Monday, December 31, 2018
Mary Queen of Scots
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This historical period piece recounts the rivalry between Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) the Queen of Scotland & England’s Queen Elizabeth (Margot Robbie). Ronan & Robbie give outstanding performances as these two powerful women fighting for dominance in a masculine world. This is a beautifully shot & entertaining history lesson. I’ve always loved Ronan Irish accent but don’t you think it’s a little odd for the Queen of Scotland.
Alien gives it 3 “heir to the throne” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This historical period piece recounts the rivalry between Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) the Queen of Scotland & England’s Queen Elizabeth (Margot Robbie). Ronan & Robbie give outstanding performances as these two powerful women fighting for dominance in a masculine world. This is a beautifully shot & entertaining history lesson. I’ve always loved Ronan Irish accent but don’t you think it’s a little odd for the Queen of Scotland.
Alien gives it 3 “heir to the throne” stars out of 4.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
The Mule
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A horticulturist (Clint Eastwood) realizes he is a failure in life, a bad husband, & a bad father. He has been self-centered focusing on his day lily business. When his home falls under foreclosure, he becomes a drug mule for the Mexican cartel (Andy Garcia) & starts to reconnect with his family (Diane Weist, Taissa Farmiga, & Allison Eastwood). But with the DEA (Bradley Cooper, Michael Peña, & Laurence Fishburne) closing in & the cartel thugs searching for him, he has to make a big decision. Actor/director Eastwood is brilliant in his portrayal. This story was inspired by a true news article about a 90-year-old drug mule.
Alien gives it 3 “Earl’s Way” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A horticulturist (Clint Eastwood) realizes he is a failure in life, a bad husband, & a bad father. He has been self-centered focusing on his day lily business. When his home falls under foreclosure, he becomes a drug mule for the Mexican cartel (Andy Garcia) & starts to reconnect with his family (Diane Weist, Taissa Farmiga, & Allison Eastwood). But with the DEA (Bradley Cooper, Michael Peña, & Laurence Fishburne) closing in & the cartel thugs searching for him, he has to make a big decision. Actor/director Eastwood is brilliant in his portrayal. This story was inspired by a true news article about a 90-year-old drug mule.
Alien gives it 3 “Earl’s Way” stars out of 4.
The Favourite
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s early 18th century England with an unhealthy Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) who rules through her dear friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz). When a new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) arrives, a rivalry develops & the balance of power shifts to the new favorite. Colman, Weiss, & Stone are all terrific. The “Mean Girls” maneuvers for the affections of the Queen are delightful. This drama/comedy period piece looks amazing but the film’s pace is slow & the chamber music background can lull you to sleep. It just needed more than this cat fight to make this true story film more entertaining.
Alien gives it 2½ “chambermaid” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s early 18th century England with an unhealthy Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) who rules through her dear friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz). When a new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) arrives, a rivalry develops & the balance of power shifts to the new favorite. Colman, Weiss, & Stone are all terrific. The “Mean Girls” maneuvers for the affections of the Queen are delightful. This drama/comedy period piece looks amazing but the film’s pace is slow & the chamber music background can lull you to sleep. It just needed more than this cat fight to make this true story film more entertaining.
Alien gives it 2½ “chambermaid” stars out of 4.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Aquaman
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
His father was a lighthouse keeper & his mother (Nicole Kidman) was an Atlantean princess. This is the origin story of Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) the metahuman known as Aquaman. Princess Mera (Amber Heard) persuades Aquaman to go to Atlantis to stop his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) from waging war against the surface humans. James Wan directs this film with spectacular CGI underwater scenes along with some distracting flowing hair styles. Willem Dafoe & Adolph Lundgren costar. Also, meet another one of Aquaman’s nemesis, the Black Manta. Stay for a mid-credit hint to the next sequel.
Alien gives it 3 “Trident of Atlan” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
His father was a lighthouse keeper & his mother (Nicole Kidman) was an Atlantean princess. This is the origin story of Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) the metahuman known as Aquaman. Princess Mera (Amber Heard) persuades Aquaman to go to Atlantis to stop his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) from waging war against the surface humans. James Wan directs this film with spectacular CGI underwater scenes along with some distracting flowing hair styles. Willem Dafoe & Adolph Lundgren costar. Also, meet another one of Aquaman’s nemesis, the Black Manta. Stay for a mid-credit hint to the next sequel.
