Alien at the Movies

Last Seen Alive

A man, Will (Gerard Butler), becomes distraught when his wife, Lisa, mysteriously disappears at a gas station. When the local police investigation begins to focus on him & his marriage, he takes the law in his own hands & it leads him down a dark path. Will’s desperation & frustration reveals he may have some anger management issues. This action crime story involving an ordinary guy doesn’t seem believable but it’s the type of role we expect from an actor who’s experienced Olympus & London falling. It’s a mindless entertainment.

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

Catherine Called Bird

In 13th century medieval England, a 14-year-old girl’s coming-of-age story is told. Catherine’s father is the Lord of Lincolnshire. However, the family is financially strapped & the dowry from a wealthy suitor for the daughter’s hand in marriage may solve his problem. It’s a comedy of errors as this headstrong naive girl learns about virgins, babies, friendships, jealousy, love, womanhood & family responsibilities. Lena Dunham is the film’s producer/writer/director. This is a cute & funny film about a young girl learning to grow up.

Alien gives it 2½ “pet birds” stars out of 4.

The Good Nurse

Amy (Jessica Chastain) is a single mom/ compassionate ICU nurse with a secret health condition trying hard to keep it all together. Charle (Eddie Redmayne) is a thoughtful, empathetic fellow nurse recently hired. These two bond during their night shifts together. A police investigation over a patient’s death appears to be stonewalled. It becomes pretty obvious early on who to suspect. Suspense builds as there is no real evidence against the quiet & seemingly nice suspect in this crime drama. Anyone could be in danger with this silent killer lurking about. How many patients have been killed? Chastain & Redmayne are excellent. It is a cat & mouse game as the police try to seek justice. Even scarier than this film’s killer, is the fact that this is a true story. True story facts run at the end of the film.

Alien gives it 3 “just breathe” stars out of 4.

 Ticket to Paradise

Married for just 5 years & now a bickering divorced couple who refuse to speak to each other, David & Georgia (George Clooney & Julia Roberts) both love their daughter Lily (Kaitlyn Dever). After graduating from law school, Lily & her BFF Wren (Billie Lourd) go on vacation to Bali. Lily’s sudden wedding plans to marry a local seaweed farmer, Gede, incites a truce between her parents as they plan to sabotage the wedding.  Clooney & Roberts are hilarious & have great chemistry playing off of each other. It’s a comedy of errors as this rom/com pretty goes where we expect it to go but that’s where we want it to go anyway. Paradise is a beautiful, happy, feel good place that explores love, marriage, & divorce. Enjoy some Balinese culture & customs. Funny outtakes run during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 “Trojan Horse” stars out of 4.

Black Adam

The search for an ancient crown made from Eternium accidentally unleashes a powerful demigod, Teth-Adam (Duane Johnson). Asleep for 5,000 years, he awakes confused in an unfamiliar world with armed soldiers attacking with weapons that he doesn’t understand. Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), & Adam Smasher (Noah Centineo), known as the Justice Society of America, are sent Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) to secure this potential danger. Lots of death & destruction ensues over an action-packed battle to win the crown & the power it can provide. Teth-Adam is an anti-hero who doesn’t follow the moral “no kill” code of the “good guys”. This is DC Comics latest challenge to their rival Marvel Cinematic Universe. Audiences get an origin story of a dark character, some new superheroes with special powers to dazzle on screen, & another all out battle between good & evil. A mid credit clip hints to squel with a classic matchup.

Alien gives it 3 “Kahndaq & Sabbac” stars out of 4.

The School for Good and Evil

It’s Hogwarts meets Descendants meets the Book of Fairy Tales when 2 misfits & BFFs, Sophia (Sophia Anne Caruso) & Agatha (Sophia Wylie), are whisked away by a wish to meet their destinies. One is a wannabe princess & the other is potentially a witch. They seem to be mismatched dropped into the wrong parts of the School For Good & Evil. Thus begins their magical fairytale struggle between good & evil. Director/writer Paul Feig’s impressive cast includes Laurence Fishburne, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, & Michelle Yeoh. If you love fairytales & magic, checkout this fantasy action adventure.

Alien gives it 3 “true love’s kiss” stars out of 4.

