Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Jojo Rabbit
Director/writer Taila Waititi explores childhood innocence confused by Nazi propaganda & German nationalism in his unique comedy amongst tragic events. This outrageous satire on Hitler’s Youth Camps follows 10-year-old Jojo’s struggle to fit into the Nazi party lines. He has an imagination friend named Adolph (Waititi) pressuring him to conform against his natural instincts. Then Jojo discovers a secret at his home that further complicates his life. Scarlett Johansson plays Joni’s loving mother. Sam Rockwell & Rebel Wilson give hilarious over-the-top performances. This is a creative effort to handle a delicate subject with humor but still allowing the tragedy of the situation to be remembered.
Alien gives it 3 “stielhandgranate incident” stars out of 4.
Director/writer Taila Waititi explores childhood innocence confused by Nazi propaganda & German nationalism in his unique comedy amongst tragic events. This outrageous satire on Hitler’s Youth Camps follows 10-year-old Jojo’s struggle to fit into the Nazi party lines. He has an imagination friend named Adolph (Waititi) pressuring him to conform against his natural instincts. Then Jojo discovers a secret at his home that further complicates his life. Scarlett Johansson plays Joni’s loving mother. Sam Rockwell & Rebel Wilson give hilarious over-the-top performances. This is a creative effort to handle a delicate subject with humor but still allowing the tragedy of the situation to be remembered.
Alien gives it 3 “stielhandgranate incident” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Terminator: Dark Fate (RPX)
James Cameron is back & he has brought his ex-wife Linda Hamilton & good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger with him. Technically, this is the 6th Terminator film, but it is actually a sequel to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Just pretend the last 3 Terminator films & the TV Sarah Connor series never existed. Apparently after Judgement Day, SkyNet & the T-1000 series were defeated but nothing really changes that much because the Legion & the Rev-9 series replace them in an alternate future storyline. A new dual cyborg is sent back from the future to terminate Dani Ramos, possibly a new Sarah Connor. However, the human resistance also sends back a protector, Grace who is an enhanced super soldier (think Bionic Woman). Of course, badass Sarah Connor (Hamilton) makes a grand entrance with guns a blazing. Along the way, they pick up a guy from Carl’s Draperies (Schwarzenegger). With this new deadly terminator in constant hot pursuit, it is almost non-stop action with thrilling battles on land, in the water, & in the air. Enjoy the special effects & the sense of humor. If you haven’t seen the original & T2, you may not get all of the iconic references. But no worries, it’s basically the same storyline with some evolutionary twists to it. This one is for the Terminator fans. Rated “R” for violence & language.
Alien gives it 3½ “double trouble threat” stars out of 4.
James Cameron is back & he has brought his ex-wife Linda Hamilton & good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger with him. Technically, this is the 6th Terminator film, but it is actually a sequel to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Just pretend the last 3 Terminator films & the TV Sarah Connor series never existed. Apparently after Judgement Day, SkyNet & the T-1000 series were defeated but nothing really changes that much because the Legion & the Rev-9 series replace them in an alternate future storyline. A new dual cyborg is sent back from the future to terminate Dani Ramos, possibly a new Sarah Connor. However, the human resistance also sends back a protector, Grace who is an enhanced super soldier (think Bionic Woman). Of course, badass Sarah Connor (Hamilton) makes a grand entrance with guns a blazing. Along the way, they pick up a guy from Carl’s Draperies (Schwarzenegger). With this new deadly terminator in constant hot pursuit, it is almost non-stop action with thrilling battles on land, in the water, & in the air. Enjoy the special effects & the sense of humor. If you haven’t seen the original & T2, you may not get all of the iconic references. But no worries, it’s basically the same storyline with some evolutionary twists to it. This one is for the Terminator fans. Rated “R” for violence & language.
Alien gives it 3½ “double trouble threat” stars out of 4.
The Current War
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Men of vision propose different methods of providing electrical power to America in the 1890’s. Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) chooses direct current while George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) offers alternate current. Tom Holland plays an assistant to Edison. Nicholas Hoult plays the immigrant inventor Nikola Tesla who worked for both Edison & Westinghouse. This is a fascinating story about these creative & entrepreneurial men advanced American technology. Get to know more about these famous men & their lives. Inspired by true events.
