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Saturday, June 30, 2018

American Animals

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

Two college kids who were friends since childhood fantasize about robbing a rare books collection at their local university library in Lexington, Kentucky in 2004. See how their imagination turns into reality as they enlist 2 more friends in this daring heist. This true story is told in a stylish & artistic manner that integrates the real people portrayed into the film in an unique fashion. See how 4 basically good kids get off on the wrong path as they search for something more in their life & they try to explain how it all happened. A summary of  what has become of these key players run st the film’s end.

Alien gives it 3 “beyond their wildest imagination“ stars out of 4.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Uncle Drew

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

Basketball coach Dax (Lil Rel Howery) faces his long time rival & arch enemy Mookie (Nick Kroll) for a big Harlem street ball tournament. In this sports comedy, major setbacks force Dax to replace his team with septuagenarian players (played by basketball professionals Kyrie Irving, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robertson, Lisa Leslie, & Shaquille O’Neal). Tiffany Haddish, Erica Ash, J.B. Smoove, & Mike Epps round out the cast. Irving stars as Uncle Drew, a character he portrayed in some Pepsi Max advertisements. Although the story line is predictable, basketball fans can enjoy seeing these older retired players demonstrate they still got game. It’s good family fun & laughs. Look for a gag reel running during the credits.

Alien  gives it 3 “Harlem Buckets” stars out of 4.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Sicario: Day of the Soldado

When suspected terrorist attacks occur on US soil, covert strike force leader Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) & mercenary Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) return for another mission in this sequel which translates to Hitman: Day of the Soldier. It’s intense, gripping, action packed drama when a kidnapping scenario to incite a Mexican Cartel war takes a detour off the original game plan. Del Toro dominates the screen as he tries to save the mission. It is a violent & explosive thrill ride with a possible hint towards another sequel.

Alien gives it 3½  “you gotta do what you gotta do” stars out of 4.

Friday, June 22, 2018

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

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

This is a wonderful documentary about Mr. Roger, beloved children’s TV show host & pioneer in educational public television. Learn about Fred Rogers the man and his, at the time, radical ideas & approach on children’s programming. See his skills toward reaching out to & communicating with children. He was a remarkable person with a amazing vision on how to shape the minds of kids & help them understand their feelings.

Alien gives it 3 “man & his puppets” stars out of 4.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Boundaries

Reluctantly, a struggling single mom (Vera Farmiga), with a awkward 14-year-old son (Lewis MacDougall) expelled from his public school & an estranged 85-year-old pot dealing dad (Christopher Plummer) evicted from his assisted living home, makes a long road trip to her sister (Kristen Schaal) in LA. If you are a dog lover & like quirky character comedies, you may be highly entertained in this hilarious love/hate bonding experience. Christopher Lloyd, Bobby Cannavale, & Peter Fonda are among the crazy customers that we meet along the way. Farmiga & Plummer are outstanding. Dysfunctional families & lovable assholes were never funnier while boundaries are being crossed. Surprisingly, this outrageous road trip is a love letter tribute to writer/director Shana Feste’s own dad & their cross-country journey.

Alien gives it 3½ “illustrated nudes & mange magnet” stars out of 4.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Gotti

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

John Travolta stars as John Gotti, notorious boss of the Gambino crime family. It features his rise to power as well as his son’s position in the organization. This is a real godfather story with stereotypical wise guys but I’ll assume it’s true & accurate since this film has the Gotti family blessings. This story is interesting but is more of a low budget “The Godfather” film even though it is a real life story. See what kind of man Gotti was.

Alien gives it 2½ “living by a code” stars of 4.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Three years after the disaster that closed the Jurassic World park, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) & Owen (Chris Pratt) return to Isla Nublar in an endangered species effort to rescue some of those cloned dinosaurs from eminent extinction again. What could go wrong? Predictably, greed & evil people hijack the plan & cause disastrous results. Trying to give audiences what they want, this sequel tries to capture some of those magic movie moments & thrills experienced in the original Jurassic Park film. Who doesn’t want to see terrifying dinos breathing down someone’s neck or see the bad guys get eaten alive? At times, the film feels a little silly & far fetched but it’s still fun to watch. B.D. Wong also returns a Henry Wu who is always lurking about in this famous franchise. Jeff Goldblum also returns for a small roleStay until the end of the credits to see a hint about the possible future direction the series might take.

