Saturday, November 29, 2014
Penguins of Madagascar (3D) Re-visitation after Penguins Interuptus
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It's James Bond meets "Mission Impossible" meets "The Incredibles" when the tuxedoed four encounter British agents from the North Wind and a villain disguised as Dr. Octavius Brine in their efforts to save penguin-kind. A revenge plot drives this family fun film. Kids can laugh at the silly penguin antics. Adults can listen for those bad puns. Stay seated for a mid-credits scene.
Alien gives it 3 "cuteness factor" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It's James Bond meets "Mission Impossible" meets "The Incredibles" when the tuxedoed four encounter British agents from the North Wind and a villain disguised as Dr. Octavius Brine in their efforts to save penguin-kind. A revenge plot drives this family fun film. Kids can laugh at the silly penguin antics. Adults can listen for those bad puns. Stay seated for a mid-credits scene.
Alien gives it 3 "cuteness factor" stars out of 4.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Penguins of Madagascar (3D)
Meet those lovable penguins, Skipper, Kowalski, and Rico, as juveniles when they first encounter Private. Jump to the present when this covert quartet becomes fed up with their Madagascar friends' music and depart for their next mission, breaking into Fort Knox. This is about 15 minutes into this fabulous feature when an unfortunate power outage has struck forcing the evacuation of the theater. Alien can only hope for a rescheduled screening on Monday or Tuesday before the film opens on Wednesday. This short tease was everything Alien was hoping for and looks forward to seeing the rest of the film very soon.
Alien gives it a "Cheezy Dibbles" incomplete.
Meet those lovable penguins, Skipper, Kowalski, and Rico, as juveniles when they first encounter Private. Jump to the present when this covert quartet becomes fed up with their Madagascar friends' music and depart for their next mission, breaking into Fort Knox. This is about 15 minutes into this fabulous feature when an unfortunate power outage has struck forcing the evacuation of the theater. Alien can only hope for a rescheduled screening on Monday or Tuesday before the film opens on Wednesday. This short tease was everything Alien was hoping for and looks forward to seeing the rest of the film very soon.
Alien gives it a "Cheezy Dibbles" incomplete.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Horrible Bosses 2
It's "Ruthless People" all over again when "Dumb & Dumber" (Jason Sudeikis & Charlie Day) and Just-Stupid-Enough-To-Go-Along-With-Them (Jason Bateman) desperately plan a kidnapping scheme in order to avoid bankruptcy. However, nothing goes right for these idiots in this insane comedy. These three are perfectly cast for their roles. Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Jamie Foxx return to reprise their over-the-top original roles. Chris Pine & Christoph Waltz are hilarious new additions. It's raunchy jokes, sight gags, and outrageous dialogue in this "R" rated film. If you liked the first film, you'll certainly enjoy more of the same nonsense, If you are looking for laughs, you might want to check out this movie. A gag reel runs at the beginning of the credits.
Alien gives it 3 "Shower Buddy"stars out of 4.
It's "Ruthless People" all over again when "Dumb & Dumber" (Jason Sudeikis & Charlie Day) and Just-Stupid-Enough-To-Go-Along-With-Them (Jason Bateman) desperately plan a kidnapping scheme in order to avoid bankruptcy. However, nothing goes right for these idiots in this insane comedy. These three are perfectly cast for their roles. Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Jamie Foxx return to reprise their over-the-top original roles. Chris Pine & Christoph Waltz are hilarious new additions. It's raunchy jokes, sight gags, and outrageous dialogue in this "R" rated film. If you liked the first film, you'll certainly enjoy more of the same nonsense, If you are looking for laughs, you might want to check out this movie. A gag reel runs at the beginning of the credits.
Alien gives it 3 "Shower Buddy"stars out of 4.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
It's The Hunger Games: The Capitol Strikes Back.
Katniss has found Prim but has lost Peeta. District 13 surfaces. Peeta & Katniss become political pawns as the beginnings of a civil war brew. The series turns darker with bombing runs, resistance raids, propaganda films, and a covert rescue mission where you can almost hear Admiral Ackbar scream "it's a trap". Katniss continues to dominate the serious side with her emotional bursts while Effie carries the comic relief. Of course, any film labeled "Part 1" is bound to leave audiences a bit unsatisfied and wanting more. It all feels like a slow set up for the big finale.
Alien gives it 3 "the hanging tree" stars out of 4.
It's The Hunger Games: The Capitol Strikes Back.
Katniss has found Prim but has lost Peeta. District 13 surfaces. Peeta & Katniss become political pawns as the beginnings of a civil war brew. The series turns darker with bombing runs, resistance raids, propaganda films, and a covert rescue mission where you can almost hear Admiral Ackbar scream "it's a trap". Katniss continues to dominate the serious side with her emotional bursts while Effie carries the comic relief. Of course, any film labeled "Part 1" is bound to leave audiences a bit unsatisfied and wanting more. It all feels like a slow set up for the big finale.
