Alien at the Movies

Wish Dragon

In modern China, two kids, Din & Li Na, meet at school & become best friends. However, Li Na & her father soon move away to seek better opportunities. Ten years later, Din & Li Na find that they have taken different paths in life. Din misses his old friend & plans to see her again. While on his job delivering food to customers, Din meets a mysterious old man who gives him a magical teapot. A dragon named Long (Lóng or Lung in Chinese means dragon) appears from the teapot & grants Din 3 wishes. Din uses one of his wishes to reunite with Li Na. If you haven’t realized it yet, this story is sounding a lot like “Aladdin”. A magical creature trapped in an item with a handle & a spout. A poor boy uses a wish to reunite with a rich girl. There is also a bad guy trying to get his hands on the magic container. I️ do like the bits of Chinese culture & traditions added to this version of the Arabian fairy tale classic. This animated film is about being yourself & choosing friends & family over wealth & greed.

Alien gives it 3 “the Midas touch” stars out of 4. 

In the Land of Saints & Sinners

It’s 1974 in Northern Ireland, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson) is hitman trying to leave his dark past behind & lead a quiet life in a small quaint coastal town away from the political violence gripping the rest of the country at that time. However, 4 IRA members are hiding out nearby too. When one abuses a local little girl, Finbar feels the need to step in & stop him for good. The gang’s search for their missing member leads them to Finbar. This then becomes a cat & mouse game with Finbar trying not to expose his secret while protecting the locals, his friends & neighbors. Will he be exposed? Will he save his adopted town? Can he stop this gang? Will the gang get their revenge? I loved this Irish setting & their lovely accents, although I️ sometimes had a little trouble understanding what they said.

Alien gives it 3 “fulfill a contract, plant a tree” stars out of 4. 

Fall

Would you rather be 47 meters down with sharks or 2,000 feet up with vultures? These survival thrillers like put two females in these precarious situations. Are you afraid of heights? Well, this is your first warning. When Becky, her husband Dan, & her BFF Hunter go rock climbing, tragedy occurs & leaves Becky grief stricken, alcoholic, & suicidal. She has shut down & isolated herself from everyone. Approaching the 1 year anniversary of Dan’s death, Hunter reaches out to Becky to snap her out of her funk. Hunter is a social media influencer who wants to climb an old abandoned 2,000 foot TV broadcasting tower in the middle of the desert. She needs a climbing partner & convinces Becky to join her so Dan’s ashes could be spread from the top. What could go wrong? Of course, in this case, just about everything. It’s a seemingly simple premise. Climb the maintenance ladder to the top & then climb the ladder back down. Easy peasy. It’s not rock climbing. Face your fears & get back to living life. A couple of rusty bolts later & no ladder. See how the girls try to McGiver their way out of their predicament. I️ was amazed how these ladies could act & say their lines from high atop their tiny platform stage. My legs were shaking as my eyes took in the cringing visuals. The storyline leaves nice little bread crumbs along to way to feed your brain later & move the plot along. I️ don’t know if it was movie magic or what, but I️ felt like I️ was up there with them. Underwater makes me feel claustrophobic but up in the air feels so open. It’s a stressful time up there as the girls try to stay optimistic even as a secret is revealed. Tired, sleepy, injured, hungry, & thirsty… will they survive her nightmare?

Alien gives it 3 “If you are afraid of dying, don’t be afraid to live… 1-4-3” stars out of 4.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Those stop action animated characters Wallace & Gomit are back for another fun misadventure. A penguin named Feathers McGraw tries to steal the Blue Diamond but is foiled by Wallace & Gromit. McGraw gets locked away behind bars. Meanwhile, inventor Wallace builds a robotic gnome, Norbot, to do gardening. The news about Norbot gets out & requests for his services pour in. While locked up, McGraw hatches a plan for vengeance, his escape, & reacquiring the Blue Diamond. McGraw manages to reprogram Norbot to be his accomplice for his new scheme. Hilarity ensues as McGraw’s plans unfold with Wallace & Gomit giving chase as law enforcement is also hot on the trail. Hang on for a hilarious fun thrill ride.

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

Unstoppable 

In the spirit of “Rocky” & “The Karate Kid”, comes an underdog American biographical sports drama film about Anthony Robles, a wrestler who was born with only one leg. This is the true coming-of-age story of a college athlete overcoming societal prejudice & physical challenges to develop a resilient spirit. Robles (Jharrel Jerome) displays remarkable technique, focus, & resilience on his way to a National Championship while also enduring personal problems at home. Although initially doubted by his coaches & teammates, he becomes a formidable competitor. Jerome is outstanding in his performance. The real Anthony Robles acts as a body double & mentoring advisor/coach in the film. Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Michael Pẽna, & Bobby Caravelle are fantastic as the supporting cast. This truly heart-warming & inspirational film may bring some emotional tears to your eyes. Photos & summary statements about the real characters are displayed at the end.

Alien gives it 3½ “I️ see you now” stars out of 4.

Den of Thieves: Pantera

This is the sequel to the 2018 big heist film “Den of Thieves”. Nick (Gerard Butler) & Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr) are back for more fun & games playing cops & robbers. In case you aren’t familiar with the original, Nick was the cop that tried to busted up a Federal Reserve bank heist. Donnie was a robber who that got away. When Nick discovered Donnie’s true connection to that heist, he has been on the lookout for Donnie & spots a familiar M.O. in a recent diamond heist overseas. Donnie has now joined an international team to pull off a seemingly impossible diamond heist. However, there is no honor among thieves so no one really trusts anyone. When Nick tracks down Donnie in Europe, he manages to join this gang. It’s fun watching how precision timing & teamwork gets the them into the vault, but of course, something goes wrong with the exit & leads to a wild car chase. Will they get away with the heist? Will they get caught? It ain’t over until the fat lady sings. Will there be a third installment? Like with the first film, a real life theft serves as the inspiration.

