Alien at the Movies

KPop Demon Hunters

Long ago, demons began claiming human souls but a team of three women warriors stepped up to stop them in this battle between good & evil. Over the centuries, each generation had their trio of defenders. The latest threesome is a K-Pop girl group that calls themselves Huntrix… composed of Mira, Rumi, & Zoey. In between their concert tours, they battle these demons to save souls. Thus, we have a musical superhero action movie with choreographed musical concert numbers versus big battle sequences. The demons create Saja Boys, a five-guy boy band to steal away Huntrix’s fans. At a critical moment, Rumi starts to lose her voice & a secret is revealed. This animated film explores the power of a team working together as well as finding your voice & not being afraid of who you are. The film is targeted for a younger audience but it is entertaining to all ages. 

Alien gives it 3 “patterns don’t define you” stars out of 4.

Christy

Sydney Sweeney stars as the trailblazing female boxer Christy Martin in this true biographical sports drama. Beginning in West Virginia in 1989, college basketball player Christy enters a local boxing contest & gets noticed. She gets introduced to trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), & thus begins her boxing career. Eventually, Christy & Jim marry. As Christy gains more & more success in the ring, Jim becomes more controlling & abusive. Both Sweeney & Foster give amazing portrayals. Sweeney really stretches & transforms herself to become this fiesty, fiery fighter. Sidney’s iconic image is barely recognizable beneath that boxer’s physique & 7 weeks after filming this movie, she looks like her former self to begin shooting her “Housemaid” role as Millie. This film highlights this woman’s journey to find her identity & to stand up for herself outside the ring. This may have been a theatrical box office bomb, but it’s an inspirational female empowerment message… as well as a bold choice for Sweeney to showcase her talents beyond her stereotypical pretty girl image.

Alien gives it 3 “Coal Miner’s Daughter” stars out of 4.

Thrash

I️ previewed an unfinished cut of this film in 2024 & wrote this review back then. It was supposed to be released in 2025 but never showed up. It is now on Netflix under this new name.

Beneath the Storm  

Anticipated release date: August 2025

What if you crossed “Jaws” with “Twister”…would there be double the trouble… double the fun… or double the ridiculousnes. No, it’s not “Sharknado”… that one has been done. Off the coast of the Carolinas, a couple play in the surf when something bites. Inland, 3 foster kids play in the river unsupervised. Meanwhile, a category 5 hurricane  is brewing up a storm off the coast. A pregnant almost due mom is driving around in a subcompact car. A meat products tanker is hauling a full load. What could go wrong? Of coarse, everything! It’s pretty much typical disaster movie step up. Idiots ignoring evacuation notices. Idiots out & about when they shouldn’t be. It’s a great white & some bull sharks or is it a big farce & bullsheeet. It’s pretty much contrived dangerous situations & seen it played that way before predicaments setting up for the perfect storm of errors. If you want to have a good time at the movies, ignore the contrived silliness, overlook the convoluted scenarios, & just go with the tidal surge flow while chuckling at the cheesy lines. If you thrive off of disaster thrills & suspense, you may have an entertaining time.

Alien gives it 2 “never saw that on Shark Week” stars out of 4.

You, Me, & Tuscany

Anna (Halle Bailey) is a professional house sitter in New York City. However, she tends to overstep boundaries while she house sits. She was studying to become a chef when her mother’s death derailed her plans. Then she meets a wealthy Italian businessman, Mateo, in a bar and her free-spirit nature takes over. She is compelled to visit Italy. Unprepared for her impromptu vacation without reservations, she desperately chooses to become a squatter at Mateo’s empty Tuscan villa. In this romantic comedy, Anna gets caught by Mateo’s family & they mistakenly think she is Mateo’s fiancée. From there, it’s a comedy of errors & lies. When Anna meets Mateo’s adopted brother, Michael (Regé-Jean Page) sparks fly, but then the prodigal son, Mateo, returns to complicate the deception more. This is a fun rom/com romp about owning up to your past mistakes. This entertaining film is about food, family, & following your dreams. Look for some funny tourist tram outtakes during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 “wet Nicholas Sparks moments” stars out of 4.

Beast

Former Mixed Martial Arts fighter & legend, Patton James (Daniel MacPherson) is forced out of retirement & returns to the cage after 10 years to help his younger brother. A slow beginning sets up the story & characters in this classic underdog sports film scenario. All of the pieces are carefully crafted to lead to the final climatic fight scenes. The parts are almost too perfectly aligned telegraphing the inevitable conclusion. The villain, Xavier Grau, is set up for the boos & hisses. Our hopes are manipulated to root for the struggling hero. His friends & family are supporting him all the way. Tragedy will strike forcing the showdown to occur. If you are unfamiliar with MMA fights, they are intense & brutal. This film does not pull any punches. It can be hard to watch for some to view such violence. Russel Crowe & Luke Hemsworth have small supporting roles. Crowe likely provided more impact as a writer & producer. Is this a story about revenge or redemption?

