Alien at the Movies

Mutiny

It is “Die Hard” on the high seas when Mr. Transporter/Beekeeper/Workingman (Jason Statham) stows away on a freighter… but I’m getting ahead of myself. Statham plays Cole Reed, bodyguard to a billionaire industrialist. After a celebration, Cole & his boss get caught in a deadly ambush. Although Cole kills all of the attackers, he is unable to save his boss & he becomes framed for the murder. Cole uses the ID of one of the dead assassins to secretly board a cargo ship hoping to find some answers. On board, he discovers an international human trafficking scheme & must defend himself against the captain & crew. Cole does get a bit of help from a pretty blonde aboard. But it’s mainly a one-man army against the entire crew before the U.S. Navy can come to the rescue. But Cole’s work is still not done because there is still a loose end to tie up. If you have seen any of Statham’s revenge themed movies, you’ll know exactly what to expect… high energy hand-to-hand combat & lots of fun to watch.

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

The End of Oak Street

Welcome to Flowervale & meet the Platts… husband Greg (Ewan McGregor) & wife Denise (Anne Hathaway) with their kids Audrey & Brian. They live on Oak Street in generic suburbia. They are a typical married couple but are going through a marital rough patch & have their kids worrying about the big D. But one night during a mysterious cosmic event, things are going to get a lot worse. Their dog Starbuck is frightened & runs away. Worried Brian goes looking for his dog. Audrey goes looking for Brian. The parents go looking for their kids. Slowly, they all realize that they are “not in Kansas anymore”. Prehistoric creatures of all shapes & sizes begin to appear & chase them. Now the fun & terror begins in this sci-fi adventure thriller. The family must stick together if they are going to survive & figure a way out of this dinosaur nightmare. It’s high tension terror as these savage breasts seem to be lurking around every corner. Just when you think your heart is about to explode out of your chest, a surprising unexpected sense of humor antidote is injected into the audience. The are some twists & turns to keep you guessing. Will this family survive? Will they find their way back to normalcy? Do you have a Dino Phobia?

Alien gives it 3 “Polaroid moment” stars out of 4.

The Odyssey 

Director Chris Nolan tackles Homer’s 3,000 year old classic tale of Odysseus’ long journey home after waging a 10 year war against the Trojans. The story is epic & Nolan’s movie is epic shot entirely in the IMAX format. If you aren’t familiar with this Greek story, you may feel a little lost as Nolan’s style is chaotic & does not follow chronological order as the scenes jump in time & location. This story has been told on film multiple times, but tale so long that each version must decide on which parts to focus on. Even with certain omissions, this film is nearly 3 hours long. The film looks absolutely beautiful with the remote locations selected from around the world. The all star ensemble cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o, & Elliot Page. The lead performers were awesome. It is a tragic tale of longing for home, family, & love ones in a time when you didn’t dare cross the gods. While Odysseus struggles to find his way home, all is not quiet at the homefront as greedy suitors prey on the Queen Penelope & her son Telemachus. Pay attention to the little details along the way for the payoffs near the end. Those booming speakers behind our 6-story IMAX screen echoed loudly through our bodies. We viewed print 21 of only 40.  If you are a lover of Greek mythology, enjoy this version of gods, their children, monsters, & mortals.

Alien gives it 3 “wisdom of the gods & choices” stars out of 4.

One Night Only

Director Will Gluck’s “One Night Only” is a romantic comedy with a twist. Three years ago, the U.S. government passed a mandate prohibiting premarital sex except on one night annually for 12 hours from 7pm to 7am. Thus on that one day, all of the horny singles come out searching to relieve their terrible year-long itches on the least romantic night of the year. It’s “The Purge” except it is about sex. We meet two New Yorkers, Allie (Monica Barbaro) & Owen ( Callum Turner). Allie is a commercial singer looking for true love after being previously ghosted. Her plans get shifted when her BFF ditches her. Owen is a pizza store owner who’s evening get derailed when his girlfriend (Maya Hawke) makes other plans. These two separately wander aimlessly around NYC, but seem cross paths multiple times as if directed by destiny. It’s a hilarious night filled with laughs & sexual attraction & tension. Allie is adorable. Molly Ringwald & LaVar Burton round out the supporting cast. Look for a couple of cameos in the movie within the movie. Plus another pair of photographic cameos from one of Gluck’s other project. Despite this weird premise, rom/com lovers will get a big kick out of this movie as it stays true to form while feeling fresh at the same time.. The film is making social commentaries on relationships, dating, & finding love. This is a feel good movie.

Alien gives it 3 “Claremont Pizza, Little Red Lighthouse, & Psoriasis” stars out of 4.

original romantic comedy about searching for love on the least romantic night of the year.