Alien at the Movies

Something From Tiffany’s 

Fate, two strangers cross paths, Tiffany’s, engagement ring proposal, Christmas/New Years holiday season, boyfriend who’s a douche, messy girl, nice guy, & finally finding who your are… hey didn’t I️ just review this movie? Or is this just a common rom/com theme?

A baker/chef Rachel (Zoey Deutch) & professor/writer Ethan (Kendrick Sampson) meet after her boyfriend gets a concussion in a pedestrian/car accident which Ethan & his daughter had witnessed. During the accident, the guys’ Tiffany’s boxes get switched & thus the love story with a comedy of errors ensues. This is another one for rom/com fans. It’s predictable from the beginning because you can see where it is going but sit back & enjoy this cute, sweet, & charming ride. Duetch is a delight to watch.

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

About Fate

Two strangers separately have their engagement proposal wishes crushed by their love ones both on December 30. Margot (Emma Roberts) is a realtor & the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding the next day. Griffin (Thomas Mann) is a lawyer & tries to propose unsuccessfully to his social media influencer girlfriend Clementine.  This rom/com is a remake of the Russian film “Irony of Fate”. It’s a comedy of errors involving drinking too much, the wrong address, a last minute substitution, breaking & entering, coincidences, pretending who you are not, and being a nice guy. This is a funny, cute, & charming story about that crazy twist of fate. Roberts is delightful as the screwup who tries to please. Rom/com fans will love this one.

Alien gives it 3 “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” stars out of 4.

Luckiest Girl Alive

Ani (Mila Kunis) is an ambitious editor for a New York women’s magazine & engaged to be married to her well-to-do boyfriend Luke. Pushed by her controlling mom (Connie Britton), Ani has always strived for a better economic & social status. She says just the right thing to fit in. She seems to be living her dream checking off all of the boxes on her list, but she is haunted by 2 tragic events from her past high school days. Intertwined with flashbacks, the truth in this mystery/thriller is slowly revealed. Audiences are warned up front by a reference to Holden Caulfield from “Catcher in the Rye” as an unreliable narrator. This is the story of a woman pretending to be this person but finally realizing who she is.

Alien gives it 2½ “victim or survivor” stars out of 4.

 Babylon

It was the Roaring Twenties & Hollywood was transitioning from silent films to talkies. Two newbies trying to get into motion picture business meet at this decadent party thrown by a big time movie producer. It is rampant with booze, drugs, sex, & anything goes. All I️ can say about these opening scenes is holy shit & how can you ignore the elephant in the room. Mexican-American go-for guy Manny (Diego Calva) becomes an assistant to a popular silent film star Jack (Brad Pitt). Ambitious wannabe actress Nellie (Margot Robbie) wrangles a bit part & then steals her scenes. This is an ensemble story about individuals’ rise & fall in this wild & crazy comedy-drama. It’s a behind the scenes look at the movie business & their celebrity players. The acting is brilliant. Tobey McGuire has a small part as a creepy mob boss. This 3 hour 9 minute film gets darker & more intense as the end approaches & the debauchery punctuates its scenes. Director/writer Damien Chazelle doesn’t pull his punches as he deals with the scandals, coverups, & messiness. It’s a stunning look filmmaking during this period.

Alien gives it 3½ “Wild Child” stars out of 4.

Matilda The Musical 

Roald Dahl’s character Matilda from his book, made into a movie, then made into a stage musical, is now a film. Matilda is an intelligent, precocious child with a hidden talent. She is an avid reader & has this story about an escapologist & acrobat developing in her head. Her parents are idiots & the headmaster (Emma Thompson) at her school is cruel & bullies the kids. Matilda rises up against her obstacles & helps others around her. I️ liked the melodic lyrics sung & the dance numbers. Lashana Lynch costars as Miss Honey, the caring school teacher.

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

Pinocchio

Director Guillermo del Toro brings his fantastical animated stop-action retelling of the classic wooden puppet, Pinocchio, coming-to-life version to the big screen. This one is set in fascist Italy with an immortal hero returning to the mortal world multiple times to effect the lives of different individuals. It’s about life, death, love, & family. The animation is amazing with some musical moments. In del Toro style, it’s dark with some creepy looking creatures, not exactly as kid friendly as the Disney’s 1940 version. Look for a musical number during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 “perfect pine cone” stars out of 4.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Renown detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back for another murder mystery to solve. Billionaire tech mogul Miles Bron (Edward Norton) has invited his eclectic friends/disrupters to his private Greek island for a murder mystery game weekend at his Glass Onion mansion. Like the original “Knives Out” movie, a sudden death sets this mystery into motion. As the title hints, clues are hidden in plain sight & are revealed slowly by peeling away one layer at a time. Test your detective skills for solving this puzzle before the final reveal. The ensemble cast of possible suspects/victims also includes Kate Hudson, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hann, Leslie Odom Jr, & Dave Bautista. Enjoy the twists & turns as mystery plays out. 

Alien gives it 3 “Klear America” stars out of 4.

I️ Wanna Dance With Somebody

This is a fabulous trip back to the 1980s as we follow the life & career of Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie). From her rise from obscurity to her international fame, she was discovered by record producer Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) & became one of the greatest singers of her time. Ackie is absolutely amazing as Whitney & gives a mesmerizing extraordinarily powerful performance. Tucci is outstanding as Davis. In fact the entire supporting cast is terrific as the film shows how they influence Whitney’s success & her troubles. See her controlling parents Cissy & John, her supportive best friend/assistant Robyn, & her bad boy husband, Bobby Brown. This is a wonderful autobiographical musical that captures so many of those memorable iconic Whitney Houston moments. This film feels like you are at one of her concert performances experiencing a medley of her famous songs. Photos & footage of the real Whitney Houston run during the credits.

