Alien at the Movies

The Naked Gun

Following in the footsteps of his bumbling father, Detective Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) gets involved in a bank robbery heist case & a murder case. However, his methods may force the closure of the Police Squad. This action comedy is a parody of the noir detective genre. Toss in Pamela Anderson as the femme fatale Beth to spice up the romance film parody parts. If you have seen any of the Police Squad/Naked Gun or Airplane franchise films, you will know what to expect. It’s 85 minutes of nonstop fast-paced slapstick comedy & surreal humor including verbal puns & visual gags, running jokes, as well as some dark humor. This film pokes fun at everything from Mission Impossible to Spirit Halloween Stores to frosty ménage à trois. Look for some cameos.  Depending on your sense of humor, it’s tons of fun & laughs. During the credits, see Frank break the Fourth Wall & get your eyesight tested. There is one “Weird” scene at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3 “cups of coffee” stars out of 4.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

The latest Fantastic Four reboot starts off 4 years after that comic storm altered the DNA of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grim (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), & Storm (Joseph Quinn) giving them superpowers. With a quick recap battling some of their classic Marvel villains, we find Reed & Sue are married & now expecting their first child. However, when the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) appears, she gives notice that Galactus is coming to destroy their planet. So the Fantastic Four team launches off to deal with thees new menaces. We get a good look at the team in action as they desperately fight this huge formidable foe & his servant. This film is about making difficult choices as well as parenting, family, & sacrifices. Never underestimate the strength of a mama bear. I️ loved late 50’s retro look on this Earth 828. Will we see Galactus & the Silver Surfer again? Does Sue & Reed’s new born inherit any comic powers? Look for a doomsday reveal during the credits. There is also a Fantastic Four cartoon played at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3 “It’s clobber’n’ time” stars out of 4.

The Bad Guys 2

Those Bad Guys are back, but they are trying to be Good Guys & reformed. However, finding gainful employment is difficult given their reputation. This animated anthropomorphic animal sequel to the 2022 original movie feels like “Ocean’s Eleven” meets “Ocean’s Eight” as our lovable Bad Guys seem to be being framed by some Bad Girls gang’s heists. Also returning are Governor Foxington & Professor Marmalade. Being blackmailed, can Mr. Wolf, Ms.Tarantula, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, & Mr. Shark clear their names? This is great family fun for the kids with nods/references to shows like “Taken” & “The A-Team”. Will there be a third movie? Will are villain/heroes evolve to their next level of adventure? A mid credit clip reminds you not to forget about one particular character. There is a final farewell at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3 “Lords of Lucha” stars out of 4.

It’s What’s Insde

This is a mind-bending twisted psychological thriller about a group of college friends who dare play a mind blowing game that will mess with your mind. A pre-wedding reunion brings old buddies back together to reminisce about their good old days, but secrets & jealousies also are revealed as rounds 1 & 2 play out. These 8 individuals have these out of body experiences playing this bizarre game packaged in this mysterious suitcase. The less you know about the film going into it, the better the effect. It will feel trippy like these people are on drugs or something. It’s geared for a young adult audience. I️ was definitely in the dark & confused at the beginning trying to make sense of what was going on. I️ also had a hard time keeping track of who was who. It seemed like it was just some crazy game until tragedy struck. Then the cops were called. The group scrambles to fix things. Just when you thinks it’s over & the credits run, hold on… there comes an even bigger plot twist. Is anyone the same after their disturbing game?

Alien gives it 3 “who do you trust” stars out of 4.

I️ Know What You Did Last Summer

When 5 friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident & decide to cover up their involvement, they make a pact to keep the incident a secret rather than face the possible consequences. One year later, one of them receives a note saying “I️ know what you did last summer”. This is the iconic title & premise of the 1997 original film resulting in 2 more films in this classic franchise. So is this a reboot or a sequel? Well, it is 27 years after the Tower Bay murders & another hook-wielding killer dressed in a fisherman’s slicker terrorizes these friends in Southport, North Carolina. A social media influencer arrives in town to investigate. The group’s research leads them to 2 survivors from the first murders. This pretty much plays like any teen slasher movie… jump scares, twists & turns, a few likely suspects, obvious set ups leading to another killing, & misdirections. Who will survive? Can you guess who’s disguised as the vengeful fisherman? Look for some cameos. I’ve never seen any of this franchise’s films, but I’m guessing they all play out about the same. Look for a mid credit scene. Will there be a sequel to this one? If you like murder mysteries, you may have a fun time trying to solve this one.

Alien gives it 3 “live, love, slaughter” stars out of 4.

