Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Secretariat
Disney bets on the sure winning story of the world’s greatest race horse. Witness the birth of a legend and his rise to fame. See the Denver housewife with more horse sense than the thoroughbred experts. Follow Miss Penny (Diane Lane) through emotional ups and downs. She is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast including a colorful horse trainer (John Malkovich). Alien expected the story about the remarkable horse, but was surprised by the inspirational story about the owner with the never give up spirit. This movie with a smart sense of humor captures the sign of the times. It’s a feel good Triple Crown winner... an amazing horse, a strong-willed woman, and a moving movie. Interesting captions about the key players are viewed at the conclusion.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "see Big Red run" stars out of 4.
Disney bets on the sure winning story of the world’s greatest race horse. Witness the birth of a legend and his rise to fame. See the Denver housewife with more horse sense than the thoroughbred experts. Follow Miss Penny (Diane Lane) through emotional ups and downs. She is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast including a colorful horse trainer (John Malkovich). Alien expected the story about the remarkable horse, but was surprised by the inspirational story about the owner with the never give up spirit. This movie with a smart sense of humor captures the sign of the times. It’s a feel good Triple Crown winner... an amazing horse, a strong-willed woman, and a moving movie. Interesting captions about the key players are viewed at the conclusion.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "see Big Red run" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Takers
If you like cops and robbers, you might enjoy this big heist film. A slick team of GQ sophisticates plan a huge robbery with the dectectives hot on their trail. A good cast of characters, some terrific shootouts, and an amazing foot chase help make this movie an intense and fun thrill ride. Unfortunately, it glorifies the criminals.
Alien gives it 3 "signature salute" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
You Again
The claws come out when a mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter (Kristen Bell) must deal with their high school nemeses (Sigourney Weaver & Odette Yustman). The script is fairly predictable, but it is good family fun. The big surprises are the few cameos strategically placed in the film. The humor is mostly driven by overzealous competiveness. This film is exactly what you’d expect it to be. The cast struts their stuff in a dance montage playing through the credits.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "second chances" stars out of 4.
The claws come out when a mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter (Kristen Bell) must deal with their high school nemeses (Sigourney Weaver & Odette Yustman). The script is fairly predictable, but it is good family fun. The big surprises are the few cameos strategically placed in the film. The humor is mostly driven by overzealous competiveness. This film is exactly what you’d expect it to be. The cast struts their stuff in a dance montage playing through the credits.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "second chances" stars out of 4.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Going the Distance
Drew Barrymore and Justin Long join forces to demonstrate how hard it is to have a long distance relationship. She is in San Francisco and in the newspaper industry. He is in New York and in the music industry. They make a cute couple in this ballsy comedy for those who are not sexually shy. Scene after scene will have you laughing hysterically at this modern day romantic comedy. A great cast of crazies add to the hilarity. If you are in or considering a long distance relationship, you must see this funny, funny film.
Alien gives if 3 "Boxer Rebellion" stars out of 4.
Drew Barrymore and Justin Long join forces to demonstrate how hard it is to have a long distance relationship. She is in San Francisco and in the newspaper industry. He is in New York and in the music industry. They make a cute couple in this ballsy comedy for those who are not sexually shy. Scene after scene will have you laughing hysterically at this modern day romantic comedy. A great cast of crazies add to the hilarity. If you are in or considering a long distance relationship, you must see this funny, funny film.
Alien gives if 3 "Boxer Rebellion" stars out of 4.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
Disney is about to release its third installment DVD to the Tinker Bell series. Fact or fiction and work or play issues are explored when the curious little fairy is discovered by a young girl, Lizzy. Tink’s fairy friends must mount a rescue mission. It’s another cute kiddie show as well as an informational fairy field guide.
Alien gives it 3 "you got to believe" stars out of 4.
Disney is about to release its third installment DVD to the Tinker Bell series. Fact or fiction and work or play issues are explored when the curious little fairy is discovered by a young girl, Lizzy. Tink’s fairy friends must mount a rescue mission. It’s another cute kiddie show as well as an informational fairy field guide.
Alien gives it 3 "you got to believe" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Last Exorcism
It’s "The Exorcist" meets "Paranormal Activity" meets "Rosemary’s Baby". A Louisiana reverend/magician (yes, you read that right) fakes ritualistic exorcisms until he meets up with a sweet, but strange teenage girl. Is she possessed or psychotic? Alien liked the feel of this home movie view of real life people amidst a situation that gets creepier as the film progresses. Believers will probably enjoy being scared by this film. Most will likely be disappointed by the ending.
Alien gives it 2 "demonic or disturbed" stars out of 4.
It’s "The Exorcist" meets "Paranormal Activity" meets "Rosemary’s Baby". A Louisiana reverend/magician (yes, you read that right) fakes ritualistic exorcisms until he meets up with a sweet, but strange teenage girl. Is she possessed or psychotic? Alien liked the feel of this home movie view of real life people amidst a situation that gets creepier as the film progresses. Believers will probably enjoy being scared by this film. Most will likely be disappointed by the ending.
Alien gives it 2 "demonic or disturbed" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Switch
It’s tick-tock on Kassie’s (Jennifer Aniston) biological clock when she opts for a sperm donation. However, her neurotic best friend Wally (Jason Bateman) accidently sabotages her perfect plan. This romantic comedy with a twist is smartly written and focuses on the guy’s point of view. The kid is adorably weird. The father/son relationship is touching and more believable than the inevitable romantic conclusion. Bateman fans will be delighted and Aniston fans may be disappointed.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "hijacked pregnancy" stars out of 4.
