Alien at the Movies

Thor: Love & Thunder

It’s love & death as well as thunder & lightning when Thor (Chris Hemsworth) meets Mighty Thor (Natalie Portman) as they battle Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale). Tessa Thompson as King Valkyrie lends a helping hand. The Asgardian Not Ready For Prime Players are back with a new cast member. Director/writer Taika Waititi is also back as Korg so expect to hear & see Waititi’s sense of humor percolate throughout this space Viking action adventure. From baby Thor to fat bod Thor to god bod Thor, then see Thor’s naked butt as maidens swoon. The Guardians of the Galaxy make a brief appearance as Thor re-examines his purpose & who he is, when he runs into his two past loves. A hammer, an axe, & a lightning bolt join up to battle the sword. Russell Crowe makes a flashy appearance as Zeus. See how PhD Jane Foster stricken with stage 4 cancer is transformed. Stormbreaker is the key as Thor & Gorr enlist their armies to battle. Portman & Bale are impressive. It’s another spectacular fun thrill ride from Marvel. Look for a mid credit clip hinting to another possible spinoff. The end of credit clip features two warriors meeting, followed by a promise that Thor will return.

Alien gives it 3½ “Necrosword” stars out of 4.

Nightbooks

It’s “Hansel & Gretel” meets “Scheheherazade” in modern fairytale update about a boy, a girl, a witch, & a unicorn girl. An upset Alex, who writes his own scary stories, sneaks out of his apartment to burn his story books in the basement boiler room when he is lured into & trapped in a magical apartment. He is forced to read his stories each night or else. He & another victim Yazmin plot to escape but twists initially foil their attempts. Krysten Ritter plays Natasha the evil one who lures in these children. This action/fantasy film is targeted for the younger audiences. A clip at the end hints that this nightmare fairytale may not be over yet.

Alien gives it 2½ “margin notes” stars out of 4.

 Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

After the passing of her husband, an aging retired teacher (Emma Thompson) realizes she may have missed out on some excitement in sexual experiences, so see hires a handsome young sex worker to answer some questions in her mind & hoping to enjoy a night of pleasure. She is very nervous & anxious, not quite sure if she wants to go through with it. He is very calm, understanding, & patient. He is like a professional sex therapist gently nudging her into her comfort zone. This film is more dialogue driven as these two strangers with a common goal get to know each other. In the end, they get down to business with Thompson bravely & boldly puts it all out there as her character accepts who she is. This is a touching story on a delicate subject.

Alien gives it 3 “sexual freedom” stars out of 4.

Minions: The Rise of  Gru

Those cute little google-eyed, blue overalled, hard-to-understand, well-meaning, yellow bumblers are back in a prequel showing Gru as a kid has always wanted to be a supervillain like his idol, Wild Knuckles, the leader of the criminal gang called the Vicious 6. The story opens in 1976 with a Indiana Jones/James Bond vibe heist of an oriental power stone & then a double-cross. When young Gru interviews for an opening with the Vicious 6, it doesn’t go well. So Gru steals the precious stone & thus continues the pursuit for the magical powers of this stone. This is a hilarious mindless romp & nod to the seventies through songs & visuals. The crazy antics of the minions are the highlights. The acupuncturist/martial arts expert steals her scenes. The chase ends as a showdown at San Francisco’s Chinatown. 

Alien gives it 3½ “Criminal Records” stars out of 4.

The Sleepover

The Sleepover is an action comedy revolving around a family & a few of their friends vs the bad guys in a big jewel heist. It’s your typical movie characters: Clancy, timid teenage daughter; Kevin, younger brother living in an imaginary world; Ron, awkward dad/pastry chef; Margot (Malin Ackerman), overprotective mom with a secret past; Mim, Clancy’s best friend; Lewis, Kevin’s friend; & Leo (Joe Manganiello), Margit’s ex. During Kevin’s backyard sleepover with Lewis, Clancy & Mim try to sneak out to a party but Margot & Ron get kidnapped & forced to participate in a robbery. When mom’s secret past is revealed, it’s a family fun night of hilarious laughs as the good guys battle against the bad guys.

