Alien at the Movies

Retribution 

It’s “Speed” meets “Phone Booth” meets “Die Hard 3” meets “Taken” when financier Matt Turner (Liam Neeson) gets a mysterious threatening phone call while driving his kids to school one morning. Matt must follow a bunch of special instructions or the car will blow up. It becomes a desperate game of survival for him & his kids with the caller seemingly always one step ahead. Who is this guy? What is he after? Why Matt? As tension builds, Matt appears to get himself deeper into trouble. Has Matt done something wrong to get himself into this situation? This is quite a thrill ride as Neeson must rise up again to protect family. Tick tock, tick tock…

Alien gives it 3 “promises made” stars out of 4.

Blue Beetle 

Its “Spider-Man” meets “Iron Man” meets “Green Lantern” meets “Ant-Man” as DC Studios invests in another entry to the superhero movie race against Marvel Studios. Recent law school graduate Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) returns home to Palmera City & finds his family in financial difficulty. Just as he is trying to figure out what his life’s goal is going to be, fate steps in & an ancient alien artifact called the Scarab, a sentient weapon, chooses Jaime as its symbiotic host. In this origin story, it’s the basic battle between good & evil. The good: Jaime & his close family including crazy Uncle Rudy (George Lopez), & Jenny, daughter of Kord Industries co-founder Ted Kord. The evil: the other co-founder & CEO Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon) & her henchmen/lackies. Steeped in Hispanic heritage, this one is about finding strength in family & love. It’s amazing how new comers can so easily adapt to unknown advanced technology, but who really cares because it drives the wild action that movie goers crave for. A mid credit staticky voice hints toward a possible future. There is one last post credit Mexican pop culture reference. Box office success numbers will be key to whether we may de a return of the Blue Beetle.

Alien gives it 3 “One Man Army Corps Project” stars out of  4.

Puppy Love

Party animal/wild child Nicole (Lucy Hale) is messy, just got dumped by her boyfriend, & picks up a stray mutt. Nerdy Max (Grant Gustin) is obsessively neat & tidy as well as socially awkward & anxious. His therapist recommended he adopts a dog to help ease his anxieties. While toying around on a dating app, they accidentally arraign to meet each other on a date. It’s turns out to be a complete disaster because they are opposites but their pets follow their instincts & hump in the park. Being that this is a romantic comedy, Max’s dog ends up pregnant & Nicole reluctantly agrees to be supportive. Strange circumstances become even more weird when Max & Nicole find themselves having to live under the same roof. I️ guess, this one is for dog lovers & romantics who like extra cheese with their side of silliness. Filmmakers blatantly steal, not one, but two scenes from 2 Disney movies. True to its genre, we all know where this sappy story is going. Look for outtakes during the credits.

Alien gives it 2½ “Chloe & Tatum Channing” stars out of 4.

The Old Way

Retired gunslinger Colton Briggs (Nicolas Cage) lives with his loving wife, Ruth, & 12-year-old daughter, Brooke, on a small farm & runs a general store in town. One day a ruthless outlaw & his gang stumble upon the Brigg’s homestead & kill Ruth. Thus, begins this predictable tale of vengeance. Even though being warned by the sheriff & his posse to stay out of it because they are already chasing these known criminals, Colton is blinded by his rage & must pursue dragging his little girl along. Along the journey, we learn more about Colton’s background & about Brooke.  “The Old Way” refers to how differences were settled in the Wild West… in  a showdown gunfight in the dusty streets of town. I️ really like the characters, Colton, Ruth, & Brooke. You just got to love hating the evil villain here with his bumbling henchmen. I️ grew up watching Westerns so maybe that’s why I️ liked this throwback to that genre.

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

Strays

Parental Warning: At a quick glance, this film may look like one of those wonderful Disney animal films where nature’s creatures make a remarkable journey across country to find their way home. But this is hardly the case for this hilariously raunchy R-rated doggie film loaded with f-bombs & sexual innuendos. Especially, if you are a dog owner or dog lover, you may get a kick out of the multitude of doggie related jokes. This is the story of a mutt named Reggie who’s owner Doug (Will Forte) repeatedly tries to abandon him & he tries to find his way home, again & again. Along the way, Reggie meets up with 3 other strays who try & help Reggie return home. These 4 become PFFs. Much of the humor plays on what these dogs are really thinking as oppose to what humans think dogs are thinking. These dogs are brilliantly cast to perform their tricks to convey the storyline or are these bits CGI? Anyhow, these dogs are marvelously imbedded with human traits to help tell their stories. Keep an eye out for surprise cameo appearance. Look for one last funny mid credit clip.

Alien gives it 3 “Fetch & Fuck” stars out of 4.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

In 1897, the Demeter sets sail for London on a 4-week journey, but like the Titanic, disaster strikes before the destination is reached. Unknown to the captain & crew, they have a deadly cargo on board. Suspicions arise when a female stowaway in need of blood transfusions is discovered in the cargo hull unconscious. Fortunately, on board is a newly hired educated man (the voice of reason & logic) with medical skills & equipment. During the many dark & stormy nights, the livestock are slaughtered by someone or something & then crew members are killed or go missing on their solo night watches. The girl tells a tale of a demon called Dracula, but no one believes her. There is a young boy (representing curiosity & innocence) who becomes terrorized. The film slowly builds on suspense & uses attention to details with splashes of gore. Great characters diametrically playing off each other carries us through the 28 days & nights of terror & panic at sea. Who, if any, will survive? By the film’s end, audiences will get a hint as what may become a sequel to follow. This horror tale, straight from the captain’s log was a lot better than I️ expected.

