Alien at the Movies

Moonshot

In 2049, Walt (Cole Sprouse) & Sophie (Lana Condor) make last minute plans to join their significant others on Mars. This is a romantic comedy so these complete opposites must endure this long space voyage together pretending to be a couple to cover up a big lie & avoid any trouble in this comedy of errors. Of course, true to all rom/coms, these two are destined to be together. This film is geared to a younger crowd like those “Suite Life” & “To All the Boys” fans. The message here is take a good look at your dreams & to be sure to do what is right for you. It’s predictable but it’s light-hearted fun.

Alien gives it 2½ “Kovi Industry Student Mars Program” stars out out 4.

 Death on the Nile

As hinted at the conclusion of 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express”, Agatha Christie’s famed detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) finds himself solving his next murder case on a luxurious river steamer traveling on the Nile River. A jilted lover stalks a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. I️ had my suspicions about this murder plot, but this story being based of a Christie novel, I️ knew this film would have many possible suspects all with potentially possible motives. It’s a complicated plot with some twists & turns to add to the confusion. This ensemble cast includes Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, & Letitia Wright. Can you deduce who killed who, how, & why before the reveal?

Alien gives it 3 “S.S. Karnak” stars out of 4.

The Mitchells vs The Machines

A father’s & daughter’s differences setup their ordinary family on a action-packed, hilarious, family-bonding road trip to college & to saving the planet. Kate Mitchell is an independent girl & talented artist on her way to film school but butts heads with her outdoorsy technophobic dad, Rick. Meanwhile, technology entrepreneur Mark Bowman’s upgrades to his AI PAL smart phone to the next level robots devices, results is a revolution by these new machines to eliminate all humans.This is Sony’s animated attempt to explore father/daughter differences & conflicts against the backdrop of the public’s obsession with social media on their smart devices & the popularity of the superhero genre.

Alien gives it 2½  “kill code” stars out of 4.

Forte (aka Ballsy Girl)

An overweight accountant/receptionist, Nour, at a gym decides she needs an image change to attract male companionship. Her 2 best friends try to give her dating advice but neither of them has anything to brag about either. When she stumbles into a pole dancing class, she thinks this is an opportunity to build self-confidence. Add to this, a overprotective nosy mom. Sounds like the perfect formula for a madcap screwball romantic comedy. This one is more amusing than hilarious. Maybe the setups are to predictable & you know what’s coming before it actually happens. This French film is re-dubbed in English so maybe something is lost in translation. Nour is played by a standup comedian & the character is likable enough, The BFF’s are ditzy. The humor is based on a comedy of errors & misunderstandings.The film’s message is to be true to yourself. Just be the best you that you can be & not to change who you really are. 

Alien gives it 2 “delivery guy” stars out of 4.

Nomad

Leaping Lizards! Around the world in 22 weeks. Girl meets Boy. Girl loses Boy. Girl searches for Boy.

A confrontation in the desert wounds a mysterious traveler/nomad, Ben (Leo Woodall). He wakes up in a hospital & meets Nellie (Sana’a Shaik) who seems uncertain about her future. When Ben tries to quietly slip away, Nellie pursues & becomes a reluctant traveling companion on a wild global adventure where every day they may have to fight for survival in the harshest & in the most beautiful places on earth. It is a bizarre journey where 2 total strangers begin to bond & trust each other. This amazing adventure/romance story will take you to meet an indigenous tribe & locals from 12 nations while visiting 20+ countries across all 7 continents. Many of the scenes are breathtaking. It’s filmed entirely on location with no green screens, no sets, & no cinema lights. Strategic planning enabled the capture a moving moment for this globe hopping couple against the backdrop of an actual total solar eclipse. This likable couple (unknowns with a Robert Pattinson & Zendaya vibe) will have you rooting for them. What will be their destiny? Will there be a bittersweet or a happy ending? Look for a clip either pre, mid, or post credits.

Alien gives it 3 “boy with a complicated condition” stars out of 4.