Alien gives it 3 “Indoraptor” stars out of 4.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Tag

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

Based on a true story reported in the Wall Street Journal, five highly competitive childhood buddies continue their annual game of tag well into their adult lives. With the threat of their only never-been-tagged player possibly quitting the game, the rest go all out go to prevent this perfect record. Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, & Hannibal Buress are the tag players with Isla Fisher, Annabelle Wallis, & Rashida Jones rounding out the crowd. It’s hilarious horseplay as these grown men go way over the top to reach their targets. Some of these outrageous stunts feel totally made up until you see footage of how the real 10 players had played this game that kept them close & connected for nearly 25 years.

Alien gives it 3 “wedding bell hijinks” stars out of 4.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Superfly

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

This is a modern update of the famous 1972 “blaxploitation” original. A smart & stylish young enterprising coke dealer Youngblood Priest (Trevor Jackson) in Atlanta has plans to quit the business by arranging one last big score. Of course, things get messy when he gets caught in a squeeze play between the Mexican Cartel, some dirty cops, & a rival gang called the Snow Patrol. It’s over-the-top gangsta lifestyles, bling, fast cars, hit squads, & a ménage à trois. Director X brings his big budget rap video styling flair to the big screen. Jackson’s Priest carries the film with his smarts, swagger, & fancy do. If you like flashy & sexy with your violence & f-bombs, check it out because it may be better than you think. This is guilty pleasure glimpse of an exaggerated underworld business.

Alien gives it 3 “a man with a plan laying low below the radar” stars out of 4.

Monday, June 11, 2018

Incredibles 2

It’s been 14 years since Bob, Helen, Violet, Dashiell, & Jack-Jack Parr delighted audiences in their animated parody of the Fantastic Four. Pixar/Disney has been pretty busy but has finally put together a storyline where the now outlawed superheroes make a comeback in a carefully orchestrated publicity campaign to change public perception & opinion. This hilarious sequel is even better than the original. It shows even superheroes can have regular problems just like normal people. Expect some wild & crazy action sequences. Good to see Frozone, Edna Mode, & the Incredimoble back too. The plot is predictable but it’s a kids movie. You can’t have your kids asking you what’s happening during the movie. Kids like to figure out stuff on there own too. Jack-Jack is hysterical & steals his scenes. This is amazing family fun entertainment.

Alien gives it 4 “Underminer & Screenslaver” stars out of 4.

There was a cute preview short titled “Bao” before the featured film. This Chinese girl has unique cooking experience while making baos for her dad & herself. She develops a motherly bond with one of her creations. Very charming & very strange.

Saturday, June 09, 2018

First Reformed

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

Ethan Hawke plays an ill, alcoholic pastor Toller of the First Reformed Church with a small & a diminishing congregation. This is contrasted by a mega Abundant Life Church. Amanda Seyfried plays a pregnant wife of a radical environmental activist who seeks help from Reverend Toller. This is such a slow moving plot filled with many mundane seemingly meaningless actions that one could easily be lulled to sleep. The story brings up many issues including abortion, environmental polluting, suicide, grieving. I feel this is meant to be a thought provoking film but I️ somehow could get on the same wave length & losing faith. Although well made & acted, one may be just left with feeling of despair & confusion. Am I️ not religious enough to get it or is this an example of the Emperor’s New Clothes? This was not entertaining for me. You’ll just have to see it & judge it for yourself if your are curious enough about this one.

Alien gives it 1 “barbed wire & drano” star out of 4.

