Alien at the Movies

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

There is something intriguing about that psychic board game with suggested ties to the spirits from beyond & possibly to the supernatural. But brace yourself because no horror movie ever channels friendly messages from deceased loved ones through seemingly sweet innocent children. Set in 1967, a fortune teller single mom and her 9 & 15 year old daughters team up to help give troubled people peace of mind while not scamming them. However, when the youngest child shows indications of actual supernatural communicative skills , things get creepy & scary. This is good old honest nervous fun for believers, skeptics, & those on the fence. It's simple, direct, uncomplicated fright. Stay through the credits to see how this show becomes the prequel for the 2014 OUIJA movie.

Alien gives it 3 "follow the rules" stars out of 4.

"Who the hell is Private Doss?"

This inspirational film tells the incredible true story of a conscientious objector (Andrew Garfield) who volunteers to serve his country during WWII but would not carry a weapon. Director Mel Gibson carefully defines Desmond Doss' character through key life events and then brutally exposes us to the blood & guts of war. You'll wince at every bullet piercing bodies & helmets as well as with every painful bayonet stab. Branded as a coward by his fellow army soldiers, his execution of duty in nothing short of a miracle & earns him the absolute respect from his "Band of Brothers". Only his faith in God can explain how he could survive & save so many lives that night, virtually single handedly, on Okinawa's Hacksaw Ridge. The terrific supporting cast includes Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Sam Worthington, & Vince Vaughn. Besides the horrors of war, there are some lighter moments of humor, a sweet courtship & romance, the love of family, and many brave heroics. Summaries, photos, & film footage of Desmond Doss run at the end of the film.

Alien gives it 3½ "just one more" stars out of 4.

Tom Hanks is back as Robert Langdon in the third film of the "Da Vinci Code"/"Angels & Demons" series. Radicals have implemented a deluded plan to curb world population  by spreading a plague-like virus & Langdon is hot on the trail solving the clues hidden in this cryptic Dante's Inferno puzzle. However, he is hampered by amnesia & doesn't know the good guys from the bad guys. Ben Foster, Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Sidse Babett Knudsen, & Irrfan Khan are in the supporting cast of dubious characters. It's a fabulous art & architecture museum tour thru beautiful Italy as you & he try to solve this adventure/mystery with its many twists & turns. It's not hard to guess the ending but it's a fun ride getting there.

Alien gives it 2½ "Faraday Pointer, Death Mask, & Mickey Mouse Watch" stars out of 4.

It's "The Martian" meets "A Little Romance" when a mission to Mars gets derailed by a tragic event creating an unexpected science experiment that must covered up for the good of the East Texas Project. Sixteen years later, Gardener Elliot (Asa Butterfield) heads to Earth to find a girl named Tulsa (Britt Robertson), the only person on the planet with whom he has had any contact, but in secret. Together, they go on a cross-country road trip searching for his father in a race against time. Butterfield's performance may give you a new appreciation for things you may have been taking for granted. Gary Oldman & Carla Gugino also have key roles in this well acted & constructed romance story with a sci-fi twist. Set in the future, some prototype vehicles & high tech devices sprinkled about in rural America are used to cleverly deceive our eyes. If you are an incurable romantic & dream of the future, you'll probably really enjoy this charming & entertaining film about people searching for home & happiness.

Alien gives it 3½  "Angel falling to Earth" stars out of 4.

Tyler Perry's Boo! A Madea Halloween

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

It's Madea  meets "Neighbors" meets "Fun Size" meets "Scary Movie" when Tyler Perry's lovable black woman with attitude loses track of her misbehaving niece on Halloween night. If you enjoy the Madea comedies you'll surely like this hilarious adventure that pits Madea's AARP group against underage teen girls & frat boys. It's all in the family as producer/director/writer Perry plays the father, grandfather, & aunt Madea. There is a lesson here for rebellious teenagers & softhearted parents. Look for a gag reel running during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 "brats, frats, & scaredy cats" stars out of 4.

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

It's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" meets "The Burbs" when Tim & Natalie Jones (Jon Hamm & Gal Gadot) move into Jeff & Karen Gaffney's (Zach Galifianakis & Isla Fisher) cul-de-sac. This seemingly perfect couple quickly becomes the envy of the neighborhood but then things start to get suspicious. This silly predictable action/comedy relies mostly on dumb jokes relating to inept spying on spies, human resources, & marital relations. Unfortunately, the film is more superficial than clever.

Alien gives it 2 "MBI Junetober Fest" stars out of 4.

