Alien at the Movies

Minions & Monsters

They’re back…

Once again, our favorite jibber-jabbering little yellow henchmen are still seeking out an evil master to serve but they are managing to fail hilariously. Apparently, this is a new tribe with James & Henry leading this group with some assistance from Ed. This trio split off on the own & end up in 1920’s Hollywood. They accidentally become silent film stars for a while. But things changed abruptly & they turn to making a monster movie. This is not your ordinary children’s movie… this has a surprise twist for the movie lovers & cinephiles… it’s loaded with tons of movie references… I️ won't tell you which so not to spoil your fun. Kids & adults will both enjoy have a great time but for different reasons. I️ hope you are a fan of silent films, monster movies, & sci-fi. Some of your iconic movie images may get exploited right in front of you. They come fast & furious with so many that it’s hard to keep track of. This is a movie within a movie.

Alien gives it 3 “Book of Spells, Irene, & Infinite Loop Portals” stars out of 4.

The Death of Robin Hood

As the title implies, these are the last days of Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) the outlaw, the man, the myth, the legend. We find out that this Robin Hood may not be exactly the folk hero that we have always heard about. We find out that the Sheriff of Nottingham may not be the only one after Robin. In an attempt to save his good friend Little John’s farm, wife, & daughter, Robin is seriously wounded & finds himself recovering on a remote island. He is being nursed back to health by Sister Brigid (Jody Comer). During his recovery, Robin has time to reflect & contemplate on his brutally violent past. He becomes more focused on kindness, helping others, & giving mercy as he regrets his troubling past. Will some vengeance seeker win? Will Robin amend his ways & live happy ever after? Will Robin find his peace? Will he go out with a bang or a whimper?

Alien gives it 3 “fires, arrows, & eyeballs” stars out of 4.

Voicemails for Isabella

It’s “Love Again” meets “Hell’s Kitchen” meets “Chef” when Jill (Zoey Deutch) continues to send voicemails to her dead sister Isabella “Izzy”. Growing up in Jill & Izzy were very close. Little sister Izzy was very sick & was always home in bed. Izzy would live life vicariously through her older sister Jill. They would talk & share everything. Jill was training as a prep chef in San Francisco when Izzy passed. Jill was devastated. Also her love life with men sucked. Jill’s form of emotional release was to call her sister’s phone & explain how her day went to her sister like she use to when they were kids… whether it was good or bad. However, Wes in Austen, Texas, was assigned Izzy’s old number to his new work phone. Intrigued by Jill”s messages, Wes decides to visit San Francisco & pretend to meet Jill accidentally. This is where the rom/com gets interesting but predictable. They fall for each other & she finds out the secret he has been withholding from her. Zoey is always adorable.

Alien gives it 3 “dessert tacos” stars out of 4.

Toy Story 5 (IMAX)

Can you believe it? The 5th installment of the Toy Story movies is coming to the big screen. Back in 1995, Pixar first introduced us to Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep, & many other of their fellow toys playmates. By 1999, they added Jessie in Toy Story 2. In movies 3 &4, there were even more Toy Story characters added. Now in Toy Story 5, the focus is on Jessie & Buzz as their  shy owner Bonnie has difficulty making friends. When Bonnie receives a new electronic device called Lilypad, she begins to play digital games & communicates with other neighbors kids though her new device. However, Bonnie becomes obsessed with her screen time & ignores her old toys. As Jessie & Buzz notices this, they reach out to Woody & Bo to help them refocus Bonnie’s attention. This one is hilarious & lots of fun as Pixar has not lost any steps over all of these 30 years plus. This is great family entertainment as issues of childhood loneliness & peer pressure are explored in this world where imagination play battles electronic screens for quality time. Can Bonnie be weaned off her addiction to electronics? Will the old favorite toys get boxed up & hidden away. Will they become hand-me-downs or maybe be donated away? Can your Toy Story favorites save the day? If Buzz is your favorite, you are in for a big big surprise. Look for a couple of references to Tom Hanks’ other films. Why is Woody now sporting a bald spot on the top of his head?  Does your old school tech end up in your junk drawer? As the credits roll, look for a music video type situation. 

Alien gives it 3 “old classic toys vs modern electronic devices” stars out of 4.

Disclosure Day

“Disclosure Day” is director/storyteller Steven Spielberg’s third attempt at questioning are we alone in this universe. After “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” & “E.T. the Extraterrestrial”, Spielberg molds his obsession with a “X-files” vibe along with a dash of some Jedi mind tricks. A cybersecurity expert turn whistleblower, Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), is trying to leak classified information involving aliens. Kansas City TV meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) suddenly exhibits some strange phenomena. These two don’t know it but they are on a collision course (becoming like a Mulder & Scully team). Guiding Daniel & Margaret is a disclosure chief named Hugo Wakefield (Coleman Domingo)… think of an Assistant Director Skinner type. Of course, you have to have a great villain with his multitude of henchmen that audiences can boo & hiss at… Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth) head of the Wardex Corporation fits that bill. Thrilling chase scenes drive the action & builds the suspense & tension as the bad guys close in. It all climaxes at the KCXE TV station. Will Wardex Corporation stop the leak?  What is the connection between these strangers, Daniel & Margaret? Will the world learn the truth about possible alien visitations? Do you believe in alien life forms in our universe? Do you believe in conspiracy theories? Will this secret information create worldwide panic? Does the public have the right to know to truth? Can the public handle the truth? Is alien technology going to be a good thing or could it be a bad thing? Emily Blunt gives an remarkable performance.

Alien gives it 3 “Inn-di-ana Motel” stars out of 4.