Alien at the Movies

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

Six U.S. security contractors at a nearby CIA annex decide on their own to spring into action when the U.S. Consulate in Libya comes under mob attack by jihadists on September 11, 2012. It is a heart pounding fire fight trying rescue ambassador Chris Stevens & protecting the American personnel at the annex as wave after wave of attacks are launched. Besides the intense action, the film gives some insights to these heroic warriors as to what drives these family men to do what they do. Photos of the real people portrayed are featured at end of the film.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Are those friendlies?" stars out of 4.

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

It's New Mexico 1871 and with her husband critically wounded, Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman) seeks her ex-boyfriend Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton) to help protect her family from the outlaw John Bishop (Ewan McGregor) & his gang. Jane, Dan, & John all have secrets that are revealed during the course of this Wild West drama, kind of a mini "The Magnificent Seven" minus six. But it's still a good shoot 'em up/guns a blazing shoot out film. Portman plays that strong western woman & Edgerton has a hand in writing this screenplay.

Alien gives it 3 "the Bishop Boys, Wanted Dead or Alive" stars out of 4.

The biblical story of Jesus' resurrection is told as seen through the eyes of non-believer Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a fictional Roman tribune charged by Pontius Pilate to investigate the rumors of a Jewish messiah rising from the dead. This is a well made film with great costumes & sets. This movie plays like a police drama of an "Unsolved Mystery". Unfortunately for Tom Felton, his association with role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films unfairly draws more of a snickering reaction. 

Alien gives it 2 ½ "visual Sunday school lesson" stars out of 4.

Based on a true story, the U.S. Coast Guard sends a small crew out on a blizzard stormy November night in 1952 to rescue any survivors of a sinking oil tanker torn in half. Is this the story of dutiful dedication or a suicide mission? It's high drama on the high seas. It's desperate people making desperate decisions under desperate conditions. It's a great character driven story about an strong independent woman, a by-the-book seaman, an out-of-place commander, & a leader of a crew wanting to abandon ship. The outstanding cast is lead by Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, & Eric Bana. Photos of the real people portrayed run during to the credits. 

Alien gives it 3 ½ "pitchpole" stars out of 4.

God Is Not Dead 2

Continuing on with some of the same characters from the 2014 "God Is Not Dead", this religious sequel involves a high school history teacher (Melissa Joan Hart) being tried in court on a separation of church & state issue after she answers a question posed by her student. Similar to the original film, the premise sets up a debate over religion with both sides being presented. Once again, many characters interact in subplots that contribute to the message. Among those familiar faces are Jesse Metcalfe, Robin Givens, Fred Thompson, Ernie Hudson, Ray Wise, & Pat Boone. During the credits, this well done film lists numerous real life court cases tried along the same topic. This film is scheduled to be released on April 1, 2016.

Alien gives it 3 "God is not dead, surely he's alive" stars out of 4.

Eddie the Eagle

Based on a true story, this inspiration movie recounts a little boy's dream of becoming an Olympian & a young man's determination to make it happen. Michael "Eddie" Edwards (Taron Egerton) manages to compete in the 1988 Calgary Olympics as a ski jumper. It is an amazing story that you will have to see for yourself to truly enjoy it. Hugh Jackman plays Eddie's reluctant trainer in a side story about an alcoholic ski jumping champion washout. Although the movie is largely fictionalized, the end result is a light hearted & moving story about a real life underdog/novelty act who became an Olympic fan favorite & media sensation for his 15 minutes of fame. Come see this film so you can root for and soar with Eddie the Eagle.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "in the true spirit of the Olympic Games" stars out of 4.

Escalating alien attacks on Earth throws the life of a typical high school girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) into turmoil as she must desperately rescue her little brother while not knowing who to trust. This sci-fi thriller based on a young adult novel trilogy builds to the climax of the fifth wave attack reveal. The film also hints at possible love triangle developing. Veteran actors Liev Schreiber & Maria Bello add to the cast featuring mostly the younger generation. If you are hoping for an inside look at these menacing aliens & their technology, you may be disappointed. This film may be fine for a younger crowd but true sci-fi addicts will likely be disappointed.

Alien gives it 2 "Zombie, Ringer, Teacup, & Nugget" stars out of 4.

