Saturday, August 24, 2019
Overcomer
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
When economic disaster comes to the small town of Franklin, the basketball coach’s dreams for a championship season are crushed & he gets reassigned to coach cross-country track with just one member, an asthmatic girl with an inhaler. This Christian faith film is an emotional & inspirational story about finding God & realizing who you are. You may think you can predict how this underdog tale will play out but the filmmakers may have a few surprises up their sleeves. It’s a heart-warming story about people facing adversities & families coming together to support each other.
Alien gives it 3 “Brookshire Cougar Nation” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
When economic disaster comes to the small town of Franklin, the basketball coach’s dreams for a championship season are crushed & he gets reassigned to coach cross-country track with just one member, an asthmatic girl with an inhaler. This Christian faith film is an emotional & inspirational story about finding God & realizing who you are. You may think you can predict how this underdog tale will play out but the filmmakers may have a few surprises up their sleeves. It’s a heart-warming story about people facing adversities & families coming together to support each other.
Alien gives it 3 “Brookshire Cougar Nation” stars out of 4.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Brittany Runs A Marathon
A 28-year-old party girl, Brittany (Jillian Bell), gets a wake up call from her doctor for a life style change due to an unhealthy Body Mass Index value. With diet & exercise, Brittany hopes to change herself along with her self image but the gym membership is unaffordable so she turns to running with a goal of participating in the prestigious New York City Marathon. This entertaining comedy/drama follows Brittany’s struggles as she attempts to shed some weight & discovers herself. This funny film also details Brittany’s relationship with her roommates & her running partners. This film is based on a real life Brittany & photos of her appear at the end of the film.
Alien gives it 3 “housesitting duties” stars out of 4.
A 28-year-old party girl, Brittany (Jillian Bell), gets a wake up call from her doctor for a life style change due to an unhealthy Body Mass Index value. With diet & exercise, Brittany hopes to change herself along with her self image but the gym membership is unaffordable so she turns to running with a goal of participating in the prestigious New York City Marathon. This entertaining comedy/drama follows Brittany’s struggles as she attempts to shed some weight & discovers herself. This funny film also details Brittany’s relationship with her roommates & her running partners. This film is based on a real life Brittany & photos of her appear at the end of the film.
Alien gives it 3 “housesitting duties” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Angel Has Fallen
It’s “In the Line of Fire” meets “The Fugitive” as Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) ends up on America’s Most Wanted List after being framed for the attempted assassination of the President. Banning’s heroics saving former President Asher in the “Olympus” & “London” films, has taken its toll on his health. Former Vice President Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) is now the President in danger. If you are a fan of the “Has Fallen” series, you’ll similarly be entertained by high energy action & on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrills. Butler is very comfortable in the Banning role. The always excellent Freeman is very presidential. Nick Nolte is the delightful surprise as the estranged eccentric father, Clay Banning. Jada Pinkett Smith plays the FBI investigator in charge of the manhunt. Piper Perabo is the new face of Banning’s wife, Leah. Yes, this film is very predictable as it follows genre formula for excitement. Not much imagination is needed to spot the bad guys when a weasel looks like a weasel. Still this third film in the series is irresistibly entertaining guilty pleasure fun. Look for a funny surprise clip just as the credit start to roll.
Alien gives it 3 “Jameson” stars out of 4.
It’s “In the Line of Fire” meets “The Fugitive” as Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) ends up on America’s Most Wanted List after being framed for the attempted assassination of the President. Banning’s heroics saving former President Asher in the “Olympus” & “London” films, has taken its toll on his health. Former Vice President Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) is now the President in danger. If you are a fan of the “Has Fallen” series, you’ll similarly be entertained by high energy action & on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrills. Butler is very comfortable in the Banning role. The always excellent Freeman is very presidential. Nick Nolte is the delightful surprise as the estranged eccentric father, Clay Banning. Jada Pinkett Smith plays the FBI investigator in charge of the manhunt. Piper Perabo is the new face of Banning’s wife, Leah. Yes, this film is very predictable as it follows genre formula for excitement. Not much imagination is needed to spot the bad guys when a weasel looks like a weasel. Still this third film in the series is irresistibly entertaining guilty pleasure fun. Look for a funny surprise clip just as the credit start to roll.
