Alien at the Movies

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Did you know there are universities that offered scholarships to students to participate in their esports programs? This movie is about a female gamer who feels unfairly treated by her male teammates. So she quits the team & forms her own all female team to challenge her former teammates. There are no surprises here as the plot follows the underdog competition formula: the ragtag crew of oddballs, the reluctant coach, making mistakes, in-house fighting, team building exercise, going to Nationals, & going up against your arch enemies in the Finals. This one is for the female gamers to root for the underdog team. It’s a very predictable storyline with stereotypical characters in this comedy with a touch of a romance side story.  If you are interested in gaming, you might enjoy the video visuals.

Alien gives it 2 “Knights of Elder’s Orb” stars out of 4.

 I️’m Charlie Walker

This is the true story of a proud, innovative Black man seizing the moment & fighting against institutionalized racism. In 1971, two oil tankers collided off the San Francisco coast spilling millions of gallons of crude oil & creating an environmental disaster. Bucking the odds, trucking entrepreneur  Charlie Walker secured a lucrative contract to clean the Stinson Beach shoreline. He had to work with hippie protesters, local townspeople, news media, & corporate CEOs to successfully achieve his goal through perseverance & keeping one step ahead. This is an inspirational story about a man in an historical event. There is a mid credit clip of the real Charlie Walker along with a summary about the rest of his story.

Alien gives it 3 “reacting on the spot” stars out of 4.

Mack & Rita

Could this be the sequel to “13 Going On 30”?

When 30-year-old self-proclaimed homebody Mack (Elizabeth Lail) reluctantly joins a Palm Springs bachelorette trip for her best friend Carla, her inner 70-year-old is magically released during a regression therapy session… literally. This timid frustrated writer and influencer who lacks self confidence magically transforms into her future self.. "Aunt Rita" (Diane Keaton). Freed from the constraints of other people's expectations, Rita comes into her own, becoming an unlikely social media sensation, and sparks a tentative romance with Mack's adorable dog-sitter, Jack. This is a lighthearted comedy about getting confidence & learning to be yourself. Keaton pretty much plays her adorable stylish self.

Alien gives it 3 “inner old gal” stars out of 4.

The Gray Man

In 2003, Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton) of the CIA arranges for a young prisoner’s release from custody & to be enrolled into to the covert Sierra program. Jump to present day, this felon becomes an untraceable assassin known as Six (Ryan Gosling). When his latest mission doesn’t go as plan, the CIA enlists Lloyd (Chris Evans) to eliminate Six & retrieve any vital intel. Gosling plays the cool & calm Timex watch hero who “takes a beating but keeps on ticking”. Chris Evans relishes his sadistically evil role as the slimy villain with the douchie mustache. The dialogue is peppered with witty repartee. The Russo brothers brings it with lots of crazy wild action & stunts. If you like spy thrillers with non-stop, over-the-top excitement through shoot ‘em ups, blow ‘em ups, & knock down beat ‘em up brawls, check out this guilty pleasure fun time.

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

DC League of Super-Pets

Superman & his Justice League friends have managed to stop Lex Luthor’s evil plans & lock him away. However, Luthor’s lab experiment, Little Miss Lulu, a hairless guinea pig, has developed super powers & managed to defeat Superman & take away Kypto’s powers with kryptonite. Lulu also helps Luthor to escape from his prison. Inadvertently, a number of other rescued animals were also exposed & developed special powers. These new super pets band together with Krypto to stop Lulu & her supercharged guinea pig army. This silly fun animated film is geared for the younger kids. It’s family fun with gentler cartoon violence but with superhero action. Look for a mid credit clip for a potential sequel story. Since Duane Johnson produces & voices Krypto, stay seated until the end of credits for his latest promotion.

Alien gives is 2½  “Orange Kryptonite” stars out of 4.