Alien gives it 3 "the hanging tree" stars out of 4.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Whiplash
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Whoa! It's "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" when a talented drummer Andrew (Miles Teller) attends a prestigious New York music conservatory and is intimidated by his instructor Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) who is abusively demanding. Teller and Simmons are outstanding as the new recruit aspiring for greatness and the S.O.B. music camp drill sergeant expecting perfection from his students. The film is absolutely intense. What drives this young man to push himself beyond normal expectations? Is his mentor for or against him? You will root for Andrew and love to hate Fletcher.
Alien gives it 3 "are you rushing or dragging" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Whoa! It's "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" when a talented drummer Andrew (Miles Teller) attends a prestigious New York music conservatory and is intimidated by his instructor Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) who is abusively demanding. Teller and Simmons are outstanding as the new recruit aspiring for greatness and the S.O.B. music camp drill sergeant expecting perfection from his students. The film is absolutely intense. What drives this young man to push himself beyond normal expectations? Is his mentor for or against him? You will root for Andrew and love to hate Fletcher.
Alien gives it 3 "are you rushing or dragging" stars out of 4.
Friday, November 14, 2014
The Theory of Everything
It's a "Big Bang Theory (Sheldon-Penny) love story when a science student meets an art major in 1963 Cambridge or how Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) & Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones) met, fell in love, and survived a crippling disease. Experience the highs of blossoming young love versus the tragic lows of debilitating muscular disorder. Jones is terrific as the devoted partner. Redmayne is amazingly convincing and gives an unbelievable performance. The movie also has some wonderful visuals. Alien was surprised by Hawking's sense of humor. This film is based on the memoirs by Jane Hawking.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "incurable degenerative neuromuscular disease" stars out of 4.
It's a "Big Bang Theory (Sheldon-Penny) love story when a science student meets an art major in 1963 Cambridge or how Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) & Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones) met, fell in love, and survived a crippling disease. Experience the highs of blossoming young love versus the tragic lows of debilitating muscular disorder. Jones is terrific as the devoted partner. Redmayne is amazingly convincing and gives an unbelievable performance. The movie also has some wonderful visuals. Alien was surprised by Hawking's sense of humor. This film is based on the memoirs by Jane Hawking.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "incurable degenerative neuromuscular disease" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Beyond the Lights
A rising music superstar (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and a young cop (Nate Parker) both have plans to shake up the world but destiny steps in one night out on a suicide balcony. Minnie Driver plays the demanding & controlling stage mom/manager cashing in on her daughter's talent. Danny Glover is the police captain/father with a political career plan for his son. Of course, the troubled talent and her officer hero fall in love, split up, find themselves, and reunite in this clichéd romance tale about a singer who finally finds her voice & her freedom. It's entertaining but nothing new here. Mbatha-Raw is the star here and an actress to keep an eye out for.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "ICU2" stars out of 4.
A rising music superstar (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and a young cop (Nate Parker) both have plans to shake up the world but destiny steps in one night out on a suicide balcony. Minnie Driver plays the demanding & controlling stage mom/manager cashing in on her daughter's talent. Danny Glover is the police captain/father with a political career plan for his son. Of course, the troubled talent and her officer hero fall in love, split up, find themselves, and reunite in this clichéd romance tale about a singer who finally finds her voice & her freedom. It's entertaining but nothing new here. Mbatha-Raw is the star here and an actress to keep an eye out for.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "ICU2" stars out of 4.
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Interstellar (IMAX)
It's "Gravity" meets "2001 Space Odyssey" when director/writer Christopher Nolan takes us where no man has gone before; thru a wormhole, to Waterworld, to the ice planet Hoth, and into a Black Hole. Set in the near future when blight has nearly wiped out all crops except corn and giant dust storms are commonplace, mankind is desperately seeking another habitable planet for survival. Mathew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Matt Damon give outstanding performances.The special effects and the cinematography are spectacular. It is a story of time, space, gravity, survival, and love. Brushing up on your space knowledge & jargon may spare you from feeling a little lost in space. After enduring this whopping 169 minute journey, it may feel like you had your own wormhole experience. Is it hype or hyperspace?
Alien gives it 3 ½ "father/daughter connection" stars out of 4.
It's "Gravity" meets "2001 Space Odyssey" when director/writer Christopher Nolan takes us where no man has gone before; thru a wormhole, to Waterworld, to the ice planet Hoth, and into a Black Hole. Set in the near future when blight has nearly wiped out all crops except corn and giant dust storms are commonplace, mankind is desperately seeking another habitable planet for survival. Mathew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Matt Damon give outstanding performances.The special effects and the cinematography are spectacular. It is a story of time, space, gravity, survival, and love. Brushing up on your space knowledge & jargon may spare you from feeling a little lost in space. After enduring this whopping 169 minute journey, it may feel like you had your own wormhole experience. Is it hype or hyperspace?
