Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The Rhythm Section
It’s “Peppermint” meets “American Assassin” when a revenge obsessed woman marches to the beat of the Lively drum in this anti-terrorist action adventure. Stephanie Patrick‘s (Blake Lively) life spirals out of control after losing her family in a tragic plane crash. When she is told it was no accident, she is determined to find out who killed her family & evokes her own personal form of justice. Following a cryptic clue leads her to a mysterious man Boyd (Jude Law) who instructs her on some special skills & sends out for some field work impersonating another assassin. She meets another covert operative Serra (Sterling K. Brown) as the kill assignments continue. The plot starts out slow until the dangerous international missions commence. Expect a dramatic car chase & some brutal hand-to-hand combat scenes but Stephanie is no Peppermint. This gritty spy drama is based on the first book of a 4-part series by Mark Burnell (also the producer/screenwriter here). So will the Lively Stephanie return in a subsequent sequel or is this character’s potential best played out on the written page?
Alien gives it 2½ “calming thoughts of the drums & bass” stars out of 4.
It’s “Peppermint” meets “American Assassin” when a revenge obsessed woman marches to the beat of the Lively drum in this anti-terrorist action adventure. Stephanie Patrick‘s (Blake Lively) life spirals out of control after losing her family in a tragic plane crash. When she is told it was no accident, she is determined to find out who killed her family & evokes her own personal form of justice. Following a cryptic clue leads her to a mysterious man Boyd (Jude Law) who instructs her on some special skills & sends out for some field work impersonating another assassin. She meets another covert operative Serra (Sterling K. Brown) as the kill assignments continue. The plot starts out slow until the dangerous international missions commence. Expect a dramatic car chase & some brutal hand-to-hand combat scenes but Stephanie is no Peppermint. This gritty spy drama is based on the first book of a 4-part series by Mark Burnell (also the producer/screenwriter here). So will the Lively Stephanie return in a subsequent sequel or is this character’s potential best played out on the written page?
Alien gives it 2½ “calming thoughts of the drums & bass” stars out of 4.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
The Turning
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A teacher Kate (MacKenzie Davis) quits her job to become the governess for a 7-year-old girl Flora (Brooklynn Prince) at a huge secluded sprawling estate. Housekeeper Mrs Grose manages the household since the tragic death of Flora’s parents. Flora’s brother Miles (Finn Wolfhard) makes a surprise appearance after being expelled from boarding school. This modern adaptation is based on Henry James’ 1898 gothic ghost story. Although this supposed supernatural horror story may be disappointing for some, it is true to the spirit of the original novella. The film captures an unsettling creepy mood with the peculiar characters, isolated location, some jump scares, & a couple of fake-outs. If you like your movies where everything is clearly spelled out & with proper closure, this one probably isn’t for you. Is the Flora truly sweet & innocent? Is Miles a conniving troublemaker? Why is Mrs Grose so protective of these privileged siblings? Is Kate really seeing ghosts or is she mentally unstable? What happened to the last governess & the former riding instructor? This film is more of a psychological thriller that lets the audience interpret what happened, but it does fall short of the original source material’s impact. This is a good concept but poor execution.
Alien gives it 2 “ghosts or delusions” stars out out 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
A teacher Kate (MacKenzie Davis) quits her job to become the governess for a 7-year-old girl Flora (Brooklynn Prince) at a huge secluded sprawling estate. Housekeeper Mrs Grose manages the household since the tragic death of Flora’s parents. Flora’s brother Miles (Finn Wolfhard) makes a surprise appearance after being expelled from boarding school. This modern adaptation is based on Henry James’ 1898 gothic ghost story. Although this supposed supernatural horror story may be disappointing for some, it is true to the spirit of the original novella. The film captures an unsettling creepy mood with the peculiar characters, isolated location, some jump scares, & a couple of fake-outs. If you like your movies where everything is clearly spelled out & with proper closure, this one probably isn’t for you. Is the Flora truly sweet & innocent? Is Miles a conniving troublemaker? Why is Mrs Grose so protective of these privileged siblings? Is Kate really seeing ghosts or is she mentally unstable? What happened to the last governess & the former riding instructor? This film is more of a psychological thriller that lets the audience interpret what happened, but it does fall short of the original source material’s impact. This is a good concept but poor execution.
Alien gives it 2 “ghosts or delusions” stars out out 4.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
The Gentleman
Director Guy Richie tells an elaborate twisting tale about the competition for control of a lucrative marijuana empire in England. Mickey Pearson (Mathew McConaughey) has a very successful covert drug operation but he wants to sell his business & retire with his wife/love of his life, Rosalind (Michelle Dockery). This is a violent, action thriller with a sly sense of humor & a unique cast of colorful characters (including Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, & Charlie Hunnam). The plot starts out slow & confusing as the audience is only fed bits & pieces of this stylized crime drama with many surprising twists & turns and littered by name calling nearly everyone a “cunt”. So if you hang in there amongst the British accents, you’ll be treated to a wild ride in this entertainingly fun “cat & mouse” game of gaining the upper hand.