The 355

An international team of agents (American, British, German, & Colombian) join forces to recover the decryption program drive that could threaten the world in the hands of terrorists.. This is an action-packed spy thriller featuring Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyongo, & Bingbing Fan as the phenomenal girl power to be reckoned with. Sebastian Stan & Édgar Ramírez also play agents.There is plenty spy vs spy action, shoot ‘em up, hand-to-hand combat, betrayal, & deception. See who ends up with the super weapon, who survives, who gets busted, & who must go on the run. The door is left open for a possible sequel. The movie’s title is a reference to an American Revolutionary War code name.

Alien gives it 3 “double-cross” stars out of 4.

Thirteen Lives

It’s June 2018 in Thailand after a soccer game, several boys & their coach go to explore a cave at a national park around 3pm. Their plans to celebrate a 7pm birthday party are interrupted by an unexpected early monsoon. This true story event attracts world-wide attention as thousands of locals & foreigners come together to try to rescue the boys trapped deep within the cave. As days pass & their first attempts to find them fail, this may become a recovery operation with time & weather working against them. This Ron Howard directed film stars Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, & Joel Edgerton. Move over “Mission Impossible” as this become “Mission Insane” because desperate times requires desperate measures. If you are claustrophobic and/or have a fear of drowning, you may feel uncomfortable during this thrilling emotional rescue/survival film.

Alien gives it 3½ “Sleeping Princess” stars out of 4.

Nope

Jordan Peele’s highly anticipated sci-fi horror flick has arrived. Brother & sister, OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) & Emerald (Keke Palmer) are horse ranchers who suspect some mysterious UFO activity hovering over their land. They reach out to a Fry’s guy for equipment & technical support to obtain some documented proof. The film is beautifully made & well acted but the storyline seems be deliberately vague & wandering. Although there are intense frightening moments, I️ kept wondering where is this story going. Peele has attempted an ambitious project different from anything you might have expected. I️ feel critics may love it & the film may require multiple viewings to figure things out, but will John Q. Public like it? Like real life reports of UFO sightings, there is a mystery & vagueness that leaves you questioning what have you just seen. Maybe I️ was too hyped in anticipation after seeing “Us” & “Get Out”. This is more of a thinking man’s sci-fi film & I️ may have been too tired or not in the mood to process what was going on, besides the loud annoying & droning sounds. So I️ was disappointed & will say it was a “nope” for me. However, keeping an open mind, I️ am willing to give it a second shot.

Alien gives it 2 “Jupiter’s Claim” stars out of 4.

Where the Crawdads Sing

In Barkley Cove, North Carolina, during the 1950’s, an alcoholic abusive father slowly drives away the mother & siblings of Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) aka Marsh Girl. By the age of 10, Kya’s father abandons her too but she is resilient & self-reliant learning to survive on her own. As Kya grows up, this becomes a tale of a dead body, a murder trial, 2 lovers, & a self-taught naturalist. In 1969, her defense attorney (David Strathairn) pleads the case for his client who’s been harassed, looked down upon, & feared by the town because she is different. The marshland’s beautiful wildlife & backdrop are prominently featured. This romance drama is a bittersweet heartbreaking tearjerker. You’ll be rooting for poor Kya, the town outcast. Will she be found guilty as charged? Will she live happily ever after? Well, it ain’t over until it’s over.

Alien gives it 3½ “feathers & shells” stars out of 4.

Don’t Make Me Go

A terminally ill single father Max (John Cho) takes his 15-year-old daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) on a cross country road trip adventure. She is a typical teenage girl interested in boys & reluctant to go. He struggles to cram a lifetime of experiences & advice into what little time he has left without revealing his situation to his daughter. When he dies, her only living relative would be her birth mom & his ex, who abandoned her long ago. Thus, they head to New Orleans for his class reunion hoping to find his hard-to-contact ex. This is a bittersweet story exploring the dynamics of their father/daughter relationship. Cho & Isaac are excellent as they touch your soul & take you on an emotional roller coaster. Will she finally meet her mom? Will he find a cure? Will there be a happy ending? Check it out. It’s the journey, not the destination.

