Alien at the Movies

Godzilla vs Kong

It’s “Pacific Rim” meets “Journey to the Center of the Earth” as the 2017 “Kong: Skull Island” & the 2019 “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” set up this big main event bout that could be billed as the Clash of the Titans. Fans of these 2 classic movie monster giants will be laying bets on their favorite to come out on top. Has the stereotyped crowd favorite heroic protector of the Earth, Godzilla, finally gone berserk & turned rogue against mankind? Will Kong’s human-like qualities gain him enough underdog support to knockout the perennial champion? It’s all about amazing action sequences & not so much about the silly storyline. Two trio teams take separate paths enduring extreme dangers & end up at the same place to witness the final round. No need to name the token actors casted here because audiences who will tune in only care about the gigantic lizard & ape anyway. Come see for yourself who wins & who loses, who is good & who is evil, and whether there is any hint of a follow up film. Fans of this monster genre type will probably love this updated supercharged version of their childhood guilty pleasures.

Alien gives it 3 “Hollow Earth” stars out of 4.

Honest Thief

An successfully elusive professional bank robber (Liam Neeson) starts out as kind of a Robin Hood but turns Bryan Mills when he gets double-crossed & framed. The former marine & demolition expert, Tom, decides to fess up & turn himself in to the FBI but everything starts to go wrong & endangers his girlfriend, Annie (Kate Walsh). The plot begins to feel predictable as the story unfolds but if you are a “Taken” fan, you’ll surely have a good time. Money, adrenaline rush, & love.

Alien gives it 3 “special girl” stars out of 4.

 Boogie

It’s a coming of age story for an Asian American boy from the hood with big NBA dreams. Alfred Chin (Taylor Takahashi) is a basketball talent & the son of Chinese immigrants living in Queens. He goes by his stripper name “Boogie”. He is under great pressure dealing with his volatile parents, a new girlfriend, his coach, a cross town rival, & “uncle” Melvin. Writer/director Eddie Huang reveals growing up Chinese in America & glimpses into Chinese culture. This predictable but entertaining film climaxes at the big game. 

Alien gives it 3 “City Prep vs Brooklyn at the Barracks” stars out of 4.

Six Minutes to Midnight

It’s “Spy vs Spy” meets “The Fugitive” in this pre-WWII  spy drama. In the summer of 1939, the mysterious disappearance of a teacher at an Anglo-German private finishing school on the English coast sends Thomas Miller (Eddie Izzard) to interview with the headmistress Miss Rocholl (Judi Dench) for the vacant position. The 20 girls being educated there happen to come from Nazi High Command families. It’s a predictable but entertaining & suspenseful plot as suspicions arise & another dead body turns up. 

Alien gives it 2½ “Whitehall 1154” stars out of 4.

Super Frenchie

Welcome to the world of Mathias “Super Frenchie” Giraud in this documentary about his passion for skiing & BASE jumping. Learn how his love for speed & air develops into his interests in skiing, skydiving, & BASE jumping. Follow his success & failures as his thrill-seeking ambition takes him around the world looking for more daredevil activities. Narrated by Giraud, audiences will be able to grasp his mindset for feeling alive while risking his life. Interviews with friends & family provide a broader picture. Body cams lets you see what he sees as he attempts his extreme sport challenges. The locations are beautiful & breathtaking. 

Alien gives it 3 “skibasing & going in” stars out of 4.

Genius: Aretha

This is Episode 1 “Respect” of  National Geographic’s 8 part series featuring the life & times of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. This is actually Season 3 of the Genius anthology. See the early struggles a musical talent trying to record her first album. See the childhood influences that help shape Aretha. Cynthia Erivo is brilliant as the famous superstar. The story here plays out like an intriguing soap opera. The Franklin family has not given their approval of this biopic version. But whether or not all of the details are truthful & factual, this film is highly entertaining & reveals much about her personal life while playing her songs as a backdrop. This is a wonderful introduction making audiences wanting more.

Alien gives it 3 “Muscle Shoals’ FAME Studios” stars out of 4.

Free Byrd

Jay Butler (Randy Nazarian) is assigned the job of transferring Harry Byrd (Raymond J.Barry) to a new residence in this buddy road trip comedy with a retirement twist. Jay is the retirement home van driver & a disillusioned underachiever. Harry is an elderly pain-in-the-butt who has the habit of disappearing. A series of misadventures along the way helps these two bond together & changed their outlooks on life. It’s not so much about the destination but it’s about the journey as the father/son relationships are explored.

Alien gives it 2½  “Olompali” stars out of 4.

Long Weekend

A struggling writer Bart (Finn Wittrock) is has fallen on hard times when he meets a mysterious woman Vienna (Zoë Chao). His down-on-his-luck life suddenly takes a steep upturn with a flirtatious romp in this romantic comedy. This odd stranger unbelievably seems just too perfect for him. It’s a light hearted feel good movie with a fantasy feel to it.

Alien gives it 2½ “ATM PIN” stars out of 4.

Coming 2 America

Move over Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for the new Prince of Queens as “The Lion King” meets “The Princess Diaries” meets “Black Panther” in this sequel to the 1988 Coming to America. Eddie Murphy & Arsenio Hall reprise their roles as Akeem & Semmi & return to New York City to find the son that the now King Akeem never new existed. This is a hilarious tribute to Black culture & heritage while staying true to the original. It’s the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in a struggle between following tradition & going with your heart. The plot is predictable but lots of fun to watch. The all-star cast includes Jame Earl Jones, Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, & so many cameos (see how many you can recognize). I’m not sure if I ever have seen the entire original or just bits & pieces. But I was entertained. I’m sure that fans of the original will recognize the many Easter eggs. Look for some spectacular song & dance numbers. Outtakes play throughout the credits.

Alien gives it 3½ “Queens/Zamunda relations” stars out of 4.

Land

Producer/director/star Robin Wright plays Edee, a woman who decides to buy a log cabin in the wilderness off the beaten path living alone away from the world. She soon discovers that she may not be as well prepared for her new life as she thought. Fortunately for her, 2 guardian angels come to her rescue & effect a change in her outlook. This is a moving & emotional story about people’s past, their future, & their relationships with others. The mood in the beginning feels very sad & lonely. Memories of the past are revealed in little slices. This is a bittersweet story of doing the right thing to help your fellow man.

Alien gives it 3 “Emma & Miguel” stars out of 4.

My Salinger Year

Set in 1995, Joanna (Margaret Qualley) is an aspiring writer/poet who leaves Berkeley to visit her best friend in New York City. She has a change of plans & Margaret (Sigourney Weaver), the head of a literary agency, hires Joanna as an assistant, whose job description includes responding to fan letters addressed to the notoriously reclusive J.D. Salinger. This is a young woman struggling to find herself & figure out what she wants in life. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t seem to really go anywhere amongst a cast of quirky characters. But if you love New York City & reading books, you may enjoy this film & its references. 

Alien gives it 2½ “emotionally quiet” stars out of 4.