Alien gives it 3 “Jameson” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Peanut Butter Falcon
A young man, Zak (Zack Gottsagen), with Down’s syndrome escapes from a nursing home to fulfill his dream to become a professional wrestler. Another young man, Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), with some shady motives is on the run because of his misdeeds. They meet by chance & become 2 “baddies” on the run in this modern day Mark Twain type story. Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) from the nursing home is responsible to find Zak & returning him. Together, they bond & help each together on their adventure. LaBeouf, Gottsagen, & Johnson are terrific in their roles. The wonderful supporting cast includes Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, & Thomas Haden Church. This is a funny, tender, & heart-warming story about examining the quality of life regardless of any disabilities one may have & about caring about each other.
Alien gives it 3½ “Salt Water Redneck” stars out of 4.
A young man, Zak (Zack Gottsagen), with Down’s syndrome escapes from a nursing home to fulfill his dream to become a professional wrestler. Another young man, Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), with some shady motives is on the run because of his misdeeds. They meet by chance & become 2 “baddies” on the run in this modern day Mark Twain type story. Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) from the nursing home is responsible to find Zak & returning him. Together, they bond & help each together on their adventure. LaBeouf, Gottsagen, & Johnson are terrific in their roles. The wonderful supporting cast includes Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, & Thomas Haden Church. This is a funny, tender, & heart-warming story about examining the quality of life regardless of any disabilities one may have & about caring about each other.
Alien gives it 3½ “Salt Water Redneck” stars out of 4.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Ready or Not
“For better or worse... til death do us part” becomes a newlywed bride’s nightmare when she unknowingly agrees to play a deadly game of hide & seek with her new, rich, eccentric in-laws & is suddenly threatened to be newly dead. Not since the Bride in “Kill Bill” has another bride, Grace (Samara Weaving), had such violent confrontations threatening her life. It is a new twist to the dreaded meet the in-laws situation. This disturbingly dysfunctional in-law family (featuring Adam Body & Andie MacDowell) is out to get her due to a demented family traditional ritual. This over-the-top black comedy/horror/thriller is deliciously diabolical. It takes a twisted sense of humor to appreciate this wild parody on hunting down the planet’s most dangerous creature. It’s a delicate balance between hilarious moments vs extreme violence; such as the use of inappropriate language under extreme duress. Hang on to your seat for this outrageous thrill ride until the conclusion. Is it a real family curse or just bullshit?
Alien gives it 3 “Mr. Le Bail’s Gambit” stars out of 4.
“For better or worse... til death do us part” becomes a newlywed bride’s nightmare when she unknowingly agrees to play a deadly game of hide & seek with her new, rich, eccentric in-laws & is suddenly threatened to be newly dead. Not since the Bride in “Kill Bill” has another bride, Grace (Samara Weaving), had such violent confrontations threatening her life. It is a new twist to the dreaded meet the in-laws situation. This disturbingly dysfunctional in-law family (featuring Adam Body & Andie MacDowell) is out to get her due to a demented family traditional ritual. This over-the-top black comedy/horror/thriller is deliciously diabolical. It takes a twisted sense of humor to appreciate this wild parody on hunting down the planet’s most dangerous creature. It’s a delicate balance between hilarious moments vs extreme violence; such as the use of inappropriate language under extreme duress. Hang on to your seat for this outrageous thrill ride until the conclusion. Is it a real family curse or just bullshit?
Alien gives it 3 “Mr. Le Bail’s Gambit” stars out of 4.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
47 Meters Down: Uncaged
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Are celebrity dads sacrificing their daughters as shark bait?
It’s “The Shallows” meets “The Descent” meets “Crawl” in this supposed sequel to “47 Meters Down”. About the only things in common are the pretty girls in scuba gear threaten by sharks & the words used it the title. New cast of fresh meat are being served up. Four girls (including Corinna Foxx & Sistine Stallone in their big screen debuts) for twice the fun & double the danger. Toss in a couple of guys for appetizers, so sit back & hang to your seats. Laid back, mild manner John Corbett plays the dad. Nia Long is the mom in little more than a cameo role. They are the parents of the 2 step-sisters who aren’t necessarily that close. On a lark, these 4 girls go exploring a newly discovered hidden underwater Mayan temple, but some deadly great white sharks drop in to spoil their adventure. Expect a lot of screaming & thrashing around in tight quarters. It’s difficult to film underwater & to act behind scuba masks but who cares because it’s a shark movie & people just want to see people get eaten. Is it far fetched? But of course, it is. The more you fear sharks, the more you’ll probably like this film & will overlook its short comings. It’s predictable & almost laughable at times, but it will jump out & grab you too. See who will survive & who will be shark bait. With a film budget of just one tenth of the original, don’t set your hopes up too high as this one feels more like a teenage slasher/splasher flick.