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

Marry Me

When song meets math, see if it all adds up in this romantic comedy fairytale. Celebrity superstar pop singer Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) impulsively asks divorced dad/math teacher Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson) to marry her when her fiancé’s infidelity is exposed. This is the type of reality tv story that audiences want to see, featuring Lopez in the kinda role that people imagine she plays day to day. Wilson represents Joe Blow, ordinary dad trying to raise his teenage daughter. Lopez always brings it as a singer & performer. Wilson is the lovable awkward good guy. Sarah Silverman plays the comic relief sidekick. Two souls from different worlds challenging each other & bringing themselves closer together. This one is about not making the same mistakes over again. This is a cute & sweet story for all of those romantics. 

Alien gives it 3½ “Wonder Wheel” stars out of 4.

I️ Am Mother

After an extinction event, an automatic bunker activates to repopulate humanity. A robot named Mother grows a human embryo from its cryo chambers & cares for her over several years. Mother is practicing being a good mother as she raises this child which she calls Daughter. Daughter is now an inquisitive teenager learning complex moral & ethical lessons so she can pass her exam. Then one day, a wounded woman (Hilary Swank) outside comes to ask for help. Against Mother’s wishes Daughter allows the woman in & thus creates a conflict. Daughter struggles to believe what each of these 2 mother figures are telling her. Before the truths are revealed, can you deduce who is lying & why? This post-apocalyptic film is about motherhood.  

Alien gives it 2½ “APX 03” stars out of 4.

Choose or Die

When a broke student/hacker girl, Kayla, starts playing a retro 1980’s text-based adventure/survival computer game in pursuit of a big cash prize, she discovers it is Hobson’s Choice with no good outcome. The game enters your reality with punishing effects. Along with her friend Isaac (Asa Butterfield), they try to break the code & end this deadly cycle. Like most computer games, you move up levels until you reach the final round where you battle to see who becomes the grand master. If you are a horror fan & gaming freak, you may enjoy this film.

Alien gives it 2½ “CUR<R” stars out of 4.

The Black Phone

It’s “The Room” meets “The Sixth Sense” meets “Escape Room” when 13-year-old Finney gets taken by the North Denver “Grabber” in 1978. Locked in a soundproof basement by a creepy sadistic masked kidnapper & serial killer (Ethan Hawke), Finney gets advice from 5 previously abducted & murdered boys through a disconnected phone. Meanwhile, his sister Gwen desperately uses her psychic dreams to help find her missing older brother. This is a well-constructed suspense thriller, surprisingly much better than the typical Blum House horror shows. The plot takes great care in developing its characters & story set up using bullying fights, an alcoholic abusive father, a fanatical amateur crime solver, an intimidated victim, & a feisty caring sibling to enhance the storyline. It’s a race against time to finally stand up for yourself because your friend has got your back. Rated R for language, drug use, & violent brutality, it’s more of suspenseful thriller than a gruesome horror flick.

Alien gives it 3 “black balloons” stars out of 4.

Spiderhead

Spiderhead is a state-of-the-art penitentiary experimenting with chemical research on inmates who volunteer hoping to reduce their sentence time. Steve (Chris Hemsworth) is the man in charge of testing the effects of certain drugs on their volunteers. Jeff (Miles Teller) & Lizzy (Jurnee Smollett) are among the inmate/lab rats subjugated to this suspicious experimentation. Just when everything seems to be under control, BINGO… something goes wrong & the secret mission is exposed. Now Steve, Jeff, & Lizzy must make a run for it. 

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

Extinction 

Building maintenance engineer Peter (Michael Peña) has blackouts & reoccurring nightmares about lights in the night’s sky & an invasion attack by some unknown beings. As he & his family host a dinner party with neighbors, his nightmares become reality. Now he must fight to protect his family & friends as they try to escape to a safe haven. Was he having premonitions? Who are these attackers? It feels like “War of the Worlds” as many mysterious spaceships blast the city & armed ground forces make door to door searches. There is plenty of exciting action as Peter’s family work their way to a possible safety at a government facility. Then there comes the twist that I️ did not see coming. 

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

Only

Will (Leslie Odom Jr) & Eva (Frieda Pinto) are force to hide & quarantine after a comet’s ash spreads a virus killing nearly all of the women on the planet. Will tries to keep Eva safe & protect her from the government & the bounty hunters since women have become rare & extremely valuable. This is a mystery action film. However, it non-chronological structure jumping back & forth in time causes a bit of confusion as you may see results before the reason for them. Sometimes, this style may elevate a film but it seems overused here.

