Alien at the Movies

Arrogance, presentation, and perfection... oh mon Dieu!

Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) was a top chef in France until he self-destructed on drugs, alcohol, & diva behavior. From New Orleans, he heads to London where he plans to mount his comeback but crosses paths with some old friends & enemies. His new restaurant's opening night becomes a "Hell's Kitchen" with shades of Gordon Ramsey when things don't go well. Will chef Jones achieve his dream of 3 Michelin stars or will he crash & burn again? His relationship with sous chef (Sienna Miller) and maitre d' (Daniel Bruhl) complicates his life in the competitive world of fine dining. As expected, the glimpses of many sumptuous gourmet plates of savory bites will have the taste buds salivating. Parlez vous Francais un petit peu? Non? Well, then you'll have to read a few subtitles then.

Our Brand Is Crisis

Trailing by 28 points in the polls, a Bolivian presidential candidate hires a washed up strategist Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) to turn his campaign around. See America's sweetheart get down & dirty for the political spin city game. You'll have to see this film for yourself to figure out if Bullock uses a butt double. Billy Bob Thornton is perfect as Bodine's longtime nemesis. It's a funny political chess game as each tries to outmaneuver the other. This entertaining show is played for laughs but takes a turn at the end to bring us back to cynical reality.

Alien gives it 3 "Calamity Jane" stars out of 4. 

It's "Never Say Never" meets "Hannah Montana" meets "Echo" when an 80's cartoon show becomes a live action movie. It is the inspirational story of Jerrica Benton and her meteoric rock star rise to fame as the overnight internet sensation known only as Jem. Along with her sisters, the journey begins with Starlight Enterprises. Jerrica also must solve the mystery of the little robot Synergy left to her by her late father. Fans of the original cartoon series may be disappointed as this parallel universal version alters the canon in order to attract a new generation of Jem fans. Look for some surprise cameos. The importance of family and you can be whoever you want to be are at the heart of this wholesome family film. Don't get up too soon as the credits begin to roll or may miss the hint to a possible sequel.

Alien gives it 3 "never fear the unknown" stars out of 4.

Cursed by the Witch Queen over 800 years ago and supported by members (Michael Caine & Elijah Wood) of the Cross & Axe society, Kaulder (Vin Diesel) survives as the last witch hunter protecting humanity from those witch covens practicing the evils of their dark magic. Dazzling special effects drive this dark action/mystery with a few twists.  The movie plays out exactly as you would expect in a battle between good & evil. Diesel, Caine, & Wood are casted as familiar character types you have seen them in before. Fans of Vinnie & witchcraft are sure to be drawn to this entertaining but so magical movie. 

Alien gives it 2 ½ "immortality, a blessing or a curse" stars out of 4.

A new job takes a single mom & her teenage son to a new town where they meet an odd new neighbor. The neighbor turns out to be R.L. Stine (Jack Black), author of the famed Goosebumps books & the Stephen King of children's literature. However, in this fantasy tale, Stine's manuscripts are kept under lock & key to contain his magical monsters. Of course, these confined villains get loose & threaten the town until the "Scooby Gang" can devise a rescue plan. Targeting older kids & the reading fans of the book series, the film  sports threatening creatures, thrilling nonlethal violence, and good special effects. It's family entertainment for people looking more for action than fright. Black is his typical comedic self with a geeky sidekick kid balancing out the funny gags. Of course, there is also a romantic spark between the teenage son & the girl next door. Look for some subtle Stephen King references.

Alien gives it 3 "a good story has three parts: the beginning, the middle, & the twist" stars out of 4.

Steven Spielberg directed, Tom Hanks starred, & the Coen brothers wrote this political thriller based on a true story about honorable soldiers and pawns in the 50's cold war chess game between Russia & the U.S. with East Germany trying to make their own move. This terrific film takes you back to the looks & sentiments of the times about commies & the nuclear threat. Hanks plays the lawyer who must defend an allege Russian spy (Mark Rylance) & ultimately orchestrate a prisoner swap. Hanks & Rylance are excellent & make this movie so personable. The film is about the American justice system & cold war espionage tactics. It's an enjoyable slice of history.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "man standing" stars out of 4.

This is the grim story of how foreclosures can effect people.  A real estate broker Rick  Carver (Michael Shannon) is so obsessed with making money that he loses all sense of compassion and morality. When he has a construction worker Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) evicted, Nash becomes so desperate to reclaim his childhood home that he teams up with an unlikely person & begins to cross the ethical line. Shannon & Garfield give outstanding performances in this intense & heartbreaking story of people losing their homes. 

Alien gives it 3 "stealing people's dreams" stars out of 4.

This is the inspirational true story of a teenage Pakistani girl who stands up for equal rights in education against the Taliban. Using press footage, old still photos, and impressionistic illustrations, Malala's heroic tale is told & narrated in her own voice. She is an intelligent independent girl who becomes an activist for young girls all over the world after suffering a near fatal incident. The film also captures how she is just a normal person thrusted into the spotlight and now adjusting to a new life in England, never being able to return home again. See what makes this ordinary person so extraordinary and she got her values.

Alien gives it 3 "shot by an ideology" stars out of 4.

In this fantasy prequel, Peter Pan's untold story begins at an orphanage like in "Annie", but there is no Daddy Warbucks coming to the rescue. Instead, Peter (Levi Miller) is taken by some sky pirates & whisked away to Neverland to work in the mines digging for pixie dust. There he befriends James Hook (Garrett Hedlund) & Smee with whom he escapes. Together with Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara), they battle Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman). This is a sky high action adventure designed for older children.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "prophecy of the boy who could fly" stars out of 4.

Based on a true story, it's 1972 and a New Jersey police detective (Julianne Moore) fights for equal rights hoping to provide pension benefits for her domestic partner (Ellen Page). Moore and Page give outstanding performances in this ground breaking step towards enlightenment. This is a touching & moving inspirational film about prejudice, justice, and doing the right thing. 

Alien gives it 2 ½ "Ocean County Board" stars out of 4.