It’s tick-tock on Kassie’s (Jennifer Aniston) biological clock when she opts for a sperm donation. However, her neurotic best friend Wally (Jason Bateman) accidently sabotages her perfect plan. This romantic comedy with a twist is smartly written and focuses on the guy’s point of view. The kid is adorably weird. The father/son relationship is touching and more believable than the inevitable romantic conclusion. Bateman fans will be delighted and Aniston fans may be disappointed.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "hijacked pregnancy" stars out of 4.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Lottery Ticket
The "Lottery Ticket" is everything you would expect from a comedy about winning millions of dollars. This predictable movie tackles all of those typical big lottery winning issues. However, the story has heart too. Bow Wow has grown up and does a good job playing the naïve kid from the projects caught in the middle of all the hoopla. This sanitized light-hearted fun film from the hood does include one F-bomb and the N-word uttered a couple of times (shades of Dr. Laura). Give it a chance; it’s better than you may think. You can’t win if you don’t play.
Alien gives it 3 "Lotto fever" stars out of 4.
The "Lottery Ticket" is everything you would expect from a comedy about winning millions of dollars. This predictable movie tackles all of those typical big lottery winning issues. However, the story has heart too. Bow Wow has grown up and does a good job playing the naïve kid from the projects caught in the middle of all the hoopla. This sanitized light-hearted fun film from the hood does include one F-bomb and the N-word uttered a couple of times (shades of Dr. Laura). Give it a chance; it’s better than you may think. You can’t win if you don’t play.
Alien gives it 3 "Lotto fever" stars out of 4.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Eat Pray Love
An unhappy writer (Julia Roberts) takes a year off to find balance in her life. In Italy, she finds food; in India, she finds inner peace; and in Bali, she finds romance. Although Alien enjoyed the local color and characters, this 2 ½ hour journey seemed to plod along at times. Maybe Alien has the wrong set of chromosomes, but I suspect this inspirational story probably worked better as a novel. The moral of the story is: if you look like Julia Roberts, you can dump your job and man, travel around the world, eat everything you crave, and still be attractive to men wherever you are.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "spiritual and romantic gourmet travelogue" stars out of 4.
An unhappy writer (Julia Roberts) takes a year off to find balance in her life. In Italy, she finds food; in India, she finds inner peace; and in Bali, she finds romance. Although Alien enjoyed the local color and characters, this 2 ½ hour journey seemed to plod along at times. Maybe Alien has the wrong set of chromosomes, but I suspect this inspirational story probably worked better as a novel. The moral of the story is: if you look like Julia Roberts, you can dump your job and man, travel around the world, eat everything you crave, and still be attractive to men wherever you are.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "spiritual and romantic gourmet travelogue" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
To win the heart of his new potential girlfriend, a young guy (the eternally awkward Michael Cera) must battle her 7 ex's. Quick humor straight out of left field, informational labels, and visual sound effects punctuates this cartoony, super-powered, video gamy movie. Based on a graphic novel, this unique comedy caters to young adults. Depending on your sense of humor, this film may range from strangely funny to outrageously hilarious.
Alien gives it 2 "quirky for me" stars out of 4.
To win the heart of his new potential girlfriend, a young guy (the eternally awkward Michael Cera) must battle her 7 ex's. Quick humor straight out of left field, informational labels, and visual sound effects punctuates this cartoony, super-powered, video gamy movie. Based on a graphic novel, this unique comedy caters to young adults. Depending on your sense of humor, this film may range from strangely funny to outrageously hilarious.
Alien gives it 2 "quirky for me" stars out of 4.
Monday, August 09, 2010
The Expendables
Is it a covert CIA operation or a damsel-in-distress rescue mission? Writer/director Sly Stallone casts himself as the hero (of course) with Jason Statham and Jet Li doing the heavy lifting and Terry Crews carrying the big gun. The bad guys are bad, but the good guys are BAD-der. This elite lean mean killing machine team is pumped with testosterone. The explosions are huge and loud, but much of the hand-to-hand combat scenes cheat with quick film cuts. California’s current governor makes a brief appearance just to trade insults with these soldiers of fortune and ends up the butt of the movies biggest joke. This action-packed thrill ride is exactly what you would expect from this macho macho gathering.
Alien gives it 3 "knives, motorcycles, and tattoos at Tools" stars out of 4.
Is it a covert CIA operation or a damsel-in-distress rescue mission? Writer/director Sly Stallone casts himself as the hero (of course) with Jason Statham and Jet Li doing the heavy lifting and Terry Crews carrying the big gun. The bad guys are bad, but the good guys are BAD-der. This elite lean mean killing machine team is pumped with testosterone. The explosions are huge and loud, but much of the hand-to-hand combat scenes cheat with quick film cuts. California’s current governor makes a brief appearance just to trade insults with these soldiers of fortune and ends up the butt of the movies biggest joke. This action-packed thrill ride is exactly what you would expect from this macho macho gathering.
Alien gives it 3 "knives, motorcycles, and tattoos at Tools" stars out of 4.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
The Other Guys
If you are not the super star cops, then you must be "the other guys". Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg play the odd couple in this hilarious buddy cop picture. The action and comedy are outrageous and non-stop in this film. The trailer doesn’t do justice to what you see on screen. This movie makes fun of all those serious police drama situations. Look for lots of cameos. If you sit through the credits and the financial reports, you’ll see one more lame joke by those other guys.
Alien gives it 3 "the Frebeze brothers and the flying peacock" stars out of 4.
If you are not the super star cops, then you must be "the other guys". Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg play the odd couple in this hilarious buddy cop picture. The action and comedy are outrageous and non-stop in this film. The trailer doesn’t do justice to what you see on screen. This movie makes fun of all those serious police drama situations. Look for lots of cameos. If you sit through the credits and the financial reports, you’ll see one more lame joke by those other guys.
Alien gives it 3 "the Frebeze brothers and the flying peacock" stars out of 4.