Alien gives it 3 “blackmail & deceit” stars out of 4.
Director Guy Richie tells an elaborate twisting tale about the competition for control of a lucrative marijuana empire in England. Mickey Pearson (Mathew McConaughey) has a very successful covert drug operation but he wants to sell his business & retire with his wife/love of his life, Rosalind (Michelle Dockery). This is a violent, action thriller with a sly sense of humor & a unique cast of colorful characters (including Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, & Charlie Hunnam). The plot starts out slow & confusing as the audience is only fed bits & pieces of this stylized crime drama with many surprising twists & turns and littered by name calling nearly everyone a “cunt”. So if you hang in there amongst the British accents, you’ll be treated to a wild ride in this entertainingly fun “cat & mouse” game of gaining the upper hand.
Alien gives it 3 “blackmail & deceit” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Bad Boys For Life
Detectives Mike Lowery (Will Smith) & Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are back to sing their Bad Boys remix after their popular 1995 original & 2003 sequel. Time is pushing this “ride & die together” couple in different directions. Marcus is contemplating retirement. Mike is facing a mid-life crisis as he is appointed head of an elite group of millennial cops, AMMO. When Mike becomes the target of a drug cartel, these bad boys reunite to uncover who the killer is. Buckle up & hang on to your seat cuz this is a Jerry Bruckheimer film so expect some wild tire screeching vehicle crashing chase scenes & explosive gun battles that will light up the Miami night. Lawrence is the comedic component of this dynamic duo & is just hilarious. Smith brings his usual heroic swagger to the game. This is an action packed thrill ride that will have audiences laughing their butts off. This one is about being partners for life & the importance of family. Among the surprises in an unexpected cameo that may go over most peoples heads. Look for a possible sequel hint near the beginning of the credits.
Alien gives it 3½ “Beware of the Bruja” stars out of 4.
Detectives Mike Lowery (Will Smith) & Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are back to sing their Bad Boys remix after their popular 1995 original & 2003 sequel. Time is pushing this “ride & die together” couple in different directions. Marcus is contemplating retirement. Mike is facing a mid-life crisis as he is appointed head of an elite group of millennial cops, AMMO. When Mike becomes the target of a drug cartel, these bad boys reunite to uncover who the killer is. Buckle up & hang on to your seat cuz this is a Jerry Bruckheimer film so expect some wild tire screeching vehicle crashing chase scenes & explosive gun battles that will light up the Miami night. Lawrence is the comedic component of this dynamic duo & is just hilarious. Smith brings his usual heroic swagger to the game. This is an action packed thrill ride that will have audiences laughing their butts off. This one is about being partners for life & the importance of family. Among the surprises in an unexpected cameo that may go over most peoples heads. Look for a possible sequel hint near the beginning of the credits.
Alien gives it 3½ “Beware of the Bruja” stars out of 4.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
1917
Two British soldiers are sent on a mission to warn 2 battalions (1600 men) that they are headed into a trap. Director Sam Mendes puts you right in the middle of WWI; in the trenches, through the barbed wire, in the muck & mire, among the stench of dead bodies & swarming flies, around the bombed out ruins, and dodging gunfire. The cinematography is wonderful. Amazingly the camera lens seamlessly follows these soldiers as if the entire film was one continuous film take with no breaks in the action. This is truly a remarkable effort in film editing & shot planning. Cameos are made by Mark Strong, Colin Firth, & Benedict Cumberbatch. This is not your typical war film. This is more of a story about ordinary men dedicated to their duty to follow their orders, no matter what the costs. This film is dedicated to Mendes’ grandfather who was a WWI lance corporal & told his war stories to his grandson Sam. They must have made a big impression.
Alien gives it 3 “race against time” stars out of 4.
Two British soldiers are sent on a mission to warn 2 battalions (1600 men) that they are headed into a trap. Director Sam Mendes puts you right in the middle of WWI; in the trenches, through the barbed wire, in the muck & mire, among the stench of dead bodies & swarming flies, around the bombed out ruins, and dodging gunfire. The cinematography is wonderful. Amazingly the camera lens seamlessly follows these soldiers as if the entire film was one continuous film take with no breaks in the action. This is truly a remarkable effort in film editing & shot planning. Cameos are made by Mark Strong, Colin Firth, & Benedict Cumberbatch. This is not your typical war film. This is more of a story about ordinary men dedicated to their duty to follow their orders, no matter what the costs. This film is dedicated to Mendes’ grandfather who was a WWI lance corporal & told his war stories to his grandson Sam. They must have made a big impression.
