Thursday, January 31, 2019
Alita: Battle Angel (IMAX 3D)
It’s “Robocop” meets “Jason Bourne” meets “Rollerball” in 2563 dystopian Iron City & 300 years after The Fall. Cybersurgeon Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz) salvages a living cyborg core from the scrapyard waste dropped from Zalem, the cloud city above. From this miracle find, Ido rebuilds a bot he names Alita (motion captured Rosa Salazar). Alita has no memory of her past & with wide eyed innocence explores her new environment & the people around her. Producer/writer James Cameron & director Robert Rodriguez create a fascinating decaying world & culture with bounty warriors & a United Republic of Mars mystery. This is a stunning action packed adventure based on an Japanese manga. Mahershala Ali & Jennifer Connelly costar. Cameron plugs in his Avatar special effects experience to dazzle the audience. By the end, you’ll be wondering what is next for the little bad ass battle angel.
Alien gives it 4 “Panser Kunst” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Miss Bala
It’s “Miss Congenitality” meets “Sicario” with a hint of “Taken” when a L.A. makeup artist Gloria (Gina Rodriguez) crosses the border to visit her best friend Suzu in Tijuana. Gloria becomes trapped between a rock & a hard place when Suzu gets kidnapped & Gloria must try to find her. This “Jane the Virgin” is caught in the crossfire as a mule for the drug cartel, a mole for the DEA, & the beauty pageant prize for a crooked chief of police. With no one to trust, Gloria must summon up her own inner strength & cunning to save herself & her friend. Based on a Mexican film, director Catherine Hardwicke has crafted an entertaining though somewhat predictable action flick. Anthony Mackie has an small, almost cameo, role.
Alien gives it 3 “does whatever is needed to survive” stars out of 4.
It’s “Miss Congenitality” meets “Sicario” with a hint of “Taken” when a L.A. makeup artist Gloria (Gina Rodriguez) crosses the border to visit her best friend Suzu in Tijuana. Gloria becomes trapped between a rock & a hard place when Suzu gets kidnapped & Gloria must try to find her. This “Jane the Virgin” is caught in the crossfire as a mule for the drug cartel, a mole for the DEA, & the beauty pageant prize for a crooked chief of police. With no one to trust, Gloria must summon up her own inner strength & cunning to save herself & her friend. Based on a Mexican film, director Catherine Hardwicke has crafted an entertaining though somewhat predictable action flick. Anthony Mackie has an small, almost cameo, role.
Alien gives it 3 “does whatever is needed to survive” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Fighting With My Family
Based on a true story, Paige & Zak are siblings who are part of a crazy wrestling family performing in a local British circuit but with big WWE dreams. Nick Frost & Lens Headey play the quirky parents. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity sends young Paige to tryouts in Florida & creates resentment from her older brother Zak. This is the story of Paige’s rise to fame in this comedy/drama. Vince Vaughn is featured as the hard-driving coach with Duane Johnson playing the Rock himself in a extended cameo. This heart-felt struggle to succeed will give you some insights to that fake & fixed spectacle sport driven by fervid fans. Footage of the real characters play st the end of the film.
Alien gives it 3 “Freak from Norwich” stars out of 4.
Based on a true story, Paige & Zak are siblings who are part of a crazy wrestling family performing in a local British circuit but with big WWE dreams. Nick Frost & Lens Headey play the quirky parents. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity sends young Paige to tryouts in Florida & creates resentment from her older brother Zak. This is the story of Paige’s rise to fame in this comedy/drama. Vince Vaughn is featured as the hard-driving coach with Duane Johnson playing the Rock himself in a extended cameo. This heart-felt struggle to succeed will give you some insights to that fake & fixed spectacle sport driven by fervid fans. Footage of the real characters play st the end of the film.
Alien gives it 3 “Freak from Norwich” stars out of 4.
