Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Annabelle
One scary gimmick from 2013's "The Conjuring" has spawned a prequel film that will undoubtedly draw the attention of horror fans. Annabelle is a creepy looking doll that for some strange reason, people desire have it. At least, until they suspect it is connected to some demonic possession and then they can't seem to get rid of it. This plot should not surprise anyone because it is pretty standard stuff for its genre. The movie is rather slow moving and is more stupid than scary as most of the potential frights are telegraphed ahead and leave little to surprise.
Alien gives it 2 "rare vintage doll collection" stars out of 4.
One scary gimmick from 2013's "The Conjuring" has spawned a prequel film that will undoubtedly draw the attention of horror fans. Annabelle is a creepy looking doll that for some strange reason, people desire have it. At least, until they suspect it is connected to some demonic possession and then they can't seem to get rid of it. This plot should not surprise anyone because it is pretty standard stuff for its genre. The movie is rather slow moving and is more stupid than scary as most of the potential frights are telegraphed ahead and leave little to surprise.
Alien gives it 2 "rare vintage doll collection" stars out of 4.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Pride
Beginning in the summer of 1984, two unlikely groups come together in a show of solidarity. A young gay activist in London forms the LGSM (Lesbians & Gays for Striking Miners) and collects donations to help the Miners in Wales who are on a national strike. This drama/comedy focuses on how the fears and prejudices of those times can be overcome if you just get to know others who are not like you. Based on true events, it is a touching story about fighting for equal rights for all. Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine, and a number of lesser known actors give wonderful performances. This may not seem like a film that interests you, but if you overcome your prejudices and give it a try, you may find yourself enjoying this movie. Updates on the characters are captioned at the end of the film.
Alien gives it 3 "Pits & Perverts" stars out of 4.
Beginning in the summer of 1984, two unlikely groups come together in a show of solidarity. A young gay activist in London forms the LGSM (Lesbians & Gays for Striking Miners) and collects donations to help the Miners in Wales who are on a national strike. This drama/comedy focuses on how the fears and prejudices of those times can be overcome if you just get to know others who are not like you. Based on true events, it is a touching story about fighting for equal rights for all. Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine, and a number of lesser known actors give wonderful performances. This may not seem like a film that interests you, but if you overcome your prejudices and give it a try, you may find yourself enjoying this movie. Updates on the characters are captioned at the end of the film.
Alien gives it 3 "Pits & Perverts" stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
The Book of Life (3D)
On a field trip to the museum, school kids get a special tour where they are told about a story from "The Book of Life". Steeped in Mexican traditions about the Day of the Dead honoring ones ancestors, this 3D animated tale involves a bet between two spirits on which boy would win the hand of a girl. Full of funny one liners and family values, the film shows these three good childhood friends grown up and must band together to fight a common enemy. Along the way they learn who they really are. It's a colorful and delightful family film about celebrating your past while looking ahead to your future.
Alien gives it 3 "amigos" stars out of 4.
On a field trip to the museum, school kids get a special tour where they are told about a story from "The Book of Life". Steeped in Mexican traditions about the Day of the Dead honoring ones ancestors, this 3D animated tale involves a bet between two spirits on which boy would win the hand of a girl. Full of funny one liners and family values, the film shows these three good childhood friends grown up and must band together to fight a common enemy. Along the way they learn who they really are. It's a colorful and delightful family film about celebrating your past while looking ahead to your future.
Alien gives it 3 "amigos" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
The Equalizer
In a remake of a classic TV series, a "Home Depot" guy (Denzel Washington) inadvertently takes on the Russian mob in Boston. When a call girl/wannabe singer/fellow night owl/casual acquaintance (Chloe Grace Moritz) ends up in the hospital, this meticulous mystery man with a stopwatch timer and a remarkable skill set steps in like the Lone Ranger. It's the savvy good Samaritan versus some ruthless Russians & their crooked cops in a cat-and-mouse game trying to eliminate each other. The villains are extremely bad this "Bob the Builder" is handy with tools and definitely badder. Director Antoine Fuqua raises the bar with his artistic flare elevating violence to an even cooler level. Promises can be made but you can't deny who you are.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "desire for justice reawaken" stars out of 4.
In a remake of a classic TV series, a "Home Depot" guy (Denzel Washington) inadvertently takes on the Russian mob in Boston. When a call girl/wannabe singer/fellow night owl/casual acquaintance (Chloe Grace Moritz) ends up in the hospital, this meticulous mystery man with a stopwatch timer and a remarkable skill set steps in like the Lone Ranger. It's the savvy good Samaritan versus some ruthless Russians & their crooked cops in a cat-and-mouse game trying to eliminate each other. The villains are extremely bad this "Bob the Builder" is handy with tools and definitely badder. Director Antoine Fuqua raises the bar with his artistic flare elevating violence to an even cooler level. Promises can be made but you can't deny who you are.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "desire for justice reawaken" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
A Walk Among The Tombstones
It's "Taken" meets "Savages" when an alcoholic retired NYPD cop (Liam Neeson) is hired by a drug trafficker to find the ruthless killers who kidnap females for a ransom. This slow moving murder mystery unfolds at a snails pace but Neeson keeps you interested as he follows the clues all around town. Set in pre-2000 New York, the film is artistically shot amidst a gloomy gray backdrop. Along the way, he encounters a weird cemetery groundskeeper and a wannabe junior assistant. Explosively violent action scenes punctuate story. The villains (Alien will call them "Smiley" & "Silent Bob") are very sadistic and feed off people's fear for their thrills.
Alien gives it 3 "Daunte Culpepper" stars out of 4.
