Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Teens struggle with their nightmares and repressed childhood memories as they try to stay awake and alive. The difference between fantasy and reality get blurred whenever these youths close their tired eyes. Alien (not a fan of this teen slasher genre) never watched any of the previous Freddy Kruger films so I can’t make any comparisons. If you want a few scares, it’s not a bad film. You get exactly what you expect.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Badham Preschool" stars out of 4.
Teens struggle with their nightmares and repressed childhood memories as they try to stay awake and alive. The difference between fantasy and reality get blurred whenever these youths close their tired eyes. Alien (not a fan of this teen slasher genre) never watched any of the previous Freddy Kruger films so I can’t make any comparisons. If you want a few scares, it’s not a bad film. You get exactly what you expect.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Badham Preschool" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
City Island
City Island is a small fishing village part of the Bronx where a dysfunctional family lives. Every family member has something to hide in this drama/comedy. The intricate script with a New York flavor takes a while to develop, but well worth the wait if you stick to it. Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, and Ezra Miller are very funny. This blue-collar family will crack you up. Easy to be overlooked, this sleeper will surprise you.
Alien gives it 3 "mussel suckers & clam diggers" stars out of 4.
City Island is a small fishing village part of the Bronx where a dysfunctional family lives. Every family member has something to hide in this drama/comedy. The intricate script with a New York flavor takes a while to develop, but well worth the wait if you stick to it. Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, and Ezra Miller are very funny. This blue-collar family will crack you up. Easy to be overlooked, this sleeper will surprise you.
Alien gives it 3 "mussel suckers & clam diggers" stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
La Mission
Benjamin Bratt takes us on a colorful cultural journey into the Mission District of San Francisco. It is a touching story of a man’s struggle to understand and deal with his son’s secret. This thought provoking script skillfully explores issues about love, anger, shame, pain, deep-rooted prejudices, and acceptance. The dialogue, clothing, settings, attitudes, and the low-rider cars give this movie an honest and realistic feel. Bratt’s performance is outstanding. Alien loved the film’s marvelous message of trying to understand others.
Alien gives it 3 "going low and slow with the Mission Boyz" stars out of 4.
Benjamin Bratt takes us on a colorful cultural journey into the Mission District of San Francisco. It is a touching story of a man’s struggle to understand and deal with his son’s secret. This thought provoking script skillfully explores issues about love, anger, shame, pain, deep-rooted prejudices, and acceptance. The dialogue, clothing, settings, attitudes, and the low-rider cars give this movie an honest and realistic feel. Bratt’s performance is outstanding. Alien loved the film’s marvelous message of trying to understand others.
Alien gives it 3 "going low and slow with the Mission Boyz" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Robin Hood
Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, but this version details the origins of Robin, Marian, Little John, Will Scarlet, Allan A’Dayle, Friar Tuck, and King John. Alien liked this twist to the legend and the glimpse to how men lived and fought in those trying times. The movie casts two wonderful actors, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, and their characters are pitted against a couple of great villains. If you are not a fan of this period of history, you may feel at bit bored for the 2 ½ hours. Action lovers will enjoy the big battle scenes.
Alien gives it 3 "until lambs become lions" stars out of 4.
Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, but this version details the origins of Robin, Marian, Little John, Will Scarlet, Allan A’Dayle, Friar Tuck, and King John. Alien liked this twist to the legend and the glimpse to how men lived and fought in those trying times. The movie casts two wonderful actors, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, and their characters are pitted against a couple of great villains. If you are not a fan of this period of history, you may feel at bit bored for the 2 ½ hours. Action lovers will enjoy the big battle scenes.
Alien gives it 3 "until lambs become lions" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Kick-Ass
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s "Spiderman" meets "Kill Bill" meets "Super Bad" in an exhilarating and edgy parody of the super hero theme. A wannabe costumed vigilante inspires others in a fight against injustice and compels the bad guys to strike back. It’s not so easy being a hero without any special powers. This movie is lots of fun if you don’t take it seriously, especially when the foul-mouthed eleven-year-old skillfully and stylishly eliminates her foes. This "R" rated feature (for extreme violence and language) is not for the kiddies.
