Rango

An owl mariachi band sings the legend of Rango, the stranger who wanders into the desert town of Dirt and saves the day. Johnny Depp is perfect as the lovable lizard who bungles his way into the hearts of the Dirtonians. The visuals are magnificent and great attention is given to the details. If you like those classic Western tales, you’ll love this critter-twisted version. It even pays tribute to the man with no name and why the chicken crossed the road. Nickelodeon brings us this delightful treat that the whole family can enjoy. You can dream about being a hero, but you got to believe in yourself.

Alien gives it 4 "Spirit of the West" stars out of 4.

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Drive Angry

It’s "Gone in 60 Seconds" meets "Supernatural" as John Milton (Nicholas Cage) tries to rescue his granddaughter from a radical religious cult. Along the way, he gets picked up by a feisty girl with a hot muscle car; but he’s being tailed by the mysterious "accountant". This action-packed film is played way over the top with gratuitous nudity and violence. It is mindless guilty pleasure fun with lots of cheesy action and lines as it stretches the 3D effects to the nth degree.

Alien gives it 2 "on the road to hell and back" stars out of 4.

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Hall Pass

Fed up with their husbands stereotypical male antics, two wives decide to give their guys the ultimate hall pass, one week off from marriage, where anything goes with no consequences. Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis are the middle-aged idiots that hope to relive their days of being single again. The Farrelly brothers push humor to the edge with their crude and lewd jokes of the sexual nature making it even more hilarious than expected. Alien guarantees at least two unforgettable scenes will be etched into your brain permanently. Stay seated through the end of the credits for two more very funny moments and one for the out-take reel.

Alien gives it 3 "embarrassingly funny" stars out of 4.

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I Am Number Four

It’s "Twilight" with aliens featuring some teen romance, high school bullying, and battles between good and evil aliens. A teenage alien (Alex Pettyfer) must learn to control his new found powers as he and his guardian (Timothy Olyphant) move from town to town evading those who are trying to exterminate them. The plot is fairly predictable, but you can be entertained by the flashy special effects. Since only 3 of the original 9 hunted aliens have been slain, audiences can anticipate possible sequels featuring more aliens, each with some unique new power.

Alien gives it 3 "Welcome to Paradise" stars out of 4.

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Unknown

It’s "Taken" meets "Bourne Identity" meets "Da Vinci Code" at a bio-tech symposium in Germany. After 4 days in a coma, a confused man (Liam Neeson) tries to prove who he is as everyone else denies it. He gets caught up in an elaborate plot involving amnesia, paranoia, identity theft, and conspiracy theory. If you like solving big mysteries, you’ll have a terrific time looking for the clues as they start to unfold divulging the answers to what’s really going on. It’s funny how an accidental bump on the head can change a man’s life. It’s a wild bump and run thrill ride through the icy streets of Berlin.

Alien gives it 3 "crazy cab rides" stars out of 4.

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Just Let It Go

Hawaii, Adam Sandler, and 3 gorgeous girls, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker, and Nicole Kidman in a romantic comedy; what more can you ask for? When Sandler tells one lie to woo Decker, it’s the beginning of more lies as everything spins out of control. The hula contest scene is hilarious, but the coconut tie breaker is a topper. The two kids are adorable and very funny. Kidman is the big comedic surprise. By the end, you’ll have a new name that you’ll never be able to bestow on any future babies.

Alien gives it 3 "Swiss Family Nightmare" stars out of 4.

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Justin Bieber Never Say Never

If you got Bieber Fever, Alien has got the cure. See the U-Tube sensation’s meteoric rise to fame in a documentary count downing to his Madison Square Garden concert. The film has great energy, heighten by throngs of loyal Bieber fanatics who shelled out nearly $40 a pop for tonight’s special screening. These screaming Bieber maniacs with their waving glow sticks added even more depth to this 3D production. These crazies appreciated when Justin reached out to them. Bieber is a polished performer and showman, no flash in the pan, more than cuteness and the hair. The family home movies prove that he began perfecting his craft early on. The film also shows that at heart he is still just a kid. Only time will tell if can grow with his music. You’ll see a lot a famous faces along this concert tour, but the best parts are the backstage insights and his support staff family. Even if you are not a fan of him or his music, you may find this story Bieber-ific.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "social network phenomenon" stars out of 4, but the true Biebsters would probably rate this a 5 or 6.

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Gnomeo & Juliet

When the people are away, the garden gnomes will come out and play. Get ready for another retelling of the classic star-crossed lovers story; only this one features your favorite garden decorations. This animated movie has a wonderful blend of adult and kid humor. Listen for some familiar voices. Enjoy some Elton John tunes. Look for the Shakespearian references. It’s in 3D, but it is not big deal here. This cute film uses parody and satire to create a fun time for the whole family.

Alien gives it 3 "Are you my gnomie?" stars out of 4.

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Biutiful

Javier Bardem stars as a husband of a bi-polar wife, a loving father to his kids, and a shady, but caring, blackmarketeer to some undocumented immigrants. This Spanish film has color-coded subtitles (white-Spanish, blue-Mandarin, and yellow-African). This is a very sad and depressing film about a man hiding a secret and struggling with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Nominated in the Best Actor and Best Foreign Film categories for the Oscars, this movie is not for everyone. Alien senses some deeper symbolism that I didn’t get or something lost in translation or I have been brainwashed by seeing too many American films.

Alien gives it 1 ½ "Pyrenees Is Biutiful" stars out of 4.

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Sanctum

Based on true events, it’s "Descent" meets "127 Hours", but with lots more water in this action/thriller. When a cyclone hits New Guinea, an exploratory team gets trapped in a massive series of underwater caves and must find another exit. The beauty of the island and the caves are really striking in 3D, but soon everything turns dim, dismal, and deadly. Producer James Cameron combines his passion for filmmaking and underwater exploration as the intensity and sacrifices increase in his version of Survivor: Cutthroat Island. If you are squeamish about a few dead bodies, you may want to stay out of these caves; else, you can boldly go where no man has gone before.

Alien gives it 3 "mother of all caves" stars out of 4.

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