Alien at the Movies

Woman of the Hour

Sometimes real life is stranger than fiction. This is a true crime story about a serial killer who was one of the 3 bachelor contestants on the game show, The Dating Game, back in 1978. Struggling actress Sheryl Bradshaw (Anna Kendrick) had been unsuccessful auditioning for acting parts when her manager suggested going on The Dating Game show to get more exposure. Little did anyone know, bachelor #3, Rodney Alcala, was a serial killer. However, one of the audience members did recognized him & tried to warn the show’s producer & inform the police. The film is told in snippets of the different times with this charming, smooth talking photographer/serial killer manipulating his female victims and inter-spliced these clips with The Dating Game sequences to ramp up the tension of upcoming danger. This is chosen format for Kendrick in her directorial debut. Does Sheryl go on her Carmel date with Rodney? How many women victims did Alcala rape & kill? Was he ever caught? This is the sad tale about ordinary people looking the other way so that a bad person could get away with bad behavior repeatedly. The text at the film’s end summarizes Alcala’s killing spreecstory.

Alien gives it 3 “which bachelor do you choose” stars out of 4.

Am I️ Ok?

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) & Jane (Sonoyo Mizuno) are BFFs & think they know everything there is to know about each other. Lucy is a 32-year/old receptionist at a L.A. spa but a wanna be artist/painter. Jane gets a promotion at her work that would soon move her to London. At the celebration for Jane’s new advancement, Lucy lets her confusion over her gender preference slip out. As these two women try to help each other deal with these life stresses, they have a falling out & stop talking to each other. Each of their situations worsens just when they need each other the most  in this dramadey.. Will they reconcile & help each other move forward?

Alien gives it 2½ “clothes try on night” stars out of 4.

The Present

It’s “Back to the Future” meets “Groundhog Day” when a young nonverbal boy, Taylor, tries to prevent his parents’ (Isla Fisher & Greg Kennear) impending separation. When Taylor fixes their broken inherited grandfather clock, he discovers that he can magically roll back time 12 hours. So he tries to manipulate his parents’ marital decision. Does anyone ever have any luck messing with the space/time continuum? Every change seems to produce another unexpected outcome, so he repeats the process over & over again with no success. Realizing he may need some extra help, he eventually enlists the aid of each of his older siblings, Emma & Max. However, things still don’t get any better & they fear the clock’s magic may be wearing out. As the clock ticks down, the kids must reconcile their desires to hold the family together with the realities of life. They may discover the most valuable moments may not be found in changing the past, but in embracing the present. This fantasy family friendly film is a goofy comedy of errors.

Alien gives it 2½ “beignets & snowflakes” stars out of 4.

What You Wish For

A talented chef Ryan (Nick Stahl) is down on his luck & runs off to visit his old friend/culinary school roommate Jack in some Latin country. Saddled with tremendous gambling debts, Ryan is trying to evade his debtors. Jack has this fantastic gig cooking for some wealthy clientele & a seemingly wonderful life. Ryan wishes he & Jack could switch places. Unexpectedly, Ryan finds Jack has hung himself for some unexplained reason. Ryan seizes this opportunity to swap identities & pretend to be Jack. Being this is a mysterious thriller, Ryan should have been more careful what he wished for. Things take a deadly turn when Ryan pretending to now be Jack finally meets Jack’s employer & learns about the special elite & illegal dinner he must prepare with the “secret ingredient”. Complications arise when “produce shopping” which draws police attention & causes an additional unexpected dinner guest. Ryan is feeling trapped & desperate to escape his new predicament. Will Ryan’s dinner menu be a success? Will his deception be discovered?  Can Ryan cook up a delicious escape plan?

Alien gives it 3 “dotting all the i’s & crossing all the t’s” stars out of 4.

Wicked Part I️ 

First there was Hogwarts, then Nevermore, & now Shiz University. Here is where a young woman named Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) meets her new roommate Galinda/Glinda (Ariana Grande). Elphaba is misunderstood due to her green skin. Glinda is obsessed with being popular. When Elphaba unintentionally unleashes the power of her magic, she attracts the attention of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) the Dean of Sorcery & gets an invite to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). Elphaba & Glinda begin to form a deep friendship & they both travel together to the Emerald City, where things take a dark turn. Filmmakers have created such a wondrous version of this Land of Oz & its Emerald City. The sets are huge & beautiful. The costumes are stunning. Idina Mendel & Kristen Chenoweth (two original Elphaba & Glinda Wicked performers) make a singing cameo appearance. Grande & Erivo are perfect as the lead characters. This is an origin story that will give you new insights to those beloved Wizard of Oz characters. 

