Thursday, September 29, 2011
Dream House
Is it "Amity Horror", "Shutter Island", or some other nightmare as the audience tries to solve the murders in dad's dream house? Daniel Craig, Rachel Weiss, and Naomi Watts star in this slow to unfold mystery of who is Peter Ward. You'll have to see for yourself if this movie is clever or deceitful.
Alien gives it 2 "slaughter house" stars out of 4.
Is it "Amity Horror", "Shutter Island", or some other nightmare as the audience tries to solve the murders in dad's dream house? Daniel Craig, Rachel Weiss, and Naomi Watts star in this slow to unfold mystery of who is Peter Ward. You'll have to see for yourself if this movie is clever or deceitful.
Alien gives it 2 "slaughter house" stars out of 4.
Machine Gun Preacher
Based on a true story, a drug addict/biker/ex-con (Gerard Butler) finds God and decides to make a difference for Sudanese orphans. The film can be hard to watch at times due to the realistic portrayals of war atrocities. The plight of these child victims may bring tears to your eyes. Alien was disappointed in the hero who wasn't very sympathetic. During the credits, look for photos of the real life characters.
Alien gives it 2 "one man's dream or obsession" stars out of 4.
Based on a true story, a drug addict/biker/ex-con (Gerard Butler) finds God and decides to make a difference for Sudanese orphans. The film can be hard to watch at times due to the realistic portrayals of war atrocities. The plight of these child victims may bring tears to your eyes. Alien was disappointed in the hero who wasn't very sympathetic. During the credits, look for photos of the real life characters.
Alien gives it 2 "one man's dream or obsession" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Killer Elite
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Professional assassins, British spies, and an ailing sheik in exile are involved in a deadly mission leaving a trail of "accidental" deaths. There is a lot of mystery and political intrigue surrounding some thrilling chase and hand-to-hand combat scenes. Jason Statham does what he does best as he tries to complete his mission while playing a cat and mouse game with Clive Owen in hot pursuit. Toss in Robert De Niro as Stathan's mentor for good measure. These tough guys and some intense action scenes carry this film through a foggy script that will make you wonder what really happened here. This film is based on a controversial true story book which British Intelligence denies.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Feather Men" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Professional assassins, British spies, and an ailing sheik in exile are involved in a deadly mission leaving a trail of "accidental" deaths. There is a lot of mystery and political intrigue surrounding some thrilling chase and hand-to-hand combat scenes. Jason Statham does what he does best as he tries to complete his mission while playing a cat and mouse game with Clive Owen in hot pursuit. Toss in Robert De Niro as Stathan's mentor for good measure. These tough guys and some intense action scenes carry this film through a foggy script that will make you wonder what really happened here. This film is based on a controversial true story book which British Intelligence denies.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Feather Men" stars out of 4.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Real Steel
Welcome to World Robot Boxing or How I Spent My Summer Vacation.
It's "Rocky" meets "Transformers" where real men like Hugh Jackman play "Rock'em Sock'em Robots" on a mega scale. Jackman is a washed-up fighter, an absentee father, and a bad bet who uses a custody battle to finance his next project. The son is adorable in a boy-and-his-dog type story line. Most will be attracted by the robot bashing bouts, but they will be sucker punched by the touching father/son bonding message. Kids who like robots and video games will love this steel-on-steel pounding action ride. Yes, parts are violent, but it's really cool bloodless robot violence. See how a junkyard G2 shadow-boxing sparring robot with a pint-size manager can advance from the no-holds-barred underground arenas to a "David and Goliath" match for the World Title. It's high-tech versus old school, but Alien won't divulge the outcome. "Real Steel" is the real deal, a big-time knockout with a heart. Audiences will be rooting for a "Real Steel II: The Return of Atom".
Alien gives it 3 ½ "The Little Bot That Could" stars out of 4.
Welcome to World Robot Boxing or How I Spent My Summer Vacation.