Hypnotic 

When her sister Gina recommends her hypnotherapist Dr. Meade (Jason O’Mara) to Jenn (Kate Siegel) for some self-help treatment, Jenn gets more than she hoped for. Right from the get go, it’s real obvious what the premise is, who the players are, & what their part is. It’s very much a by-the-book storyline. It’s everyone’s fear of being hypnotized, although unrealistic; being forced to do things you wouldn’t normally. Fortunately, real hypnotism doesn’t work like it does here on screen. I️ don’t have to tell you any more because you’ll know what’s next each time some small reveal is made. Dulé Hill plays that typical detective working on the case. Nothing much should come as a total surprise but if you enjoy the thrill of the tension & suspense, you may like the chase to catch the villain.

Alien gives it 2 “my love” stars out of 4.

Black Crab

In a post-apocalyptic world, reluctant soldier, Caroline Edh (Noomi Rapace) is sent on a covert suicide mission transporting a top secret package across a frozen archipelago. She is told the success of the mission will lead to the end the war & she was also promised a reunion with her lost daughter. This skilled select team must skate across the frozen sea while avoiding the enemy & the dangerous thin ice. This soldier’s determination, devotion to duty, & desire to see her daughter again drive her always moving forward in Operation: Black Crab. Hang on to your seats when you hear the gunfire & the grenades explore but it ain’t over until it’s over as Mama Bear must protect her cub. This Swedish film is dubbed in English.

Alien gives it 3 “bullet wound & frostbite” stars out of 4.

Master

At Ancaster College, a predominantly White institution in New England, Gail Bishop (Regina Hall) is appointed the first Black “master” & freshman Jasmine Moore (Zoe Renee) is assigned to Belleville House’s room 302, known on campus as “The Room”. This university is supposedly cursed by a legendary ghost of  Margaret Millet accused of witchcraft & hung. The suicide of the school’s first black student had occurred in said room. This is a psychological thriller that tries to blend racism with horror. However, the plot is more confusing than scary. Typical nightmare/hallucination/lights out moments occur as the plot plods along with audiences wondering where is this story going. It is more disappointing than frightening or entertaining.This “Get Out” of Higher Education just did not work for me.

Alien gives it 1½ “history repeats itself” stars out of 4.

Halloween Kills

Surprise, no surprise! Look who’s back. Technically, he’s not actually back because this starts at the point where the 2018 version left off with Michael Myers trapped in the burning house. But honestly, did anyone actually believe that would be the end of this frightening insane masked killer, king of the slasher movies that we kind of expect every October 31. Mob mentality creates chaos as the townspeople are so sick of living the last 40 years in terror& seek vigilante justice. Fans of the franchise will get what they crave… bloody & gory creative kills. This IS a slasher film so we can see it coming as we hold our breaths & brace ourselves for the next sadistically brutal death. His reoccurring appearances begs the question: Does that mask give Michael Myers superhuman powers? If you loved the last Halloween film with the Strode family, you have got to see this one to see what was next.

Alien gets it 3 “Haddonfield Boogyman” stars out of 4.

The Parts You Lose

A 10-year-old deaf boy, Wesley, is bullied at school, seemingly has no friends, & lives in rural North Dakota with a loving mom (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) but not so much from his dad. One day, he discovers a wounded bank robbery suspect (Aaron Paul) lying in the snow. Wesley hides the fugitive in an abandon barn, tends to his wounds, & feeds him. Slowly, they bond & the man becomes the father figure that the lonely boy yearns for. The story is predictable with law enforcement closing in. You got to feel for this naive innocent boy looking for some guidance.

Alien gives it 3 “checkers” stars out of 4.

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure

After the death of his grandfather, a young Irish boy, Keegan,  & a Spanish girl, Moya, journey to the mythical world of the extinct Irish Elk. There, Keegan experiences the legendary story about protecting the elk & the river from the Huntsman & about keeping the lighthouse lit. This wonderful animated family film highlights Irish culture with its song & dance numbers by humans, elks, & frogs. It’s an appreciation of Riverdance as a celebration of life. Look for a mid-credit clip.

Alien gives it 2½  “Megaloceros Giganteus” stars out of 4.