Alien gives it 3 “Trident of Atlan” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Mary Poppins Returns
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Set 25 years later, this delightful sequel to the classic 1964 Disney original continues with the famed nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returning to help the Banks children who may lose their family home after falling behind on their loan repayments. Jack the cockney lamplighter (Lin-Manuel Miranda) fills in replacing the Bert the chimney sweep role. Blunt & Miranda expertly play their parts as they take the younger Banks kids on some colorful whimsical adventures. The film is a wonderful tribute & homage to the original carrying on the same look & feel. Colin Firth gives this predictable plot a villainous element. Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury, & Dick Van Duke make special appearances. While this is an entertaining film following up on the now grownup Banks children & introducing Michael’s 3 kids, it is hard to believe this sequel can outshine the Julie Andrews version.
Alien gives it 3 “spit spot” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Set 25 years later, this delightful sequel to the classic 1964 Disney original continues with the famed nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returning to help the Banks children who may lose their family home after falling behind on their loan repayments. Jack the cockney lamplighter (Lin-Manuel Miranda) fills in replacing the Bert the chimney sweep role. Blunt & Miranda expertly play their parts as they take the younger Banks kids on some colorful whimsical adventures. The film is a wonderful tribute & homage to the original carrying on the same look & feel. Colin Firth gives this predictable plot a villainous element. Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury, & Dick Van Duke make special appearances. While this is an entertaining film following up on the now grownup Banks children & introducing Michael’s 3 kids, it is hard to believe this sequel can outshine the Julie Andrews version.
Alien gives it 3 “spit spot” stars out of 4.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Vice
Writer/director Adam McKay creates a political film portraying the rise to power of Dick Cheney (Christian Bale). It is not a flattering look because this is a dark comedy. Depending on your political leaning, you may either love or hate this film. It skillfully takes actual events but puts a behind the scenes spin on them by embellishing on dialog that may or may not have been actually said. Steve Carell plays Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell plays George W. Bush, & Amy Adams plays Lynne Cheney. If you are not politically minded, you may be totally bored. If you like political satire, you may enjoy this film. Bale undergoes an amazing transformation. It is a well made film, just not every’s cup of tea. Look for a humorous clip in mid-credits.
Alien gives it 2 “seeking power” stars out of 4.
Writer/director Adam McKay creates a political film portraying the rise to power of Dick Cheney (Christian Bale). It is not a flattering look because this is a dark comedy. Depending on your political leaning, you may either love or hate this film. It skillfully takes actual events but puts a behind the scenes spin on them by embellishing on dialog that may or may not have been actually said. Steve Carell plays Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell plays George W. Bush, & Amy Adams plays Lynne Cheney. If you are not politically minded, you may be totally bored. If you like political satire, you may enjoy this film. Bale undergoes an amazing transformation. It is a well made film, just not every’s cup of tea. Look for a humorous clip in mid-credits.
Alien gives it 2 “seeking power” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Second Act
Jennifer Lopez plays Value Shop assistant manager Maya Vargas who can’t get ahead in her company because she only has a GED & no college degree. So she is determined to prove people wrong about her value. She accidentally gets a second chance though through her best friend’s (Leah Remini) son’s attempt to spice up her social media profile. Through this inadvertent lie, Maya tries to bluff her way in as a consultant for a prestigious cosmetic company run my a father/daughter team (Treat Williams & Vanessa Hudgens). Milo Ventimiglia plays the love interest. Of course, hilarity ensues but there is twist & a dark secret is revealed in this story about believing in yourself & not giving up on your dreams. This funny film is feel good movie.
Alien gives it 3 “phony credentials” stars out of 4.
Jennifer Lopez plays Value Shop assistant manager Maya Vargas who can’t get ahead in her company because she only has a GED & no college degree. So she is determined to prove people wrong about her value. She accidentally gets a second chance though through her best friend’s (Leah Remini) son’s attempt to spice up her social media profile. Through this inadvertent lie, Maya tries to bluff her way in as a consultant for a prestigious cosmetic company run my a father/daughter team (Treat Williams & Vanessa Hudgens). Milo Ventimiglia plays the love interest. Of course, hilarity ensues but there is twist & a dark secret is revealed in this story about believing in yourself & not giving up on your dreams. This funny film is feel good movie.
Alien gives it 3 “phony credentials” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Bumblebee
When the Autobots are forced to retreat in the war with the Decepticons on their home world of Cybertron, B-127 is sent on a secret mission to earth. Set in 1987 California, 18-year-old Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) takes possession of a beat-up 1967 Volkswagon Beetle which turns out to be the damaged Transformer injured by Decepticon Blitzwing. Charlie dubs him Bumblebee & they bond together in a fight for survival & the save the planet. John Cena plays the leader a secret military organization searching out alien life forms. Steinfeld is terrific. Expect rock‘em-sock‘end robot action. The film has a great sense of humor with a nod to the 1980’s. It is one of best Transformers film to date. This one feels a lot like the original 2007 Transformers film but stay to the end to see where this story fits into the Transformers time line.
