the Land of the Lost where they have a riotous misadventure amongst dinosaurs, monkey people, and lizard people. The special effects are a vast upgrade from the cheesy ones of the original TV series. The humor has been retooled for young adults. Ferrell fans won’t be disappointed as Will goes through his usual over the top antics and shtick. Matt Lauer is involved in a funny cameo bit. During the middle of the credits, a surprise reveal is hatched.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "quantum paleontology" stars out of 4.
Parental warning: This may be a Sid & Marty Krofft Production, but it is not your Saturday morning kiddie show. Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) has invented a tachyon amplifier that is capable of opening time warp portals. New interpretations of Will and Holly get sucked along with Rick into the Land of the Lost where they have a riotous misadventure amongst dinosaurs, monkey people, and lizard people. The special effects are a vast upgrade from the cheesy ones of the original TV series. The humor has been retooled for young adults. Ferrell fans won’t be disappointed as Will goes through his usual over the top antics and shtick. Matt Lauer is involved in a funny cameo bit. During the middle of the credits, a surprise reveal is hatched.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "quantum paleontology" stars out of 4.