Alien gives it. 2 “The Great White Dive/Glass Bottom Boat Tour” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Are celebrity dads sacrificing their daughters as shark bait?
It’s “The Shallows” meets “The Descent” meets “Crawl” in this supposed sequel to “47 Meters Down”. About the only things in common are the pretty girls in scuba gear threaten by sharks & the words used it the title. New cast of fresh meat are being served up. Four girls (including Corinna Foxx & Sistine Stallone in their big screen debuts) for twice the fun & double the danger. Toss in a couple of guys for appetizers, so sit back & hang to your seats. Laid back, mild manner John Corbett plays the dad. Nia Long is the mom in little more than a cameo role. They are the parents of the 2 step-sisters who aren’t necessarily that close. On a lark, these 4 girls go exploring a newly discovered hidden underwater Mayan temple, but some deadly great white sharks drop in to spoil their adventure. Expect a lot of screaming & thrashing around in tight quarters. It’s difficult to film underwater & to act behind scuba masks but who cares because it’s a shark movie & people just want to see people get eaten. Is it far fetched? But of course, it is. The more you fear sharks, the more you’ll probably like this film & will overlook its short comings. It’s predictable & almost laughable at times, but it will jump out & grab you too. See who will survive & who will be shark bait. With a film budget of just one tenth of the original, don’t set your hopes up too high as this one feels more like a teenage slasher/splasher flick.
Alien gives it. 2 “The Great White Dive/Glass Bottom Boat Tour” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
A reclusive agoraphobic housewife & doting mother with a workaholic husband suddenly disappears; thus, starts her amazing adventure as her family searches for her. Cate Blanchett & her character Bernadette Fox are a tour de force in this quirky, smart, & witty comedy about a talented person who has a reawakening after 20 years. Director Richard Linklater has created a wonderful film with a clever script & dialog as layers of Bernadette’s past are slowly revealed. Set in rainy Seattle, Billy Crudup is the husband Elgin who works for Microsoft & Emma Nelson plays their bright & loving daughter Bee. The role of the controlling wannabe perfect mom/socialite Abby is filled by Kristen Wiig. Judy Greer, Zoë Chao, Laurence Fishburne, & Megan Mullally are in the supporting cast. This is a film about the bonds that hold families together & finding what makes you happy.
Alien gives it 3½ “creative genius or menace” stars out of 4.
A reclusive agoraphobic housewife & doting mother with a workaholic husband suddenly disappears; thus, starts her amazing adventure as her family searches for her. Cate Blanchett & her character Bernadette Fox are a tour de force in this quirky, smart, & witty comedy about a talented person who has a reawakening after 20 years. Director Richard Linklater has created a wonderful film with a clever script & dialog as layers of Bernadette’s past are slowly revealed. Set in rainy Seattle, Billy Crudup is the husband Elgin who works for Microsoft & Emma Nelson plays their bright & loving daughter Bee. The role of the controlling wannabe perfect mom/socialite Abby is filled by Kristen Wiig. Judy Greer, Zoë Chao, Laurence Fishburne, & Megan Mullally are in the supporting cast. This is a film about the bonds that hold families together & finding what makes you happy.
Alien gives it 3½ “creative genius or menace” stars out of 4.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Brian Banks
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Brian Bank was a 16-year-old high schooler with football talent & a scholarship to USC when his hopes & dreams get derailed by false accusations of kidnap & rape. Poor legal representation & a broken justice system get him prison time & probation with ankle bracelet monitoring. This is a powerful & inspirational true story about an innocent man frustrated by the legal system who won’t give up on himself & the truth. Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, & Sherri Sheperd’s give excellent performances. Morgan Freeman has a small but pivotal uncredited role as a mentor. This emotional ride feels a bit heavy handed at times as it reflects this victim’s torment. As with so many of these based-on-true-story movies, it’s hard to believe certain things really happened that way but truth is often stranger than fiction. This film also features the remarkable efforts of the California Innocence Project. Photos, film footage, & summaries at the movie’s end reveal images of the real people portrayed & what happened to them.
