The King's Speech

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

It's the remarkable true story of an English monarch with a speech impediment. Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter are all marvelous in this historical period piece about King George IV struggling to overcome his stammer. This powerfully inspirational film runs a bit slow so it is best appreciated when one is not so tired.

Alien gives it 3 "stutter utter" stars out of 4.

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The Next Three Days

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

It is the story of a desperate man (Russsell Crowe) looking back 3 years and ahead 3 days as he believes his wife (Elizabeth Banks) has been falsely imprisoned for murder and must plan an escape for his now suicidal wife. It's hard to believe any professor could pull off such a stunt, but not Crowe. Liam Neeson's role is very short and seems more like a cameo. This mindless action thriller is pure escapism fun.

Alien gives it 3 "jail break" stars out of 4.

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Bad Teacher

Cameron Diaz plays the worst teacher of the year role. She is lazy, selfish, and only driven by greed. The film is a classic example of the terribly wrong being played as being awfully funny. This means hilarious on screen, but it would be outrageously bad in the real world. For mindless entertainment, audiences attracted to this theme will like it. You'll find no redeeming social message here. It's rated "R" so keep those young students away from this display of bad behavior.

Alien gives it 2 "car wash fund raiser" stars out of 4.

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Buck

Meet the real horse whisperer, Buck Brannaman, who consulted on Robert Redford's famous movie. Buck is an amazing horse handler traveling around the country for 9 months a year holding clinics for colts and their owners. This fascinating man has a keen understanding of how to motivate horses. He is also a family man and a trick roper. This documentary shows how life lessons have a lot of horse sense. Alien loved Buck's home spun cowboy wisdom. If you love horses, you might want to check out this entertaining and enlightening film. At the beginning of the credits, a sweet old lady tells her favorite pirate joke.

Alien gives it 3 "mirror of your soul" stars out of 4.

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The Help

An aspiring journalist's return to her hometown inspires a scandalous book detailing the plight of "colored" maids in this drama set in 1963 Mississippi. It is a powerful story of racial injustice and having the courage to stand up against it. The character-driven plot is not preachy. The terrific cast of colorful characters include old timers like Cicely Tyson and Sissy Spacek as well as young talent like Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard. The film accurately captures the look and feel of this time in Southern society, right down to the nickname of Skeeter and cooking fried chicken in Crisco. You will laugh, cry, get angry, and be proud as you look back at a time before racial and gender equality. Not since "Gone With the Wind" has Alien seen such a remarkable movie about the need for change in the roles of blacks and whites in the Deep South. Based on a best selling book, this top notch film has a tremendous story, an outstanding cast, and a marvelous look. Look for it when it opens on August 12.

Alien gives it 4 "double slice of chocolate pie" stars out of 4.

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Cars 2 (3D)

Ka-Ciao! It's "James Bond" meets "Speed Racer" as Lightning McQueen revs up for his return to the big screen, however, he takes a back seat to Tow Mater. That goofy tow truck character will delight the kiddies, but will probably annoy most of the adults. The Disney\Pixar team adds an international espionage theme to the triple city world-wide grand prix race with an ecological message. Alien loved looking for the car-acterizations. This one is geared more the kids than the charming original with that nostalgic look at Route 66.

Alien gives it 3 "Allinol" stars out of 4.

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The Art of Getting By

Life changes for a bright, artistic, unmotivated fatalist when George (Freddie Highmore) meets Sally (Emma Roberts). They become kindred spirits, but their friendship gets weird when one can't say what they feel. Both also have issues with their own families. It's hard to understand why the private school teachers put up with this underachieving student all year long. This story of young love is predictable, but Highmore and Roberts are very watchable.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "Teflon Slacker" stars out of 4.

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Green Lantern (3D)

It's "Top Gun" meets "Spider Man" as we watch Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) become Green Lantern and we learn about the Green Lantern Corps. It's "will" versus "fear" as good and evil battle for supremacy. CGI dominates this special effects extravaganza right down to the super hero costume. The film does have a sense of humor, even poking fun at the super hero image and the secret identity issue. Can this underdog chosen one defeat the all powerful villain, Parallax. Not being a true Green Lantern fan, Alien liked the mystery of trying to figure out who was who and what was going on. It's entertaining comic book action brought to life on the big screen. For a hint of a possible sequel, see one final reveal in the middle of the credits.

Alien gives it 3 "Intergalactic Peacekeeper" stars out of 4.

