Monday, November 30, 2009
Precious
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Like "The Blind Side", this film stems from a book about a big black kid from the hood who against all odds struggles to get an education and better themselves. One is funny, positive, and uplifting, but this movie is dark, negative, and ugly. This powerful and realistic film looks at rape, incest, child abuse, and being a victim. This heart breaker is well crafted with some terrific performances that will surprise you.
Alien gives it 3 "each one, teach one" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Like "The Blind Side", this film stems from a book about a big black kid from the hood who against all odds struggles to get an education and better themselves. One is funny, positive, and uplifting, but this movie is dark, negative, and ugly. This powerful and realistic film looks at rape, incest, child abuse, and being a victim. This heart breaker is well crafted with some terrific performances that will surprise you.
Alien gives it 3 "each one, teach one" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Director Wes Anderson brings Roald Dahl’s children’s book to the big screen using stop action animation. It is a quirky film whose humor seems to play more towards adults than little kids. The story is about a fox that is compelled to steal food from 3 big local farmers. The animation is interesting to watch and the story is somewhat amusing. Although this didn’t strike Alien’s funny bone, but others in the audience seemed to like it more.
Alien gives it 2 "sly and cunning thievery" stars out of 4.
Director Wes Anderson brings Roald Dahl’s children’s book to the big screen using stop action animation. It is a quirky film whose humor seems to play more towards adults than little kids. The story is about a fox that is compelled to steal food from 3 big local farmers. The animation is interesting to watch and the story is somewhat amusing. Although this didn’t strike Alien’s funny bone, but others in the audience seemed to like it more.
Alien gives it 2 "sly and cunning thievery" stars out of 4.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Ninja Assassin
The opening scene is a real killer and sets the tone for this slice and dice thrill ride. Alien hasn’t seen blood splatter and body parts fly so freely this since "Kill Bill" and "300". When the lights go out, beware of the shadow warriors trained at the ninja cruel school for orphans. This is not the cheap cheesy martial arts film that Alien expected, but a richly stylistic killing spree that will entertain and keep you at the edge of your seat. If you don’t mind the blood and guts, it is great fun to watch. It is a high powered stunning film that echoes the classic line about revenge being a dish best served cold. Have no worries if you have a friend trained in the way of the ninjas and your heart is in the right place.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "clan of the black sand" stars out of 4.
The opening scene is a real killer and sets the tone for this slice and dice thrill ride. Alien hasn’t seen blood splatter and body parts fly so freely this since "Kill Bill" and "300". When the lights go out, beware of the shadow warriors trained at the ninja cruel school for orphans. This is not the cheap cheesy martial arts film that Alien expected, but a richly stylistic killing spree that will entertain and keep you at the edge of your seat. If you don’t mind the blood and guts, it is great fun to watch. It is a high powered stunning film that echoes the classic line about revenge being a dish best served cold. Have no worries if you have a friend trained in the way of the ninjas and your heart is in the right place.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "clan of the black sand" stars out of 4.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Old Dogs
Rayburn & Reed (Robin Williams & John Travolta) are two former sports jocks in the marketing business. One of them suddenly discovers he is the father of now 7 year old twins. It is a typical Disney kid friendly family film loaded with sight gag laughs and a bunch of cameos. Williams and Travolta are the old dogs hamming it up for the cameras with Seth Green tossed into the comic mix. The little kids will eat up the silliness and the adults get enough laughs to stay interested. If you like humor about kids, parenting, aging, and animals, check it out.
Alien gives it 3 "gorilla lullaby & when penguins attack" stars out of 4.
Rayburn & Reed (Robin Williams & John Travolta) are two former sports jocks in the marketing business. One of them suddenly discovers he is the father of now 7 year old twins. It is a typical Disney kid friendly family film loaded with sight gag laughs and a bunch of cameos. Williams and Travolta are the old dogs hamming it up for the cameras with Seth Green tossed into the comic mix. The little kids will eat up the silliness and the adults get enough laughs to stay interested. If you like humor about kids, parenting, aging, and animals, check it out.
Alien gives it 3 "gorilla lullaby & when penguins attack" stars out of 4.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Everybody’s Fine
This was a nice little film about family, but certainly is not the light hearted comedy anticipated from the trailer. When the recently widowed Frank (Robert DeNiro) can’t gather his 4 adult kids (Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell) together for a family dinner, he sets off to pay each a surprise visit. Frank’s adventure across the U.S. starts off amusing, but becomes sadder as the trip progresses. Everyone isn’t telling the truth in order to protect others.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "family photo" stars out of 4.