The Water Man

Eleven year old Gunner’s childhood is disrupted when he realizes his mom (Rosario Dawson) is seriously sick with leukemia. He gives up on developing his graphic novel mystery & researches about his mom’s illness. When he learns about a legendary myth about man who cheated death, he along with a blue-hair grifter named Jo set out to find this mysterious Water Man supposedly hidden deep in the Oregon forest. This is a touching fairytale-like story about a family facing the possibility of death, the search for a missing person, & a child abuse victim. All of that along with a stampede of wild horses, a river of beetles, a trail of obsidian rocks, & a raging forest fire add drama & excitement to this quest adventure. David Oyelowo plays the father & also directs this film. Alfred Molina & Maria Bello are among the supporting cast. This is a good family film about love, bonding, & hope. 

Alien gives it 2½ “Samurai sword” stars out of 4. 

Marilyn’s Eyes

Mentally challenged individuals receiving.outpatient group therapy for their disorders ranging from anger management, compulsive lying, nervous tics, paranoia, Tourette’s Syndrome to OCD try to cope with the real world “normal” people. Clara & Diego’s fictitious eclectic restaurant Monroe is a marketing sensation so the patients must learn to work together to open for real. This is an Italian project dubbed in English. This is a sweet quirky rom/com that points out that these individuals with some serious mental health issues are people too even though society rather they stay invisible. Yes, this film isn’t realistic & is predictable but it’s still feel good entertainment. Deep down, these people want to do better if given a chance even though they may screw up now & then..

Alien gives it 2½ “recipe for healing” stars out of 4.

A Madea Homecoming

Madea (Tyler Perry) is back as this dysfunctional family gathers to celebrate Madea’s great-grandson’s high school graduation. Producer/writer/director/star/co-star Perry applies his usual sense of humor to his popular Madea franchise with sexual innuendoes, bathroom humor, blackness jokes, unintentional drug use & misunderstandings. Now, the Madea family characters clash in a crossover with the Irish sitcom “Mrs. Brown’s Boys” characters. There lots of family tension & drama as hidden secrets are revealed & tempers flare. In the end, Madea’s matriarchal advice saves the day. Look for a Beyoncé/Mary J. Blige style music video tribute during the credits.

Alien gives it 2½ “pistol & shotgun” stars out of 4.

Good on Paper

Standup comedian & struggling aspiring actress, Andrea Singer (Iliza Schlesinger) meets seemingly nice guy/Yale graduate/hedge fund manager, Dennis Kelley (Ryan Hansen) at the airport. They become friends & eventually boyfriend/girlfriend. However, Andrea’s friend Margot (Margaret Cho) becomes suspicious of who Dennis really is. This is a weird romantic comedy with a “Tinder Swindller” element. Real life standup comedian/aspiring actress Shlesinger wrote this script.

Alien gives it 2 “liar, liar” stars out of 4.

The Weekend Away

A new mother Beth (Leighton Meester) visits her best friend Kate for girls weekend celebration in Croatia. After a night out drinking & clubbing with a couple of local guys, Beth wakes up groggy & hungover. But Kate is missing & Beth becomes worried. When the police seem indifferent, Beth goes searching on her own. This is a typical who-done-it where everyone could be a suspect & of course, the police’s prime suspect is Beth. Follow the twists & turns to see if you can sniff out the what really happened to Kate. 

Alien gives it 2 “follow your heart” stars out of 4.

Turning Red

A 13-year-old Chinese Canadian girl prodigy wakes up one morning to discover she has the family curse. When angered or stressed, she turns into a giant red panda. But with the help of her 3 close friends, she learns stay calm & suppress her inner panda spirit. This cute & funny animated Pixar film is about little girls growing up, starting to like boys & boy bands, Chinese culture, friendships, & family.

Alien gives it 3 “4*Town Forever” stars out of 4.