Alien gives it 3 “Don’t mess with the Mafia” stars out of 4.

Nosferatu 

Writer/director Robert Eggers has made his gothic horror remake of the 1922 silent film, “Nosferatu”, which itself is based on Bram Stoker’s 1897’s novel, Dracula”. As a young girl, Ellen, makes a psychic connection to an evil spirit. Years later in 1838 Germany, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) is married to Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). Thomas pays a visit to Count Orlok in Transylvania for a business proposition. Despite warnings for the local gypsies, Thomas too falls under the spell of Noferatu/Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). Thus, begins Nosferatu’s secret journey back to Ellen bringing the plague & death with him. Meanwhile, a professor (Willem Dafoe) suspects Nosferatu’s plot & devises a scheme to stop him. Eggers has created a dark & murky setting to capture his gothic mood but it doesn’t help in holding the audience’s attention in this slow movingly storyline with vintage dialogue. I️ got a bit lost in the details. Will Ellen & Thomas live happily ever after? Will this vampire die at the stake or will he survive another day to take another bite? The acting was terrific but I️ wished there was more up on the screen to stimulate my interest.

Alien gives it 2 “sacrificing to win” stars out of 4.

Homestead

“Homestead” begins with much confusion. Illegals in a boat are being stopped by the Coast Guard so they take a device below deck. A huge explosion in L.A. has family grab their “go” bag to escape but get caught up in a huge traffic jam. A special forces team head to a fortified home in the Rockies. I️ had no idea what I️ was about to see except this movie was produced by Angel Studios. This turned out to be a post-apocalyptic survival film where a nuclear bomb was detonated in Los Angeles & prepared people were fleeing to a fortified compound referred to as the Homestead. The nation has devolved into chaos. Desperate people are behaving abnormally. These survivalist preppers & military specialists have dug into their self-sustaining, well-defended compound ready to ward off any violent threats. This is a story about survival & protecting your own, while questioning whether are you really doing the right thing. Are you overstepping moral boundaries? Has human nature’s sense of survival made you cross the line at someone else’s expense? It’s intense drama as paranoia grips over this stronghold. Who will survive this nightmare? The film’s conclusion seems to close on a upbeat note. Then, it’s disclosed that these events were just the set up for a streaming series where more about these people will continue.

Alien gives it 3 “There is life… and there is life worth living” stars out of 4.

The Front Room

Norman & Belinda (Brandy) are expecting their first baby when his father dies & his estranged stepmother Solange moves in with them. The elderly Solange bargains to put up her inheritance in exchange for a place to stay during her final days. However, Solange is very controlling & manipulative plus being a racist & extremely religious. Oh, did I mention Norman is white & Belinda is black. Solange becomes the mother-in-law from hell taking over the front room (formerly the planned nursery), moving in her own furniture & accessories, trying to replace Belinda, & trying to turn Norman against Belinda. Solange is frequently incontinent, fakes needing 2 canes to walk, & behaves like she is helpless. Norman & Belinda put up with Solange because they could use the money during their tight times. Belinda was frustrated at work & had quit her job. Norman is overworked as an attorney so he isn’t around much to help care for his stepmom & their new baby. Belinda becomes overwhelmed & stressed out with her annoying mother-in-law. However, Solange’s bad behavior will annoy audiences even more making this an unpleasant viewing experience. This film is labeled as a psychological horror comedy but it is so dark that I️ don’t see any humor in it. Do Norman, Belinda, & the baby live happily ever after? This film turned out as an unexpected disappointment.

Alien gives it 1 “ear piercing whistle” star out of 4.

Culpa Tuya (Your Fault)

This is the sequel to 2023’s “Culpa Mia” (My Fault). Noah & Nick, step sister & brother, are back at, hot & heavy. It's the continuation of the same romance & drama: rich people, fast cars, bad boys, mentally unstable ex, hot associate, drug deal gone bad, bar fight, illegal street racing, trust issues, & secrets. The parents are trying to keep them apart. His job & her attending university are opening their lives to new relationships. Will truths finally break them up for good? Will it destroy the whole Leister family? This soap opera continues. What’s next? Our Fault? If it ain’t broken, don’t change or fix it. Let the guilty pleasure continue its path.

Alien gives it 3 “manipulated by the meddlers” stars out of 4.

My Fault (Culpa Mia)

Its “Fast & Furious” meets “Fight Club” meets “Sleeping with the Enemy” with a Bella/Edward/Twilight vibe in this English-dubbed Spanish young adult romance film. Noah is a cute, rebellious 17-year-old girl (yeah, she’s got a boy’s name) who’s upset that she is moving away from her boyfriend, best friend, school, & hometown because her mom & her are moving into her mom’s new rich husband’s mansion & enjoying his elite lifestyle. Next, she meets her new step-brother, Nick. He pretends to be the model perfect son but he is an arrogant spoiled rich kid but so smoldering hot. Noah & Nick don’t hit it off, so you know from the get go where this storyline is going. With the wild parties, good looking people, rich lifestyle, fast cars, & steaming love/hate romancing, you know filmmakers are targeting young adults & those incurable romantics. Oh, and throw in some bad boy gang members & an abusive spouse to stir up the drama. Violence & abuse is in the subtext here. With the right mindset, this film is an entertaining guilty pleasure.

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