This was a nice little film about family, but certainly is not the light hearted comedy anticipated from the trailer. When the recently widowed Frank (Robert DeNiro) can’t gather his 4 adult kids (Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell) together for a family dinner, he sets off to pay each a surprise visit. Frank’s adventure across the U.S. starts off amusing, but becomes sadder as the trip progresses. Everyone isn’t telling the truth in order to protect others.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "family photo" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Teenage emotions run rampant in this "Romeo & Juliet" tale as Bella faces issues with boys, breakups, gangs, and commitments. The boys of the wolf pack are introduced à la Abercrombie & Fitch style. This continuing saga ups its special effects budget and takes a quick trip out of Forks. Team Edward and Team Jacob fans will get to cheer and swoon for their fav. By the end, the romantics will be begging for more.
Alien gives it 3 "Italian vampire rules" stars out of 4.
Teenage emotions run rampant in this "Romeo & Juliet" tale as Bella faces issues with boys, breakups, gangs, and commitments. The boys of the wolf pack are introduced à la Abercrombie & Fitch style. This continuing saga ups its special effects budget and takes a quick trip out of Forks. Team Edward and Team Jacob fans will get to cheer and swoon for their fav. By the end, the romantics will be begging for more.
Alien gives it 3 "Italian vampire rules" stars out of 4.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Pirate Radio
It’s "Footloose" on the high seas of the coast of England in 1966. A motley crew of rock and roll renegades rules the air waves when the British government bans their music. Somehow, everything always seems better if it has been outlawed. This hilarious comedy is tons of fun. Those classic songs of the sixties are carefully orchestrated to fit the movie moment moods. You’ll want to jump up and dance in the aisles as you relive the look and the sounds of that era. The quirky characters, the entertaining story, and the great music make this movie a rousing, feel good success.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "Rock and Roll Forever" stars out of 4.
It’s "Footloose" on the high seas of the coast of England in 1966. A motley crew of rock and roll renegades rules the air waves when the British government bans their music. Somehow, everything always seems better if it has been outlawed. This hilarious comedy is tons of fun. Those classic songs of the sixties are carefully orchestrated to fit the movie moment moods. You’ll want to jump up and dance in the aisles as you relive the look and the sounds of that era. The quirky characters, the entertaining story, and the great music make this movie a rousing, feel good success.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "Rock and Roll Forever" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
2012
It’s "The Day after Tomorrow" meets "Independence Day" meets "Titanic" as Roland Emmerich constructs a disaster film to end all disaster films. Spectacular special effects drive this 2 hour and 40 minute thrill ride that is laced with corn and cheese. But it is an entertaining and fun ride if you are looking for something mindless and you are in the mood for mass destruction. The movie has a large cast of familiar faces which have different story arcs that eventually meet. Witness the improbable and the impossible as you root for the luckiest family alive in the world to survive doomsday. Will mankind surive? What will be left of humanity? Already, there are rumors of "2013" for TV.
Alien gives if 3 "when the planets align" stars out of 4.
It’s "The Day after Tomorrow" meets "Independence Day" meets "Titanic" as Roland Emmerich constructs a disaster film to end all disaster films. Spectacular special effects drive this 2 hour and 40 minute thrill ride that is laced with corn and cheese. But it is an entertaining and fun ride if you are looking for something mindless and you are in the mood for mass destruction. The movie has a large cast of familiar faces which have different story arcs that eventually meet. Witness the improbable and the impossible as you root for the luckiest family alive in the world to survive doomsday. Will mankind surive? What will be left of humanity? Already, there are rumors of "2013" for TV.
Alien gives if 3 "when the planets align" stars out of 4.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The Men Who Stare at Goats
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This black comedy features a hippy military leader in charge of solders training to use their psychic abilities as weapons of war. This premise may sound stupid, but this movie was inspired by the U.S. government actually doing this as a counter measure to Soviet threats of psychic attacks. It has an all star cast (George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, and a bunch of goats) in this mildly funny film. Alien wonders what this film would have done with all of the overworked Jedi warrior jokes if they couldn’t have casted Ewan. Staring at goats might have been more amusing than staring at this film.
