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Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Christopher Robin

In post war London, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGreggor) is all grown up now. He is a family man & an efficiency manager for a struggling luggage company. The stress of his job is keeping him away from his wife (Haley Atwell) & daughter as well as from the joys of life. When Christopher’s old childhood friend, Winnie-the-Pooh, unexpectedly turns ups seeking assistance because Eeyore, Trigger, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, & Roo have all gone missing. This terrific family comedy adventure will delight any Pooh fan as these Hundred Acre Wood dwellers help their dear old friend rediscover his lost imagination & spirit of fun. These CGI creatures in this live-action film haven’t lost any of their lovable charm nor their distinct personalities. Look for a musical short with a surprise visual punch line in the middle of the credits.

Alien gives it 3½ “Heffalumps & Woosles” stars out of 4.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Searching

A desperate father (John Cho) files a missing persons report when he loses contact with his teenage daughter. Debra Messing plays the police detective working on the case. This film exploits the “Unfriended” format gimmick of using modern technology device screens to recount this missing person mystery. It was a clever idea but, for me, I️ quickly grew tired of the busy screen & was always worrying about not noticing some key information amongst the clutter & jumble of information. As this dad searches through his daughter’s social media for clues leading to finding her, he realizes maybe he really doesn’t know his own daughter as well as he thought. Pay attention to all of the subtle clues because there are many twists & turns as the plot slowly unfolds. Was she a runaway? Was she a victim of foul play? Did she have a secret to hide? This a story about what lengths a parent would go through for their child.

Alien gives it 3 “digital footprint” stars out of 4.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Mission: Impossible  Fallout (RPX)

Director/writer/producer Christopher McQuarrie takes his second crack at the MI franchise. Along with Ethan, Benji, Luther, & Secretary Hunley (Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, & Alec Baldwin), McQuarrie brings back Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) & Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) from “MI: Rogue Nation”, includes Julia (Michelle Monaghan) last seen in “MI: Ghost Protocol”, & introduces Angela Bassett & Henry Cavil as CIA members & Vanessa Kirby as the White Widow. Hunt & his IMF team are forced to accept a CIA operative into the group after a botched mission involving stolen plutonium. From there it’s a hair raising thrill ride with many twists & turns in race against time to save the world again. Of course, they do it MI style with masks, gadgets, & trickery. See Tom run. Run, Tom, run. Exhilarating stunts, high speed chase scenes, HALO jumping, free climbing, & caught between a rock & a hard place. Ferguson & Cavill are great character additions to the storyline. Rhames provides technical support & Pegg provides comedic support. Mission Impossible fans need not worry because Tom loves the adrenalin rush & kicks it into high gear while maintaining Cruise control.

Alien gives it 3½  “Who is John Lark?” stars out of 4.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Unfriended: Dark Web

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

It’s “Game Night” for Mathias & his friends who decide they will play through their computers tonight but end up being threatened by an unknown viewer. Mathias had acquired his new laptop from the lost & found of a cyber cafe & managed to crack the password; thus, the fun begins. Someone has been watching them online & wants his computer back. A hidden file leads them to the Dark Web & ultimately threatens their lives. This fairly generic horror tale is well executed by the convincing young actors. See if you can figure out the twist to the story. Apparently, there were 2 endings shot. Not sure if some theaters are showing the other end. Probably, you will have to wait for the video release to compare them both. This is a stand alone sequel unrelated to the original except for the format.

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

Teen Titans Go! to the Movies

The Teen Titans are Justice League juniors comprised of Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, Cyborg, & led by Robin. These wannabe superheroes are tired of not being taken seriously & being consider a joke. They determine that they need an arch-nemesis in order to obtain that superhero status. It’s hilarious hijinks & crazy antics in this animated comedy adventure targeting the kiddies & those who are kids at heart. This Warner Bros production is based on the DC Comics & Cartoon Network characters that poke fun at rival Marvel/Disney movies. A funny surprise cameo is sure to get a laugh from the audience. It’s bathroom humor for the kids & parodies for the adults. Look for a hint of a new Teen Titan version in the middle of the credits.