The Adam Project

It’s “Timecop” meets “Back to the Future” with shades of “Star Wars”. After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, wounded time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) from 2050 teams up with his 12-year-old self on a mission to save the future. It’s time traveling action comedy with handsome funny man Reynolds, everyone’s perfect mom Jennifer Garner, & brilliant scientist/absent dad Mark Ruffalo. Catherine Keener plays the villain & Zoe Saldaña plays the love interest. Young Adam is a bullied smart mouth geeky nerd with an inhaler. Reynolds is reunited with his “Free Guy” director Shawn Levy. Garner & Ruffalo also re-team up since their “13 Going on 30” time bending experience. It’s about reconciling with one’s past as well as guilty pleasure fun.

Alien gives it 3 “wormholes & echo memories” stars out of 4.

Close

Sam (Noomi Rapace) is a bodyguard/Close Protection Officer hired to protect a spoiled-rich-girl-with-mommy-issues heiress, Zoe. When their Moroccan safe house fortress comes under attack, Sam & Zoe must escape & desperately need find out who is trying to kill them. Sam is reluctant to accept this assignment but manages to bond with her client as they endure deadly danger together. Rapace plays a real badass whose knows her business. Sit tight for this action thrill ride.

Alien gives it 3 “phosphate mining” stars out of 4.

 The Lost Daughter

A college professor, Leda (Olivia Colman), has her solo Italian vacation’s peaceful solitude interrupted by other vacationers’ loud & rude behavior. Among this annoying group is a mother, Nina (Dakota Johnson), whose daughter has wandered off lost & the little girl also loses her favorite doll. Her new obsession with Nina triggers flashback memories for Leda of her early days of motherhood. This psychological drama is a bit unsettling & serves as a reminder to beware of strangers. Seemingly normal people may carry some emotional scars. Director/writer Maggie Gyllenhaal is at the helm here.

Alien gives it 2½ “maternal guilt” stars out of 4.

Drive My Car

Two years after the sudden death of his wife, an actor/director takes on the task of directing a multilingual play where he is required to have a driver chauffeuring him around. This Japanese film with English subtitles is nearly 3 hours long with opening credits displayed around the 40 minute mark. This is a story exploring the emotions of love, loss, & regret. Film critics will likely be more entertained than the general public. I️ admit I️ was a bit too slow in reading the subtitles due to quicker dialog pace of the Japanese language. The mood of the film was too sad for me to be enjoyable.

Alien gives it 2 “red 1987 Saab 900 Turbo” stars out of 4.

The Protégé

When Anna (Maggie Q) was a little girl, she was rescued in Da Nang by an assassin named Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) & grew up to be his trained protégé. They are quite a team. Their inquiries about locating a particular individual attracts some deadly reactions & puts their lives in jeopardy as these hunters become the hunted.This suspenseful action-packed thriller has a few twists & turns. When Anna discovers that her mentor has been killed, she seeks revenge. She is a one woman army. Michael Keaton plays the mysterious Mr. Rembrandt.

Alien gives it 3 “vengeance” stars out of 4.

The French Dispatch 

Wes Anderson films are typically artistic, witty, & quirky. However, I️ found “The French Dispatch” particularly peculiar. Told as 5 story items by 5 different reporters for a newspaper magazine; sometimes in black & white, sometimes in color, mostly in English, but with parts in French with English subtitles. The characters are as odd as their stories. The all star ensemble cast includes Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swindon, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Christoph Walrz, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, &Anjelica Huston. Rated “R” for language & full frontal nudity. If you liked Wes Anderson’s previous films, you may like this one too. For me it was more mildly amusing than funny. Just not my sense of humor, but some unique visuals.

Free Guy

It’s “Ready Player One” meets “Groundhog Day” when NPC (Non-Player Character)/Good Guy/Blue Shirt Guy (Ryan Reynolds) becomes self aware in a popular multiplayer/on-line video game called Free City. Not only is it a fun action/comedy for virtual gamer fans but there is a quirky rom/com element as the virtual world clashes with the real world, where Millie (Jodie Comer) & Keys (Joe Kerry) try to prove Antwan (Taika Waititi) stole their source code. Reynolds is perfectly casted as the simple minded bank teller, Guy, who falls in love with Molotov Girl & tries to impress her. Are you obsessed with playing video games?If you like crazy action & lots of laughs, put on your gamer googles on & check out this hilarious fun film.

Alien gives it 3 “level up” stars out of 4.