Alien gives it 3 “Chicago World’s Fair” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Men of vision propose different methods of providing electrical power to America in the 1890’s. Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) chooses direct current while George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) offers alternate current. Tom Holland plays an assistant to Edison. Nicholas Hoult plays the immigrant inventor Nikola Tesla who worked for both Edison & Westinghouse. This is a fascinating story about these creative & entrepreneurial men advanced American technology. Get to know more about these famous men & their lives. Inspired by true events.
Alien gives it 3 “Chicago World’s Fair” stars out of 4.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Motherless Brooklyn
Set in New York City in the 1950’s, this noir crime drama features flawed detective Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton) afflicted with Tourette’s Syndrome trying to solve the mystery behind the death of his mentor & friend. Although cursed with tics & involuntary verbal outbursts, Essrog is blessed with a photographic memory. This old fashion gumshoe story features political corruption, a scandalous secret, & a greed for power. The multi-talented Norton not only gives an incredible amazing performance but he also is credited as director & writer. Among the terrific supporting cast is Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Cannavale, & Leslie Mann. At 2 hours & 24 minutes, this murder mystery runs rather slow in the beginning as the clues are slowly revealed. I️ was able to pickup on a critical clue early on. Can you? If you like this genre, you’ll have a good time.
Alien gives it 3 “Freak Show” stars out of 4.
Set in New York City in the 1950’s, this noir crime drama features flawed detective Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton) afflicted with Tourette’s Syndrome trying to solve the mystery behind the death of his mentor & friend. Although cursed with tics & involuntary verbal outbursts, Essrog is blessed with a photographic memory. This old fashion gumshoe story features political corruption, a scandalous secret, & a greed for power. The multi-talented Norton not only gives an incredible amazing performance but he also is credited as director & writer. Among the terrific supporting cast is Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Bobby Cannavale, & Leslie Mann. At 2 hours & 24 minutes, this murder mystery runs rather slow in the beginning as the clues are slowly revealed. I️ was able to pickup on a critical clue early on. Can you? If you like this genre, you’ll have a good time.
Alien gives it 3 “Freak Show” stars out of 4.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Villains
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Amateur criminals/drug addicts (Bill Skarsgård & Maika Monroe) rob a convenience store/gas station & become lovers on run headed for Florida when they run out of gas. Desperate to distance themselves from the scene of the crime, they break into a nearby home hoping to steal some new wheels but stumble onto the dark secrets of the seemingly sweet homeowners (Jeffrey Donovan & Kyra Sedgwick). This bizarre & disturbing black comedy is rated “R” for language, drug use, & violence.Skarsgård & Monroe give good performances as an inept Bonnie & Clyde couple but Donovan & Sedgwick are outstanding the other odd loving couple totally devoted to each other. This film probably only has limited public appeal due to its quirky nature.
Alien gives it 2½ “Sweetie Pie” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Amateur criminals/drug addicts (Bill Skarsgård & Maika Monroe) rob a convenience store/gas station & become lovers on run headed for Florida when they run out of gas. Desperate to distance themselves from the scene of the crime, they break into a nearby home hoping to steal some new wheels but stumble onto the dark secrets of the seemingly sweet homeowners (Jeffrey Donovan & Kyra Sedgwick). This bizarre & disturbing black comedy is rated “R” for language, drug use, & violence.Skarsgård & Monroe give good performances as an inept Bonnie & Clyde couple but Donovan & Sedgwick are outstanding the other odd loving couple totally devoted to each other. This film probably only has limited public appeal due to its quirky nature.
Alien gives it 2½ “Sweetie Pie” stars out of 4.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Zombieland: Double Tap
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s “Shaun of the Dead” meets “The Road Warrior” meets “World War Z” in the sequel to the 2009 original “Zombieland “. That wonderfully dysfunctional family, Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, & Little Rock (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, & Abigail Breslin) is finally back on the big screen to continue their fight for survival against the ever evolving zombies. Don’t be late for this hilarious comedy because the laughs start with the studio iconic logo. This wild road trip adventure takes us from the White House to Graceland to the Babylon hippie commune. Along the way, we meet some new players: Berkeley, Madison, Nevada, Albuquerque, & Flagstaff. Luke Wilson & Thomas Middleditch are terrific in their all so familiar portrayals but Zoey Deutch is a scene stealer in her hilarious role of the dumb blonde. Rosario Dawson is also among the supporting cast. If you like lots laughs with your deliciously blood zombie kills, you’ll probably have a great time. It’s all about searching for home & finding family. Stay seated for some celebrity cameo scenes mid & end of credits.