Alien gives it 3 “XONR8” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Brian Bank was a 16-year-old high schooler with football talent & a scholarship to USC when his hopes & dreams get derailed by false accusations of kidnap & rape. Poor legal representation & a broken justice system get him prison time & probation with ankle bracelet monitoring. This is a powerful & inspirational true story about an innocent man frustrated by the legal system who won’t give up on himself & the truth. Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, & Sherri Sheperd’s give excellent performances. Morgan Freeman has a small but pivotal uncredited role as a mentor. This emotional ride feels a bit heavy handed at times as it reflects this victim’s torment. As with so many of these based-on-true-story movies, it’s hard to believe certain things really happened that way but truth is often stranger than fiction. This film also features the remarkable efforts of the California Innocence Project. Photos, film footage, & summaries at the movie’s end reveal images of the real people portrayed & what happened to them.
Alien gives it 3 “XONR8” stars out of 4.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Angry Birds 2
The battle between Bird Island & Swine Island rages on in this sequel to the 2016 original. But a sudden truce is called when an ice ball attack from a third island interrupts. Angry bird Red assembles a special combined bird/pig team, who’s secret mission to save their islands depends on destroying the enemy’s secret weapon. It is hilarious family fun with lots of laughs & sight gags for young & old. Adults will get those jokes that will just fly over the kids’ heads. The crazy antics of these cute critters are irresistibly adorable. Don’t get up too soon or you’ll miss one more funny clip from hatchlings.
Alien gives it 3½ “Trojan Eagle” stars out of 4.
p.s. “Hair Love”, a terrific, funny, & heart-felt animated short plays before Angry Birds 2. Very cute. Don’t be late or you may miss it.
The battle between Bird Island & Swine Island rages on in this sequel to the 2016 original. But a sudden truce is called when an ice ball attack from a third island interrupts. Angry bird Red assembles a special combined bird/pig team, who’s secret mission to save their islands depends on destroying the enemy’s secret weapon. It is hilarious family fun with lots of laughs & sight gags for young & old. Adults will get those jokes that will just fly over the kids’ heads. The crazy antics of these cute critters are irresistibly adorable. Don’t get up too soon or you’ll miss one more funny clip from hatchlings.
Alien gives it 3½ “Trojan Eagle” stars out of 4.
p.s. “Hair Love”, a terrific, funny, & heart-felt animated short plays before Angry Birds 2. Very cute. Don’t be late or you may miss it.
Wednesday, August 07, 2019
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark
Spiders, scarecrows, disjointed creatures... oh my!
A prank on Halloween night & a visit to a haunted house become a nightmare for some teens in 1968 Pennsylvania. Selected stories from the popular children’s book series of the same title are incorporated into the magical pages of this supernatural book of doom foretelling of one’s gruesome & deadly fate. Based on folklore & urban legions tales, these unsuspecting teens are haunted the angry spirit of Sarah Bellows, the daughter of the town’s family founders. Guillermo Del Toro lends his talented hands to this frightening script terrorizing these teens with horrendous creatures & situations. It’s fear perpetuated by suspense that drive this horror genre. See if anyone can discover Mill Valley’s dark secret & save themselves.
Alien gives it 3 “pages that write themselves” stars out of 4.
Spiders, scarecrows, disjointed creatures... oh my!
A prank on Halloween night & a visit to a haunted house become a nightmare for some teens in 1968 Pennsylvania. Selected stories from the popular children’s book series of the same title are incorporated into the magical pages of this supernatural book of doom foretelling of one’s gruesome & deadly fate. Based on folklore & urban legions tales, these unsuspecting teens are haunted the angry spirit of Sarah Bellows, the daughter of the town’s family founders. Guillermo Del Toro lends his talented hands to this frightening script terrorizing these teens with horrendous creatures & situations. It’s fear perpetuated by suspense that drive this horror genre. See if anyone can discover Mill Valley’s dark secret & save themselves.
Alien gives it 3 “pages that write themselves” stars out of 4.