It's "Rocky" meets "Transformers" where real men like Hugh Jackman play "Rock'em Sock'em Robots" on a mega scale. Jackman is a washed-up fighter, an absentee father, and a bad bet who uses a custody battle to finance his next project. The son is adorable in a boy-and-his-dog type story line. Most will be attracted by the robot bashing bouts, but they will be sucker punched by the touching father/son bonding message. Kids who like robots and video games will love this steel-on-steel pounding action ride. Yes, parts are violent, but it's really cool bloodless robot violence. See how a junkyard G2 shadow-boxing sparring robot with a pint-size manager can advance from the no-holds-barred underground arenas to a "David and Goliath" match for the World Title. It's high-tech versus old school, but Alien won't divulge the outcome. "Real Steel" is the real deal, a big-time knockout with a heart. Audiences will be rooting for a "Real Steel II: The Return of Atom".
Alien gives it 3 ½ "The Little Bot That Could" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Footloose
This updated remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic is a nearly scene-for-scene, line-for-line, name-for-name copy, complete with red boots and a yellow VW bug. Only minor variations occur in this iconic homage, like moving the locale from the Midwest to the South. A big-city boy leads an effort to repeal a small town's anti-dancing law. This film is not bad, but it's just not original and doesn't try to put any interesting twist to it. The script is predictible and a bit corny, but that "Footloose" theme song is toe tapping irresistible. Teens will like this rebellion against stupid adult rules.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "carbon copy" stars out of 4.
This updated remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic is a nearly scene-for-scene, line-for-line, name-for-name copy, complete with red boots and a yellow VW bug. Only minor variations occur in this iconic homage, like moving the locale from the Midwest to the South. A big-city boy leads an effort to repeal a small town's anti-dancing law. This film is not bad, but it's just not original and doesn't try to put any interesting twist to it. The script is predictible and a bit corny, but that "Footloose" theme song is toe tapping irresistible. Teens will like this rebellion against stupid adult rules.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "carbon copy" stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Abduction
It's Jason Bourne meets "From Russia with Love" in this mis-titled espionage action thriller. A high school student (Taylor Lautner) working on a sociology project uncovers secrets which makes him suspicious of his past and the people around him. This is a good non-"Twilight" starring role vehicle for Lautner featuring his athleticism and quiet charisma. He manages to escape his wolf boy image, but doesn't stretch far beyond it. Director John Singleton keeps the action rolling and exploding with Lautner on the run from the bad guys and the good guys. This descent script has plausible explanations to events with acceptable flaws that make the movie work. It's classic escapism fare crafted for the teens, yet enjoyable entertainment for older generations too.
Alien gives it 3 "the list" stars out of 4.
It's Jason Bourne meets "From Russia with Love" in this mis-titled espionage action thriller. A high school student (Taylor Lautner) working on a sociology project uncovers secrets which makes him suspicious of his past and the people around him. This is a good non-"Twilight" starring role vehicle for Lautner featuring his athleticism and quiet charisma. He manages to escape his wolf boy image, but doesn't stretch far beyond it. Director John Singleton keeps the action rolling and exploding with Lautner on the run from the bad guys and the good guys. This descent script has plausible explanations to events with acceptable flaws that make the movie work. It's classic escapism fare crafted for the teens, yet enjoyable entertainment for older generations too.
Alien gives it 3 "the list" stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Drive
It's a poor man's "Transporter" when Ryan Gosling climbs into the driver's seat for a job. He is a talented but shady character whose life changes he meets a pretty girl (Carey Mulligan) and her little boy. The script is fairly predictable except for the camera-lingering-uncomfortably-too-long scenes, the musical song selections blaring too loudly, and the excessively graphic scenes of violence. It's a shame that a good cast (also featuring Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, and Albert Brooks) is wasted in this bad film. It's a bloody mess that can't be ruined by bad reviews because the film self-destructs on its own.
Alien gives it 1 ½ "beware of the scorpion" stars out of 4.
It's a poor man's "Transporter" when Ryan Gosling climbs into the driver's seat for a job. He is a talented but shady character whose life changes he meets a pretty girl (Carey Mulligan) and her little boy. The script is fairly predictable except for the camera-lingering-uncomfortably-too-long scenes, the musical song selections blaring too loudly, and the excessively graphic scenes of violence. It's a shame that a good cast (also featuring Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, and Albert Brooks) is wasted in this bad film. It's a bloody mess that can't be ruined by bad reviews because the film self-destructs on its own.
