Soul Surfer

Surfs up! Duck dive and catch a wave.

Raised by two hard-core surfing parents, Bethany Hamilton (Annasophia Robb) had saltwater in her veins and was born to surf. Robb carries the film taking the audience on an emotionally charged ride. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt bring a sense of realism to this family unit. Set in Hawaii, scenes of the ocean, the waves, and the surfers are breathtaking and beautifully shot. The CGI work looked amazing. Based on a true story, this one arm surfer is an inspiration. This terrific underdog film will put things in perspective for you. If you stay through the credits, you'll see footage of the real Bethany and the Hamilton family, proving that much of you have witnessed was not Hollywood-ized.

Alien gives it 4 "shredding the waves on a midnight surf run" stars out of 4.

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Insidious

It’s "Paranormal Activity" meets the "Exorcist" meets "Ghost Busters" as a frightened family fights for their son’s life. Film makers pull every trick out of the old-school fright book to keep the audience on edge. The film is cliché and sometimes overdramatic and over the top. Creepy attic, creaky house, things that go bump in the night, a séance, and spectral beings are just some of the scare tactics used. Your movie frame of mind at the start will determine your experience. If you are easily frightened, you may sleep with the lights on for a while. If you are denying your fears, you may burst out in nervous laughter at certain scenes. If you go with the flow, you may have a frightfully good time.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "coma kid lost in the Further" stars out of 4.

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Source Code

Holy Holodeck, Captain Gyllenhaal!

It’s "Timecop" meets "Avatar" meets "7 Days" as an Air Force helicopter pilot has a "Groundhog Day" trying to find bombs and the bomber as well as save the girl. With each trip back, the hero learns a little more on this wild repetitive train wreck waiting to happen. Alien enjoyed the performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, and Vera Farmiga. If you like to fantasize about time travel and possible alternate universes, you’ll enjoy the action thriller with a little romance. This movie about second chances poses the question: what would you do if you had less than a minute to live?

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Nellis Air Force Base" stars out of 4.

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Jane Eyre

Can a young woman with a traumatic childhood find love and happiness working for a man with a deep dark secret? This love story with a couple of twists will bring a few tears to your eyes if you give it a chance. It is slow paced, but it wonderfully transports you back to another time and place when human values and reactions were different. If you are unfamiliar with this Charlotte Bronte classic, you might want to check out this version.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "the governess' tale of woe" stars out of 4.

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Sucker Punch

It’s "Sin City" meets "Shutter Island" in a fantasy excuse for sexily-dressed women with cutesy names and deadly weapons to slay giant samurai robots, fire-breathing dragons, and steam-driven corpse soldiers. Set in the 1950's, an evil stepfather commits his stepdaughter to a mental hospital where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred. Next, 5 girls have 5 days to obtain 5 objects in order to escape their private hell hole. The actions scenes are an E-ticket ride in Fantasyland. However, the storyline transitions are the weakness of this highly stylized film with some great quotes. Alien was disappointed that it was more flash than substance. So who is being sucker punched here?

Alien gives it 2 "dance of seduction" stars out of 4.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

It’s "She’s Out of Your League" for 7th graders as Greg Heffley, the wimpy kid, struggles with the torment of being the middle child in the family. This movie sequel pokes fun at the fears and insecurities of our junior high school days. It’s is basically a kids film, but even adults will find the talent show portion magically funnier than they would have expected. Brotherly love is the theme of this charming little story. Look for a U-Tube clip in the middle of the credits.

Alien gives it 3 "deny, deny, deny" stars out of 4.

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Win Win

Life for a lawyer/high school wrestling coach (Paul Giamatti) changes when he opts to become the guardian for a client (Burt Young) suffering from dementia. Then life throws him another curve when a troubled teen enters into the picture. This is a small film with a big heart and a subtle sense of humor. The wonderful cast also includes Amy Ryan, Bobby Cavannale, and Jeffrey Tambor. This is a terrific story about making mistakes, getting second chances, and doing the right thing. This charming little sleeper will lift your heart and bring a tear to your eye. With "Win Win", you can’t lose. Go see it.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "slap in the face" stars out of 4.

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Limitless

A wanabe author (Bradley Cooper) with severe writer’s block, once divorced and recently dumped by his girlfriend, receives a miracle pill that transforms him into the "Chuck" of the financial world. With his new enlightenment, he attracts the attention of some corporate leaders and some Russian thugs. This guilty pleasure thriller will take you on a wild ride. Can he stay so many steps ahead of the rest or will he be doomed by the side effects?

Alien gives it 3 "clear visualization" stars out of 4.