Alien gives it 3 “spontaneous combustion” stars out of 4.

Banana Split

Boyfriend/girlfriend & girlfriend/girlfriend relationships are explored in this romantic comedy. High school seniors, April & Nick, have been dating for 2 years, but now are applying to colleges on opposite coasts. They mutually agreed to breakup because a long distance relationship wasn’t going to work for them. During the summer before college, April discovers Nick has a new girlfriend, Clara. At a party, April & Clara awkwardly meet. Both are naturally curious about each other. The more they talk, they more they discover that they have in common & start to become best friends. They decide Nick must never know so they set up rules. Of course, their secret is eventually exposed & jealousy tears them all apart. Which relationship, if any, will win out? This is an hilarious comedy featuring frank teenage girl talk, a cool single mom, à precocious younger sister, & a guy’s buddy caught in the middle. It’s a fun film with a great cast adding to the humor of the situation.

Alien gives it 3½ “sharing their dessert” stars out of 4.

Still Today

When Pete get dumped on his wedding day, his groomsmen scheme to cheer up their buddy on his worst day. Pete & his pals pool their resources to afford having a girl sent up to his honeymoon room for a night of anything goes. Pete is goofy looking & terribly shy. When the pretty & forward Heather knocks on his door, the awkward comedy begins but turns into a fun night of unexpected excitement as Pete begins to loosen up & push himself beyond his comfort zone. Then when Pete learns the truth about Jenny & Ronnie’s deception, the night takes a momentary detour, but rights its course until Pete’s fiancée returns. However, this is a com/rom so we can be pretty sure where this story is going.

Alien gives it 3 “Suck it, Miranda” stars out of 4.

The Honeymoon

Fashion designer, Kat, gets dumped the night before the wedding to her business partner/boyfriend, Vivaan. Her two besties, Lu & Noks, rally to support Kat & put to good use of her former honeymoon package in Zanzibar. Kat is in denial that now ex is just using her. Lu is a bored housewife & mom feeling unappreciated. Noks is a wild child refusing to grow up & take responsibility. During their paradise stay, they struggle to find themselves & move on. 

Alien gives it 3 “Fight Club” stars out of 4.

Meg 2: The Trench

It’s “Jurassic World” meets “Jaws” meets “Underwater” meets “Die Hard” with echoes of “release the Kraken” when Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) & company, Mac, DJ, & Meiying, return for another misadventure exploring the Trench. Sabotage at the Oceanic Research Facility threatens everyone when an hostile takeover arises. But our heroes overcome the adversities to escape their situation. It’s a crazy fun time with Jonas racing on a jet ski with homemade explosive spears on a giant shark hunt. The climax sets up at none other than Fun Island where vacationing tourists are enjoying their beach time. Oh… and that cute little dog makes another appearance. It’s just another fun absurd action thriller romp with prehistoric creatures & evil henchmen. Now, will there be a Meg 3?

Alien gives it 3 “Apex Predator” stars out of 4.

Gray Matter

A mother & daughter, Ayla & Aurora, are living in isolation & on the run from a dark past. They are psyconics, people with superhuman powers. Ayla is an overprotective mom trying to keep her daughter safe & properly trained to handle these powers. Aurora is a typical 16-year-old girl who thinks she knows better than her mom & has a secret boy friend that she sneaks off to see. After an unfortunate incident where Aurora loses control of her powers, she finds herself in a facility that claims to be a safe haven, able to help her manage her special powers, & explain why her mother was in the run. Meanwhile, Ayla tries to find & rescue Aurora. This one is about growing & making the right decisions.

Alien gives it 3 “astral projections, telekinesis, & teleportation” stars out of 4.

Shortcomings

This film is a quirky comedy/drama about flawed, complex people trying to make their way through life & stumbling along the way. The focus is on two Asian characters, Ben & Alice. He is a struggling filmmaker/art house theater manager living with his girlfriend, Miko. Alice is his lesbian best friend/confidant. When Miko decides to take an internship in NYC, Ben struggles with his feelings & tries to move forward in his life with new relationships. Ben always seems to put his foot in his mouth. Alice, too, has difficulties as she serial dates. Finally, Ben must reconnect or face closure with Miko. This Randall Park’s directorial debut as his explores Asians, biases, interracial relationships, dating, & personal relationships. This one is about figuring out what you want, realizing your mistakes, & moving on.

Alien gives it 3 “blonde blue eyed obsession” stars out of 4.

Dreamin’ Wild

In their teens, the Emerson brothers, Donnie (Casey Affleck) & Joe (Walton Goggins), produced their own album, “Dreamin’ Wild”, that went absolutely nowhere. Then, 30 years later, their album becomes an internet sensation & a promoter pays them a visit igniting some excitement in the Emerson households. Singer/songwriter Donnie has stayed in the music business but with little success. This renewed interest in his musical talent dredges up much emotional baggage associated his passion for music as well as his feelings towards his family. Beau Bridges plays the dad & Zooey Deschanel plays the wife. This musical drama about love & redemption is based on a true story & features a tune be the real Emerson brothers at the end of the film.

Alien gives it 3 “farm boys” stars out of 4.