Alien gives it 1½ “waterfall” stars out of 4.

Awake

Jill (Gina Rodriguez), a mother of 2, struggles to save her family when a global electromagnetic pulse strikes & shuts down all machinery. Also, people are no longer able to fall asleep & will become dangerous when they start hallucinating from sleep deprivation. However, her youngest daughter maybe a key to a cure because she seems unaffected. Can the family make it safely to The Hub where researchers are studying the problem? It’s a typical action thriller racing against time to get help & possibly save the world.

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

Father of the Bride

This reboot of “Father of the Bride” film take on a Cuban/ Mexican flavor as stubborn controlling conservative dad, Billy (Andy Garcia), has a hard time dealing with the sudden wedding plans of his oldest daughter. His traditional ideals clashes with his wife (Gloria Estefan), his 2 daughters, his future in-laws, & the wedding planner. Not only that, but he & his wife were about to announce their divorce when their daughter’s engagement news is sprung upon them. It’s a hilarious romp as the 2 families & the family members butt heads over disagreements. Just when everything seems to be going wrong, last minute spontaneous improvising by everyone saves the wedding day.

Alien gives it 3 “stormy weather” stars out of 4.

The Only Living Boy In New York

A troubled young man, Thomas (Callum Turner), gets advice from a new apartment neighbor (Jeff Bridges) about his girlfriend issues. When Thomas spots his dad (Pierce Brosnan) out with another woman (Kate Beckinsale) not his mother (Cynthia Nixon), he starts to stalk her & further complicates his life. The beginning is confusing because you’re not sure where things are headed, but some surprises are revealed & shakes up Thomas’ world.

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

I️ Think We’re Alone Now

After some apparent apocalyptic event, a reclusive, Del (Peter Dinklage), discovers it may be a blessing in disguise. Living alone in a small town, he systematically disposes the corpses & cleans up their houses. He lives at the library where he used to work. He fishes in the lake & scavenges for supplies. He has become very content in his own little utopia until another, Grace (ElleFanning), arrives & wants to stay & assist him. This is a very strange story that seems to plod along not seeming going anywhere & hard to figure out where it is going. Then some surprises are revealed in this story about companionship & loneliness.

Alien gives it 2 “Family Pairing System” stars out of 4.

Elvis

Director/writer Baz Luhrmann has beautifully & brilliantly chronicled the life & career of singer/actor Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), from his childhood to becoming a rock & roll star & then a movie star as well as the complex relationship with his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). See what influenced his style and the highlights & the lowlights of this beloved iconic figure. Butler is absolutely amazing as he captures the voice, movements, & energy of the King of  Rock ‘N’ Roll. His stage performances are electrifying as he mimics & embodies the spirit of Elvis. Hanks gives another unforgettable performance as the “Colonel”, the showman, the promoter, the con man, the snowman. This is a marvelous musical biopic capturing music & historical events of the times. The film runs nearly 2 hours 40 mins but Elvis fans won’t care.

Alien gives it 4 “Club Handy on Beale Street” stars out of 4.

Summer Days, Summer Nights

In 1982 on Long Island, an ensemble of high school kids & twenty-somethings working summer beach jobs fall in & out of love as they wrestle with the future holds for them as the summer comes to an end & the real world beckons to them. It’s breakups & separations, new relationships & ex’s reuniting, summer flings & emotional entanglements as young hearts yearn & burn from Memorial Day to Labor Day at beach with 80’s tunes pumped into the background. It’s a nosy look back produced by, written by, directed by, & costarring Edward Burns.

Alien gives it 2½ “the valet” stars out of 4.

Rim of the World

It’s summer camp meets “Independence Day” when misfit kids at a summer camp discover they hold the key to defeating an alien invasion & saving the planet. With this premise & the kid leads in this action comedy, you’d expect a fun family film. It is for the most part, but watch out for what sometimes comes out of the mouths of babes. Sometimes it may not be politically correct or it may be sexually inappropriate for younger viewers. Maybe filmmakers are targeting streetwise older kids but still their parents may cringe as certain things are said in front of their offspring. It’s the typical predictable plot of kids rising up despite their flaws & fears to save the day. See the 6 legged/armed aliens & the vicious “dog” attack & invade our planet.

