Monday, September 30, 2019
Don’t Let Go
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s shades of “Frequency”/“The Lake House”/“Early Edition” when Uncle Jack (David Oyelowo) & his favorite niece Ashley (Storm Reid) have a special connection. Jack is a homicide detective who stumbles onto the apparent murder/suicide case involving his brother Garret (Brian Tyree Henry), sister-in-law, & Ashley. Depressed & drinking, Jack thinks maybe he has gone mad when he gets a cell phone call from his deceased niece, a blast from the past. This seems like a regular murder mystery but with a sci-fi fantasy twist, alternate time lines. Present day Jack covertly uses Ashley (à la “Veronica Mars”) from the past to solve the case. Mykelti Williamson & Alfred Molina costar as Jack’s homicide partner & his chief. It’s a decent thriller if you don’t mind the unconventional.
Alien gives it 3 “Who’s Georgie?” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s shades of “Frequency”/“The Lake House”/“Early Edition” when Uncle Jack (David Oyelowo) & his favorite niece Ashley (Storm Reid) have a special connection. Jack is a homicide detective who stumbles onto the apparent murder/suicide case involving his brother Garret (Brian Tyree Henry), sister-in-law, & Ashley. Depressed & drinking, Jack thinks maybe he has gone mad when he gets a cell phone call from his deceased niece, a blast from the past. This seems like a regular murder mystery but with a sci-fi fantasy twist, alternate time lines. Present day Jack covertly uses Ashley (à la “Veronica Mars”) from the past to solve the case. Mykelti Williamson & Alfred Molina costar as Jack’s homicide partner & his chief. It’s a decent thriller if you don’t mind the unconventional.
Alien gives it 3 “Who’s Georgie?” stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Black & Blue
Alicia West (Naomie Harris) is a rookie cop who returns to her hometown of New Orleans after 2 tours of duty for the Army in Afghanistan. When she accidentally captures a drug dealer execution by crooked cops, she becomes framed for the crime & must get her body cam footage to the proper authorities to prove her innocence. If you haven’t guessed by the title, West is black & a cop. Now, she is on the run & doesn’t know who she can trust. This is a tense action thriller although a bit predictable. Tyrese Gibson plays a reluctant assistant from the hood. Frank Grillo is Terry Malone, one of the dirty cops trying to cover up their mistakes. If you like underdog stories where the hero struggles against great odds with a little help from their friends, you might enjoy this good cop versus bad cops & gang bangers plot. In a world filled with racism & injustice, people just need to step up to make a difference.
Alien gives it 3 “Missy & Mouse” stars out of 4.
Alicia West (Naomie Harris) is a rookie cop who returns to her hometown of New Orleans after 2 tours of duty for the Army in Afghanistan. When she accidentally captures a drug dealer execution by crooked cops, she becomes framed for the crime & must get her body cam footage to the proper authorities to prove her innocence. If you haven’t guessed by the title, West is black & a cop. Now, she is on the run & doesn’t know who she can trust. This is a tense action thriller although a bit predictable. Tyrese Gibson plays a reluctant assistant from the hood. Frank Grillo is Terry Malone, one of the dirty cops trying to cover up their mistakes. If you like underdog stories where the hero struggles against great odds with a little help from their friends, you might enjoy this good cop versus bad cops & gang bangers plot. In a world filled with racism & injustice, people just need to step up to make a difference.
Alien gives it 3 “Missy & Mouse” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Judy
Based on a play, this is the tragic story of the internationally famous American actress/singer Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger). Set in 1969, the plot focuses on Garland’s fading career & her depression, drinking problem, & substance abuse. Flashbacks depict her childhood issues related to her controlling mother & a demanding studio head. Zellweger is spot on fabulous & captures Garland’s spirit & mannerism. Zellweger also does all of her own singing. This is a very sad & painful tale of a beloved movie star’s self-destructive spiraling downfall.
Alien gives it 2½ “Talk of the Town” stars out of 4.