Alien gives it 3½ “Homer, Hawkins, Ninja, & T-800” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
It’s “Shaun of the Dead” meets “The Road Warrior” meets “World War Z” in the sequel to the 2009 original “Zombieland “. That wonderfully dysfunctional family, Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, & Little Rock (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, & Abigail Breslin) is finally back on the big screen to continue their fight for survival against the ever evolving zombies. Don’t be late for this hilarious comedy because the laughs start with the studio iconic logo. This wild road trip adventure takes us from the White House to Graceland to the Babylon hippie commune. Along the way, we meet some new players: Berkeley, Madison, Nevada, Albuquerque, & Flagstaff. Luke Wilson & Thomas Middleditch are terrific in their all so familiar portrayals but Zoey Deutch is a scene stealer in her hilarious role of the dumb blonde. Rosario Dawson is also among the supporting cast. If you like lots laughs with your deliciously blood zombie kills, you’ll probably have a great time. It’s all about searching for home & finding family. Stay seated for some celebrity cameo scenes mid & end of credits.
Alien gives it 3½ “Homer, Hawkins, Ninja, & T-800” stars out of 4.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Countdown
It’s “The Ring” meets “Final Destination” meets “Jexi” when a bunch of people download the Countdown app to their smart phones just for giggles & laughs. Who wouldn’t be curious about knowing when they might die? Sadly, some get very short timelines until their deaths. Thus, panic sets in & they become desperate to avoid the grim reaper & to cheat death. After a nurse installs the app & witnesses some deadly results, a group of short-timers seek help from a demon expert. If you are easily frightened by jump scares, shadowy stalkers, & seeing dead people, you may enjoy this one. It’s fairly predictable but can be fun if you are in the right mood and/or with the right crowd. Peter Facinelli is casted as a doctor here (ironically, Twilight’s Dr. Carlisle Cullen would be nearly 380 years old by now). Stay seated for one last mid-credit scene.
Alien gives it 2½ “breaking the contract agreement” stars out of 4.
It’s “The Ring” meets “Final Destination” meets “Jexi” when a bunch of people download the Countdown app to their smart phones just for giggles & laughs. Who wouldn’t be curious about knowing when they might die? Sadly, some get very short timelines until their deaths. Thus, panic sets in & they become desperate to avoid the grim reaper & to cheat death. After a nurse installs the app & witnesses some deadly results, a group of short-timers seek help from a demon expert. If you are easily frightened by jump scares, shadowy stalkers, & seeing dead people, you may enjoy this one. It’s fairly predictable but can be fun if you are in the right mood and/or with the right crowd. Peter Facinelli is casted as a doctor here (ironically, Twilight’s Dr. Carlisle Cullen would be nearly 380 years old by now). Stay seated for one last mid-credit scene.
Alien gives it 2½ “breaking the contract agreement” stars out of 4.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
The real untold story of Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) & Aurora (Elle Fanning) continues in this new follow up to the 2014 original. Themes of love, war, peace, greed, ambition, fear, & unity still carry on as humans & fairies struggle with their coexistence. A proposal, future in-laws meeting, preparations for a royal wedding sets up a big conflict between the two sides. Disney magic dazzles as this well known fairy tale continues to spin this story in that alternate direction. Jolie is outstanding as the maligned Maleficent. Fanning is terrific as the sweet Aurora. Michelle Pfeiffer is cast as the ambitious Queen Ingris. There is always two sides to every story.
Alien gives it 3½ “Phoenix” stars out of 4.
The real untold story of Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) & Aurora (Elle Fanning) continues in this new follow up to the 2014 original. Themes of love, war, peace, greed, ambition, fear, & unity still carry on as humans & fairies struggle with their coexistence. A proposal, future in-laws meeting, preparations for a royal wedding sets up a big conflict between the two sides. Disney magic dazzles as this well known fairy tale continues to spin this story in that alternate direction. Jolie is outstanding as the maligned Maleficent. Fanning is terrific as the sweet Aurora. Michelle Pfeiffer is cast as the ambitious Queen Ingris. There is always two sides to every story.