Not to be confused with the 2013 hidden camera Jackass film production of "Bad Grandpa", this is an actual movie with a real script but it is also "R" rated for sexual content, language, nudity, & drug usage. Just a week before his wedding to his boss' daughter, uptight conservative corporate lawyer Jason (Zac Efron) is tricked into taking his just widowed grandpa (Robert De Niro) on a road trip from Atlanta to Florida that will have life altering impacts. It is a hilarious adult themed comedy that your eyes & ears won't believe what you are witnessing from these two. Jullianne Hough & Dermont Mulroney add to the mix, but Aubrey Plaza steals her scenes as the outrageous sex crazed girl on a mission. As in all romantic comedies the storyline outcome is predictable, but it's the road trip journey that will keep you laughing because it is so wrong that you can't help it. Don't get up too fast when the credits start to roll or you might miss the final bit.

Alien gives it 3 "Flex Off Challenge" stars out of 4. 

It's "My Two Dads" meets "Star Wars" in this sequel where the student becomes the mentor, meets his biological father, & uses life energy power to battle his enemy. Dragon Warrior Po & the Fierce Five must fight the evil Kai who manages to escape his "phantom zone" prison by capturing the chi of various animal masters. It takes a village & sacrifice to save the world from the all powerful Kai. This third film retains the humor, charm, & excitement of its predecessors. It's good family fun for young & old.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "the Chi is strong in this one" stars out of 4.

This stop-action animated comedy/drama about loneliness is one of the weirdest & most bizarre movies Alien has ever viewed. The animation is magnificent with a ton of attention to detail but it was hard to visualize where this story about a self help motivational speaker was going. Realistic movement & sets were recreated as if in a live action film but there were always the distracting visible facial separations necessary for creating character expressions present. Confusing also was the use of only 3 voices, David Thewlis for Michael, Jennifer Jason Leigh for Lisa, and Tom Noonan for all of the rest whether male or female (apparently how Michael hears the world). This "R" rated adult themed film is no kiddie cartoon with an open all night "toy" store, full frontal nudity, and a sex act that could be shocking for the unsuspecting. The mundane story reflects the main character's life as he searches for love. This film is artistically entertaining but awkwardly funny & story-wise unfulfilling.

Alien gives it 2 "Cincinnati's Hotel Fregoli" stars out of 4.

It's Jane Austen meets George Romero in this twisted alternate universe version of "Pride and Prejudice". The storyline about manners & class remains but it's tempered by a zombie apocalypse threat. It's a great looking period piece with a terrific cast, a sly sense of humor, and a clever script adaptation. It's romance in "Zombieland" with shades of "Twilight" & "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" when "London Has Fallen". If you are a fan of both of these two genres, you'll probably just love this movie. It is a hoot. Don't get up too soon when the credits start to roll or you may miss a key final scene.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "carrion flies & the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" stars out of 4.

It's "Miami Vice" meets "Black Hat" meets "Grand Theft Auto" meets "The Wedding Planner" when beauty & the beast (Olivia Munn & Ice Cube) team up with 2 dwarves (Kevin Hart & Ken Jeong) in a murder/embezzlement/drug & arms smuggling case. This hilarious sequel has the soon-to-be brothers-in-law Ben & James of the Atlanta PD traveling to Miami looking for a person of interest. With Ice Cube, Hart, & Jeong, you pretty much know what to expect. This is a typical cops & bad guys plot with good action scenes & big explosions but peppered with zany humor from Hart & Jeong. This buddy cop comedy continues its little-engine-that-could storyline.

Alien gives it 3 "Black Hammer" stars out of 4.

Inspired by true events, it's man vs nature, man vs beast, and man vs man in the unexplored untamed wild frontier of furs & flintlocks. Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) leads a group of quasi-military hunters & trappers when they are ambushed by Native American Indians searching for their chief's kidnapped daughter. From there, this story of survival & revenge goes from bad to worse for Glass. The film is a riveting delicate balance of beauty & brutality. Some of the most stunning breathtaking shots of nature is countered by some of the most shocking agonizing scenes of cringe provoking violence. An unrecognizable Tom Hardy plays Glass' nemesis. This nearly 2 ½ hour journey of crawling & trudging through the snow will make you question your survival skills. Not many will probably know that the film's title means person or apparition returning from the dead.

Alien gives it 3 "in the hands of God" stars out of 4.