Alien gives it 3 ½ "father/daughter connection" stars out of 4.
Wednesday, November 05, 2014
Dumb and Dumber To
Twenty years later, older but not wiser, that pair of "Three Stooges" idiots return to the big screen for more silliness, sight gags, pranks, and gross humor. A search for a kidney match leads the pair to find a daughter they never knew about and a wild road trip involving attempted murder. Alien found it better than expected and not quite as stupid as anticipated. Stay for through the credits for more road adventure antics and a sequel gag.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Knowledge & Engineering Nexus" stars out of 4.
Twenty years later, older but not wiser, that pair of "Three Stooges" idiots return to the big screen for more silliness, sight gags, pranks, and gross humor. A search for a kidney match leads the pair to find a daughter they never knew about and a wild road trip involving attempted murder. Alien found it better than expected and not quite as stupid as anticipated. Stay for through the credits for more road adventure antics and a sequel gag.
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Knowledge & Engineering Nexus" stars out of 4.
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Nightcrawler
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
An enterprising scrap metal thief (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes fascinated with the world of late night sensationalized news reporting. Gyllenhaal gives an amazingly creepy performance as an amoral nightcrawler crossing the line from filming the news to orchestrating the news for money and the attention. He is a psycho train wreck but you can't keep your eyes off of him and you definitely don't want to run into him. This is a disturbing look at TMZ journalism/nightstalking/ambulance chasing. It will make you think about some of those startling photos and videos were obtained. This chilling film is very well done but not necessarily easy to watch or everyone's cup of tea.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "at any cost" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
An enterprising scrap metal thief (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes fascinated with the world of late night sensationalized news reporting. Gyllenhaal gives an amazingly creepy performance as an amoral nightcrawler crossing the line from filming the news to orchestrating the news for money and the attention. He is a psycho train wreck but you can't keep your eyes off of him and you definitely don't want to run into him. This is a disturbing look at TMZ journalism/nightstalking/ambulance chasing. It will make you think about some of those startling photos and videos were obtained. This chilling film is very well done but not necessarily easy to watch or everyone's cup of tea.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "at any cost" stars out of 4.
Monday, November 03, 2014
OUIJA
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Half a dozen teenagers get together in an older home late at night to use an old classic board game, the OUIJA Board, to contact spirits from the beyond and, of course, get more than they bargained for. A favorite childhood toymaker, Hasbro, who has previously brought to the big screen Transformers, Battleship, and G.I. Joe, now unleashes the supernatural evil that we all fear may arise from this magical board of mystery. This film is not a big time scare, but if you already believe in ghostly spirits, beware!
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Hi Friend" stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Half a dozen teenagers get together in an older home late at night to use an old classic board game, the OUIJA Board, to contact spirits from the beyond and, of course, get more than they bargained for. A favorite childhood toymaker, Hasbro, who has previously brought to the big screen Transformers, Battleship, and G.I. Joe, now unleashes the supernatural evil that we all fear may arise from this magical board of mystery. This film is not a big time scare, but if you already believe in ghostly spirits, beware!
Alien gives it 2 ½ "Hi Friend" stars out of 4.
Saturday, November 01, 2014
Big Hero 6 (3D)
When East meets West and Disney meets Marvel, it's "How to Train Your Dragon" meets "The Big Bang Theory" meets "The Incredibles" in futuristic San Fransokyo. Based on an obscure Marvel Comic team of the same name, a child robotics prodigy, Hiro, teams up with a plus-size inflatable health care companion robot named Baymax and some fellow high-tech institute geeks to battle an evil masked villain in a tale of revenge. This hilarious animated action film is good fun entertainment with a high cuteness factor for the whole family. The message here is that sometimes family means more than just blood. Stay until the end of credits for one last scene and Marvel tribute. Look for a Disney short about a dog, his food, and his master as a preview to the feature film.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "soft, cuddly, & squishy" stars out of 4.
When East meets West and Disney meets Marvel, it's "How to Train Your Dragon" meets "The Big Bang Theory" meets "The Incredibles" in futuristic San Fransokyo. Based on an obscure Marvel Comic team of the same name, a child robotics prodigy, Hiro, teams up with a plus-size inflatable health care companion robot named Baymax and some fellow high-tech institute geeks to battle an evil masked villain in a tale of revenge. This hilarious animated action film is good fun entertainment with a high cuteness factor for the whole family. The message here is that sometimes family means more than just blood. Stay until the end of credits for one last scene and Marvel tribute. Look for a Disney short about a dog, his food, and his master as a preview to the feature film.
Alien gives it 3 ½ "soft, cuddly, & squishy" stars out of 4.