Alien gives it 3 “race against time” stars out of 4.
Dolittle
Doctor Dolittle is back on the big screen, but his time, it’s not like Rex Harrison’s 1967 musical version nor is it like Eddie Murphy’s 1998 straight comedy version. This Victorian England physician/veterinarian Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr) has become a recluse/hermit after losing his wife. His closest friends are his menagerie of animals who he can talk to. But when Queen Victoria becomes ill, Dolittle along with his critter pals & self-appointed apprentice Stubbins set off on a wild epic adventure to find a cure while the bad guys are plotting to taken over the throne. Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, & Jim Broadbent costar along with a number of A-list voices. This is a cute & charming action/comedy adventure suited for children of all ages. There is plenty of humor to spread all around; some will just over the heads of the little ones. This is fun family entertainment. Stay seated for a funny mid-credit clip.
Alien gives it 3 “Island of Eden” stars out of 4.
Doctor Dolittle is back on the big screen, but his time, it’s not like Rex Harrison’s 1967 musical version nor is it like Eddie Murphy’s 1998 straight comedy version. This Victorian England physician/veterinarian Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr) has become a recluse/hermit after losing his wife. His closest friends are his menagerie of animals who he can talk to. But when Queen Victoria becomes ill, Dolittle along with his critter pals & self-appointed apprentice Stubbins set off on a wild epic adventure to find a cure while the bad guys are plotting to taken over the throne. Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, & Jim Broadbent costar along with a number of A-list voices. This is a cute & charming action/comedy adventure suited for children of all ages. There is plenty of humor to spread all around; some will just over the heads of the little ones. This is fun family entertainment. Stay seated for a funny mid-credit clip.
Alien gives it 3 “Island of Eden” stars out of 4.
Wednesday, January 08, 2020
Underwater
A group of researchers on an underwater lab at the bottom of the Marianas Trench meet disaster as tremors start to collapse their facility. To survive, these lucky seven must suit up & walk across the ocean floor to an abandoned drill site with possible escape pods. What could go wrong? Possibly some unknown sea creatures with big pointy teeth. This is your typical formulaic driven horror monster plot where the prey get picked off one by one; leaving audiences guessing who, if any, will survive. Undoubtedly, this inner space horror monster flick will be compared to the classic outer space thriller “Alien” with Kristen Stewart trying to fill the shoes of Sigourney Weaver as heroine Ellen Ripley. Add T.J. Miller to the cast for some comic relief. One of the this film’s drawbacks is that most of the creature moments are shot in the darkness & murkiness of being 7 miles under the sea. Also, the script could have used a better set of technical advisors to make the film feel more authentic. The movie is more suspense than horror. This “Alien” wannabe feels a bit waterlogged & the audiences will feel they’re sloshing their way to the end. But if you suspend your doubts & disbeliefs about what you see on screen & just go with the flow, you might have a decent claustrophobic time.
Alien gives it 2½ “Tian Industries” stars out of 4.
A group of researchers on an underwater lab at the bottom of the Marianas Trench meet disaster as tremors start to collapse their facility. To survive, these lucky seven must suit up & walk across the ocean floor to an abandoned drill site with possible escape pods. What could go wrong? Possibly some unknown sea creatures with big pointy teeth. This is your typical formulaic driven horror monster plot where the prey get picked off one by one; leaving audiences guessing who, if any, will survive. Undoubtedly, this inner space horror monster flick will be compared to the classic outer space thriller “Alien” with Kristen Stewart trying to fill the shoes of Sigourney Weaver as heroine Ellen Ripley. Add T.J. Miller to the cast for some comic relief. One of the this film’s drawbacks is that most of the creature moments are shot in the darkness & murkiness of being 7 miles under the sea. Also, the script could have used a better set of technical advisors to make the film feel more authentic. The movie is more suspense than horror. This “Alien” wannabe feels a bit waterlogged & the audiences will feel they’re sloshing their way to the end. But if you suspend your doubts & disbeliefs about what you see on screen & just go with the flow, you might have a decent claustrophobic time.
Alien gives it 2½ “Tian Industries” stars out of 4.
Tuesday, January 07, 2020
Like A Boss
Two childhood BFFs Mia (Tiffany Haddish) & Mel (Rose Byrne) don’t want to work for a boss so they decide to start their own beauty company. Although they have different working styles & different goals, they are enjoying themselves until they realize their company has incurred some huge debts. Along comes cosmetic mogul Claire Luna (Selma Hayek) offering bailout money, but Luna is secretly trying to steal Mia & Mel’s company. Haddish & Byrne are very funny at what they do. Hayek plays it over the top in her villainous role. It’s a predictable plot line, but entertaining enough for some mindless fun & laughs. This girl power chick flick is about friendship & working through your differences to compliment each other.
