Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Ender's Game (IMAX)
It's "Starship Troopers" for gamers when elite child video game players are recruited and trained for galactic combat against Earth's insectoid enemy. An all-star cast (Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld, and Asa Butterfield) and spectacular special effects enhance an intriguing plot about bullying, teamwork, and war. Alien has never read the popular book, but can still sense a lot of details were trimmed for this 2 hour film. Nevertheless, this is still a great action flick with a powerful message.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "child's play" stars out of 4.
It's "Starship Troopers" for gamers when elite child video game players are recruited and trained for galactic combat against Earth's insectoid enemy. An all-star cast (Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld, and Asa Butterfield) and spectacular special effects enhance an intriguing plot about bullying, teamwork, and war. Alien has never read the popular book, but can still sense a lot of details were trimmed for this 2 hour film. Nevertheless, this is still a great action flick with a powerful message.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "child's play" stars out of 4.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Free Birds (3D)
It's "Chicken Little" meets "Back to the Future" when 2 turkeys have a Jake & Reggie's Excellent Adventure traveling back to 1621 in order to stop the first Thanksgiving and thus save all of the turkeys from their holiday fate. This very funny film will have adults searching for kids to accompany them as an excuse to see this 3D animated delight. A lot of jokes will fly way over the kiddies' heads, but who cares because all will be thoroughly entertained. Stay for the break in the middle of the credits revealing one last turkey joke.
Alien gives it 3 "pardon, pizza, and telenovellas" stars out of 4.
It's "Chicken Little" meets "Back to the Future" when 2 turkeys have a Jake & Reggie's Excellent Adventure traveling back to 1621 in order to stop the first Thanksgiving and thus save all of the turkeys from their holiday fate. This very funny film will have adults searching for kids to accompany them as an excuse to see this 3D animated delight. A lot of jokes will fly way over the kiddies' heads, but who cares because all will be thoroughly entertained. Stay for the break in the middle of the credits revealing one last turkey joke.
Alien gives it 3 "pardon, pizza, and telenovellas" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Bad Grandpa
Johnny Knoxville does his own spin on "Betty White's Off Their Rocker". but it's "Borat" style. The "Jackass" filmmakers are out pranking innocent bystanders with outrageous stunts as a phony grandpa/grandson team take a cross-country road trip. The gags mainly revolve around gross & lewd setups to shock & awe their targets. Excellent makeup work transforms Knoxville into a believable grandpa and the kid does a good job of suckering their victims too. If you like crude humor, you'll probably find this film hilarious; else, not so much. A gag reel plays during the credits.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Serving Irving" stars out of 4.
Johnny Knoxville does his own spin on "Betty White's Off Their Rocker". but it's "Borat" style. The "Jackass" filmmakers are out pranking innocent bystanders with outrageous stunts as a phony grandpa/grandson team take a cross-country road trip. The gags mainly revolve around gross & lewd setups to shock & awe their targets. Excellent makeup work transforms Knoxville into a believable grandpa and the kid does a good job of suckering their victims too. If you like crude humor, you'll probably find this film hilarious; else, not so much. A gag reel plays during the credits.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Serving Irving" stars out of 4.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
About Time (revisited)
Almost 11 months ago, Alien had the opportunity to preview this delightful romantic comedy. This soon-to-be released movie looked identical to the version I had seen last November but I don't remember the film clips running during the credits. The characters are quirky. Audiences will sympathize with Tim, the awkward but lovable star of the film who tries so hard to amend his mistakes. In the end, what is most important is family and appreciating life everyday. Rated 'R' for language & sexual content, this film is cute, charming, and hilarious.
Alien confirms original his 3 ½ " do overs" stars out of 4.
Almost 11 months ago, Alien had the opportunity to preview this delightful romantic comedy. This soon-to-be released movie looked identical to the version I had seen last November but I don't remember the film clips running during the credits. The characters are quirky. Audiences will sympathize with Tim, the awkward but lovable star of the film who tries so hard to amend his mistakes. In the end, what is most important is family and appreciating life everyday. Rated 'R' for language & sexual content, this film is cute, charming, and hilarious.