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

Life Itself

An ensemble cast tells the story of life, love, trauma, pain, joy, jealousy, & loss. Olivia Wilde, Oscar Isaac, Annette Bening, Mandy Patinkin, Jean Smart, Olivia Cooke, & Antonio Banderas tell a complicated story of life’s ups & downs through 5 seemly unrelated chapters. Early on, viewers may start to question what is the point & where is the plot going each chapter switches its character focus & is punctuated with violence & tragedy. But if you hang in there to near the end, the pieces will come together in this story telling drama with a sense of humor.

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

 The Bob’s Burger Movie

TV’s animated Bob’s Burgers show comes to the big screen. Bob & Linda Belcher have 3 kids, Tina, Gene, & Louise. In this musical comedy adventure, the Belchers are at risk of losing their burger joint while the kids are trying to solve a murder mystery. Fans of this long running show undoubtedly will love its quirkiness. However, I’ve never watched any episodes & could not get into the characters & its sense of humor. For me, it was just mildly amusing & an okay storyline. I️ get the feeling that you had to be a follower of the show & characters to understand the humor being conveyed.

Alien gives it 2 “Wonder Wharf” stars out of 4.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (formerly titled Blazing Samurai)

Executive producer Mel Brooks is back with an animated Japanese samurai version of his classic Blazing Saddles. Evil cat villain, Ika Chu, appoints a down-on-his-luck dog, Hank, as the new samurai to protect thid little feline village which is an eyesore to his new palace project built to impress the shogun. Ika Chu hopes this situation will create dog/cat racial tensions & an excuse to obliterate the town. Look for hilarious dog & cat jokes as well as parodies on many famous movie scenes. This film also laughs at itself. Since Samuel L. Jackson & George Takei lend their voices to two of the characters, can we expect them to utter their famous phrases? Well, this is a fun family film rated PG so maybe something modified. This one is about everyone coming together working a team to save their village. Stay seated to the end for a short clip hinting about a possible sequel.

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

 Mr. Malcolm’s List

In 1818 England, a young lady, Julia (Zawe Ashton), enlists the help of a childhood friend, Selina (Frieda Pinto), to get revenge on Mr. Malcolm (Sope Dirisu), a mysterious, wealthy, & most eligible bachelor who spurned & humiliated her because she didn’t meet the qualifications on his list for a future bride. Selina is coached to be his perfect woman. This is a tale of love, rejection, jealousy, friendship, courtship, status, & comeuppance. But will Mr. Malcolm question whether he’s found his ideal mate or if he’s been the victim of a perfect hoax. If you are a romantic & a fan of period pieces, you may enjoy this amusing love scheme that goes wrong but has that predictable ending. During the credits, look for lithograph prints telling the rest of the story.

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

Blood Red Sky (Transatlantic 473)

On a transatlantic flight, it’s “Passenger 57” but what if Wesley Snipes isn’t US Marshall John Cutter but is Eric Brooks aka Blade when terrorists try to hijack the plane? One of the terrorists is nicknamed Eight Ball so that should tell you something about him being a loose cannon. Things only go from bad to worse as it’s terror & mayhem in the skies when the theme changes to be more like “Snakes on the Plane” & “Train to Busan”. It’s a bloodbath as a  mom & her son fight to save each other & anyone else worth rescuing. This may be your new horror guilty pleasure.

Alien gives it 3 “teddy bear” stars out of 4.

Last Night in Soho

A London fashion design student Ellie (Thomasin McKenzie) has recurring dreams about singer Sandie (Ana Taylor-Joy). These dreams begin to get worse & become nightmarish. When a murder occurs in her dreams, Ellie feels compelled to investigate & avenge the victim. Ellie also starts seeing dead people here & there. Is she hallucinating? Is she mentally ill? Is she receiving visions from the past?  Is reality & fantasy starting to cross their lines? How are Ellie & her dreams connected? This stunningly stylish horror film marches to the beat of sixties tunes. Diana Rigg has a key supporting role as Mrs. Collins who rents Ellie a room. Terence Stamp play the mysterious old silver haired man.

Alien gives it 3 “Cafe de Paris” stars out of 4.