Ironically, Tom Cruise has returned to the big screen as ex-Major Jack Reacher in a sequel subtitled "Never Go Back". It's "The Equalizer" meets "The Fugitive" meets "RED" when drifter Jack Reacher finally ventures to D.C. to meet his telephone voice friend Army Major Susan Turner (Colbie Smulders), only to discover she has been falsely arrested for treason & this streetwise 15-year-old delinquent may be his daughter. It is an action packed thrill ride as these 3 must run for their lives & figure out who & why someone is after them. The chase takes us from the nation's Capitol to New Orleans. There are no real surprises here, but it's just a lot of fun to watch. Cruise is a fighting machine, Smulders has some skills, & the teen holds her own amongst the adults.

Alien gives it 3 "government contractors" stars out of 4.

Max Steel

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

The Mattel toy company has entered into the superhero film game with its Max Steel action figure/TV series character. That fact alone should tip you off on to what you can expect. Sixteen years after a mysterious & tragic incident kills his father, Max & his mom (Maria Bello) return to their hometown to finally settle down. Geared towards 10-12 year old boys, this predictable plot involves fluid tachyon energy, alien creatures, the thirst for power, & a little flirtatious romance. Andy Garcia is cast as the dad's NTek business partner (Need I say any more). Doubt if this cookie cutter movie attempt will spawn any big screen sequels.

Alien gives it 2 "poor man's lightweight Iron Man" stars out of 4.

A holocaust denier suing for libel sounds like a ridiculous & boring idea for a courtroom drama, but that thought would be wrong. Based on a true story, WWII historian David Irving (Timothy Spall) sues university professor Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz) for her defaming references made in her book. However, the trial venue is in England where the burden of proof lies on the defendant. Weisz, Spall, & Tom Wilkinson all give excellent performances as the many individual viewpoints are explored including those of the plaintive, defendant, legal staff, & holocaust survivors. This subject matter may not be for everyone's taste but if you give it a chance & listen to the arguments & feel the emotions present, you may just appreciate & enjoy this historical event. It is a gripping story right down to the final verdict. The most haunting moments occur during the solemn pre-trial visit to Auschwitz concentration camp.

Alien gives it 3 "history fabricator" stars out of 4.

Move over Batman, there is a new "justice leaguer" is town & he's "The Accountant" (Ben Affleck), who's part "Rain Man" & part "Hitman". If you like interesting characters, uncovering secrets, & solving puzzles, you might get blown away by this action flick with an unconventional & quirky hero. Pay attention & stay focused for the many flashbacks that paint the picture for some of the key players. The talented supporting cast includes J.K. Simmons (future Commissioner Gordon), Anna Kendrick (potential Squirrel Girl), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Arrow's Amanda Waller), & John Lithgow (Footloose's Reverend Shaw Moore). The accountant is that square peg trying to fit into a round hole that just can't let it go & quit until his business is completed, even with the Treasury Department & some vicious hired guns hot on his trail. This film also shines a light on autism & the people inflicted with this form of mental illness.

Alien gives it 3½ "cooks the books & smokes the clients" stars out of 4.

It's "Rear Window" meets "Before I Go to Sleep" meets "Gone Girl" when the lives of 3 women, Rachel, Megan, & Anna, become entangled in a missing person/who done it thriller. Rachel (Emily Blunt), with an overactive imagination & a drinking problem, rides the train everyday past her ex's (Justin Theroux) house . When Megan goes missing, Rachel tries to help with the investigation but ends up as one of the possible suspects. Blunt is terrific as the pitiful troubled divorcee. Although the story runs a bit slow, this film will keep you guessing.  Marriage, divorce, infertility, pregnancy, baby, nanny, psychiatrist, lying, cheating, stalking, & drinking are all served up on this big mystery platter with a side of sex & violence to be slowly savored. 

Alien gives it 3 "sucking on her water bottle" stars out of 4.

Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children

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

Jake's (Asa Butterfield) love of his grandpa Abe (Terence Stamp) & his fantastical stories about a school for special children sets him on a journey from Florida to Wales to find closure after a tragic event. Once there, he meets Miss Peregrine (Eva Green) & some most peculiar kids. Danger lurks in this whimsical tale of monsters, time loops & immortality when they become hunted by the evil Barron (Samuel L. Jackson) & his band of invisible Hollows. Ultimately, Jake must choose between two worlds & the people he loves. Director Tim Burton creates the magical look & feel of this intriguing film. Judi Dench, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett only have minor roles.

Alien gives it 3 "eyeball delicacies" stars out of 4.