Based on a play, this is the tragic story of the internationally famous American actress/singer Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger). Set in 1969, the plot focuses on Garland’s fading career & her depression, drinking problem, & substance abuse. Flashbacks depict her childhood issues related to her controlling mother & a demanding studio head. Zellweger is spot on fabulous & captures Garland’s spirit & mannerism. Zellweger also does all of her own singing. This is a very sad & painful tale of a beloved movie star’s self-destructive spiraling downfall.
Alien gives it 2½ “Talk of the Town” stars out of 4.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Rambo: Last Blood
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Sylvester Stallone returns for a fifth installment of his icon Vietnam war veteran John Rambo from “First Blood” in 1982. Rambo has settled down on his family home in Arizona living a peaceful life as a horse rancher & helping to raise Gabriella, a teenager who calls him Uncle John. When Gabriella get in trouble in Mexico, Rambo runs into trouble with the Mexican Cartel & that’s where the fun begins. It’s a very generic plot but it’s John Rambo so hang on to your seats because this lone warrior still suffering from PTSD is all about vengeance without mercy. Using in his deadly combat skills & guerrilla warfare techniques, he lays out booby traps & an elaborate ambush scheme that would put Angel Has Fallen’s Clay Banning to shame. For Rambo fans, there is plenty violence & mayhem with stabby-stabby injuries, explosions, & double-tap insurance as the body count rises. You got to wonder about a guy who spends years building a maze of tunnels under his ranch & stock it with an arsenal big enough to outfit a small army & a blacksmithing forge capable of making knife blades & letter openers.
Alien gives it 2½ “rage unleashed” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Sylvester Stallone returns for a fifth installment of his icon Vietnam war veteran John Rambo from “First Blood” in 1982. Rambo has settled down on his family home in Arizona living a peaceful life as a horse rancher & helping to raise Gabriella, a teenager who calls him Uncle John. When Gabriella get in trouble in Mexico, Rambo runs into trouble with the Mexican Cartel & that’s where the fun begins. It’s a very generic plot but it’s John Rambo so hang on to your seats because this lone warrior still suffering from PTSD is all about vengeance without mercy. Using in his deadly combat skills & guerrilla warfare techniques, he lays out booby traps & an elaborate ambush scheme that would put Angel Has Fallen’s Clay Banning to shame. For Rambo fans, there is plenty violence & mayhem with stabby-stabby injuries, explosions, & double-tap insurance as the body count rises. You got to wonder about a guy who spends years building a maze of tunnels under his ranch & stock it with an arsenal big enough to outfit a small army & a blacksmithing forge capable of making knife blades & letter openers.
Alien gives it 2½ “rage unleashed” stars out of 4.
Downton Abbey
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Born from a 2010 TV series, the Crawleys & their servants are back, but this popular period piece is holding its reunion on the big screen. The King & Queen are paying a visit so there is much preparations to be made for this royal visit. Fans of the series will love seeing their favorite characters together again. Don’t worry if you’ve never seen even a single episode. The film tries to cater to the newcomers too. Although, it may be kind of hard to keep track of large ensemble cast & their interconnections without knowing their history. This film has a wonderful cast & tells an entertaining story. Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess has the best one-liners. See how the upper crust lives & how their servants hold their own ground.
Alien gives it 3 “Edwardian Country House Shenanigans” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Born from a 2010 TV series, the Crawleys & their servants are back, but this popular period piece is holding its reunion on the big screen. The King & Queen are paying a visit so there is much preparations to be made for this royal visit. Fans of the series will love seeing their favorite characters together again. Don’t worry if you’ve never seen even a single episode. The film tries to cater to the newcomers too. Although, it may be kind of hard to keep track of large ensemble cast & their interconnections without knowing their history. This film has a wonderful cast & tells an entertaining story. Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess has the best one-liners. See how the upper crust lives & how their servants hold their own ground.
Alien gives it 3 “Edwardian Country House Shenanigans” stars out of 4.
Abominable
Bigfoot, Littlefoot, Missing Link... oh my!
Now along comes “Abominable”, yet another animated Yeti flick. This time, a teenager Yi finds an escaped Yeti & decides to return him to his home, Mount Everest. Along with her friends, Peng & Jin, they journey across China while being hunted by a multimillionaire Burbush & a Dr. Zara. This cute & funny family film is a magical treat. It features Chinese culture with themes of family & perseverance.