Alien gives it 2 “Jet Propulsion Laboratory” stars out of 4.

Amazon Queen

When 2 robbers get double crossed in a big heist, they track their stolen loot to deep in the Amazon rainforest. So they board an tourist excursion boat pretending to be taking the tour but are planning to hijack boat. This is a weak plotline that attempts to lure viewers in with a title implying a possible adventure similar to the “African Queen” movie except the boat isn’t even named the Queen nor is there any queen in the movie. In fact, the movie is a better educational travelogue than a crime drama. There is nothing special here in this low budget project that feels like an ordinary made for tv drama. It’s predictable characters in a predictable plot.

Alien gives it 1½ “Toucano” stars out of 4.

The Card Counter

Oscar Issac stars as William Tell, a card counting gambler in this peculiar film about a peculiar man with a dark past connection to retired Major John Gordo (Willem DaFoe) & a young man, Cirk Baufort (Tye Sheridan) with a gambling acquaintance, La Linda (Tiffany Haddish) tagging along the journey. This is a slow moving movie that plods along this gambling plot line while slowly revealing why Tell spent time in a military prison. This was a psychological drama that I️ did not care for.

Alien gives it 2 “bed sheets & twine” stars out of 4.

Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) is young sister of Mycroft (Sam Claflin) & the renowned Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill). After the disappearance of their mother Eudora (Helena Bonham Carter), Enola deciphers clues left behind by her mother & secretly sets off for London. Thus begins the crime adventure involving a missing boy, women’s suffrage, a murder attempt, a safe house, & a boarding school. This smart young detective is breaking new ground for women’s rights in a time when it wasn’t acceptable. This one feels like it’s targeting & inspiring young girls to be all that they can be.

Alien gives it 2½ “deciphering codes” stars out of 4.

Hollywood Stargirl

This is the sequel to Disney’s 2020 film “Stargirl” about a free-spirited girl from Arizona. Now Stargirl (yes, that’s her real name) is moving to LA because her mom (Judy Greer) has gotten a job as a costume designer for a new film. She quickly makes friends with aspiring filmmaking brothers Evan & Terrell, grumpy old man neighbor Mr Mitchell (Judd Hirsch), & one-hit-wonder singer Roxanne Martell (Uma Thurman). Her talents singing & song writing get a part on a sizzle reel and a chance for movie deal in this romantic comedy.

Alien gives it 2½  “Open Mike at the Forte” stars out of 4.

Lightyear 

This animated Pixar film is the origin story of test pilot/astronaut, Buzz Lightyear. In the 1995 Toy Story, Andy Drew had a toy space ranger from his favorite movie & this could be that film. Space Ranger pilot Lightyear, his commander, & crew land on a hostile planet & become marooned when their spacecraft becomes damaged. As Buzz makes numerous failed attempts to develop a hyperspace replacement fuel, space/time complications arise & a mysterious powerful opponent, Zerg, with his army of powerful robots arrive. Buzz is accompanied by his robotic cat companion, Sox. Look for 3 additional clips once the credits begin to roll.

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

Jurassic World: Dominion

It’s Park meets World when Sattler, Grant, & Malcolm (Laura Dern, Sam Neill, & Jeff Goldblum) reprise their roles from the 1993 original Jurassic film & join Claire, Owen, & Maisie (Dallas Bryce Howard, Chris Pratt, & Isabella Sermon) from the second Jurassic trilogy series in an attempt to save the planet from genetic disaster. Also BD Wong as Dr Henry Wu seems to be always lurking suspiciously in the background. It is now 4 years after the events of Fallen Kingdom where dinosaurs were released on to the world. Now humans and dinosaurs must find a way to coexist. A plague of locusts & kidnapping of key genetic originals lead back to the Biosyn Corporation (Ingen’s rival company). It’s an action packed wild thrill ride with some nostalgic memory reminders of the original movie. Key scenes & unforgettable lines will telegraph what’s about to happen. Once your brain recognizes the familiar situation, it will be whispering to you… wait for it, wait for it. Yes, there are a lot of convenient coincidences but this is a dinosaur movie. Don’t take it seriously. Audiences just want to see dinos fight dinos & eat humans for 2½ hours. You’ll get to see some of your old favorites return as well as some new varieties to be introduced. I️ can’t tell you what their names are cuz no one can remember those long dino names anyway. 

