The Green Hornet

It’s "The Pink Panther" meets "Kick-Ass". Spoiled and useless playboy son Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) inherits his father’s newspaper business and turns his life around by becoming a crime fighter, the Green Hornet. Film makers wisely choose the campier route to broaden the appeal beyond just those comic book hero fans. The film is loaded with high impact action scenes, but audiences will be surprised by the constant barrage of humor. Black Beauty has more tricks and gadgets than 007’s Aston Martin. Kato totally kicks butt. The movie does pay tribute to the 60’s TV series and Bruce Lee. Though this early screening was only in 2D, Alien anticipates the 3D version will be even more awesome. Be sure to buckle up for this thrill ride to prevent yourself from rolling in the aisles from laughter.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "gas gun gag" stars out of 4.

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Gulliver’s Travels

This is Jack Black’s modern retelling of the Jonathan Swift classic. However, Black has gutted out the political satire and replaced it with his usual over-the-top silliness. In this double romance story, Gulliver is a New York Tribune mail room clerk who takes an unexpected adventure because he is trying to impress a girl. If you are a Jack Black fan, you’ll love his antics as he spoofs "Star Wars", "Titanic", "Transformers", and rock and roll songs. Alien wasn’t greatly impressed, but was more entertained than when it was a required high school reading assignment. The Scrat(of Ice Age fame)short shown as a preview was the highlight.

Alien gives it 2 "big wedgie" stars out of 4.

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Tron: Legacy

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

It’s "Game On" and back on The Grid as Disney revisits its 1982 digital world creation. It’s like father, like son, when Sam Flynn also gets sucked into cyberspace and must fight for survival. The 3D special effects are stunning on the IMAX screen. But the storyline is generic world domination themed with shades of "Gladiator" and "Star Wars". If the original film is Pong, then this sequel is Call of Duty: Black Ops. This movie’s action sequences were designed to sell a video game version (Corporate Disney mind set of placing the appropriate gift shop merchandising at the exits of their rides).

Alien gives it 2 ½ "the new digitized frontier" stars out of 4.

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Little Fockers

This is the third installment of family craziness and misinterpretations. This adult comedy mostly revolves around poking fun at the family name and exploiting jokes of the sexual nature. The regulars (Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert DeNiro, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman, and Barbara Streisand) are all back. Owen Wilson and Jessica Alba are added to spice up the hilarious hijinks. Two of the many funny moments are accompanied by memorable music from other movies. This film mainly relies on the silly antics of Stiller and DeNiro. The remix at the end is a crackup.

Alien gives it 3 "the family patriarch" stars out of 4.

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True Grit

The Coen brothers take us back to the Old West with their version of a John Wayne classic. Alien never saw the original, but heard there were many similarities. After the death of her father, a determined 14-year-old girl joins up with a U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges) and a Texas Ranger (Matt Damon) to track down the killer (Josh Brolin). Bridges is terrific as the cantankerous one-eyed codger with a disposition for whiskey. The most fascinating character is the smart-talking girl who’s able to stand toe-to-toe with these lawmen and the outlaws. The good storyline and dialogue peppered with some violence and a touch of humor make this vengeance film work.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "angel of vengeance" stars out of 4.

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Black Swan

Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, and Wynona Ryder show us the beauty and the ugliness inside the ballet world with an all access backstage pass. It is a complex play-within-a-play type story about the pressures and the paranoia that occur when you seek perfection for your passion. Portman is extraordinary as the rising star. Alien loved the dynamic camera work during the dance sequences. As the movie progresses, you’ll question, what you are seeing before your eyes. The film critics will probably rave over this one, but not so much the general public. This dark movie is more eclectic than mainstream. Alien won’t ruin it with any spoilers here. You’ll just have to see it and judge for yourself.

Alien gives it 3 "disturbing artsy erotic psychological horror thriller" stars out of 4.

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The Fighter

See how real life Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) struggles with his boxing matches and his unbelievable family. Wahlberg, Amy Adams (girlfriend/bartender), and Melissa Leo (mother/manager) are all excellent in this film, but Christian Bale (brother/trainer) is phenomenal. He had Alien in the first 30 seconds of his performance. Don’t fret if you are not a boxing fan because it is only the backdrop for this fantastic human interest story. Footage of the real brothers at the end will prove what an amazing job Bale has done. Alien loved the true to life characters and the local feel of the film. This is a real winner.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "The Pride of Lowell" stars out of 4.

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Yogi Bear

If you know the phrases "Jellystone Park", "pik-a-nik basket", and "smarter than the average bear", then you’ll know which Hanna-Barbera character is back and he is in 3D. This film is a bit corny for adults, but the little ones will like this simple story about the mischievous bear’s crazy antics while trying to save the park from the greedy politician. Warner Brothers must be counting on the grandparents taking their grandkids or Justin Timberlake shaking his Boo Boo behind to bring in the younger crowd.

Alien gives it 2 "Pik-Nik Baskit Nabber 2000" stars out of 4.

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The Tourist

When a mysterious femme fatale (Angelina Joie) meets an American math teacher/tourist (Johnny Depp) on a train from Paris to Venice, the stage for a game of deceit and intrigue is set. This James Bond-ish looking film involves a case of mistaken identity, stolen money, gangsters, and Scotland Yard. Jolie is drop dead gorgeous and Depp is the most ordinary that Alien has ever seen him. These two leads cast in this silly thriller/love story should give you a hint of what to expect. By the end, you might want to see it again. It is more glitz and glamour than substance, but it is still fun to watch.

Alien gives it 3 "Where in the world is Alexander Pearce?" stars out of 4.