Alien gives it 3½ “Phoenix” stars out of 4.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Jexi
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
When Phil (Adam Devine) upgrades his smart phone, he ends up instead with a ”smart ass” phone. This comedy explores the world of young millennials who are obsessed with & overly dependent on their phones. Going from Siri to surly, Jexi is the defective artificial intelligence operating system software on Phil’s new phone that begins to take over & control Phil’s life. Alexandra Shipp plays Cate, the love interest, in this rom/com. Michael Peña & Wanda Sykes have bit parts. This over-the-top comedy is very predictable, really stupid, & laden with f-bombs. Devine plays his usual idiot role. His lovable loser bit just gets too grating over time. The beautiful Shipp is just too out-of-his-league to be believable. If you like your comedy sophomoric & low brow, you may enjoy Jexi.
Alien gives it 2 “tech nightmare” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
When Phil (Adam Devine) upgrades his smart phone, he ends up instead with a ”smart ass” phone. This comedy explores the world of young millennials who are obsessed with & overly dependent on their phones. Going from Siri to surly, Jexi is the defective artificial intelligence operating system software on Phil’s new phone that begins to take over & control Phil’s life. Alexandra Shipp plays Cate, the love interest, in this rom/com. Michael Peña & Wanda Sykes have bit parts. This over-the-top comedy is very predictable, really stupid, & laden with f-bombs. Devine plays his usual idiot role. His lovable loser bit just gets too grating over time. The beautiful Shipp is just too out-of-his-league to be believable. If you like your comedy sophomoric & low brow, you may enjoy Jexi.
Alien gives it 2 “tech nightmare” stars out of 4.
The Addams Family
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Originally, a single panel macabre cartoon featured in the New Yorker magazine, made popular by a 1964-66 TV series & spawning major movie films in 1991 & 1993. Charles Addams’ spooky, kooky, & ooky family returns to the big screen with Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Thing, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, & Cousin Itt. This eccentric eerie family attempts to live in seclusion but run into persecution from the nearby planned community of Assimilation. This dark & morbid comedy focuses the themes of family & being different is okay. Teenage girls rebel against their mothers. A son must perform the family coming of age ritual. Just it time for Halloween, it’s family fun for those whose sense of humor may lean more to the odd & bizarre.
Alien gives it 3 “Mazurka” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Originally, a single panel macabre cartoon featured in the New Yorker magazine, made popular by a 1964-66 TV series & spawning major movie films in 1991 & 1993. Charles Addams’ spooky, kooky, & ooky family returns to the big screen with Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Thing, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, & Cousin Itt. This eccentric eerie family attempts to live in seclusion but run into persecution from the nearby planned community of Assimilation. This dark & morbid comedy focuses the themes of family & being different is okay. Teenage girls rebel against their mothers. A son must perform the family coming of age ritual. Just it time for Halloween, it’s family fun for those whose sense of humor may lean more to the odd & bizarre.
Alien gives it 3 “Mazurka” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, October 08, 2019
Gemini Man
This predictable hitman story has been 20 years in the making with many different studios, directors, & actors said to be connected to the project. Finally, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Ang Lee, starring Will Smith in a dual role, & titled “Gemini Man”, it’s not too hard to figure out what to expect. Henry Brogan (Will Smith) is an aging elite government assassin targeted for elimination by black ops unit GEMINI head Clay Varris (Clive Owens). Varris sends his adopted son Junior (also Smith) to finish a botched first attempt. Mary Elizabeth Winstead & Benedict Wong provide tactical support for Brogan as he tries to unravel a mysterious unsettling tip. It’s a entertaining globe trotting high action thriller with amazing de-aging special effects. The stresses of the job forces a man to re-examine his life choices.
Alien gives it 3 “ultimate weapon” stars out of 4.
This predictable hitman story has been 20 years in the making with many different studios, directors, & actors said to be connected to the project. Finally, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Ang Lee, starring Will Smith in a dual role, & titled “Gemini Man”, it’s not too hard to figure out what to expect. Henry Brogan (Will Smith) is an aging elite government assassin targeted for elimination by black ops unit GEMINI head Clay Varris (Clive Owens). Varris sends his adopted son Junior (also Smith) to finish a botched first attempt. Mary Elizabeth Winstead & Benedict Wong provide tactical support for Brogan as he tries to unravel a mysterious unsettling tip. It’s a entertaining globe trotting high action thriller with amazing de-aging special effects. The stresses of the job forces a man to re-examine his life choices.