Monday, January 28, 2019
Serenity
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
In this noir thriller, a hunky fisherman Baker Dill (Mathew McConaughey) barely eeks out a living taking tourists fishing on his boat the Serenity. Baker has an Ahab type obsession with a big tuna. Suddenly his ex-wife Karen (Anne Hathaway) shows up at Plymouth Island & offers Baker big bucks to kill her abusive husband Frank (Jason Clarke). Baker’s son Patrick is also threatened by Frank. Dianne Lane & Djimon Hounsou are among the supporting cast. McConaughey fans will get an eyeful of his nekkidness. Hathaway plays it sexy & sultry. But don’t get too comfy with this morality tale as things start to take an unexpected turn. This is one of those films that you either love or hate. Follow the clues & see if you can sort out mystery before the end. How moral are you? Would you kill Frank?
Alien gives it 3 “ a fish called Justice” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
In this noir thriller, a hunky fisherman Baker Dill (Mathew McConaughey) barely eeks out a living taking tourists fishing on his boat the Serenity. Baker has an Ahab type obsession with a big tuna. Suddenly his ex-wife Karen (Anne Hathaway) shows up at Plymouth Island & offers Baker big bucks to kill her abusive husband Frank (Jason Clarke). Baker’s son Patrick is also threatened by Frank. Dianne Lane & Djimon Hounsou are among the supporting cast. McConaughey fans will get an eyeful of his nekkidness. Hathaway plays it sexy & sultry. But don’t get too comfy with this morality tale as things start to take an unexpected turn. This is one of those films that you either love or hate. Follow the clues & see if you can sort out mystery before the end. How moral are you? Would you kill Frank?
Alien gives it 3 “ a fish called Justice” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Glass
Director/writer M. Night Shyamalan is back with his final installment of the Eastrail 177 trilogy. He has taken characters from his 2000 “Unbreakable” film & his 2016 “Split” film to pit themselves against each other. David Dunn (Bruce Willis) aka the Overseer, Kevin Crumb (James McAvoy) aka The Horde with at least 24 personalities, & Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) aka Mr. Glass find themselves in the psych ward of Raven Hill Memorial Hospital. Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) tries to convince these three are not superheroes & they are just delusional. Or is she delusional? Things get interesting when villains plot to escape & the hero must stop them. Victim Casey Cooke from “Split” & Dunn’s son Joseph from “Unbreakable” also have returning roles. Once again, Shyamalan explores the superhuman concept with today’s comic book superhero obsessed audiences. McAvoy is creepy amazing again. This is an intense psychological thriller. Who will survive? Who I’ll die? Will there be a Shyamalan twist?
Alien gives it 3 “The Beast” stars out of 4.
On the Basis of Sex
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This biopic recounts Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s (Felicity Jones) struggle on her journey to become a champion of women’s rights & gender discrimination. Armie Hammer plays her devoted husband Marty Ginsburg. Jones & Hammer are terrific & certainly make a handsome couple in this colorful dramatization of their lives. Unlike the documentary RBG released in early 2018, this films gives a more intimate, personal, & emotional feel to the facts. She is a groundbreaking pioneer in changing social ideas & laws. She was at the top of her class but no law firm would hire her just because she was a woman. This is truly an inspirational film about a great person making big chances in the world to right wrongs.
Alien gives it 3 “tax law section 214” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This biopic recounts Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s (Felicity Jones) struggle on her journey to become a champion of women’s rights & gender discrimination. Armie Hammer plays her devoted husband Marty Ginsburg. Jones & Hammer are terrific & certainly make a handsome couple in this colorful dramatization of their lives. Unlike the documentary RBG released in early 2018, this films gives a more intimate, personal, & emotional feel to the facts. She is a groundbreaking pioneer in changing social ideas & laws. She was at the top of her class but no law firm would hire her just because she was a woman. This is truly an inspirational film about a great person making big chances in the world to right wrongs.