Alien gives it 3 “Birthday Wish” stars out of 4.
When the Autobots are forced to retreat in the war with the Decepticons on their home world of Cybertron, B-127 is sent on a secret mission to earth. Set in 1987 California, 18-year-old Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) takes possession of a beat-up 1967 Volkswagon Beetle which turns out to be the damaged Transformer injured by Decepticon Blitzwing. Charlie dubs him Bumblebee & they bond together in a fight for survival & the save the planet. John Cena plays the leader a secret military organization searching out alien life forms. Steinfeld is terrific. Expect rock‘em-sock‘end robot action. The film has a great sense of humor with a nod to the 1980’s. It is one of best Transformers film to date. This one feels a lot like the original 2007 Transformers film but stay to the end to see where this story fits into the Transformers time line.
Alien gives it 3 “Birthday Wish” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Mortal Engines (IMAX)
It’s “Road Warrior” meets “Frankenstein” meets Star Wars” with a neo/retro archeological bent in post apocalyptic earth. Hester Shaw seeks vengeance against Thaddeus Valentine, the villain in control of a roving predator city on wheels that gobbles up precious diminishing resources. Valentine seeks “old” tech to restore his secret weapon. Shaw is also pursued by a powerful artificial being Strike created in time past. This is an action packed thriller on an epic scale with stunning visuals, a sense of humor, & some cheesy lines. It starts off rather mysteriously with some twists & turns but as the story unfolds & the pieces start to fall in place, the plot line becomes apparent. Tom is the love interest. Anna is a fierce scene stealing resistance warrior. Come along for eye opening thrill ride adventure with some interesting characters in a remarkable world.
Alien gives it 3 “M.E.D.U.S.A. & INKIES” stars out of 4.
It’s “Road Warrior” meets “Frankenstein” meets Star Wars” with a neo/retro archeological bent in post apocalyptic earth. Hester Shaw seeks vengeance against Thaddeus Valentine, the villain in control of a roving predator city on wheels that gobbles up precious diminishing resources. Valentine seeks “old” tech to restore his secret weapon. Shaw is also pursued by a powerful artificial being Strike created in time past. This is an action packed thriller on an epic scale with stunning visuals, a sense of humor, & some cheesy lines. It starts off rather mysteriously with some twists & turns but as the story unfolds & the pieces start to fall in place, the plot line becomes apparent. Tom is the love interest. Anna is a fierce scene stealing resistance warrior. Come along for eye opening thrill ride adventure with some interesting characters in a remarkable world.
Alien gives it 3 “M.E.D.U.S.A. & INKIES” stars out of 4.
Saturday, December 08, 2018
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
Welcome to an alternate reality where there is more than one webswinger in town. Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales’s story follows the Spider-Man mold of being bitten by a radioactive spider which results in him developing some unique superhero powers. However, the Kingpin’s plan recover some love ones results in the death of Spider-Man & inadvertently drawing Spider-Man counterparts from other realities into Miles’ world. Then, they must band together to battle the villains (Kingpin, Prowler, & Doc Ock), find their way back to their own worlds, & destroy the dimension disruptor. This is dazzling, eye popping, colorful animated tribute to graphic novels from which it spawns. Unless you are an avid comic fan, you probably aren’t familiar with the middle age Peter B. Parker, Peni Parker, Peter Porker, Spider-Gwen, & Spider-Man Noir. Look for a posthumous Stan Lee cameo. This entertaining & fun PG rated film has some surprising twists & turns. If stay through the credits, you’ll see a clip where Spider-Man 2099 meets the 60’s animated TV Spider-Man.
Alien gives it 4 “Super Collider” stars out of 4.
Welcome to an alternate reality where there is more than one webswinger in town. Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales’s story follows the Spider-Man mold of being bitten by a radioactive spider which results in him developing some unique superhero powers. However, the Kingpin’s plan recover some love ones results in the death of Spider-Man & inadvertently drawing Spider-Man counterparts from other realities into Miles’ world. Then, they must band together to battle the villains (Kingpin, Prowler, & Doc Ock), find their way back to their own worlds, & destroy the dimension disruptor. This is dazzling, eye popping, colorful animated tribute to graphic novels from which it spawns. Unless you are an avid comic fan, you probably aren’t familiar with the middle age Peter B. Parker, Peni Parker, Peter Porker, Spider-Gwen, & Spider-Man Noir. Look for a posthumous Stan Lee cameo. This entertaining & fun PG rated film has some surprising twists & turns. If stay through the credits, you’ll see a clip where Spider-Man 2099 meets the 60’s animated TV Spider-Man.
Alien gives it 4 “Super Collider” stars out of 4.
