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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Invention of Lying

Ricky Gervais becomes the first man to figure out lying on a planet where everyone must have been injected with sodium pentothal. The people are painfully frank and honest in their opinions. This is one of the more original concepts with a creatively refreshing script that will make you think about truth and lying. This very funny film exposes how much fibbing, flattery, and fiction play a part in everyday human lives. With great power comes great responsibility. Besides Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, and Rob Lowe, look for many cameo appearances.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "pizza box tablets" stars out of 4.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Toy Story & Toy Story 2 in 3D

Pixar has revamped their classic original and successful sequel for 3D viewing. Childhood memories and imagination are revived in our favorite toys from our youth. This was Alien’s first viewing of these two films and I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 hour plus event. These two features are linked together by ten minutes of trivia and film clip treats which they call an intermission. This special show will play in theaters for only two weeks beginning Oct. 1st and is a great teaser for the next 3D Toy Story adventure to be released next summer.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "search and rescue" stars out of 4.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Surrogates

It’s "I, Robot" meets "The Matrix" meets "District 9" in this "Brave New World" where all of man’s problems seem to have been eliminated. That is... until two surrogates and their operators are killed. This is basically a murder mystery thriller with some sci-fi special effects and Bruce Willis searching for the bad guys. This 88 minute show has a "Total Recall" feel to it.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "VSI... Life, Only Better" stars out of 4.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Fame

Young raw talent come together at New York's Performance Arts School in this remake based on the popular original movie and TV series. The teachers are portrayed by familiar faces and the students are relative unknowns. The audience will be dazzled by the fabulous song and dance numbers. Updated with rap and hip hop, this movie is entertaining enough, but the film looks overly theatrical and staged as it races through 4 years of education with most of the scenes shot outside of school. The stories are predictable and the developing relationships don't feel real. Like the teachers of PA, Alien had higher expectations for this potential collective of talent so I can only give it a passing grade and recommend returning to Iowa.

Alien gives it 2 "go for your dreams" stars out of 4.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Couples Retreat

One couple trying to save their marriage convinces three other couples to join them for a week in paradise. However, they get more than they bargained for at Monsieur Marcel’s Eden Resort. You’ll get some laughs through couple’s skill building experience with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, and Kristin Davis. This tropical resort is absolutely gorgeous (it's The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, in case you want to book your reservations now). This touchy/feely program takes its toll on the couples, but in the end they find their animal spirits. If you like the fast-talking humor of Vince Vaughn, you’ll probably love this comedy. There is a meaningless final clip at the end of the credits.

Alien gives it 2 "marriage therapy" stars out of 4.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Zombieland

It’s "Tremors" meets "Shaun of the Dead" when four uninfected humans join forces to search for a zombie-safe haven. You can expect the usual zombie blood and gore stuff, but Alien was stunned by the ton of laughs packed into this horror/comedy gem. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) appear to be the only human survivors left on a zombie-plagued planet. They manage to turn an amusement park into one big shooting gallery. The one is lots of fun if you don’t mind the blood and guts. Look for one big surprise cameo in the film and a little clip at the end of the credits.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "remember the rules to live and survive by in zombieland" stars out of 4.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The September Issue

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

Meet Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue magazine and the inspiration for "The Devil Wears Prada". In this fascinating behind the scenes look at the fashion world and what it takes to publish the 'big' issue. You’ll love meeting Anna’s army of talented creative people as well as hearing their comments about their tough controlling boss. This documentary is absolutely gorgeous to look at and is surprisingly funny.

Alien gives it 3 "fashion is fun" stars out of 4.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Love Happens

A self-help guru on coping with grief (Aaron Eckhart) has difficulty facing his own pain until he meets a local florist who has given up on men (Jennifer Aniston) in this romantic drama that’s also very funny. The film is predictable, but still highly entertaining. Eckhart is in the driver seat with Aniston riding shotgun on this sweet ride. It is a touching story that may bring some tears to your eyes.

Alien gives it 3 "A-Okay in Seattle" stars out of 4.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Jennifer’s Body Okay boys, put your tongues back in your mouths and I’ll give you the scoop. Yes, Megan Fox plays it hot, sexy, and very naughty. There is some good girl-on-girl action. However, there is no nudity. This is not your typical teenage horror flick. Megan Fox is beauty and the beast in this succubus spoof, very tongue-in-cheek. It is very fresh and creative with a wicked sense of humor from writer/producer Diablo Cody of "Juno" fame. The perils of teen sexuality and fantasy are explored with smart and campy dialogue. If your taste for blood and gore lean toward the eclectic side, you might want to skip pledging "Sorority Row" and check out "Jennifer’s Body". Alien gives it 2 ½ "virgin sacrifice by the waxing moon at Devil's Kettle Falls" stars out of 4.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Another popular children’s book makes it to the big screen and this one’s in 3D. The island of Swallow Falls is experiencing hard times when its major industry, sardines, collapses. Then, a not so successful inventor finally creates a contraption that actually works and it appears to solve all of the problems on the island... until the people realize they may have bitten off more than they chew. This is a very colorful and funny fantasy film. Kids will eat up the concept of food raining from the sky. It’s silly and dazzling family fun.

Alien gives it 3 "Chewandswallow" stars out of 4.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Sorority Row

A stupid prank turns deadly, a pact of secrecy is sworn, and sorority sisters start to die one by one in this remake of a 1983 teenage horror/slasher flick. This film is exactly what you expect it to be. If you love this genre, you’ll love it. If you hate the genre, you’ll hate it. After seven girls make a big mistake, someone starts playing "Ten Little Indians" with them. The audience tries to guess who it is while watching the guilty get picked off in cruel and unusual ways along with some collateral damage. It’s classically predictable. The most surprising appearance is House Mother Princess Leia (Carrie Fischer must be broke). She was a much better shot with a blaster. Speaking of weapons, check out the killer’s pimped out killing tool. Of course, you can expect wild drunken parties with naughty scantily dressed girls showing some brief nudity. This should be an easy choice for you. You’ll know in your heart if you want to see this one. Honor, Respect, Secrecy, and Solidarity... Sisters Forever... or until you die.

Alien gives it 2 "The Bitches of Theta Pi Must Die" stars out of 4.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Whiteout

It’s high tension on the frozen tundra as U.S. Marshall Kate Beckinsale (yeah, Alien doesn’t believe it either) races against time to find the ice axe killer before 6 months of winter sets in. The film starts out with a 1957 cargo plane mishap over Antarctica and then quickly jumps to the present with Kate stripping off layers of cold weather gear and jumping into a hot steamy shower (way too obvious). That was probably the main reason for starring Kate in a role that would usually be filled by a rugged male. Next, the increasing body count forces the only lawman south of Terra del Fuego to unlock her gun cabinet again and again. In the end, it is only a mediocre mystery script. Ironically, maybe the screenwriter should have applied more whiteout to fix it.

Alien gives it 2 "frostbitten" stars out of 4.

9

In an alternate universe, a band of 9 burlap rag dolls infused with human traits struggle to survive against the Beast and the Machine after mankind is gone. The animation is amazing in this dark and dismal world of rubble and ruin colored and constructed by the Tim Burton production. It is a fascinating story with lovable characters that are on a simple search and rescue mission, but get more than they bargain for. There may be too much peril, scariness, and violence for the very young ones. Alien likens it to a 'Ewok vs. the Empire' type battle for the planet. This action packed film runs for a short, but sweet 79 minutes.

Alien gives it 3 "stitchpunk" stars out of 4.

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