Alien gives it 3 “tax law section 214” stars out of 4.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
A Dog’s Way Home
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This is a dog’s story as seen through a dog’s eyes. As a puppy Bella (voiced by Dallas Bryce Howard) is rescued by Lucas. Lucas & his mom (Ashley Judd) give Bella lots of love & care. But when Bella becomes separated from her family, she must make a epic 400-mile journey home back to her owners. This a heart-warming story that bring much joy as well as some tears to all of those dog lovers. From kittens to mountain lions, from animal control to army veterans, & from avalanche to puppy playfulness, this doggie adventure is good family fun entertainment.
Alien gives it 3½ “Go Home” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This is a dog’s story as seen through a dog’s eyes. As a puppy Bella (voiced by Dallas Bryce Howard) is rescued by Lucas. Lucas & his mom (Ashley Judd) give Bella lots of love & care. But when Bella becomes separated from her family, she must make a epic 400-mile journey home back to her owners. This a heart-warming story that bring much joy as well as some tears to all of those dog lovers. From kittens to mountain lions, from animal control to army veterans, & from avalanche to puppy playfulness, this doggie adventure is good family fun entertainment.
Alien gives it 3½ “Go Home” stars out of 4.
Friday, January 11, 2019
The Kid Who Would Be King
When 12-year-old Alex Elliot finds King Arthur’s sword Excalibur, he must to stop the evil enchantress Morgana’s (Rebecca Ferguson) return to conquer the world. With the help of old Merlin (Patrick Stewart) who can transform into an owl as well as a teenager, Alex assembles his own knights of the round table. This is a cute story & clever script revisiting the classic legend but with a modern twist to engage today’s older kids. This action fantasy with some humor is entertaining family fun but may be too scary for the very young. It’s got the Sword in the Stone, the Lady of the Lake, a solar eclipse, magic spells, a fierce army of mounted warriors & quest to fulfill a destiny.
Alien gives it 3 “Dungard Academy” stars out of 4.
When 12-year-old Alex Elliot finds King Arthur’s sword Excalibur, he must to stop the evil enchantress Morgana’s (Rebecca Ferguson) return to conquer the world. With the help of old Merlin (Patrick Stewart) who can transform into an owl as well as a teenager, Alex assembles his own knights of the round table. This is a cute story & clever script revisiting the classic legend but with a modern twist to engage today’s older kids. This action fantasy with some humor is entertaining family fun but may be too scary for the very young. It’s got the Sword in the Stone, the Lady of the Lake, a solar eclipse, magic spells, a fierce army of mounted warriors & quest to fulfill a destiny.
Alien gives it 3 “Dungard Academy” stars out of 4.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Replicas
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s “Frankenstein” meets “Jurassic Park” meets “I, Robot” when synthetic bioscientist William Foster (Keanu Reeves) becomes obsessed with restoring his family but has to make a sophie’s choice. It was a dark & stormy night when the Foster family’s weekend vacation ends in a tragic car accident. True to the sci-fi genre, one must be able to suspend some rational belief as Keanu’s character switches to mad scientist mode in order to overcome astronomical odds & successfully clone his family. Foster’s Igor is this young goofy but brilliant fellow scientist named Ed. What could go wrong? Foster’s lies covering up his other lies will ultimately catch up with him. Every big corporation like Biodyne here seems to always be led by an evil & greedy man trying to cover up & capitalize on the situation. If you just relax & go with the flow & not sweat the big stuff, you might have a good time with this fairly predictable plot.
Alien gives it 2½ “neural mapping & imprinting” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s “Frankenstein” meets “Jurassic Park” meets “I, Robot” when synthetic bioscientist William Foster (Keanu Reeves) becomes obsessed with restoring his family but has to make a sophie’s choice. It was a dark & stormy night when the Foster family’s weekend vacation ends in a tragic car accident. True to the sci-fi genre, one must be able to suspend some rational belief as Keanu’s character switches to mad scientist mode in order to overcome astronomical odds & successfully clone his family. Foster’s Igor is this young goofy but brilliant fellow scientist named Ed. What could go wrong? Foster’s lies covering up his other lies will ultimately catch up with him. Every big corporation like Biodyne here seems to always be led by an evil & greedy man trying to cover up & capitalize on the situation. If you just relax & go with the flow & not sweat the big stuff, you might have a good time with this fairly predictable plot.
