Alien at the Movies

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.