Alien confirms original his 3 ½ " do overs" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Escape Plan
A professional Houdini (Sylvester Stallone) makes a living breaking out of prisons and exposing their security flaws. Double-crossed and buried away at a new high-tech escape-proof maximum security facility with a malicious warden (Jim Caviesel), our hero must enlist the help of a con (Arnold Schwazenegger) to escape. It's silly goofy over-the-top fun as two over-the-hill action stars try to recapture their glory days and bolster their macho egos. A familiar story line with stereotypical character types in a battle of good versus evil up against tremendous odds and an absurd set up situation make it a classic guilty pleasure film. Note that the credits list a drama coach for our favorite body builder/actor/politician. (This is too funny to take this film seriously)
Alien gives it 2 ½ "pros & cons of prison break" stars out of 4.
A professional Houdini (Sylvester Stallone) makes a living breaking out of prisons and exposing their security flaws. Double-crossed and buried away at a new high-tech escape-proof maximum security facility with a malicious warden (Jim Caviesel), our hero must enlist the help of a con (Arnold Schwazenegger) to escape. It's silly goofy over-the-top fun as two over-the-hill action stars try to recapture their glory days and bolster their macho egos. A familiar story line with stereotypical character types in a battle of good versus evil up against tremendous odds and an absurd set up situation make it a classic guilty pleasure film. Note that the credits list a drama coach for our favorite body builder/actor/politician. (This is too funny to take this film seriously)
Alien gives it 2 ½ "pros & cons of prison break" stars out of 4.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Last Vegas
It's "Hangover" for the AARP geriatric generation when childhood best friends re-unite 58 years later in Vegas to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of their gang members. This 'Flatbush Four' features Michael
Douglas, Kevin Kline, Morgan Freeman, and Robert De Niro. Then cut the marvelous Mary Steenburgen into the stacked deck for a classy Hollywood high rollers game of hilarity. It's fabulous fun Las Vegas style as these old guys faced with the realities of aging learn to wake up and live life. But it is not just fun and games here because the film sweetens the pot with some touching moments to complicate the relationships. Place your bets on this sure winning hand.
Alien gives it 4 "bikini contest, VIP lounge, & bachelor party" stars out of 4.
It's "Hangover" for the AARP geriatric generation when childhood best friends re-unite 58 years later in Vegas to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of their gang members. This 'Flatbush Four' features Michael
Douglas, Kevin Kline, Morgan Freeman, and Robert De Niro. Then cut the marvelous Mary Steenburgen into the stacked deck for a classy Hollywood high rollers game of hilarity. It's fabulous fun Las Vegas style as these old guys faced with the realities of aging learn to wake up and live life. But it is not just fun and games here because the film sweetens the pot with some touching moments to complicate the relationships. Place your bets on this sure winning hand.
Alien gives it 4 "bikini contest, VIP lounge, & bachelor party" stars out of 4.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The Fifth Estate
Hackers, Whistle Blowers, & Investigative Reporters... oh my!
As bloggers in opposition of mainstream press (also known as the Fifth Estate), WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daneil Bruhl) team up on a quest to expose deception & corruption of power all around the world. The portrayals by this two actors are excellent. This well-crafted film gives you a behind-the-scenes view of yesterday's headline news. Your opinion about WikiLeaks' mission and tactics will probably sway your bias towards this interesting, but dry film.
Alien gives it 2 "courage is contagious" stars out of 4.
Hackers, Whistle Blowers, & Investigative Reporters... oh my!
As bloggers in opposition of mainstream press (also known as the Fifth Estate), WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daneil Bruhl) team up on a quest to expose deception & corruption of power all around the world. The portrayals by this two actors are excellent. This well-crafted film gives you a behind-the-scenes view of yesterday's headline news. Your opinion about WikiLeaks' mission and tactics will probably sway your bias towards this interesting, but dry film.
Alien gives it 2 "courage is contagious" stars out of 4.