Alien gives it 2½ “creative custom cosmetics” stars out of 4.
Two childhood BFFs Mia (Tiffany Haddish) & Mel (Rose Byrne) don’t want to work for a boss so they decide to start their own beauty company. Although they have different working styles & different goals, they are enjoying themselves until they realize their company has incurred some huge debts. Along comes cosmetic mogul Claire Luna (Selma Hayek) offering bailout money, but Luna is secretly trying to steal Mia & Mel’s company. Haddish & Byrne are very funny at what they do. Hayek plays it over the top in her villainous role. It’s a predictable plot line, but entertaining enough for some mindless fun & laughs. This girl power chick flick is about friendship & working through your differences to compliment each other.
Alien gives it 2½ “creative custom cosmetics” stars out of 4.
Monday, January 06, 2020
Just Mercy
I️n 1987 Alabama, African-American William McMillan (Jamie Foxx) aka Johnny D is wrongly convicted & imprisoned on death row for the murder of an 18-year-old white girl. Fresh out of Harvard Law School, Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordon) comes to town to help people have been unjustly incarcerated & are unable to afford proper legal representation. Brie Lawson plays an assistant at Stevenson’s free legal clinic. These 3 leads give outstanding performances in this touching emotional roller coaster ride based on a true story. All of the supporting cast are also amazing & give added realism to this film featuring racism, bias, & fears. This is a must-see movie about one man’s unselfish quest to find justice for those in need with unheard voices & about his uplifting attempt to make America a better & more just place. If you stay though the credits, you’ll see photos of the real characters portrayed & learn more about their stories.
Alien gives it 4 “Equal Justice Initiative” stars out of 4.
I️n 1987 Alabama, African-American William McMillan (Jamie Foxx) aka Johnny D is wrongly convicted & imprisoned on death row for the murder of an 18-year-old white girl. Fresh out of Harvard Law School, Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordon) comes to town to help people have been unjustly incarcerated & are unable to afford proper legal representation. Brie Lawson plays an assistant at Stevenson’s free legal clinic. These 3 leads give outstanding performances in this touching emotional roller coaster ride based on a true story. All of the supporting cast are also amazing & give added realism to this film featuring racism, bias, & fears. This is a must-see movie about one man’s unselfish quest to find justice for those in need with unheard voices & about his uplifting attempt to make America a better & more just place. If you stay though the credits, you’ll see photos of the real characters portrayed & learn more about their stories.
Alien gives it 4 “Equal Justice Initiative” stars out of 4.
Saturday, January 04, 2020
The Grudge
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This film is a reboot of 2004 remake of the 2002 Japanese original Ju-On. The common premise here is a grudge curse haunts the house where death by rage has occurred. The first 2 films by director Takashi Shimizu were very popular. Fans of these 2 films will likely be disappointed. This latest version feels confusing at first as several storylines from different time periods are being depicted piecemeal jumping back & forth until finally all the dots are connected but only if you were paying close attention. For true horror fans, this one is not very scary. If you are easily frightened, there may be enough jump scares to terrorize you, especially if you believe in ghosts & curses. What’s most lacking is the foundation of the original murders in Japan & its creepy spirit. The acting is decent enough but the story is too predictable to be terrorizing if you can see it coming. To cut costs, this viral curse had been transplanted to a small town in Pennsylvania. Is this film even necessary? No, it doesn’t add nor enhance the franchise. It’s just not a very good attempt expand the grudge curse. Too many characters & their ghosts. A complicated plot structure.
Alien gives it 2 “44 Reyburn Dr” stars out of 4.
This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.
This film is a reboot of 2004 remake of the 2002 Japanese original Ju-On. The common premise here is a grudge curse haunts the house where death by rage has occurred. The first 2 films by director Takashi Shimizu were very popular. Fans of these 2 films will likely be disappointed. This latest version feels confusing at first as several storylines from different time periods are being depicted piecemeal jumping back & forth until finally all the dots are connected but only if you were paying close attention. For true horror fans, this one is not very scary. If you are easily frightened, there may be enough jump scares to terrorize you, especially if you believe in ghosts & curses. What’s most lacking is the foundation of the original murders in Japan & its creepy spirit. The acting is decent enough but the story is too predictable to be terrorizing if you can see it coming. To cut costs, this viral curse had been transplanted to a small town in Pennsylvania. Is this film even necessary? No, it doesn’t add nor enhance the franchise. It’s just not a very good attempt expand the grudge curse. Too many characters & their ghosts. A complicated plot structure.
Alien gives it 2 “44 Reyburn Dr” stars out of 4.
