Alien at the Movies

Osiris 

It’s a poor man’s “Aliens” meets “Predators” when a special ops team in a middle of a firefight gets mysteriously abducted.  They awaken from stasis on a dark & strange building or vehicle. As they explore their location, they encounter menacing alien creatures. They also discover a young Russian woman named Ravi. I’ll call her “Newt” as she guides the team in trying to evading these creatures. Later, the group makes a hasty escape by jumping into some kind of garbage chute… then only to be rescued a Russian accented Linda Hamilton. Practical effects with dark & shadowy sets spell out the backdrop for this action packed gun battle film as these heroic soldiers make sacrifices to save the others. This is B picture entertainment. Who will survive this war of the worlds? Look for an underwhelming “Planet of the Apes” moment at the end.

Alien gives it 2½ “Serving Man” stars out of 4.

Eternity

Is there life after death? In this fantasy romantic comedy, souls have one week to decide where to spend their eternity & their decision is permanent as the word eternity implies. The film opens with an old couple, Joan & Larry, attending a gender reveal party. They have been happily married for most of their lives & have two now grown up children. Joan had been married before but her first love died much too young in the war. At the party, Larry suddenly dies & wakes up on a train taking his soul (Miles Teller) to the Junction to meet his AC (Afterlife Coordinator). His coordinator explains the “Rules” to him & he has some tough decisions to make. While there, Larry meets Luke (Callum Turner), Joan’s first husband & love. Luke has been waiting for decades to be reunited with his wife. When Joan dies, her soul (Elizabeth Olson) is greeted by her two great loves. The jealousy & competition between the two husbands builds & puts a terrible strain on Joan as she must choose between her two loves. This is an impossible choice for her, thus making this film an emotional rollercoaster. You can see the pain on Olson’s face as her character grapples with her dilemma. Will she choose wisely? Will she have regrets? Will she live happily ever after? This film is an unique & quirky interpretation of the  life after death scenario while telling a story about love & making difficult decisions.

Alien gives 3 “Bartender at the Junction” stars out of 4.

Playdate 

Brian (Kevin James) is trying hard to bond with his stepson Lucas. When his wife Emily returns to work, Brian becomes a stay-at-home dad. At the park, Brian & Lucas meet  a single dad Jeff (Alan Ritchson) playing ball with his boy CJ. Jeff becomes really chummy with Brian & the boys seem to get along well together so Jeff suggests a play date. This play date quickly turns into a wild car chase with several mysterious black SUVs on their tail. This is a zany, over-top action comedy as Jeff’s & CJ’s secret is slowly revealed. This one is about fathers fearing they don’t know how to be a good dad as well as fathers & sons learning how to bond. In the supporting cast is Sarah Chalke, Alan Tudyk, Stephen Root, & Isla Fischer. This one is silly fun family entertainment. A music video & outtakes clips play mid credits.

Alien gives it 2½ “like father like son” stars out of 4.

The Running Man

This is director Edgar Wright’s reboot of 1987 “The Running Man” with Arnold Schwarzenegger. This is another Stephen King story about a dystopian society entertained by a televised blood sport game show where criminals can earn money by evading hunters trying to kill the contestants & public participation is rewarded. Like ancient Rome’s gladiator games, “The Hunger Games”, & “The Long Walk”, it’s mass entertainment for the general public to distract the people from their poor quality of life. Glen Powell places Ben Richards who is coerced to play this deadly game due to the needs of his sick child. Little does anyone know, this hyped up TV show is rigged & guided by network ratings scores. Josh Brolin plays the Running Man Show producer. This is a high action thriller that captures the spirit of the original movie but with some twists & some modern updates reflecting today’s themes. 

Alien gives it 3 “Richards Lives Rebellion” stars out of 4.

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The Wrath of Becky

This is the sequel to the 2020 film “Becky”. This takes place 2 years after the violent attack on Becky’s family, 3 foster homes escapes later, & the living off the grid. The now 16-years-old Becky (Lulu Wilson) is attempting to rebuild her life in the care of an older woman guardian, Elena. However, while working as a diner waitress, she has a run in with 3 rednecks from an extremist group. They follow her home, attack Becky & Elena, & steal her dog, Diego. It’s shades of mini John Wick as this incites & rekindles that violent streak in young Becky as she goes Rambo on these bad guys. This is an over-the-top action thriller with a dark sense of humor & a teen slasher vibe. Becky uncovers the group’s insurrection plans & steals their thumb drive. This is more guilty pleasure entertainment than realistic drama. Does the final clip hint towards Becky’s next high adventure or is it just a funny final punctuation? 

Alien gives it 2½ “Noble Men” stars out of 4.

Predator: Badlands

It’s “Predator” meets “Aliens” meets “Alpha” when a young Predator, Dek, is sent on a rite of passage mission to hunt & to prove himself. These Predators are a fierce species of lone warriors called the Yautja. Dek is considered the runt of the clan. Against his father’s wishes, Dek is sent to Genna, known as the death planet, to hunt the planet’s most dangerous & invincible creature, the Kalisk. Dek is totally unprepared for all of this planet’s deadly plants & creatures. Adding to Dek’s dilemma, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation has also sent their minions to secure another prize that they plan to exploit. However, Dek discovers two unlikely allies in his quest to obtain his trophy. Elle Fanning has a dual role of Thia & Tessa. Fanning not only provides English translations (the Yautja only speak their alien tongue) but also provides some comic relief. With all of alien creatures & this alien planet itself, the film is heavily CGI & looks great. It has terrific special effects & lots of action. The film gives a huge nod to “Aliens”. This is a coming of age & a heroic avenger story. At the conclusion, there is a hint of who we might see in a possible sequel.

Alien gives it 3 “wolf pack mentality” stars out of 4.