Alien gives it 1 ½ "beware of the scorpion" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Moneyball
Follow the story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) as he tries to reinvent how the game of baseball is played. His plan is to use computers and statistics to compete against the big spenders teams while his team is on a shoe string budget. Alien was delightfully surprised by the subtle bits of humor sprinkled throughout Aaron Sorkin's screenplay. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this "Little Engine That Could" story.
Alien gives it 3 "winning with less" stars out of 4.
Follow the story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) as he tries to reinvent how the game of baseball is played. His plan is to use computers and statistics to compete against the big spenders teams while his team is on a shoe string budget. Alien was delightfully surprised by the subtle bits of humor sprinkled throughout Aaron Sorkin's screenplay. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this "Little Engine That Could" story.
Alien gives it 3 "winning with less" stars out of 4.
Straw Dogs
It's "Brave One" meets "Deliverance" in a remake of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 original which alien never saw. When Amy-cakes (Kate Bosworth) returns to Blackwater, Mississippi with her husband (James Marsden), trouble starts to brew between them and the local rednecks. James Woods and Alexander Sarsgard play their villainously roles expertly. The movie is marvelously crafted and acted, but is hard to watch due the graphic violence portrayed. This film is not for the squeamish, but if you like being terrorized by backwater bullies, you might enjoy this creepy cup of Southern hospitality.
Alien gives it 3 "bear trap" stars out of 4.
It's "Brave One" meets "Deliverance" in a remake of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 original which alien never saw. When Amy-cakes (Kate Bosworth) returns to Blackwater, Mississippi with her husband (James Marsden), trouble starts to brew between them and the local rednecks. James Woods and Alexander Sarsgard play their villainously roles expertly. The movie is marvelously crafted and acted, but is hard to watch due the graphic violence portrayed. This film is not for the squeamish, but if you like being terrorized by backwater bullies, you might enjoy this creepy cup of Southern hospitality.
Alien gives it 3 "bear trap" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Contagion
It's "Outbreak" on a global scale updated with today's science and fears. As the deadly disease days start to count off, the body count exponentially climbs while the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and Homeland Security search for answers. An all star cast represents diverse points of views and actions during mass panic in epidemic proportions. There are so many stories trying to be told here that the film feels more like a fragmented documentary than a normal movie. You will be exposed to the many good and bad sides of human nature as desperation and paranoia sets in. It's a scary look at a very realistic possibility that no one wants to face for real. After viewing this panic attack, you may re-evaluate your ideas about sanitation and personal safety. Break out the guns and hand sanitizer.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "EMV-1" stars out of 4.
It's "Outbreak" on a global scale updated with today's science and fears. As the deadly disease days start to count off, the body count exponentially climbs while the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and Homeland Security search for answers. An all star cast represents diverse points of views and actions during mass panic in epidemic proportions. There are so many stories trying to be told here that the film feels more like a fragmented documentary than a normal movie. You will be exposed to the many good and bad sides of human nature as desperation and paranoia sets in. It's a scary look at a very realistic possibility that no one wants to face for real. After viewing this panic attack, you may re-evaluate your ideas about sanitation and personal safety. Break out the guns and hand sanitizer.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "EMV-1" stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Warrior
An estranged father and two brothers cross paths at a single-elimination mixed martial arts tournament labeled the "War by the Shore" in Atlantic City. The caged ultimate fighting bouts are brutal and the family's back stories are heart-breaking. It's another Cinderella story complete with a Rocky-ish Russian foe. Down to the inevitable showdown, which side will you root for, with the high school students or with the Marine Corps? This double ultimate underdog story reaches way out to tug on all of your heartstrings. The explosive action in the ring will pummel your senses.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "fighting for family and forgiveness" stars out of 4.
An estranged father and two brothers cross paths at a single-elimination mixed martial arts tournament labeled the "War by the Shore" in Atlantic City. The caged ultimate fighting bouts are brutal and the family's back stories are heart-breaking. It's another Cinderella story complete with a Rocky-ish Russian foe. Down to the inevitable showdown, which side will you root for, with the high school students or with the Marine Corps? This double ultimate underdog story reaches way out to tug on all of your heartstrings. The explosive action in the ring will pummel your senses.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "fighting for family and forgiveness" stars out of 4.