Alien gives it 3½ “magical music” stars out of 4.
Bigfoot, Littlefoot, Missing Link... oh my!
Now along comes “Abominable”, yet another animated Yeti flick. This time, a teenager Yi finds an escaped Yeti & decides to return him to his home, Mount Everest. Along with her friends, Peng & Jin, they journey across China while being hunted by a multimillionaire Burbush & a Dr. Zara. This cute & funny family film is a magical treat. It features Chinese culture with themes of family & perseverance.
Alien gives it 3½ “magical music” stars out of 4.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
The Goldfinch
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
When terrorists set off a bomb in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, 13-year-old Theo Decker’s (Oakes Fegley) life takes a dramatic turn. Theo’s mother dies & he moves in with a wealthy family living in the Upper East Side for awhile. This story about growing up with guilt & loss is clouded by the mystery of a missing painting, The Goldfinch. Along his journey, Theo meets many interesting characters, the Barbour family, antique dealer Hobie, a girl victim of the bombing, his estranged dad & his new wife, & a Ukrainian kid named Boris. The plot slowly evolves with pieces of the puzzle involving the painting, a ring, a sudden death, and an addiction to drugs & alcohol. Anstel Elgort plays the older Theo. Nicole Kidman, Jeffery Wright, Finn Wolfhard, Sarah Paulson, & Luke Wilson are amongst the supporting cast. Great acting & cinematography highlights this film with unexpected twists, turns, & connections.
Alien gives it 3 “slick antiques salesman” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
When terrorists set off a bomb in New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, 13-year-old Theo Decker’s (Oakes Fegley) life takes a dramatic turn. Theo’s mother dies & he moves in with a wealthy family living in the Upper East Side for awhile. This story about growing up with guilt & loss is clouded by the mystery of a missing painting, The Goldfinch. Along his journey, Theo meets many interesting characters, the Barbour family, antique dealer Hobie, a girl victim of the bombing, his estranged dad & his new wife, & a Ukrainian kid named Boris. The plot slowly evolves with pieces of the puzzle involving the painting, a ring, a sudden death, and an addiction to drugs & alcohol. Anstel Elgort plays the older Theo. Nicole Kidman, Jeffery Wright, Finn Wolfhard, Sarah Paulson, & Luke Wilson are amongst the supporting cast. Great acting & cinematography highlights this film with unexpected twists, turns, & connections.
Alien gives it 3 “slick antiques salesman” stars out of 4.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Ad Astra
Astronaut Major Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) goes on a top secret mission that eventually lands him at the outer edge of our solar system as he tries to unlock a 16-year-old mystery involving his missing dad (Tommy Lee Jones) & possibly an antimatter experiment gone wrong that now threatens our planet. Set in the near future, space travel to the moon & Mars feels like how we fly across the country now. The amazing outer space special effects will dazzle the eyes as those images will transport you off world. This is practically a one man show as the plot focuses on Roy & his thrilling & death defying adventure into space. If you are only expecting a high energy mystery/action flick, you may be a bit disappointed. This is more of a man dealing his lost-relationship-with-his-father & his devotion-to-his-work type of story amongst some wonderful outer space background scenes. The critics seem to be raving over Ad Astra but I️ don't get it. Outside of a few harrowing moments for Roy, this introspective look at the life of an astronaut did not really hold my interest. Donald Sutherland & Tommy Lee Jones had little more than extended cameos for there parts. I️ still have questions about some of the events & how or why they happened. While Pitt gives a strong performance, his character bewilders me. The production was well made & acted but overall I was confused & unimpressed. By the film’s end, I was left unsatisfied. Maybe it was just too deep for me & I️ wasn't prepared for that. Brad, if that was your Plan B, do you have a Plan C company?
Alien gives it 2 “Lima Project” stars out of 4.