Alien gives it 2½ “If I️ can breathe, I️ can think, & then I️ can win” stars out of 4.

They Will Kill You

It’s “Ready or Not 2: Here I️ Come” meets “1408” meets “John Wick” in this action horror comedy. Two girls, Asia (Zazzie Beetz) & Maria are running from a man. Shots are fired, the man is shot, the police arrive, & scared Asia runs off. Ten years later, Asia is applying for a housemaid position at the Virgil, an old, but elite & exclusive hotel for the wealthy in New York. The place & the people there are creepy. As Asia is sleeping during her first night there, attackers seem to come out of nowhere & try to kill her. One after another, she puts them down, but they seem to keep coming. The film is full of creative & stylized visuals & highly choreographed battle & thrilling chase scenes to keep audiences entertained. Each surprising turn of events will keep audiences guessing how can anyone get themselves out of this situation alive. Heather Graham, Patricia Arquette, & Tom Felton are among the supporting cast. This one is about family, abuse, escape, abandonment, rescue, sacrifice, & satanism. With this movie, most will either love it or hate it with few found in between. This is over-the-top action craziness.

Alien gives it 3 “Selling Your Soul to the Devil” stars out of 4. 

Ready or Not 2: Here I️ Come

This sequel begins right where the original ended. Grace (Samara Weaving) survives & her in-laws die in that deadly hide & seek sacrificial ritual. Just when she thinks the game is all over, she gets thrown back into another game of  hide & seek, but this time handcuffed to her younger sister Faith (Kathryn Newton). Grace’s in-laws were one family of six Satan worshipping families who now are in competition for the High Seat & the power that goes with it. Like the original, it’s kill or be killed & we will see who is surviving at dawn. Is there any safe way out out for Grace & Faith? Are they doomed at the hands of Satan? Once again it’s a blood splattering blood bath. It’s a fine line balance of violence & humor as over the top kills explode on the big screen. Elijah Wood is back as the Lawyer. Sarah Michelle Geller is one of the Satan worshipers. This one is about greed & family.

Alien gives it 3 “the chase for the ring” stars out of 4.

Project Hail Mary

It’s the Reluctant Astronaut & his Pet Rock Saves the Day as two worlds collide in their desperate last chance rescue missions. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a humble middle school science teacher/molecular biologist who bikes to work but not for the exercise. His story begins as he awakes from a sleep induced coma on a spacecraft light years from earth with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As his memories return, audiences learn that he is part of Project Hail Mary with hopes to save earth & our dimming sun. When Grace reaches his final destination, he discovers a 5-appendage rock-like alien creature on a similar mission. From here, the story takes on a Robinson Caruso at Tau Ceti vibe. These two explorers have to figure out how to communicate with each other in order to complete their missions. This is a marvelous family film full of adventure, humor, heart, & scientific wonder with some surprises. This movie is pretty much a one-man & his puppet show with flashbacks to fill in the gaps. It’s 2½ hours of interstellar special effects as these 2 individuals begin to bond & care for each other.

Alien gives it 3½ “Astrophage/Taumoeba” stars out of 4.

Scream 7

“What’s your favorite scary movie?”

Are you a “Scream” fan or hater? Can you believe it? This is the 7th film of the franchise that began 30 years ago. The franchise has endured so long with its balance of horror & humor while poking fun at the teenage slasher horror film genre. This one is not much different from the other 6 previous films. Some old familiar faces return & some new faces appear. Try & guess who is behind the ghostface mask this time. Guess who will die & who will survive. This is a nostalgic homage linking back to previous iconic moments. How many different ways can you threaten/kill people? The opening scene begins at a “Stab” themed AirB&B that was Stu Macher’s former house. The mysterious ghostface is now targeting Sydney’s (Neve Campbell) daughter, Tatum. Pine Grove is the new Woodsboro. Look for the usual jump scares & the many twists & turns. Everyone is a suspect. Like the previous films, don’t take things seriously & just enjoy the fun. It’s bloody spills, scary thrills. & stabby kills. Will there be an eighth? No ending hints, but this one sets up like “Scream: The Next Generation”.

Alien gives it 3 “don’t bring a knife to a gunfight” stars out of 4.

Reminders of Him

When Kenna (Maika Monroe) is released from prison, she returns to her hometown in hopes of reuniting with her daughter. Her daughter was born while she was in prison & she immediately lost custody to the paternal grandparents (Lauren Graham & Bradley Whitford). The grandparents blamed Kenna for the death of their son Scotty & forbade Kenna from seeing her daughter. As Kenna struggles to find a job & rebuild her life, she meets a local bar owner Ledger (Tyriq Withers). This is where life gets really complicated for these people. This romantic drama becomes a tearjerker as their lives clash. 

Alien gives it 3 “personal notebooks of thoughts & feelings” stars out of 4.