Alien gives it 3½  “ dinosaur whisperer” out of 4.

Last Survivors

For 20 years, father & son, Troy (Stephen Moyer) & Jake (Drew Van Acker), have been living off the grid deep in the wilderness. Troy teaches Jake survival skills & warns him to beware of outsiders who just want to kill them & steal their food & provisions. Troy also tells Jake that his mother was killed during World War III. When Troy becomes wounded & develops an infection, Jake must venture outside of their protected territory to get antibiotics during which he encounters a mysterious woman, Henrietta (Alicia Silverstone), living alone in a cabin. This meeting begins to unravel Jake’s world & creates a rift between father & son. This slow-paced film is about love & how far you will go to protect your family as well trying to find a balance in your life.

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

A Perfect Pairing

Feeling wronged by her boss, a LA-based wine executive Lola (Victoria Justice) quits her job to create her own startup import wine company to pursue an Australian winery’s account. When the new potential client/owner, Hazel Vaughn, dismisses the offer, go-getter Lola finds herself working on the client’s sheep farm in order to prove herself in this rom/com. Of course, Lola is put under the supervision of Max, the handsome ranch foreman with a secret, in this fish-out-of-water portion of the story. Typically for this genre, you know where this storyline is going. Lola charms her way through to movie as well as with the movie audiences. If you're looking for some romantic fun with an Aussie accent, check this film out.

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

Interceptor

A US Army Captain becomes the last line of defense against a rogue nuclear attack on major American cities. Elsa Pataky ditches her Toretto Family ties to play “Die Hard” at sea. When one counter defense base is compromised, America’s secret Pacific base also comes under siege. It’s a laughable plot where realism seems to go out the window & time seems to slow down so the hero can catch up. Its where writers conspire to get our pretty heroine out of uniform for her showdown with the enemy. They even toss in Fat Thor for a cameo. Oh, did I️ mention Chris Hemsworth is an executive producer in this action thriller featuring his wife. Her “guns” look like she has been working out with hubby. Very stereotypical characters are portrayed & the hero is saddled with a history to haunt her. It’s pure escapism with little believability. Look for a funny clip after the credits roll.

Alien gives it 2 “SBX-1” stars out of 4. 

Along for the Ride

Auden is a straight laced good girl who follows the rules. She has just graduated from high school & wants to spend the summer living with her divorced father & his new wife, but most of all, she wants to break out of her shell & figure out who she really is or could be. She still feels like an outsider who doesn’t fit in. Then she meets Eli late one night & he challenges her to face her fears & experience things she has never done. But he has a secret in his past that holding him back too. So the Coby biker boy & vertical checkers bring out the best in these 2 night owls. This is a sweet rom/com about growing up & trying to be better. Rupert Mulroney, Kate Bosworth, & Andie McDowell have small roles as the adults.

Alien gives it 3 “prom dress” stars out of 4.

The Bad Guys

Based on a series of popular children’s books, this is the animated story about a group of criminal animals who, upon getting caught, pretend to reform themselves as good model citizens in order to attempt another heist. Meet the Big Bad Wolf & his gang, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, & Ms.Tarantula. There is a new bad guy in town & he tries to set up the boys to take the blame. This is good family fun.

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

Spontaneous 

In this black comedy rom/com, it’s senior year for Mara & Dylan amidst students spontaneously exploding for no particular reason that could be identified. It’s not spontaneous combustion where things suddenly catch fire & burn up. These kids are suddenly exploding & spraying blood & guts everywhere. First, it’s just one student, then another, & then many more. Thus believing life may be short Mara & Dylan get together & make the best of the situation. Maybe this is symbolic of today’s mass shooting at our schools across America or maybe it’s just silly film nonsense. The film just felt pointless.

Alien gives it 2 “Covington Curse” stars out of 4.

The Disappearance at Clifton Hill

A young woman, Abby, who returns home to Niagara Falls, Ontario, when she & her sister inherit the family-owned motel in the city’s Clifton Hill tourist district after the death of their mother. Abby becomes a Nosy Nancy/Nancy Drew when she becomes obsessed with her childhood memory of a possible kidnapping. Are her memories clouded or is she just a compulsive liar? Will she solve the mystery of the one-eyed boy?