Wednesday, June 06, 2018

Hotel Artemis

In dystopian LA of the near future, a botched bank robbery sends 3 criminals scurrying to the Hotel Artemis for some much needed medical attention. It is an exclusive members only secret hospital/sanctuary for criminals operated by the Nurse (Jody Foster) & healthcare provider assistant Everest (Dave Bautista). This hotel setting has a retro look with a noir vibe but loaded with extremely high tech gadgetry. Nightly curfews has police clashing with rioters & sends a French assassin, an arms dealer, a cop, & a crime lord on a destiny bound collision course. Sofia Boutella, Sterling K. Brown, & Charlie Day have key roles with Jeff Goldblum & Zachary Quinto in more minor parts. Boutella is kick-ass deadly. No one in their right mind would mess with Bautista. Foster makes the film with her little old lady in charge performance. She has had this situation totally under control until this Wednesday night when all of the absolute strict rules seemed to have been broken.

Alien gives it 3 “The Wolf King” stars out of 4.

Tuesday, June 05, 2018

Unbroken: Path to Redemption

This is the next chapter in the true story of Louis Zamperini. Director Angelina Jolie’s 2014 “Unbroken” told the story of this Olympian surviving 41 days in raft during WWII, only the be rescued by the Japanese, imprisoned, & tortured in a POW camp until the end of the war. Now, a new director & actors completes the story about his return to family in California, helping selling war bonds, & his marriage. Advertised as the end of the war but beginning of the battle, Zamperini suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder & alcoholism before finding religion at a Billy Graham revival. Although this drama feels a bit heavy handed as Zamperini’s condition spirals downward but his wife Cynthia’s love & support shines as the key to his redemption. This is amazing inspirational film about the power of faith. Photos & footage of the real characters play at the end of the film. This was a rough cut screening of this film not scheduled to be released until October 5, 2018.

Alien gives it 3 “forgiveness & redemption” stars out of 4.

Monday, June 04, 2018

Ocean’s 8

This is an all female cast spinoff of the popular Ocean’s trilogy. Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), Danny Ocean’s sister, seems to have inherited the family talent for big time thievery. Debbie recruits a team of 7 specialists (Cate Blanchett, Helen Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, & Rihanna) to pull off the heist of the century at the famous Met Gala. This is a fantastic cast of talented actresses. Anne Hathaway hilariously steals her scenes as the vain actress stooge being used by this clever crew. This fun film is everything you’d expect from an Ocean’s heist caper extravaganza & don’t be surprise if they don’t complete the numerical sequel sequence until they get to eleven. Fine art, high fashion, & an amazing plan to steal a $150 million Cartier diamond necklace, what more can you wish for? Look for many surprise cameos.


Alien gives it 3½ “twofer” stars out of 4.

Sunday, June 03, 2018

The Rider

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

After a serious riding accident, a young rising star on the rodeo circuit struggles with his purpose in life if he can’t tide & compete anymore. Director/writer Chloé Zhao does an amazing job casting non-actors to capture the cowboy lifestyle in the badlands of South Dakota. Brady Jareau is excellent as the man dealing with family & friends while on the road to recovery & trying to figure out his future. Learn a little about horse handling. This movie may not be for everyone but it is gritty & an emotionally moving film.

Alien gives it 3 “horse training” stars out of 4.

Saturday, June 02, 2018

Action Point

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

It’s “Bad Grandpa” C.D. (Johnny Knoxville) telling his granddaughter about the early days (circa 1982) when he & her mom struggled to keep their small time amusement park, Action Point, afloat among some stiff competition from a new corporate built competitor. Based on a real New Jersey park situation, the younger C.D. comes up with an “Jackass” of an idea to attract visitors: to make his rides more exciting by removing the brakes on his rides (safety features). Knoxville actually bravely performs his own idiotic stunts in the film. Even though there is a father/daughter relationship in the sub-story, this is still a pretty lame moronic film unless you get great enjoyment from others suffering from possible physical trauma.

Alien gives it 1 “stupid is as stupid does” star out of 4.

Friday, June 01, 2018

Upgrade

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

In the not too distant future where high tech powers self-driving cars, entire homes, & surveillance drones, a married couple involved in auto accident gets mugged. The husband ends up a quadriplegic but a revolutionary computer chip, STEM, restores his use of his limbs & more. When he decides to hunt for his muggers, he gets more than he bargains for. This sci-fi action thriller with a message about the evils of relying on computer technology is fun to watch. Can you anticipate the ending before you get there?

Alien gives it 3 “instant skill sets” stars out of 4.

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