Astronaut Major Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) goes on a top secret mission that eventually lands him at the outer edge of our solar system as he tries to unlock a 16-year-old mystery involving his missing dad (Tommy Lee Jones) & possibly an antimatter experiment gone wrong that now threatens our planet. Set in the near future, space travel to the moon & Mars feels like how we fly across the country now. The amazing outer space special effects will dazzle the eyes as those images will transport you off world. This is practically a one man show as the plot focuses on Roy & his thrilling & death defying adventure into space. If you are only expecting a high energy mystery/action flick, you may be a bit disappointed. This is more of a man dealing his lost-relationship-with-his-father & his devotion-to-his-work type of story amongst some wonderful outer space background scenes. The critics seem to be raving over Ad Astra but I️ don't get it. Outside of a few harrowing moments for Roy, this introspective look at the life of an astronaut did not really hold my interest. Donald Sutherland & Tommy Lee Jones had little more than extended cameos for there parts. I️ still have questions about some of the events & how or why they happened. While Pitt gives a strong performance, his character bewilders me. The production was well made & acted but overall I was confused & unimpressed. By the film’s end, I was left unsatisfied. Maybe it was just too deep for me & I️ wasn't prepared for that. Brad, if that was your Plan B, do you have a Plan C company?
Alien gives it 2 “Lima Project” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Hustlers
Facing hard economic times in 2008, a crew of savvy strippers band together & take advantage of their rich Wall Street clients with the aid of some drugs & alcohol. Inspired by a true story in a New York magazine article, it’s a dramatic story of sisterhood & women empowerment while trapped in a man’s world with the titillating backdrop of a titty bar. Jennifer Lopez & Constance Wu are excellent as experienced mentor & novice “new girl”. Like her character Romona in the film, Lopez takes charge with her presence channeling her JLo celebrity star status as well as her street-smart “Jenny from the Block” origins to dominate the screen. But this is Destiny’s (Wu) story told thru her eyes. It’s also glimpse behind the scenes of the naughty male-controlled strip club industry. With a campy “Widows”/“The Kitchen” vibe, this is a smart entertaining film with a sense of humor made by women about women turning the tables on men who objectify women. With a story about strippers, you’d expect provocative scantily dressed girls, some nudity & there is even a full frontal shot but it may not be what you expect. Keke Palmer, Julia Stiles, & Lili Reinhart co-star with a special appearance by Usher. Real life ex-stripper, now singer/rapper, Cardinal B makes her film debut in a bit part. See how money runs the world & how greed tempts you to cross the line as you rationalize your motives to acquire it.
Alien gives it 3 “I️ don’t want to hurt anyone” stars out of 4.
Facing hard economic times in 2008, a crew of savvy strippers band together & take advantage of their rich Wall Street clients with the aid of some drugs & alcohol. Inspired by a true story in a New York magazine article, it’s a dramatic story of sisterhood & women empowerment while trapped in a man’s world with the titillating backdrop of a titty bar. Jennifer Lopez & Constance Wu are excellent as experienced mentor & novice “new girl”. Like her character Romona in the film, Lopez takes charge with her presence channeling her JLo celebrity star status as well as her street-smart “Jenny from the Block” origins to dominate the screen. But this is Destiny’s (Wu) story told thru her eyes. It’s also glimpse behind the scenes of the naughty male-controlled strip club industry. With a campy “Widows”/“The Kitchen” vibe, this is a smart entertaining film with a sense of humor made by women about women turning the tables on men who objectify women. With a story about strippers, you’d expect provocative scantily dressed girls, some nudity & there is even a full frontal shot but it may not be what you expect. Keke Palmer, Julia Stiles, & Lili Reinhart co-star with a special appearance by Usher. Real life ex-stripper, now singer/rapper, Cardinal B makes her film debut in a bit part. See how money runs the world & how greed tempts you to cross the line as you rationalize your motives to acquire it.
