Saturday, September 29, 2012
Cinderella
This Disney classic makes its appearance on the big screen as a promotion for its Blu-Ray release. It still that charming children's story with the magical fairy godmother, the catching Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo song, the cute little animal characters, and the evil step-mother & step-sisters. Alien didn't realise the original was not wide screen and wonders about the Blu-Ray format. Couldn't Disney computer generate extended backgrounds or give it the 3D treatment?
Alien gives it 3 "glass slipper" stars out of 4.
This Disney classic makes its appearance on the big screen as a promotion for its Blu-Ray release. It still that charming children's story with the magical fairy godmother, the catching Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo song, the cute little animal characters, and the evil step-mother & step-sisters. Alien didn't realise the original was not wide screen and wonders about the Blu-Ray format. Couldn't Disney computer generate extended backgrounds or give it the 3D treatment?
Alien gives it 3 "glass slipper" stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Seven Psychopaths
An alcoholic struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) and his pals (Sam Rockwell & Christopher Walken) get themselves into big trouble when they kidnap a gangster's dog for ransoming. Figuring out the scheme, the gangster (Woody Harrelson) sets out to recover his beloved dog. This odd ball comedy features witty dialogue, over-the-top violence, and quirky characters as it satirizes the kidnap/ransom genre. Alien thought the film was entertaining, but limited in its mass appeal. At the beginning of the credits, a faux film malfunction reveals one last scene so stay seated if you haven't already fled the theater.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "serial killer with a bunny" stars out of 4.
An alcoholic struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell) and his pals (Sam Rockwell & Christopher Walken) get themselves into big trouble when they kidnap a gangster's dog for ransoming. Figuring out the scheme, the gangster (Woody Harrelson) sets out to recover his beloved dog. This odd ball comedy features witty dialogue, over-the-top violence, and quirky characters as it satirizes the kidnap/ransom genre. Alien thought the film was entertaining, but limited in its mass appeal. At the beginning of the credits, a faux film malfunction reveals one last scene so stay seated if you haven't already fled the theater.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "serial killer with a bunny" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Looper
It's "Timecop" meets "Back to the Future" when criminals of tomorrow dispose of their enemies by sending them to the past for execution by a "looper". But the game changes when old Joe (Bruce Willis) time travels back to be terminated by his younger self (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Excellent facial prosthetics help make Gordon-Levitt convincing as the younger looking Joe. Emily Blunt is surprisingly American for her role. The little boy is adorable. This sci-fi action thriller will keep you guessing.
Alien gives it 3 "closing the loop" stars out of 4.
It's "Timecop" meets "Back to the Future" when criminals of tomorrow dispose of their enemies by sending them to the past for execution by a "looper". But the game changes when old Joe (Bruce Willis) time travels back to be terminated by his younger self (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Excellent facial prosthetics help make Gordon-Levitt convincing as the younger looking Joe. Emily Blunt is surprisingly American for her role. The little boy is adorable. This sci-fi action thriller will keep you guessing.
Alien gives it 3 "closing the loop" stars out of 4.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Rescue (3D)
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Watch the men and women of some military and volunteer teams practice their daring rescue techniques. These behind-the-scene footages will give you some insights to the possible dangers encountered. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, beware that this 3D IMAX film may cause a faux sense of dizziness. The film climaxes with the Haitian earthquake disaster which may startle you with the magnitude of its devastation.
Alien gives it 3 "masters of disasters" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Watch the men and women of some military and volunteer teams practice their daring rescue techniques. These behind-the-scene footages will give you some insights to the possible dangers encountered. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, beware that this 3D IMAX film may cause a faux sense of dizziness. The film climaxes with the Haitian earthquake disaster which may startle you with the magnitude of its devastation.
Alien gives it 3 "masters of disasters" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Lawless
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It's "Thunder Road" meets "The Untouchables" meets "The Godfather" when hilly billy moonshiners go to war against hired city slicker thugs. Three brothers refuse to knuckle under from corruption coercion during the Prohibition period. One tough son-of-a-bitch (Tom Hardy) goes up against a mean son-of-a-bitch (Guy Pearce). Excellent performances (including Shia LaBoeuf and Jessica Chastain) highlight this based on a true story that's splattered with brutal violence.
Alien gives it 3 "Franklin County Corruption Conspiracy" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It's "Thunder Road" meets "The Untouchables" meets "The Godfather" when hilly billy moonshiners go to war against hired city slicker thugs. Three brothers refuse to knuckle under from corruption coercion during the Prohibition period. One tough son-of-a-bitch (Tom Hardy) goes up against a mean son-of-a-bitch (Guy Pearce). Excellent performances (including Shia LaBoeuf and Jessica Chastain) highlight this based on a true story that's splattered with brutal violence.
Alien gives it 3 "Franklin County Corruption Conspiracy" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
For a Good Time, Call
It's "The B**** in Apt 23" meets "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" when two frienemies move in together and start a phone sex business in order to make ends meet. In-your-face raunchy sex talk and objects cleverly disguise this "R" rated romantic comedy with a twist. Girl meets girl, girl hates girl, girl must tolerate girl, girl likes girl, girl loses girl, and finally girl loves girl. The male callers come off more as perverts than anything funny. Amongst them, look for one rather famous cameo. Targeting a younger audience, Alien found the humor a bit uncomfortable and awkwardly embarrassing at times and not as funny as hoped. If you prefer your intimate moments more private, perhaps you better lose this number or you may find yourself hanging up in mid-conversation.