Alien gives it 2 "New Earth Army" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This black comedy features a hippy military leader in charge of solders training to use their psychic abilities as weapons of war. This premise may sound stupid, but this movie was inspired by the U.S. government actually doing this as a counter measure to Soviet threats of psychic attacks. It has an all star cast (George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, and a bunch of goats) in this mildly funny film. Alien wonders what this film would have done with all of the overworked Jedi warrior jokes if they couldn’t have casted Ewan. Staring at goats might have been more amusing than staring at this film.
Alien gives it 2 "New Earth Army" stars out of 4.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The Box
The Box is one of the most peculiar movies that Alien has ever seen. The premise originates from a book and was made into a Twilight Zone episode, but this version takes us on a mysterious journey well off the beaten path. At the core of this movie is the box with a button delivered by a strange disfigured man who gives a couple the choice of pushing or not pushing the button. But there are always consequences and a million dollars and the death of someone they do not know. It is a big puzzle with creepy people, bloody noses, lots of water, but logic won’t help you get any satisfaction here. It is a moral dilemma about temptation and choosing wisely or you’ll suffer for your mistakes. This film is the polar opposite of "The Blind Side".
Alien gives it 2 "stuck between a rock and a hard place" stars out of 4.
The Box is one of the most peculiar movies that Alien has ever seen. The premise originates from a book and was made into a Twilight Zone episode, but this version takes us on a mysterious journey well off the beaten path. At the core of this movie is the box with a button delivered by a strange disfigured man who gives a couple the choice of pushing or not pushing the button. But there are always consequences and a million dollars and the death of someone they do not know. It is a big puzzle with creepy people, bloody noses, lots of water, but logic won’t help you get any satisfaction here. It is a moral dilemma about temptation and choosing wisely or you’ll suffer for your mistakes. This film is the polar opposite of "The Blind Side".
Alien gives it 2 "stuck between a rock and a hard place" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
The Blind Side
Based on the true story of Michael Oher, this is one heck of a heartwarming and inspirational film about a boy from the hood who proves he can excel beyond expectations if given a chance. A big young black kid from the projects becomes part of a well-to-do white family in Memphis. This wonderful movie is sweet, charming, funny, and a bit of a tear jerker. Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron are outstanding in this film that sends a powerful message about the importance of family. It does take a village to raise a child. Aaron plays a gentle giant and Bullock plays a tough Southern belle who doesn’t take crap from anyone. The rest of the cast is terrific too. This gem will put a big smile in your heart and bring a little tear to your eye. Stay for the credits to see pictures of the real Michael Oher and his adoptive family.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "left tackle and insurance" stars out of 4.
Based on the true story of Michael Oher, this is one heck of a heartwarming and inspirational film about a boy from the hood who proves he can excel beyond expectations if given a chance. A big young black kid from the projects becomes part of a well-to-do white family in Memphis. This wonderful movie is sweet, charming, funny, and a bit of a tear jerker. Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron are outstanding in this film that sends a powerful message about the importance of family. It does take a village to raise a child. Aaron plays a gentle giant and Bullock plays a tough Southern belle who doesn’t take crap from anyone. The rest of the cast is terrific too. This gem will put a big smile in your heart and bring a little tear to your eye. Stay for the credits to see pictures of the real Michael Oher and his adoptive family.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "left tackle and insurance" stars out of 4.
Monday, November 02, 2009
A Christmas Carol
Robert Zemeckis uses his "Polar Express" techniques and teams up with Disney for another retelling of the Charles Dickens classic. This is a dark "Nightmare before Christmas" tale as Ebenezer Scrooge has a "Paranormal Activity" experience that takes him on a wild ride through the streets of Dickens’ London. The 3D effects are exquisite and the CGI animation is realistically detailed. The film is visually stunning as it immerses you into the period. However, Alien doesn’t recommend it for the very young kiddies or those easily frightened. Send them to Disney’s McScrooge version.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "scary spirits" stars out of 4.
Robert Zemeckis uses his "Polar Express" techniques and teams up with Disney for another retelling of the Charles Dickens classic. This is a dark "Nightmare before Christmas" tale as Ebenezer Scrooge has a "Paranormal Activity" experience that takes him on a wild ride through the streets of Dickens’ London. The 3D effects are exquisite and the CGI animation is realistically detailed. The film is visually stunning as it immerses you into the period. However, Alien doesn’t recommend it for the very young kiddies or those easily frightened. Send them to Disney’s McScrooge version.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "scary spirits" stars out of 4.