Smurfs

This latest Smurfs movie is a reboot of the 2011 “The Smurfs” series. Papa Smurf has been hiding a magic book in the Smurf village. He has been hiding other secrets too. Audiences are introduced to No Name Smurf who is trying to figure out his special talent & acquire a more suitable name. His desperate wish comes true but when he demonstrates his new power, Papa Smurf gets taken away. Smurfettte leads the Smurfs to seek out Ken & rescue Papa Smurf. It’s seems that Gargamel & his brother Razamel along with 3 other evil wizards were plotting to get the magic book. It’s snooter poots, the real world, various animated dimensions, & magic highlighting this musical fantasy comedy about good versus evil. This reboot is targeting younger kid audiences. Look for a mid credit clip.

Alien gives it 2½ “finding oneself” stars out of 4.

Superman

James Gunn’s Superman reboot is fabulous. Gunn quickly cuts to the chase with a quick word summary about metahumans & Kryton’s favorite son’s arrival to Earth. Superman (David Corenswet) has been badly beaten losing for the first time. But how? Superdog Krypto comes to the rescue. It seems that Lex Luthor (Nicolas Hoult) is behind a sinister plot to disgrace & eliminated his nemesis Superman. Lex has the Engineer, the Hammer of Boravia (Ultraman), & his Luthorcorp Raptor soldiers at his command. From the start. Lois (Rachel Brosnahan) & Clack are already an item & she knows he’s Superman. The Justice Gang (Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, & Mister Terrific) arrives to help Superman. This film is action packed with fight scenes, a pocket universe, a kaiju, & a black hole rift. Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, & Perry White from the Daily Planet are along for the ride. An elemental alien named Metamorpho is forced to due Lex’s bidding. Look for many cameos, but you will have to listen for some of those voice cameos. Krypto is totally CGI animated & modeled to look & behave like Gunn’s actual dog. He is kind of a scene stealer. Hoult does an excellent job as the evil & obsessed villain. Audience will get to see this Superman’s greatest power as well as his vulnerability. There is one short mid credit clip & one final scene at the end of credits.

Alien gives it 3½ “secret harem & saving Joey” stars out of 4. 

About Fate

This is story of Margot (Emma Roberts) & Griffin (Thomas Mann), two strangers who live in different communities of the same apartment complex. He is a lawyer & she is a realtor. It’s December 30. He is planning to propose to his girlfriend Clementine & she hopes to be proposed to by her boyfriend Kip. However, Fate has other plans for Margot & Griffin. They cross paths at the same restaurant & thus begins their comedy of errors begins in this romantic comedy. Margot & Kip breakup. A drunken mistake leads to Griffin pretending to be Margot’s boyfriend at her sister’s wedding. Griffin is a hit at wedding until the ruse is exposed. True to the genre, Margot & Griffin fall in love with each others.

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

Heads of State

It’s “The Odd Couple” meets “Air Force One” meets “Safe House” as the U.S. President & the British Prime Minister are being hunted down in a revenge plot by a Russian arms dealer. John Cena, Ildris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, & Paddy Constantine star in this action thriller with a sense of humor. Jack Quaid has a supporting role. A botched CIA/MI6 mission sets off the events leading to two Heads of State who don’t see eye to eye & must then bond together for survival. With stolen tech, the bad guys seem to be constantly on their trail. Also there seems to a mole working behind the scenes & needs to be uncovered. It’s guilty pleasure, eye candy popping action to thrill the audience & with touches of humor to ease the tension. Look for one last bar scene at the end.

Alien gives it 2½ “puns & sheep nipples” stars out of 4.

F1: The Movie

Moviegoers & car race fans, buckle up, start your engines, & hang on tight for quite a thrill ride. Filmmakers put you in the driver seat of a Formula 1 race car. It’s the experienced has-been racer Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) versus the hotshot arrogant rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) fighting for position on their Expensify APXGP F1 race team. Sonny was a promising but cocky competitor until he had a serious race car accident 30 years ago that sidelined his F1 dreams. Now he is a nomad & driver-for-hire when his old racing teammate, now a F1 team owner Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), searches out Sonny for a spot on his team. The APXGP F1 team is struggling & may lose their investors. After his first couple of Grand Prix races, Sonny is labeled as reckless on the track & seemingly is not a team player. The action on the course is intense & exhilarating. However, this film has a lot going on off the track too… the dynamics between the racers, the racing team, the owner, the investors, & the media press. This film manages to squeeze in a little romance too. There is more to racing than what goes on the track. See the strategies being played out to win the race. Could Plan C stand for Chaos? What motivates Sonny if it is not the fame nor the money? F1 is A1.

Alien gives it 4 “keep your head down & drive” stars out of 4.