Alien gives it 3 “Time Cycles & the Doomsday Device” stars out of 4.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Eighth Grade

This is the story of Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher), a 13 year old girl having a terrible middle school experience & trying to reinvent herself as she prepares to enter high school. This coming of age story is awkwardly funny & emotionally uncomfortable as we watch this sweet adolescent girl trying to fit in. This brutally relatable comedy focuses on the Generation Z’s obsession with their smart phone, Instagram, & Snapchat. Kayla is great at giving advice but not very good at taking her own advice. This film is ”R” rated for language & sexual content. Fisher is absolutely brilliant as the social misfit. Perhaps she is too convincing to where this comedy starts feeling like a drama & you begin feeling sorry for this struggling girl. This film may tickle your fancy or re-ignite a hidden pain long forgotten.

Alien gives it 2½ “truth or dare” stars out of 4.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Blindspotting

Two home grown Oakland boys, one black & one white, one a convicted felon on probation & one a short-tempered troublemaker, become at odds with each other while dealing with racism, police violence, & their West Oakland neighborhood being changed by a hipster invasion. Colin (Daveed Diggs) & Miles (Rafael Casal) are street wise childhood buddies who always watch out & stick up for each other. Diggs & Ccasal are also real friends who spent 9 years writing this clever script that focuses on the concept of perception bias. This comedy/drama has eye opening impact as the tension builds to that dramatic moment. Diggs & Casal are convincing & dominate the screen. But the other big star of the film is the city of Oakland, California, as it is boldly featured. This is a tremendous movie that many may overlook as an entertainment choice. Just give it a chance & it may blow you away. It is a little film with a big statement.

Alien gives it 4 “Commander Smiley” stars out of 4.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

As the title suggests, the gang is back for more fun & songs shaped from the same mold as the original. But this time, we get a closer look at how Donna came to the island of Kalokairi & how she met Harry, Bill, & Sam. The trick here was to cast believable younger counterparts in this prequel/sequel. Lily James as the young Donna is excellent & carries much of movie’s flashback moments while Amanda Seyfried as Sophie is the focus of the main plot. Sadly, there is not enough Meryl Streep. Andy Garcia is a nice addition & Cher gets to make a grand diva entrance & belts out a couple of songs. The older folks get to act silly. This one is for the Mamma Mia fans. Expect the big production song & dance numbers and those harmonized duets. True to the romantic comedy genre, this love story is geared trigger those emotions of sadness & joy. Look for that glitzy costumed song/dance number by the cast at the end of the film, but stay to the end of credits for a humorous song bite from an unlikely film extra.

Alien gives it 3 “Donna & the Dynamos” stars out of 4.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Whitney

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

This is a documentary detailing the meteoric rise & tragic fall one of the world’s most famous singer, Whitney Houston. Using family photos & footage, rehearsal & concert film, as well as media interviews & news reels, her life story is recounted by friends, family, co-workers, & the media. It is a fascinating story with a dark ominous cloud looming overhead. This beautiful & talented woman seemed to have everything going her way when it all goes spiraling out of control. It is an in-depth look of Whitney’s life & music.

Alien gives it 3 “fighting her demons” stars out of 4.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

The Equalizer 2

Denzel Washington is back as the mysterious Robert McCall, champion of the victimized & the oppressed unable to defend themselves. This time, we get just a little more insight to this “ghost” who tries to even the score by righting wrongs. Between jobs, apparently McCall moonlights as a Lyft driver in a Chevy Malibu in the Boston area. See how kind & ruthless he can be as things get personal for McCall. Denzel brings his special charismatic charm to his portrayal in the midst of some great action & suspense. Once again teaming up with director Antoine Fuqua, this is Denzel’s first sequel where he plays the same character.

Alien gives it 3½ “punishing the perpetrators” stars out of 4.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Skyscraper

It’s “Die Hard” meets “The Towering Inferno” when ex-FBI/now private security consultant & amputee Will Sawyer (Duane Johnson) must save his family trapped in the world’s tallest skyscraper, Hong Kong’s The Pearl, set ablaze by some bad guys seeking to flush out a priceless item. Expect the typical over-the-top cheesy disaster elements & an easily predictable plot but it doesn’t matter because the always charismatic Rock is here to save the day with brute force & duct tape. Look for a low tech imitation of Ethan Hunt. Neve Campbell plays the wife Sarah Sawyer & thankfully is not  casted as the usual damsel in distress. It’s spectacular high action & special effects. Unfortunately, the villains lack a Hans Gruber. It’s a midsummer blockbuster with the Rock so just sit back, hang on to your seats, & enjoy. Guilty pleasure is written all over this one.