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Paul

It’s "Close Encounters" meets "Race to Witch Mountain" meets "E.T.", if E.T. had the personality of Seth Rogen. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back and doing to sci-fi/alien encounter movies what they did for zombie ("Shaun of the Dead") and cop ("Hot Fuzz") films. Two nerdy Brits fresh from Comic Con take a wild road trip on the Extraterrestrial Highway and rescue a fugitive alien named Paul. Rated "R" for some drug use and frequent inappropriate language, it’s hysterically funny with a great ensemble cast (including Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Jason Bateman). Keep your eyes open and your ears alert for many jokes and tributes to everything sci-fi that true geeks would appreciate. Also, look for some surprise cameos. During the credits, see what happens to these lovable idiots 2 years later.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "it’s probing time" stars out of 4.

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Battle: Los Angeles

It’s "Independence Day" meets "Blackhawk Down" meets "Alien Autopsy" as Camp Pendleton marines are mobilized when mysterious meteors strike off the coast. As the "War of the Worlds" battle breaks out, a small band of soldiers become outnumbered and outgunned while trying to rescue civilians from the alien invaders. Experience an intense ground fight of bullets vs. blasters and some John Wayne heroics. Marines never quit. It is Semper Fi, do or die. Boo-rah!

Alien gives it 3 "Retreat? Hell" stars out of 4.

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Red Riding Hood

It’s "Twilight" meets the "Village" in this basic who-done-it thriller with star-crossed lovers. Strategic misdirection keeps you guessing who the killer werewolf is. The movie is based on a book that’s loosely based on the fairy tale. The fake looking set (where outdoors looks indoors), some cheesy lines, and a couple of anachronisms don’t help this witch hunt story. Young teens are the target audience.

Alien gives it 2 "curse of the blood moon" stars out of 4.

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The Music Never Stopped

A brain tumor and a generation gap can’t keep a pig-headed father (JK Simmons) from trying to reconnect with his estranged son after 25 years. Music therapy (from Dylan, the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, etc.) is used to simulate the mind of a severe amnesiac and take us on a trip down memory lane. If you were born around 1951, you will really relate to the music and the times portrayed in this touching bittersweet story of a father/son relationship. As in the song "Amazing Grace", once he was lost and now he is found. Feel the music.

Alien gives it 3 "Uncle John’s band" stars out of 4.

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Mars Needs Moms

The Martian civilization has taken a wrong turn; so now it needs to abduct earth mothers to raise their hatchlings. This is a basic rescue story where the kid adventures out to save his mom with a little help from some friends, Gribble and a flower-power talking Martian tagger. This is not necessarily a bad film, but it is a Disney disappointment considering their usual high standards. Mars’ darker and monochromatic tones don’t help the 3D effects. If your little ones are easily frighten by peril, you may want to rethink this movie choice. Alien does not believe this will become a Disney classic to be cherished for generations. In the end, this movie is all about the love of the family unit.

Alien gives it 2 "nanny-bot" stars out of 4.

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Take Me Home Tonight

Take a flashback to the 80’s. Topher Grace is an underachieving M.I.T. graduate working at a video rental store unsure of what he wants to do with his life. He ends up with a wild and crazy night trying to hook up with his high school crush (Teresa Palmer). With a little sex and drugs, it’s party all night long when things get out of control. The film tries hard to be funny, but only mildly manages to entertain. If you tire of the onscreen antics, just close your eyes and enjoy the music.

Alien gives it 2 "having a ball on Labor Day weekend" stars out of 4.

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Beastly

Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) and Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical) star in this modern update of the "Beauty and the Beast" tale. An arrogant, popular, rich, handsome teen is cursed by a witch (one of the Olsen twins, Mary Kate) to teach him a lesson. Beware of her stink eye. Every child knows this fairy tale story so there are no real surprises here. It is a bit cheesy, but it will be a guaranteed hit with teens and the younger set. This old classic theme has been transformed into today’s edgier terms, but the moral is still the same: true love will find inner beauty.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "embrace and suck" stars out of 4.

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Adjustment Bureau

It’s "The Candidate" meets "The Butterfly Effect" meets "Men in Black". Beware of the mysterious men from the Adjustment Bureau who are monitoring mankind and making minor corrections in order to follow the "Plan". Matt Damon and Emily Blunt star in this sci-fi/love story involving special fedoras, portal doors, and the Chairman’s Plan. Can true love win in a footrace between fate and free will? This mind-bending movie is based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick of "Total Recall", "Blade Runner", and "Minority Report" fame.

Alien gives it 3 "ripples in time" stars out of 4.

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