Till

“Till” is the story about the murder of Emmett Till & the activism of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, as she began seeking justice for her son. This extended into a fight for equality & against racism. In 1955, a 14-year-old black city boy from Chicago just wanted to spend his vacation with his cousins in Mississippi. His loving mother was reluctant to send him & warn him to be careful because the world was very different in the South. But he made a mistake that cost him his life & started a mother’s historic crusade in this true story. Jalyn Hall is terrific as the sweet, innocent, naive Emmet, called “Bo” by his loving mother. Danielle Deadwyler gives an amazing powerful & emotional gut-wrenching performance. You will feel her pain & suffering for her loss & then watch it turn to anger & frustration as she fights for justice. Producer Whoopi Goldberg has a small role as Emmet’s grandmother. A summary of further facts run are at the end of the film.

Alien gives it 3½ “father’s ring” stars out of 4.

Halloween Ends

Will this be third & final sequel to the 1978 original as the title insinuates? Michael Myers has disappeared & a recent accidental death has changed Haddonfield locals’ focus from the town’s freak show to a new perceived psycho killer. Then bullying & a unlikely bonding connection creates a new town terror. Toss in a bizarre romance story to cloud the issue of where is the main attraction that audiences has come to see. Is this bait & switch? There are jump scares, some bloody & gory killings as well as a climatic battle between Michael Myers & Laurie Strode. Who will survive? I️ can see why some fans may be disappointed & unsatisfied. Will this be the end of this iconic boogeyman? You never know because it’s hard to kill off a good moneymaker. Only time will tell.

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

Daddy Daughter Trip

A penniless, unsuccessful inventor, Larry (Rob Schneider), & his wannabe 8-year-old cartoonist daughter (Miranda Scarlett Schneider, Rob’s real daughter) try to take a spring break vacation on a less than shoe string budget. As usual, Rob plays the way over-the-top bumbling idiot who is more annoying than funny. Larry’s not so well thought out trip takes a turn for the better when they encounter a travel blogging couple from Spain touring the sights in Arizona with their bored nephew. It’s a comedy of errors about not giving up on your dreams. Jackie Sandler (Adam’s wife) plays Larry’s wife. John Cleese has a minor cameo role. This is a family project because Rob also produces/directs with his real wife & other 2 daughters in bit parts shot their now home state. Rob’s wife also was one of the film’s writers. Look for one more surprise cameo near the end.

Alien gives it 2 “Hula-Poop” stars out of 4.

Hocus Pocus 2

The witches are back. The Sanderson Sisters, Winifred, Sarah, & Mary (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, & Kathy Najimy), return for another attempt to achieve more powerful magic & immortality. Fans of the 1993 original will enjoy the familiarity of these iconic sisters. Look for the Book of Spells, the Sanderson’s old home, the Black Flame Candle, & Billy Butcherson. See how the young Sanderson girls gain their magical powers & how they become reincarnated again for more magical mischief in a tale of revenge as well as some Disney-style song & dance. We are introduced to young BFFs Becca, Izzy, & Cassie. Does Disney plan to have them carry on the magical torch in future installments? Can we expect a third installment from the Sanderson Sisters? For the Halloween season, this one is more nostalgic silliness than scary spookiness.

Alien gives it 2½ “salt circle” stars out of 4.

Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernadez 

A 14-year-old girl disappears while walking home from school. Her mother pleads for months to continue the search for her missing daughter. This ripped-from-the-headlines true story film is from the Lifetime television network. This young girl must use her smarts & determination to survive & escape her disturbing captor. The drama in this real life experience feels sanitized for television audiences, but perhaps this just wasn’t your stereotypical kidnapper. Still it is an amazing story about individual endurance.

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

Hellraiser

This eleventh installment of the “Hellraiser” horror fantasy franchise spins another sadomasochistic torture tale involving a puzzle box, Cenobites, Pinhead, postal gateways, & harvesting human souls. A warehouse theft results in the disappearance of a brother & his sister’s search for him which leads to a billionaire’s abandon mansion. If you have a bizarre thing for pain and S&M, you may get a kick out of this latest misadventure. See who manages survive this living hell.

Alien gives it 2 “blood, flesh, & piercing chains” stars out of 4.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile 

A colorful magician/song-and-dance man, Hector Valenti (Javier Bardem), raises a singing baby crocodile, Lyle (voiced by Shawn Mendes), for his breakthrough performance on a national talent show. However, disaster strikes & Valenti must leave Lyle behind as he must earn enough money for a comeback try. Meanwhile, the Primms move to New York City, unknowing there’s a crocodile living in their attic. Their son, Josh, has difficulty adapting to the big city & making friends until he accidentally meets Lyle. Thus begins the misadventures of Lyle, the Primms, Valenti, & Mr Grumps, the annoying neighbor. Based on a popular children’s book, this musical comedy is fun family entertainment.