It's "Taken" meets "Savages" when an alcoholic retired NYPD cop (Liam Neeson) is hired by a drug trafficker to find the ruthless killers who kidnap females for a ransom. This slow moving murder mystery unfolds at a snails pace but Neeson keeps you interested as he follows the clues all around town. Set in pre-2000 New York, the film is artistically shot amidst a gloomy gray backdrop. Along the way, he encounters a weird cemetery groundskeeper and a wannabe junior assistant. Explosively violent action scenes punctuate story. The villains (Alien will call them "Smiley" & "Silent Bob") are very sadistic and feed off people's fear for their thrills.
Alien gives it 3 "Daunte Culpepper" stars out of 4.
Monday, September 15, 2014
No Good Deed [goes unpunished]
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It was a dark and stormy night...
...when a mom (Taraji P. Henson) alone with 2 young kids invites a seemingly harmless stranger (Idris Elba) with car trouble into her home. From the beginning, Elba's incredibly scary performance sets the tone for this intense thriller. Henson plays the predictable part of the victim who must fight back to protect her children. Leslie Bibb has the role of the nosy best friend who asks too many questions. You get exactly what you expect from this genre except maybe the slight plot twist near the end.*
Alien gives it 3 "maligned narcissus" stars out of 4.
*The reveal of the plot twist was the excuse the studio gave for the last minute screening cancellation.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It was a dark and stormy night...
...when a mom (Taraji P. Henson) alone with 2 young kids invites a seemingly harmless stranger (Idris Elba) with car trouble into her home. From the beginning, Elba's incredibly scary performance sets the tone for this intense thriller. Henson plays the predictable part of the victim who must fight back to protect her children. Leslie Bibb has the role of the nosy best friend who asks too many questions. You get exactly what you expect from this genre except maybe the slight plot twist near the end.*
Alien gives it 3 "maligned narcissus" stars out of 4.
*The reveal of the plot twist was the excuse the studio gave for the last minute screening cancellation.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
This Is Where I Leave You
The death of a dysfunctional family's patriarch brings four adult siblings back to their childhood home for a sit Shiva (7 days of mourning). This "R" rated dramedy explores the complexities of human relationships as flawed family members deal with each other as well as their partners and their ex's. This talented ensemble cast includes Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver, Kathryn Hahn, Dax Shepard, Connie Britton, Rose Byrne, Abigail Spencer, and Timothy Olyphant. Witty dialog and zany situations will keep audiences in stitches.
Alien gives it 3 "traveling back home with their baggage" stars out of 4.
The death of a dysfunctional family's patriarch brings four adult siblings back to their childhood home for a sit Shiva (7 days of mourning). This "R" rated dramedy explores the complexities of human relationships as flawed family members deal with each other as well as their partners and their ex's. This talented ensemble cast includes Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver, Kathryn Hahn, Dax Shepard, Connie Britton, Rose Byrne, Abigail Spencer, and Timothy Olyphant. Witty dialog and zany situations will keep audiences in stitches.
Alien gives it 3 "traveling back home with their baggage" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
The Drop
In this dark and gritty little crime drama, bartender Bob (Tom Hardy) gets caught up in between the Chechen mafia and a robbery gone awry. Bob and his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) work at a drop bar where the mob randomly & secretly collects their day's illegal take. Marv used to own the bar and is bitter about about his current status. Good performances in creating odd but interesting characters will hold audiences' attention in this slow moving drama with a view of Brooklyn's seedy underbelly surrounding a neighborhood bar.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "you won't see it coming" stars out of 4.
In this dark and gritty little crime drama, bartender Bob (Tom Hardy) gets caught up in between the Chechen mafia and a robbery gone awry. Bob and his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) work at a drop bar where the mob randomly & secretly collects their day's illegal take. Marv used to own the bar and is bitter about about his current status. Good performances in creating odd but interesting characters will hold audiences' attention in this slow moving drama with a view of Brooklyn's seedy underbelly surrounding a neighborhood bar.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "you won't see it coming" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
The Maze Runner
It's "Lord of the Flies" meets "Labyrinth" meets "Unknown" meets "Them" meets "Resident Evil" when a group of amnesiac boys try to survive in the center of a mysterious wall-shifting maze. The action is intense as the boys try to unlock the secret of the maze, evade the ferocious Grievers, and possibly escape their situation. Just when Alien thought the film makers had made a glaring mistake, maybe it was really part of a clever plot twist.
Alien gives it 3 ½ " welcome to the glade, greenie" stars out of 4.
It's "Lord of the Flies" meets "Labyrinth" meets "Unknown" meets "Them" meets "Resident Evil" when a group of amnesiac boys try to survive in the center of a mysterious wall-shifting maze. The action is intense as the boys try to unlock the secret of the maze, evade the ferocious Grievers, and possibly escape their situation. Just when Alien thought the film makers had made a glaring mistake, maybe it was really part of a clever plot twist.
Alien gives it 3 ½ " welcome to the glade, greenie" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
Calvary
An Irish Catholic priest listens to a confession and is told he will be killed in a week's time. What will he do? Audiences will have quite an assortment of quirky town folk to consider as the possible threaten-er. Although the film is a bit violent, the characters are interesting. However, Alien didn't like where the film was heading; should have taken the hint from the title. The scenes of the Irish coast and surrounding countryside are fantastic.This is the kind of film the critics tend to rave about, but the general public not so much.
Alien gives it 2 "sinners & saints" stars out of 4.
An Irish Catholic priest listens to a confession and is told he will be killed in a week's time. What will he do? Audiences will have quite an assortment of quirky town folk to consider as the possible threaten-er. Although the film is a bit violent, the characters are interesting. However, Alien didn't like where the film was heading; should have taken the hint from the title. The scenes of the Irish coast and surrounding countryside are fantastic.This is the kind of film the critics tend to rave about, but the general public not so much.
Alien gives it 2 "sinners & saints" stars out of 4.