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How Do You Know

Two lost souls in crises meet unexpectedly and the audience witnesses how long it takes before they know they are in love. This romantic comedy tries to be less predictable by playing the awkward friendship scenario. Paul Rudd (lovable loser), Own Wilson (self-centered loser), and Jack Nicholson (selfish boss/dad) portray their usual character types. Reese Witherspoon is adorable and carries the show. This film runs a bit long (about 2 hours), but is kind of cute. If you like romantic comedies, Rudd, Nicholson, Wilson, and Witherspoon, you’ll probably love this movie. It has its funny moments, but it is not hilarious.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "Play Doh" stars out of 4.

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

This third Narnia installment is the first in 3D and reminds Alien of "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad". The two younger Pevensies are transported back to Narnia for another swashbuckling adventure in fantasyland. Their search for seven swords of the lost lords will involve an unbeliever, a green mist, a blue star, the Book of Incantations, a fire-breathing dragon, a sea serpent, and a dark island. Great action and special effects drive this spectacular thrill ride. It’s a tale about being strong, avoiding temptation, and believing in yourself. This new quest is the best of the series yet.


Alien gives it 3 ½ "Eustace, the Useless" stars out of 4.

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127 Hours

Director Danny Boyle (Train Spotting & Slumdog Millionaire) takes you through all of the highs and lows of a thrill-seeking climber/canyoneer that ends up stuck between a rock and a hard place. This very smart guy makes some crucially dumb mistakes in this based-on-a-true-story ordeal. James Franco gives an Oscar-worthy performance that can be hard to watch at times. This film is beautifully shot in the picturesque canyons of Utah. It is an amazing story of the human spirit’s will to survive. By the film’s end, you’ll feel like you have witnessed Survivor: Bluejohn Canyon.

Alien gives it 3 "Scooby Doo" stars out of 4.

On this multi-movie screening night, Alien thinks he chose wisely when caught between "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson (Faster) and a "haired" place (Tangled).

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Tangled 3D

John Lassiter and Disney work their magic to reinvent the classic Rapunzel fairy tale. Still set in days of yore, but translated into today’s speak, this animated story of love and lost & greed and sacrifice will entertain young and old. It’s about girl power and frying pan power. The kids will love Maximus, the noble steed, and Pascal, the cute little chameleon. This is a great family fun film has some beautiful songs and is destined to become another Disney classic.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "floating lanterns, golden tresses, and magical moments" stars out of 4.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Harry and Gang are back for the first installment of the last book. My, how these kids have grown up and matured. The tales just keep getting darker as the world has gone mental, muggles are getting murdered, Harry is hunted, Hermione has her bag of tricks, and friends have a falling out. Between the numerous magic attacks, the gang zips all over the place. In the end, it’s just a big set up to the final showdown... in Part II. Stay tuned.

Alien gives it 3 "sign of the deathly hallows" stars out of 4.

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Skyline

It’s "War of the Worlds" meets "Independence Day" meets "Cloverfield" meets "District 9". Some interesting special effects, a weak story that doesn’t answer any questions, and a lot of cheesy acting is what you get when a small budget puts all its eggs in one basket. Alien did like the creatures and their spacecrafts, but the ending will make you shake your head and say "What?" It is a sci-fi disappointment.

Alien gives it 1 ½ "don’t look into the light" stars out of 4.

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Fair Game

A covert CIA operative (Naomi Watts) and her husband (Sean Penn) become entangled in the Bush administration’s search for Weapons of Mass Destruction. This international spy drama may not be exactly what you expect, but the fact it is a true story makes it more frightening. This film shows how spies can be wives and mothers too, not living that glamorous double-0 life. During the movie, Alien wondered if the real Valerie Plame Wilson was as attractive as Ms. Watts. The answer can be found in an actual film clip at the end of the picture. This is a thinking man’s spy story with a political message.

Alien gives it 3 "yellow cakes and aluminum tubes" stars out of 4.

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The Next Three Days

Alien didn’t get to screen this film yet because I was following the search for Weapons of Mass Destruction. However, from the theater trailer, it looks like "Conviction" meets "Law Abiding Citizen" meets "Taken".

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Saw 3D

This is not a sneak preview. This film has already released.

Jigsaw is back for a seventh stab at torturing your mind. Alien admits to only viewing #1 & #3, but still must admire the skills these evilly clever filmmakers have honed over the years of practice. Nevertheless, the sadistically cruel punishments portrayed are still hard to watch. If you haven’t seen the previous "Saw" films, the characters’ true significances may be harder to figure out, but it won’t matter much because most will die anyway. Fans of the series will just love it. Expect the usual twists and turns. Like a giant jigsaw puzzle, these films are interconnected and each reveals a little more of the bigger picture in this gruesome game of survival.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "surprises, choices, and sacrifices" stars out of 4.

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Unstoppable

Director Tony Scott and Denzel Washington team up again with each doing what they do best. Human error and bad luck set the wheels into motion for a rousing runaway romp. A 28-year railroad veteran (Washington) and a 4-month rookie (Chris Pine) are the last chance to avert disaster. Film edits and a pounding sound track will keep the adrenalin coursing through your veins. This action thriller will give you everything you want including a fake where-are-they-now summary in this inspired by true events story.

Alien gives it 3 "triple seven" stars out of 4.

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Morning Glory

"Morning Glory" is a hysterically funny behind-the-scenes look at early morning programming. A spunky young news producer (Rachel McAdams) is hired to revive an at-the-bottom-of –the-ratings morning show, Daybreak. Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton play the veteran co-hosts. McAdams is absolutely adorable, comedically talented, and looks great even in her underwear. It’s the best film in that "romantic comedy" category that Alien has seen in a long time. Look for a number of cameo surprises.

Alien give it 3 ½ "frittatas" stars of 4.

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