About Time
It's "The Butterfly Effect" meets "The Time Traveler's Wife" meets "Groundhog Day" when a socially awkward young man learns about the family secret. This hilarious romantic comedy with a time travel twist has witty dialog and creative setups. The always terrific Bill Nighy plays the dad and the always adorable Rachel McAdams is the love interest. The movie exploits human nature's desire to want a 'do over' to correct our mistakes. This work-progress film isn't expected to be released until May 2013, but it is already sweet, charming, and funny, and has an important message about how to live life. Since Alien can't travel back in time to see it again now, I'll just have to hope to catch another screening of this marvelous film next year.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "in the cupboard with eyes shut and fists clenched" stars out of 4.
(originally screened 11-29-12 but a nondisclosure statement had postponed this review until the release date or when Alien got a preview screening pass in my local area)
It's "The Butterfly Effect" meets "The Time Traveler's Wife" meets "Groundhog Day" when a socially awkward young man learns about the family secret. This hilarious romantic comedy with a time travel twist has witty dialog and creative setups. The always terrific Bill Nighy plays the dad and the always adorable Rachel McAdams is the love interest. The movie exploits human nature's desire to want a 'do over' to correct our mistakes. This work-progress film isn't expected to be released until May 2013, but it is already sweet, charming, and funny, and has an important message about how to live life. Since Alien can't travel back in time to see it again now, I'll just have to hope to catch another screening of this marvelous film next year.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "in the cupboard with eyes shut and fists clenched" stars out of 4.
(originally screened 11-29-12 but a nondisclosure statement had postponed this review until the release date or when Alien got a preview screening pass in my local area)
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Romeo & Juliet
Every umpteen years, Shakespeare's eloquent and poetic words from his classic tale of two star-crossed lovers seem to spring forth in an attempt to entertain a new generation of youths. This latest version is well made, but it has nothing special. The acting is fine. The settings and locales are beautiful and fitting, but there is an emptiness to them as if no one actually lives there. Alien's first love is Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version with Leonard Whiting & Olivia Hussey and that memorable "Romeo & Juliet Theme" song. Then in 1996, Baz Luhrmann puts a contemporary spin on the story with Leonardo DiCaprio & Clare Danes speaking in the original dialog. Alien also loved this clever, hip, and bold re-interpretation. Alas, this latest attempt just pales in comparison and adds nothing new. It stays with the tried and true. Alien even enjoyed the loosely based 'R' & Julie "Warm Bodies" version more.
Alien gives it 2 "houses cursed" stars out of 4.
Every umpteen years, Shakespeare's eloquent and poetic words from his classic tale of two star-crossed lovers seem to spring forth in an attempt to entertain a new generation of youths. This latest version is well made, but it has nothing special. The acting is fine. The settings and locales are beautiful and fitting, but there is an emptiness to them as if no one actually lives there. Alien's first love is Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version with Leonard Whiting & Olivia Hussey and that memorable "Romeo & Juliet Theme" song. Then in 1996, Baz Luhrmann puts a contemporary spin on the story with Leonardo DiCaprio & Clare Danes speaking in the original dialog. Alien also loved this clever, hip, and bold re-interpretation. Alas, this latest attempt just pales in comparison and adds nothing new. It stays with the tried and true. Alien even enjoyed the loosely based 'R' & Julie "Warm Bodies" version more.
Alien gives it 2 "houses cursed" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Runner Runner
An ambitious Princeton finance major (Justin Timberlake) trying to make ends meet gets caught between a rock and a hard place when he gets lured into a Costa Rican based on-line gambling site run by a shady operator (Ben Affleck). Timberlake & Affleck give strong convincing performances, but the fairly predictable plot doesn't create much true suspense. As Kenny Rogers sings in "The Gambler": "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away and know when to run.."
Alien gives it 3 "Midnight Black Expo" stars out of 4.
An ambitious Princeton finance major (Justin Timberlake) trying to make ends meet gets caught between a rock and a hard place when he gets lured into a Costa Rican based on-line gambling site run by a shady operator (Ben Affleck). Timberlake & Affleck give strong convincing performances, but the fairly predictable plot doesn't create much true suspense. As Kenny Rogers sings in "The Gambler": "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away and know when to run.."
Alien gives it 3 "Midnight Black Expo" stars out of 4.