Alien gives it 2 "1-800-MMM-HMMM" stars out of 4.
It's "The B**** in Apt 23" meets "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" when two frienemies move in together and start a phone sex business in order to make ends meet. In-your-face raunchy sex talk and objects cleverly disguise this "R" rated romantic comedy with a twist. Girl meets girl, girl hates girl, girl must tolerate girl, girl likes girl, girl loses girl, and finally girl loves girl. The male callers come off more as perverts than anything funny. Amongst them, look for one rather famous cameo. Targeting a younger audience, Alien found the humor a bit uncomfortable and awkwardly embarrassing at times and not as funny as hoped. If you prefer your intimate moments more private, perhaps you better lose this number or you may find yourself hanging up in mid-conversation.
Alien gives it 2 "1-800-MMM-HMMM" stars out of 4.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Arbitrage
Robert Miller (Richard Gere) is a hedge fund manipulator caught in between a rock and a hard place. Gere's portrayal of a rich and powerful bastard who plays everything to win at any cost is excellent and unsympathetic. Miller must dodge financial audits and police investigations in this thriller. Susan Sarandon is the faithful wife and Tim Roth plays the detective in a relentless pursuit of justice. In the end, will Miller succeed or fail or will he be out manipulated?
Alien gives it 2 ½ "blinded by greed" stars out of 4.
Robert Miller (Richard Gere) is a hedge fund manipulator caught in between a rock and a hard place. Gere's portrayal of a rich and powerful bastard who plays everything to win at any cost is excellent and unsympathetic. Miller must dodge financial audits and police investigations in this thriller. Susan Sarandon is the faithful wife and Tim Roth plays the detective in a relentless pursuit of justice. In the end, will Miller succeed or fail or will he be out manipulated?
Alien gives it 2 ½ "blinded by greed" stars out of 4.
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Finding Nemo (3D)
It is a whale of a tale as an overprotective father learns to let go and trust his handicapped son. Disney has re-tuned it's charming search-for-a-lost-child/prison break adventure with a wonderful 3D effect for limited big screen release. Collectible orange and white 3D Nemo glasses were supplied, but Alien found them a bit snug over his regular glasses. It has been ages since Alien has seen the original, but still found it delightfully entertaining for young and old. Ellen Degeneres is absolutely hilarious as the memory-challenged Dory. Also, a terrific "Toy Story" short about bath time fun preceded this "Finding Nemo" screening.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "shark bait heroics" stars out of 4.
It is a whale of a tale as an overprotective father learns to let go and trust his handicapped son. Disney has re-tuned it's charming search-for-a-lost-child/prison break adventure with a wonderful 3D effect for limited big screen release. Collectible orange and white 3D Nemo glasses were supplied, but Alien found them a bit snug over his regular glasses. It has been ages since Alien has seen the original, but still found it delightfully entertaining for young and old. Ellen Degeneres is absolutely hilarious as the memory-challenged Dory. Also, a terrific "Toy Story" short about bath time fun preceded this "Finding Nemo" screening.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "shark bait heroics" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Trouble with the Curve
An aging baseball talent scout (Clint Eastwood) hiding a secret and his ambitious attorney daughter (Amy Adams) reluctantly team up to evaluate a potential up-and-coming player for the Atlanta Braves. Baseball is just the backdrop for this powerful father/daughter relationship story that will tug at your heart strings. In the on deck circle, the film has the talented Justin Timberlake in the lineup for an interesting 3-way connection. You'll want to root, root for the home team as this feel good story rounds the bases. Alien sees a major league hit here with an all star cast and a wonderful game plan of a story that's always trying to go for extra bases.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "you are my sunshine" stars out of 4.
An aging baseball talent scout (Clint Eastwood) hiding a secret and his ambitious attorney daughter (Amy Adams) reluctantly team up to evaluate a potential up-and-coming player for the Atlanta Braves. Baseball is just the backdrop for this powerful father/daughter relationship story that will tug at your heart strings. In the on deck circle, the film has the talented Justin Timberlake in the lineup for an interesting 3-way connection. You'll want to root, root for the home team as this feel good story rounds the bases. Alien sees a major league hit here with an all star cast and a wonderful game plan of a story that's always trying to go for extra bases.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "you are my sunshine" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
The Words
It's a complex tale about an author's tragic story; only Alien isn't sure whose story it belongs to as the lines between fact and fiction become blurred. The movie raises issues about deceit, guilt, and righting wrongs. Good acting from Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, and Olivia Wilde evoke emotional responses and drive this story-within-a-story mystery. If you go to see this film thinking it's just a love story, you'll get more than you bargained for. Some romances are incorporated into this film, it's not really a love story. The ending may be less than satisfying and will undoubtedly trigger lots of discussions.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "life story stolen by a writer without a pen" stars out of 4.
It's a complex tale about an author's tragic story; only Alien isn't sure whose story it belongs to as the lines between fact and fiction become blurred. The movie raises issues about deceit, guilt, and righting wrongs. Good acting from Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, and Olivia Wilde evoke emotional responses and drive this story-within-a-story mystery. If you go to see this film thinking it's just a love story, you'll get more than you bargained for. Some romances are incorporated into this film, it's not really a love story. The ending may be less than satisfying and will undoubtedly trigger lots of discussions.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "life story stolen by a writer without a pen" stars out of 4.