Monday, August 05, 2019
The Kitchen
Who woulda thunk? A thrilling mobster wives story could’ve spawned from a comic book series about 3 desperate housewives having the balls to take over their Irish mafia husbands’ crime organization in 1978’s Hell’s Kitchen, New York, after the FBI arrest & jail their hubbies. Then, cast 2 funny ladies (Melissa McCarthy & Tiffany Haddish) & a handmaid (Elisabeth Moss) as the timid housewives who can’t take it any more, step up, & prove they can be as tough as their marital partners. See how these smart & capable women evolve to cope with unexpected obstacles in their treacherous business. Domhnall Gleason is a skilled hitman & Common plays one of the FBI agents investigating crime. Just when you think you got it all figured out, this crime story may surprise you.
Alien get it 3 “neighborhood protection & collection” stars out of 4.
Who woulda thunk? A thrilling mobster wives story could’ve spawned from a comic book series about 3 desperate housewives having the balls to take over their Irish mafia husbands’ crime organization in 1978’s Hell’s Kitchen, New York, after the FBI arrest & jail their hubbies. Then, cast 2 funny ladies (Melissa McCarthy & Tiffany Haddish) & a handmaid (Elisabeth Moss) as the timid housewives who can’t take it any more, step up, & prove they can be as tough as their marital partners. See how these smart & capable women evolve to cope with unexpected obstacles in their treacherous business. Domhnall Gleason is a skilled hitman & Common plays one of the FBI agents investigating crime. Just when you think you got it all figured out, this crime story may surprise you.
Alien get it 3 “neighborhood protection & collection” stars out of 4.
Saturday, August 03, 2019
Dora and The Lost City of Gold
The 7-year-old Latina character, Dora the Explorer, from the Nickelodeon educational animated show comes to the big screen as a teenage Dora (Isabella Moner) in this new live action version. If you grew up a Dora fan, you will recognize Boots the monkey, Swiper the Fox, Backpack, & Map. Follow Dora & her “Scooby” gang as they get kidnapped & must solve some jungle riddles to save her parents (Michael Peña & Eva Longoria) & find an ancient lost Incan city. This action adventure comedy is a great, cute, & charming family film.
Alan gives it 3 “Parapatar” stars out of 4.
The 7-year-old Latina character, Dora the Explorer, from the Nickelodeon educational animated show comes to the big screen as a teenage Dora (Isabella Moner) in this new live action version. If you grew up a Dora fan, you will recognize Boots the monkey, Swiper the Fox, Backpack, & Map. Follow Dora & her “Scooby” gang as they get kidnapped & must solve some jungle riddles to save her parents (Michael Peña & Eva Longoria) & find an ancient lost Incan city. This action adventure comedy is a great, cute, & charming family film.
Alan gives it 3 “Parapatar” stars out of 4.
Thursday, August 01, 2019
The Art of Racing in the Rain
This is the emotional story about race driver/instructor Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia) & his family as they cope with career, cancer, & custody as told thru the eyes of his dog Enzo (wonderfully voiced by Kevin Costner). Boy gets dog. Boy meets girl. Boy & girl start family. And then the drama starts. This is a typical predictable family comedy/drama but lovingly & humorously told from a dog’s perspective. Enzo does have all the best lines in the film. The dog/dogs who played the part of Enzo was/were excellent. Amanda Seyfried was also terrific as Eve, the girl the story. Denny & Enzo bonded over their passion for auto racing. Denny’s talent for winning races even on a rainy track becomes a metaphoric guide to handling life’s difficult obstacles. This is a charming film for all of you dog lovers but it also a bit of a tearjerker.
Alien gives it 3 “doggie dreams” stars ou of 4.
This is the emotional story about race driver/instructor Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia) & his family as they cope with career, cancer, & custody as told thru the eyes of his dog Enzo (wonderfully voiced by Kevin Costner). Boy gets dog. Boy meets girl. Boy & girl start family. And then the drama starts. This is a typical predictable family comedy/drama but lovingly & humorously told from a dog’s perspective. Enzo does have all the best lines in the film. The dog/dogs who played the part of Enzo was/were excellent. Amanda Seyfried was also terrific as Eve, the girl the story. Denny & Enzo bonded over their passion for auto racing. Denny’s talent for winning races even on a rainy track becomes a metaphoric guide to handling life’s difficult obstacles. This is a charming film for all of you dog lovers but it also a bit of a tearjerker.
Alien gives it 3 “doggie dreams” stars ou of 4.