Alien gives it 3 “ultimate weapon” stars out of 4.
Sunday, October 06, 2019
Joker
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Holy moley Bobby De Niro, it’s shades of “Kings of Comedy” & “Taxi Driver”.
Batman’s famous archenemy returns to the big screen in his own stand alone film but sans the Batman. This is a very dark origin of villain story that is not based on DC version. This is a psychological profile of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix). Fleck is a party clown & a wanna be stand up comedian. He is a delusional loner & a mama’s boy who is badly bullied until he finally snaps. He idolizes late night TV host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) until Franklin mocks him. Phoenix is phenomenal in this original twisted version of the Joker. It’s a bold performance but absolutely necessary after Heath Ledger’s unforgettable Oscar winning portrayal. Phoenix’s skilled acting talents & his commitment to the role are completely up to the task. It is a disturbing performance that makes a statement about bullying, mental illness, & gun violence. The setting is 1981 in troubled Gotham City, where young Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne, is trying to make a difference. This one is not for the little kiddies & probably not for any victims of gun violence.
Alien gives it 3½ “put on a happy face” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
Holy moley Bobby De Niro, it’s shades of “Kings of Comedy” & “Taxi Driver”.
Batman’s famous archenemy returns to the big screen in his own stand alone film but sans the Batman. This is a very dark origin of villain story that is not based on DC version. This is a psychological profile of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix). Fleck is a party clown & a wanna be stand up comedian. He is a delusional loner & a mama’s boy who is badly bullied until he finally snaps. He idolizes late night TV host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) until Franklin mocks him. Phoenix is phenomenal in this original twisted version of the Joker. It’s a bold performance but absolutely necessary after Heath Ledger’s unforgettable Oscar winning portrayal. Phoenix’s skilled acting talents & his commitment to the role are completely up to the task. It is a disturbing performance that makes a statement about bullying, mental illness, & gun violence. The setting is 1981 in troubled Gotham City, where young Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne, is trying to make a difference. This one is not for the little kiddies & probably not for any victims of gun violence.
Alien gives it 3½ “put on a happy face” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
The Shining
This is not a sneak preview. The film released almost 40 years ago. This 4K remastered version makes its theatrical debut to promote the new Blu-Ray release as well as to hype the upcoming sequel, Doctor Sleep. Surprisingly, I️ had never actually seen this film before, although over the years I’ve come to realize I️ have witnessed many key scenes replicated in several other films.
Writer Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job to be the winter caretaker of a remote Colorado hotel & moves in as the hotel closes up for the winter with his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) & son Danny. When the family gets snowed in & the phone lines go down, the spooky & creepy stuff begin to crawl out of the woodworks in this psychological thriller. Danny has psychic premonitions which the chef (Scatman Carothers) calls the “shining”. Is it cabin fever hallucinations or ghosts hauntings from a previous murder/suicide at the hotel? Nicholson is terrific as the disturbed man gone off the deep end. This film ends on a puzzling old black & white photo hanging on the wall.
Alien gives it 3 “supernatural horror blast from the past” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. The film released almost 40 years ago. This 4K remastered version makes its theatrical debut to promote the new Blu-Ray release as well as to hype the upcoming sequel, Doctor Sleep. Surprisingly, I️ had never actually seen this film before, although over the years I’ve come to realize I️ have witnessed many key scenes replicated in several other films.
Writer Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job to be the winter caretaker of a remote Colorado hotel & moves in as the hotel closes up for the winter with his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) & son Danny. When the family gets snowed in & the phone lines go down, the spooky & creepy stuff begin to crawl out of the woodworks in this psychological thriller. Danny has psychic premonitions which the chef (Scatman Carothers) calls the “shining”. Is it cabin fever hallucinations or ghosts hauntings from a previous murder/suicide at the hotel? Nicholson is terrific as the disturbed man gone off the deep end. This film ends on a puzzling old black & white photo hanging on the wall.
Alien gives it 3 “supernatural horror blast from the past” stars out of 4.