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

Out of Death

A young woman sets out to spread the ashes of her late father when she stumbles on to a drug deal gone wrong. Two inept corrupt sheriff duties botch covering up the murdering of their drug dealer connection & must get rid of this witness. Their crooked boss finally arrives at the scene cleanup everything but retired cop/fly in the ointment (Bruce Willis) also stumbled onto the crime scene. This is your typical hunter/prey thriller scenario. Willis plays a mere shadow of his “Die Hard” self (a reflection of his recent health issues). For a person trying desperately to escape being killed, this witness seems to be running around in circles. A deep knife wound doesn’t seem to to slow up one of the key characters. Not surprising this film went straight to video.

Alien gives it 2 “re-election” stars out of 4.

Sneakerella

Disney tries a fresh new approach to the Cinderella fairy tale story. It’s a contemporary version utilizing role reversal. El is a teenage boy living with his harsh stepfather & 2 mean stepbrothers after the death of El’s mother. He continues to work at the Queens shoe store started by his mom but stepdad wants to sell it. El is an aspiring sneaker designer who meets Kira at a shoe drop. Kira happens to be the daughter of a former basketball star/ now sneaker shoe mogul. Her family lives in the penthouse of a crystal tower in Manhattan. Disney does what it does best, creating song & dance numbers featuring young characters & interests appealing to the younger generation. So hip-hop, rap, & limited edition shoes are the bait. It’s good old wholesome family fun. Audiences will enjoy spotting the similarities to the Disney classic fairy tale.

Alien gives it 3 “secret key” stars out of 4.

Flag Day

Jennifer Vogel (Dylan Penn) has fond memories of her dad (Sean Penn) from her youth before he abandoned his family. Her mom was left struggling to raise their 2 kids & dealing with his debts. This stress & pressure leads the mom to alcohol abuse & in her  teens, Jennifer moves in with her dad for a while. It is an eye opening experience as she learns that her entrepreneur father is actually a scheming con man with dreams bigger than he can control. Despite her troubled childhood, she manages to fulfill her dreams of becoming a journalist. Sean Penn directs & costars with his real life daughter in this moving story about the magical connection between a father & daughter. Dylan Penn is excellent as the neglected teen trying to make something of herself despite her lack of normal parental guidance. Flag Day happens to be her dad’s birthday & it holds a special place in her childhood memories. This film is based on a book & true story.

Alien gives it 2½  “Flim-Flam Man” stars out of 4.

Fire Island

Two best friends, Noah & Howie, go on their annual weeklong summer vacation to Fire Island along with their other eclectic friends. They are poor gay men & they are staying at their lesbian friend’s house. They meet up & party with some other gay men who are rich. This is a “Pride & Prejudice” story examining issues about judging & misjudging people due to their looks, status, & assumptions. This is an inside look at the gay community in their famous escape destination. This rom/com story may be a bit hard to watch for some due to the LGBTQ+ focus. This one is about relationships, friends, & family.

Alien gives it 2 “Karaoke” stars out of 4.

The Passenger (La Pasajera)

A van driver transporting 3 strangers to their destination accidentally strikes a woman standing in the middle of a dark rural road. They decide to take the victim to the hospital. Thus begins their road trip nightmare. This person thing revives to attack our travelers. Not much is explained in this simplistic low budget Spanish horror/comedy film with subtitles. It’s just creepy gooey fun that just keep coming back for another suspenseful taste. See who will survive the night… or will they?

Alien gives it 2½ “regretful decision” stars out of 4.

 Hustle

Yo Adrienne, there’s a new Rocky in Philly. 

An NBA basketball scout Stanley Sugarman (Adam Sandler) discovers an extraordinary raw talent overseas & brings this B-ball phenom back to the US without the approval of his team. Sugarman risks everything to get his find, Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómez), a shot in the NBA despite many obstacles. If you like basketball &underdog stories, you’ll probably enjoy this one. Sandler does a good job but he’s pretty much the same guy he plays when he’s not doing his slapstick comedy bit. Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, & Robert Duval have smaller supporting cast roles. It’s predictable because it’s true to its Cinderella genre. Look for your NBA favorites throughout the film & during ending highlights.

Alien gives it 3 “don’t back down” stars out of 4.