Alien gives it 4 “head, heart, & gut” stars out of 4.

Your Christmas or Mine

Two lovers part at the train station on their separate ways home for Christmas with their families, but at the last minute, each decides to switch trains & surprise the other. From there, it’s a comedy of errors as weather traps each with the other’s family & then the secrets are uncovered because they weren’t honest to each other & their families. It’s basically the fish out of water scenario crossed with an O. Henry style tale with that predictable feel good Christmasy touching moments by the end. 

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

Rosaline 

This is a comedic retelling of Shakespeare’s classic Romero & Juliet” story, but from the point of view of Romeo’s jilted ex, Rosaline Capulet (Kaitlyn Dever). She was Romero’s first before he becomes smitten by Rosaline’s cousin Juliet. In a comedy of errors, Rosaline tries to distract her cousin & woo back her lover. This version employs more modern speech & attitudes for those who may be Shakespearean challenged. It’s a typical rom/com love story with a Romeo & Juliet gimmick. Minnie Driver & Bradley Whitfield are in the supporting cast. Look for a mid credit clip.

Alien gives it 2½ “fear of fishes” stars out of 4.

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish

An offshoot from the Shrek franchise, Puss in Boots returns in this sequel to his 2011 adventure. Our swashbuckling hero has burnt though 8 lives & is now being stalk by Death. Puss in Boots seeks refuge in a cat lady’s home until bounty hunters, Goldilocks & the 3 Bears, come looking. It’s lots of cat & fairytale jokes as Puss in Boots searches for the magic map leading him to the Wishing Star with hopes of restoring his 9 lives. However, Kitty Softpaws & Big Jack Horner as well G & the 3 B’s have entered into the hunt too. It’s terrific family fun as the film wields a double-edged sword with cutting humor & wit for the kiddies as well as the adults. This one is about facing your fears & finding strength in your family.

Alien gives it 3 “Stabby Tabby or Fraidy Cat” stars out of 4.

Spirited

“Spirited” is a modern day retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as a musical comedy parody. For the past 200 years, Jacob Marley & the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present (Will Ferrell), & Yet-To-Come are now operating a massive high tech Afterlife organization in charge of yearly hauntings of misanthropes in order to obtain their redemption. Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds) is the latest project who needs convincing & it’s no easy task. Ferrell & Reynolds each bring their particular style of humor to their roles. Rated PG-13, but caution parents, it not totally family friendly. There are lots of over-the-top, elaborately choreographed, high production song & dance numbers. Look for Octavia Spenser in a supporting role as well as some cameos & surprises along the way. The musical numbers continue through the credits & there is one last clip at the end.

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

Avatar: The Way of Water (3D)

“I️ got you.” “I️ hear you.” “I️ see you.”

Jake Sully & Neytiri are back & they got a family now. The Sky people have returned & they bring their Recombinants. Jake gets a bounty on his head. To protect the Forest people, Jake & family flee & seek refuge with the Sea people. Director/writer/producer James Cameron returns to continue his Pandora saga. It’s all about family, the beauty of nature, save the whale, poaching, an eye for an eye, bullying, friendships, kids will be kids, sibling rivals, parenting, aerial dogfights, sea battles, a titanic sinking, obsession, rage, & the evil that never seems to die. One of the themes here is the Sully's stick together & the family is our fortress. This film turns its focus from the jungle forests & floating islands to the beaches & under the sea on this alien planet. Marvel at a new native culture & landscape as well as new sea creatures & some new high tech mechanize weapons. It’s more of the same wonderment & excitement but with some surprising twists as the children take on the challenge. Remember this is sci-fi so anything is possible. It is a 3 hour & 12 minute marathon so maybe the “way of water” means watch your liquid intake to avoid an emergency mid film bathroom run. There are no surprise mid or post credit clips but the next sequel was shot simultaneously & numbers 4 & 5 await green lighting based any further franchise success. So audiences will just have to hold their breaths after witnessing who lives & who dies in this one.

Alien gives it 4 “familiar but different” stars out of 4.

Empire of Light

It’s the 1980’s at the Empire Cinema in an English seaside town where the lives of 2 people, Hillary (Olivia Coleman) & Stephen (Micheal Ward), cross paths. Hillary is an older woman & a senior manager at the theater. She is instructed to show the new hire, Stephen, the ropes. They bond. However, being a young black man during this period, Stephen faces unwarranted racism & prejudice. Hillary is being sexually harassed by her supervisor (Colin Firth) & may have some emotional problems. These are 2 lonely souls positively uplifting each other’s lives, a coming of age & a midlife crisis story. Director/writer Sam Mendes’ love of films shines through in beauty of this grand old elegant movie theater featured here but shown fading with its unused, dilapidated third floor former ballroom/restaurant. The projectionist (Toby Jones) has decorated his work area in tribute to some movie classics. Coleman gives another impressive performance as a troubled woman trying get a grip on her life. It’s an emotional journey to see what lies in the future for these two.

Alien gives it 2½ “darkness between the frames” stars out of 4.

Devotion 

Before there was Tom Cruise & the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School, there was the true story of Jesse Brown & Tom Hudner. It’s 1950 during the Cold War, naval fighter pilots are training for possible Soviet activities when the Korean War breaks out. Brown (Jonathan Majors) is the first black US naval aviator. He has struggled against racism all his life. Hudner (Glen Powell) is his friend & his wingman. This is the emotional story about who they were, their friendship, & their critical roles in the Korean War. The summary at the film’s end tells how deep their bond was. 

Alien gives it 3 “211 & 205” stars out of 4.