Alien gives it 3 "loving, but odd daddy/daughter relationship" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s "Spiderman" meets "Kill Bill" meets "Super Bad" in an exhilarating and edgy parody of the super hero theme. A wannabe costumed vigilante inspires others in a fight against injustice and compels the bad guys to strike back. It’s not so easy being a hero without any special powers. This movie is lots of fun if you don’t take it seriously, especially when the foul-mouthed eleven-year-old skillfully and stylishly eliminates her foes. This "R" rated feature (for extreme violence and language) is not for the kiddies.
Alien gives it 3 "loving, but odd daddy/daughter relationship" stars out of 4.
The Losers
Another graphic novel story hits the big screen when a military group gets ambushed in Bolivia and teams up with a sexy mystery woman to seek revenge on their common enemy. This funny shoot 'em up flick has just enough of a storyline to keep you interested in between the big explosions and bullets flying. It is exactly the mindless fun that you would expect from this "A-Team" film type.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "CIA Operation" stars out of 4.
Another graphic novel story hits the big screen when a military group gets ambushed in Bolivia and teams up with a sexy mystery woman to seek revenge on their common enemy. This funny shoot 'em up flick has just enough of a storyline to keep you interested in between the big explosions and bullets flying. It is exactly the mindless fun that you would expect from this "A-Team" film type.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "CIA Operation" stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Letters to Juliet
A fact finder/wannabe writer (Amanda Seyfried) takes a pre-honeymoon to Italy with her restaurateur fiancé and ends up on a romantic adventure. Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave give touching performances. They are the best part of this film besides the scenes of Verona, Sienna, and the Italian countryside. If you are an incurable romantic, you will love this film. Do you believe in fate and destiny? This movie about love and loss has great charm. There are moments that will bring a tear to your eye. Alien enjoyed the little nuances incorporated into the film.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "never too late" stars out of 4.
A fact finder/wannabe writer (Amanda Seyfried) takes a pre-honeymoon to Italy with her restaurateur fiancé and ends up on a romantic adventure. Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave give touching performances. They are the best part of this film besides the scenes of Verona, Sienna, and the Italian countryside. If you are an incurable romantic, you will love this film. Do you believe in fate and destiny? This movie about love and loss has great charm. There are moments that will bring a tear to your eye. Alien enjoyed the little nuances incorporated into the film.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "never too late" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Death at a Funeral
In a remake of a 2007 British film, two brothers (Chris Rock & Martin Lawrence) try to control a cast of crazies (Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, Luke Wilson...) at their father’s funeral. Brotherly love, a bottle of "Valium", a dwarf, a naked guy, and a family secret bring hilarity to this sad and solemn event. James Marsden is a great scene stealer. One particular moment is so gross and funny that it will fill the theater with a roar of laughter and a sense of utter disgust at the same time. For a good laugh, check out this insanely funny funeral. Rated "R" for language, nudity, and drug use.
Alien gives it 3 "disgustingly hilarious" stars out of 4.
In a remake of a 2007 British film, two brothers (Chris Rock & Martin Lawrence) try to control a cast of crazies (Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, Luke Wilson...) at their father’s funeral. Brotherly love, a bottle of "Valium", a dwarf, a naked guy, and a family secret bring hilarity to this sad and solemn event. James Marsden is a great scene stealer. One particular moment is so gross and funny that it will fill the theater with a roar of laughter and a sense of utter disgust at the same time. For a good laugh, check out this insanely funny funeral. Rated "R" for language, nudity, and drug use.
Alien gives it 3 "disgustingly hilarious" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Why Did I Get Married Too?
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Four couples are joined by a fifth wheel in the Bahamas for an annual couples retreat. Tyler Perry skillfully balances light-hearted fun and heavily emotional drama as he reveals how life’s stresses can put a strain on married life. The men talk about the women, the women talk about the men, and then they try to deal with each other. Alien never saw the first film so I was a bit surprised by the turn of events that occur. I was also be surprised by the big cameo at the end.
