Alien at the Movies

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

With it's double edge meaning title, this movie is "42" meets "Eddie the Eagle" as the Jesse Owens story unfolds and climaxes at Hitler's controversial 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. This true life story feels tailor made for a big screen drama with a poor minority student facing discrimination at home & deciding whether to participate abroad in the biggest worldwide sporting event that may be tainted by the Nazi regime. There are no outcome surprises here because it is all part of recorded history. But it is a fascinating personal story of a man facing great pressures involving discrimination, world politics, & the Olympic spirit. There is also the terrific stories of the Ohio State coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), Avery Brundage's (Jeremy Irons) anti-boycott struggle, and the German film crew's efforts to capture history being made. Whether the personal details portrayed are totally accurately is immaterial because the film captures the essence & spirit of the man and the times to effectively characterize a true American hero in this crucial moment in history. Summaries of the key players play at the end.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Gold Medal Winner" stars out of 4.