Alien gives it 3 “smoke & mirrors” stars out of 4.

Monday, July 09, 2018

Sorry To Bother You

From the streets of Oakland, California, follow the rise to telemarketing fame of Cassius “Cash” Green (Lakeith Stanfield) in this outrageous & truly one-of-a-kind comedic fantasy satire of corporate greed & workers protests. See how fame & fortune can turn a man against his friends & co-workers as he learns the secret of success in his field of work. This extremely quirky film may not be for everyone but it hold your attention because you’ll never predict what bizarre turn will happen next. This “R” rated film is edgy fresh & original loaded with F-bombs and featuring some drug use & sexual content. Armie Hammer is terrific as the CEO with a shocking plot twist. Tessa Thompson & Steven Yuen rounding out the major players and Terry Crews & Danny Glover have bit parts. One must bite his tongue in order not to spill any surprising delightful beans in this weirdly hypnotic & hilarious storyline. Look for a nod to Ray Harryhausen.

Alien gives it 3 “Stick To The Script” stars out of 4.

Saturday, July 07, 2018

u

In this third film of the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Dracula & his hotel staff decide to take a break from their routine by booking a cruise for some much needed rest & relaxation. On board, the gang enjoys themselves, each uniquely in their own monster style. Will this ship turn into “The Love Boat” when the lonely Dracula starts to make a romantic connection with the mysterious Captain Erika? Or will it become a death cruise when families of mortal enemies meet up & the instrument of destruction is obtained? This is a cute film with lots of visual sight gags. It’s a fun family film.

Alien gives it 3 “Van Helsing” stars out of 4.

Thursday, July 05, 2018

Hearts Beat Loud

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

In a hipster neighborhood of Brooklyn, widower Frank (Nick Offerman) is a purveyor of pressed vinyl looking to close his vintage record store by selling bargain beats. His daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) going away soon to UCLA as a pre-med student. She is serious & focused while he is carefree & still chasing his musical dreams. He also has a friendly landlord Leslie (Toni Colette) & a hippy dippy bartender Dave (Ted Danson). Offerman & Clemons are terrific. If you love music, you may enjoy some wonderful tunes. This film looks at relationships & re-examining your goals.

Alien gives it 3 “Red Hook Records” stars out of 4.

Tuesday, July 03, 2018

The First Purge

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

Sanctioned lawlessness for a 12-hour period is the premise of this now 4-part Purge franchise. For all of those who wondered how this social experiment got started, comes this prequel proposing the first “purge” on New York’s Staten Island. It’s “Infinity War” in the “hood” as the reigning political party, New Founding Fathers of America, tries to make the nation great again through some underhanded methods. As an action/horror thriller, this effort is fairly standard for this genre. The blood thirsty fans will get their fair share. In this alternate dystopian universe, it’s the underdog minorities versus those in power who are secretly tilting the odds in their favor. This film builds off the momentum of  the third movie “Purge: Election Year” & today’s current political climate.

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

Monday, July 02, 2018

Ant-Man & the Wasp (3D)

During the final days of his house arrest, Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) receives a vision that sets him & fugitives Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) & Hope van Dyne aka the Wasp (Evangeline Lily) on a mission to the Quantum Realm. Along the way, they cross paths with some bad guys trying to steal there secrets & a mysterious phasing person dubbed as Ghost. Michael Pena, Laurence Fishburne, & Michelle Pfeiffer round out the cast. Humor, crazy action, & wild special effects drive this film where size matters. As always, look for the Stan Lee cameo. If you loved the original “Ant-Man”, you won’t be disappointed. Lily dominates her action scenes & kicks butt. The special film clip just before the credits is “Infinity War” related. After the humorous end of credits clip, it all ends with a statement/question.

Alien gives it 4 “Jellybean & Peanut” stars out of 4.

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