Alien gives it 2½ “neural mapping & imprinting” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, January 09, 2019
The Upside
It’s the “Green Book” meets “Second Act” where the opposites travel by wheel chair & Ferrari and a seemingly unqualified person proves his worth at a new job. Based on a true story, a very rich quadriplegic Phil (Bryan Cranston) hires an ex-con/dead-beat father Dell (Kevin Hart) as his living assistant. One loves opera & the other likes Aretha Franklin. One has given up on living & the other is trying to reconnect with his son. Together, they help each other. This is a wonderful male-bonding film about second chances. This drama/comedy also features Nicole Kidman as Phil’s the uptight business executive. This is a moving & heart-warming film. Look for a surprise cameo appearance.
Alien gives it 3½ “seed money” stars out of 4.
It’s the “Green Book” meets “Second Act” where the opposites travel by wheel chair & Ferrari and a seemingly unqualified person proves his worth at a new job. Based on a true story, a very rich quadriplegic Phil (Bryan Cranston) hires an ex-con/dead-beat father Dell (Kevin Hart) as his living assistant. One loves opera & the other likes Aretha Franklin. One has given up on living & the other is trying to reconnect with his son. Together, they help each other. This is a wonderful male-bonding film about second chances. This drama/comedy also features Nicole Kidman as Phil’s the uptight business executive. This is a moving & heart-warming film. Look for a surprise cameo appearance.
Alien gives it 3½ “seed money” stars out of 4.
Saturday, January 05, 2019
Escape Room
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Today’s escape room phenomenon takes on a “Saw”/“Jigsaw” twist in this psychological thriller. Select individuals receive puzzle box invites to play a game that turns out to be deadly. Six strangers with something in common must work together to solve puzzles if they want any chance of survival. If you like solving puzzles & like a little horror, you might have a good time. Do you think you are smarter than those characters trapped on the big screen? Can you figure out the hoops & hurtles? Are these just random invitees? Who will survive? Of course with this genre, it ain’t over if the studio can make more money with a sequel(s).
Alien gives it 3 “Minos Escape Room Facility” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Today’s escape room phenomenon takes on a “Saw”/“Jigsaw” twist in this psychological thriller. Select individuals receive puzzle box invites to play a game that turns out to be deadly. Six strangers with something in common must work together to solve puzzles if they want any chance of survival. If you like solving puzzles & like a little horror, you might have a good time. Do you think you are smarter than those characters trapped on the big screen? Can you figure out the hoops & hurtles? Are these just random invitees? Who will survive? Of course with this genre, it ain’t over if the studio can make more money with a sequel(s).
Alien gives it 3 “Minos Escape Room Facility” stars out of 4.
Thursday, January 03, 2019
If Beale Street Could Talk
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Harlem in the 1970’s, a love story blossoms among Tish & Fonny, a young black couple who were childhood playmates. However, a tragic injustice suddenly separates these two. This is the sad story of the poor black man’s unjust experience in the white world. These hard working people are trying their best to get by when the deck is stacked against them in a story involving incarceration, pregnancy, & private investigations. It is a powerfully emotional story about the love of family in the midst of a crisis. Kiki Layne, Stephan James, & Regina King give moving performances as their characters try to stay optimistic & make the best of their situation.
Alien gives it 3 “unsettling bigotry” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Harlem in the 1970’s, a love story blossoms among Tish & Fonny, a young black couple who were childhood playmates. However, a tragic injustice suddenly separates these two. This is the sad story of the poor black man’s unjust experience in the white world. These hard working people are trying their best to get by when the deck is stacked against them in a story involving incarceration, pregnancy, & private investigations. It is a powerfully emotional story about the love of family in the midst of a crisis. Kiki Layne, Stephan James, & Regina King give moving performances as their characters try to stay optimistic & make the best of their situation.
Alien gives it 3 “unsettling bigotry” stars out of 4.