Alien gives it 3 “dumpster diving” stars out 4.

Amsterdam

In WWI, 2 wounded soldiers Burt & Harold (Christian Bale & John David Washington) & their nurse Valerie (Margot Robbie) bond & become close friends living it up in Amsterdam. But eventually Burt must return to his wife & medical practice in New York. Soon Harold also must leave to follow his dream to become a lawyer. Jump to 1933, Burt & Harold are asked to look into the possible murder of their former commander when they witness another murder but become the prime suspects. This comedy murder mystery involving a political conspiracy is inspired by some true historical events. Included in this all-star supporting cast is Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rami Malek, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Taylor Swift, & Robert De Niro. This stylish film is  full of quirky characters. 

Alien gives it 2½ “shrapnel art” stars out of 4.

The Good House

This is the story about a New England realtor Hildy Good (Sigourney Weaver) who must deal with her demons. Hildy is a divorced mom with 2 daughters & a functional alcoholic. She is stressed trying to make ends meet with her real estate business’s ups & downs in her small beach town of Wenover, Mass. Kevin Kline plays Frank, her neighbor & old flame, in this dramedy. This film has that small town charm where everyone knows everyone. Hildy has a talent for reading minds (attributed to being a descendant of Salem’s most famous witch) & frequently breaks the fourth wall explaining details to the audience. Weaver is such a joy to watch her run through a wide range of emotions. 

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

Ambulance 

When a big bank heist goes terribly wrong & the thieves get cornered, how are they going to get out? I️ think the title pretty much gives it away. This is a Michael Bay film so you know you are going to get pretty much nonstop action, dizzying blazing gun battles & insane wreck ‘em car chases. Two nonbiological brothers hijack an ambulance with a wounded officer & lead the cops all around LA, just like you see on social media except it’s more demolition derby. The action is unbelievable & not likely to occur this way in real life but it’s highly entertaining. It’s a cat & mouse game between the cops & the crooks. Jake Gyllenhaal & Eliza Gonzáles are among the strong characters trying to safely navigate through this long & hard day. People make mistakes but they still try to do what they think is right. If you like adrenaline charged thrill rides, check this film out.

Alien gives it 3 “hold on tight & don’t let go” stars out of 4.

The Greatest Beer Run Ever

In 1967, a New York City neighborhood is devastated by their own Vietnam War casualties. A bartender’s comment to a bunch of drinking buddies triggers one guy’s remarkable journey to the war zone. Based by true events, this is a biographical war action comedy drama. John “Chickie” Donahue (Zac Efron) is a slacker who naively volunteers to deliver beer to some of his old buddies now serving their country in South Vietnam to show them his support in this unpopular war. There, he finally experiences the realities of this war. Efron is terrific as that bumbling guy who miraculously fulfills his mission without making any real plans. What starts out as a funny lighthearted experience turns rather serious & touching on this wild journey. Bill Murray plays a bartender & Russel Crowe is war correspondent photographer. This is an entertaining, improbable, but true, story about an ordinary guy from the neighbor with a big heart but maybe not so much smarts. At the films end, there is a summary text & photos of the real characters protested.

Alien gives it 3 “the civilian tourist” stars out of 4.

 Don’t Worry Darling

Jack & Alice (Harry Styles & Florence Pugh) are living a idyllic worry-free life in their company community/desert town of Victory, California. The men all work on a top-secret project for the company & the women are all stay-at-home moms & spouses. All is so perfect until one of the wives has some kind mental breakdown. The trailers give off a “Stepford Wives” vibe, but after ¾ into the film, comes the first surprise hint of what’s really happening. Pugh is terrific. Chris Pine plays Frank, the leader & founder of the Victory Project & Gemma Chan is Frank’s wife. Director/writer Olivia Wilde plays Bunny, Alice’s best friend & next door neighbor. Wilde has marvelously recreated a 1950’s world & lifestyle as well as a fabulous looking film. If you grew up during the 50’s, you’ll get it. It’s a beautiful looking psychological thriller about a creepily too perfect cul-de-sac.

Alien gives it 3 “Keep Calm & Carry On” stars out of 4.