Alien gives it 3 “I️ don’t want to hurt anyone” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, September 03, 2019
It Chapter Two (IMAX)
It’s 27 years later & the members of the Losers Club from “It”, the first chapter of the famed Stephen King novel movie, get the dreaded phone call to return to their hometown of Derry, Maine. Now all grownup, each character must face their fears & unite together to defeat Pennywise, their supernatural nemesis reincarnated in the form of a demented teethy clown prone to biting its victims. Although seeing the first film isn’t absolutely necessary, previewing part one just prior to screening this movie will help you connect to dots better. Filmmakers have done an excellent job of casting adult versions of those fabulous original kids. Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, & Bill Hader are outstanding. There are plenty of flashbacks featuring those terrific kid actors too. This is partly why this film’s runtime clocks in around 2 hours 50 minutes. Learn about the origins of this demonic entity & the ritual necessary to vanquish it. Although more creepy & eerie than scary (unless you’re just a scaredy-cat), audiences will still be on the edge of their seats with jump scares & with the lines between hallucinations & supernatural reality being blurred. It’s a living nightmare as these “losers” fight for survival. Look for lots of Easter eggs, a special cameo, & a running gag about a writer’s bad story endings. Have we seen the last of Pennywise? If this film is successful enough, there plenty of untold horrific tales to be explored in prequels since this ancient evil resurfaces every 27 years.
Alien gives it 3½ “I’m gonna kill this f-ing clown” stars out of 4.
It’s 27 years later & the members of the Losers Club from “It”, the first chapter of the famed Stephen King novel movie, get the dreaded phone call to return to their hometown of Derry, Maine. Now all grownup, each character must face their fears & unite together to defeat Pennywise, their supernatural nemesis reincarnated in the form of a demented teethy clown prone to biting its victims. Although seeing the first film isn’t absolutely necessary, previewing part one just prior to screening this movie will help you connect to dots better. Filmmakers have done an excellent job of casting adult versions of those fabulous original kids. Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, & Bill Hader are outstanding. There are plenty of flashbacks featuring those terrific kid actors too. This is partly why this film’s runtime clocks in around 2 hours 50 minutes. Learn about the origins of this demonic entity & the ritual necessary to vanquish it. Although more creepy & eerie than scary (unless you’re just a scaredy-cat), audiences will still be on the edge of their seats with jump scares & with the lines between hallucinations & supernatural reality being blurred. It’s a living nightmare as these “losers” fight for survival. Look for lots of Easter eggs, a special cameo, & a running gag about a writer’s bad story endings. Have we seen the last of Pennywise? If this film is successful enough, there plenty of untold horrific tales to be explored in prequels since this ancient evil resurfaces every 27 years.
Alien gives it 3½ “I’m gonna kill this f-ing clown” stars out of 4.
Monday, September 02, 2019
Luce
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A model student’s behavior is questioned when a teacher becomes suspicious after reading his written report assignment & searching his locker for contraband. This is a complex, dark, & disturbing story involving racism, prejudice, stereotyping, tokenism, & deception through lying or omission. Tim Roth & Naomi Watts are marvelous as the devoted & caring parents of Luce (Kelvin’s in Harrison Jr), their adopted son from a war-torn African country. Octavia Spenser plays the concerned teacher. It’s a unsettling, thought-provoking film as the mystery slowly evolves, the suspense starts to build, & doubt begins to cloud suspicions. What are students’ rights to privacy? Do you judge good students & bad students differently? Should you trust a person or are you being deceived? It’s unconditional love versus the search for truth. Is Luce guilty of something or just a victim of circumstances?
Alien gives it 3 “whose side are you on?” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A model student’s behavior is questioned when a teacher becomes suspicious after reading his written report assignment & searching his locker for contraband. This is a complex, dark, & disturbing story involving racism, prejudice, stereotyping, tokenism, & deception through lying or omission. Tim Roth & Naomi Watts are marvelous as the devoted & caring parents of Luce (Kelvin’s in Harrison Jr), their adopted son from a war-torn African country. Octavia Spenser plays the concerned teacher. It’s a unsettling, thought-provoking film as the mystery slowly evolves, the suspense starts to build, & doubt begins to cloud suspicions. What are students’ rights to privacy? Do you judge good students & bad students differently? Should you trust a person or are you being deceived? It’s unconditional love versus the search for truth. Is Luce guilty of something or just a victim of circumstances?
Alien gives it 3 “whose side are you on?” stars out of 4.