Alien gives it 3 “how they got wings” stars out of 4.

Better Man

Who is Robbie Williams? Robert Peter Williams was bullied as a boy & was labeled as a nobody. But he had big dreams to be a famous performer. This musical biopic details the rise & fall and the resurgence of the 90’s famed British pop star called Robbie Williams. However, this true story film relies heavily on a crazy quirk which I️‘ll characterize as “A Star Is Born” meets “Planet of the Apes”. Williams is portrayed as a chimpanzee through out the film & it works. Audiences will see Williams as he sees himself, as a performing monkey. It’s boy band fame, being ousted from the quintet, building a solo career, drug abuse, rehab, & resurgence. I️ loved the music & the wonderfully choreographed dance sequences. The film is full of creative visual imagery. The CGI is amazing as it captures the nuances of facial emotions through a monkey face. At times, that raw animal power shines through the performance. If your mind can buy into this slick gimmick, you may have a great time. Also see the personal touching moments Williams has with his loved ones… his mom & dad, his nana, & wife. The title “Better Man” refers to one of Williams’ hit songs as well as his personal evolutionary journey. 

Alien gives it 3½ “I️’ll do it my way” stars out of 4.

Red One

Do you believe in Santa Claus? Well, there is a clandestine, multilateral military organization, MORA (Mythological Oversight & Restoration Authority) that oversees & protects the secret peace treaty between those mythological creatures & humanity. Thus, we have our doubts that Santa is even real. However, when Old Saint Nick, code name Red One (J.K. Simmons) gets kidnapped by an black ops team on Christmas Eve, Callum (Dwyane Johnson) the commander of North Pole’s ELF security (Enforcement Logistics & Fortification but also referred to as Extremely Large & Formidable) must find out who’s behind this evil plot & rescue Santa. Callum enlists the aid of a shady black hat hacker/tracker named Jack (Chris Evans) in his search. Things are starting to look a lot like Marvel meets Santa Claus in this action comedy twist about saving Christmas. There is a Christmas Witch Gryla, Krampus, & Abominable Snowmen as well as an employee contemplating retirement, a divorced guy with a kid, an adopted brother, & an ex-lover all rolled into this plot involving secret portholes, a magic gauntlet, snow globes, & a highly sought after naughty list. Lucy Lui & Bonnie Hunt are in the supporting cast. It’s silly family fiun entertainment.

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

Gladiator II

It’s 16 years after the original “Gladiator”. The Roman army invades North Africa & Lucius (Paul Mescal) is captured & enslaved. He becomes the property & pawn of Marcrinus (Denzel Washington). Denzel flashes his distinctive smile as his character plots. A slave’s main goal is to fight well, to survive, & to become a gladiator with a chance to earn his freedom. Lucius other goal is avenge the death of his wife. The twin emperors, Geta & Caracalla, rule Rome at its peak of opulence & decadence. Pedro Pascal plays general Marcus Acacius & Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla. There are dreams of a better Rome.  There are plots to seize power & change who rules Rome. There are past relationships revealed. There are some amazing & incredible arena battles scenes involving men, animals, & galleys. This is a fascinating look back into history. See what Rome may have looked like in its glory.

Alien gives it 3½ “monkey eater & prince of Rome” stars out of 4.

Venom: The Last Dance

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) & Venom return in this third installment of the trilogy. On the run since the Carnage episode, they are getting drunk in Mexico & decide to go to New York City to clear Eddie’s name in connection to a murder. Along their way, they get diverted to Las Vegas & Area 51, are hunted down by the Imperium military group, get attacked by xenophages sent by Knull searching for the Codex, & meet a hippy family of alien enthusiasts. It’s a battle for survival & redemption in this crazy CGI action film. Will this be the last time we will see Venom? Will Knull escape his prison? Will Eddie be finally symbiote free? Look for a mid credit promise & an end of credit reveal.

Alien gives it 3 “shoeless Eddie” stars out of 4.