Alien gives it 3 "trust & love" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Four couples are joined by a fifth wheel in the Bahamas for an annual couples retreat. Tyler Perry skillfully balances light-hearted fun and heavily emotional drama as he reveals how life’s stresses can put a strain on married life. The men talk about the women, the women talk about the men, and then they try to deal with each other. Alien never saw the first film so I was a bit surprised by the turn of events that occur. I was also be surprised by the big cameo at the end.
Alien gives it 3 "trust & love" stars out of 4.
Date Night
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Phil & Claire Foster (Steve Carrel & Tina Fey) are a boring married couple from Jersey trying to have a special night out in the Big Apple when a case of mistaken identity gets them in deep trouble. Individually, Carrel and Fey are very funny, but together they are hilarious. What sells the whole story is their ability to play a believable married couple. This wild night involves good cops & bad cops, a crazy car chase, some pole dancing, and a shirtless Mark Wahlberg along with many surprise cameos. Outtakes play at the beginning of the credits as well as at the very end.
Alien gives it 3 "count" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Phil & Claire Foster (Steve Carrel & Tina Fey) are a boring married couple from Jersey trying to have a special night out in the Big Apple when a case of mistaken identity gets them in deep trouble. Individually, Carrel and Fey are very funny, but together they are hilarious. What sells the whole story is their ability to play a believable married couple. This wild night involves good cops & bad cops, a crazy car chase, some pole dancing, and a shirtless Mark Wahlberg along with many surprise cameos. Outtakes play at the beginning of the credits as well as at the very end.
Alien gives it 3 "count" stars out of 4.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Greenberg
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Ben Stiller plays a man trying to do nothing in a slow-moving movie that goes nowhere. Stiller’s unlikable character, Roger Greenberg, manages to annoy everyone around him as well as the audience. Despite this, a girl named Florence seems oddly attracted to him even though he treats her badly. By the end, Alien could only ask what happened here. Don’t expect your typical zany Ben Stiller film. Alien just didn’t get it. The experience felt like being stuck in quicksand.
Alien gives it 1 ½ "hurt people hurt people" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Ben Stiller plays a man trying to do nothing in a slow-moving movie that goes nowhere. Stiller’s unlikable character, Roger Greenberg, manages to annoy everyone around him as well as the audience. Despite this, a girl named Florence seems oddly attracted to him even though he treats her badly. By the end, Alien could only ask what happened here. Don’t expect your typical zany Ben Stiller film. Alien just didn’t get it. The experience felt like being stuck in quicksand.
Alien gives it 1 ½ "hurt people hurt people" stars out of 4.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
The Joneses
When the perfect family moves into the neighborhood, all is not what it seems. It’s a sly satire on consumerism and materialism. This drama/comedy is about selling, networking, family, and stealth marketing. This is a refreshing new look at the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses concept. David Duchovny and Demi Moore play the perfect parental units. Just wait until you are introduced to Toto.
Alien gives it 3 "got to have it" stars out of 4.
When the perfect family moves into the neighborhood, all is not what it seems. It’s a sly satire on consumerism and materialism. This drama/comedy is about selling, networking, family, and stealth marketing. This is a refreshing new look at the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses concept. David Duchovny and Demi Moore play the perfect parental units. Just wait until you are introduced to Toto.
Alien gives it 3 "got to have it" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
The Runaways
It’s girls gone wild when a svengali/manager tries to mold a break-thru all-girl band in a biopic about Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Curry (Dakota Fanning). Selling their tough, angry, and sexy bad girl image and sound, the band tours Japan as their careers peak. However, it is a gritty story of the rise and fall of this "jail bait" rock band surrounded by drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll. Stewart and Fanning are terrific, but no role models for young girls. Alien is not a particular fan of this sound of the 70's or this dark side of being a rock star.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Cherry Bomb" stars out of 4.
It’s girls gone wild when a svengali/manager tries to mold a break-thru all-girl band in a biopic about Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Curry (Dakota Fanning). Selling their tough, angry, and sexy bad girl image and sound, the band tours Japan as their careers peak. However, it is a gritty story of the rise and fall of this "jail bait" rock band surrounded by drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll. Stewart and Fanning are terrific, but no role models for young girls. Alien is not a particular fan of this sound of the 70's or this dark side of being a rock star.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Cherry Bomb" stars out of 4.