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Water for Elephants

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

It's "Titanic" under the big top and on the rails when tragedy side tracks a Cornell veterinarian student. This love story is dramatized with circus life during the Great Depression. Good performances by the three main leads (Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz) are true to their previous roles, but Rosie the elephant steals the spotlight. This is an excellent period piece that captures the feel and the spirit of circus culture caught up during these desperate times.

Alien gives it 3 "Benzini Brothers" stars out of 4.

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Mr. Popper's Penguins

It's "Ace Ventura" meets "The March of the Penguins" meets "101 Dalmatians" when a divorced dad learns a lesson about parenting through a present of penguins from his pop. Jim Carrey is his usual goofy self in this cute little film based on a children's book. Through the magic of CGI, this 6 pack of penguins is charming, cuddly, and comical. It's good clean family entertainment for the kids. For an addition chuckle, stay for the Animal Humane Society's comment.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "Bitey, Lovey, Loudy, Stinky, Nimrod and Captain" stars out of 4.

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Friends with Benefits

Didn't this movie come out already with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher?

No, this film is much smarter, more clever, and hilariously funnier. It's L.A. (Justin Timberlake) versus N.Y.C. (Mila Kunis) as two professionals spar with words (foreplay) and finally agree to be friends with benefits (sex without any emotional attachments). This movie about relationships pokes fun at its own genre, the romantic comedy. The dialogue is fast and witty. The "R" rated sex scenes are hysterically raunchy. Both main characters are damaged goods that have a special bond with their parent. Timberlake and Kunis have great chemistry together. The supporting cast is also terrific and look for some cameos and recurring joke themes. This film is targeting the iPhone, social networking, wii generation. If you stay to the end of the credits, you'll see outtakes from the movie within the movie.

Alien gives it 4 "putting perspective on the Hollywood sign" stars out of 4.

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Super 8

It's "E.T." meets "Close Encounters" meets "Cloverfield" in this Steven Spielberg/J.J. Abrams collaboration where kids will be kids. a group of geeky middle schoolers filming their cheesy zombie movie (in Super 8) capture more than they bargain for when an Air Force train gets derailed. A terrific script drives this sci-fi mystery with a sense of humor, a few surprising startles, and a definite Spielberg feel. Each of the cast plays their role to perfection. alien particularly liked the deputy (Kyle Chandler) and the young girl, Alice (Elle fanning). The film captures the emotions of love, loss, and letting go in the back drop of explosive destruction. stay for the credits if you want to see the completed film within the film (A George Romero homage).

Alien gives it 3 ½ "that's mint" stars out of 4.

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Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

A third grader's misadventures begin on the last day of school when Judy Moody's plans for a thrilling summer get derailed when her best friends are not available. Zany kid antics ensue when everything on her check off list seems to go wrong. Based on a children's book, this good family entertainment for the kids is like the Ramona and those Wimpy Kid films.

Alien gives it 2 "in search of Big Foot" stars out of 4.

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X-Men: First Class

Nazis, Mutants, and Spies, oh my!

It's the cold war meets the mutant wars as history and fantasy collide with 60's hip lingo and a James Bondish look. This X-Men prequel details the bonding of Erik (Magneto) and Charles (Professor X) and tests your knowledge of Marvel mutants as it twists comic book lore. In this version of meet the mutants, expect a surprise cameo. Even though alien had to leave at the film's climax with about 30 minutes to go, it still seemed to be the best of the four X-Men movies (five if you include the unimpressive "Wolverine: X-Men Origins").

Alien gives it 3 ½ "evolution in the atomic age" stars out of 4.


If you doubt my incomplete review, just check out these comments from some of Alien's junior critics-in-training:


This one gets my vote for best of the action blockbuster so far this year. As a prequel to the prior X-men movies, this charts the beginning of relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, before they were Professor X and Magneto, as they start to explore their powers and as they locate, develop and unite fellow mutants.
Both main leads, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender are excellent in their parts capturing the tone and essence of the established older versions of Professor X and Magneto while making the rolls their own, bringing a new light and depth to the characters. That is not to say the older actors are not good. Kevin bacon is a just little bit hammy, which actually works and makes for a surprisingly good villain. And the supporting cast of X-Men are all very good, bringing interest, dimension and insight to their characters. Action, pacing, and cinematography – all spot on. Be sure to watch for the cameos!

Is it as good as the previous installments? Definitely better that X2 and X3-The Last Stand, and at least as good as the first.

Overall, I highly recommend X-MEN: FIRST CLASS for both fans of the series as well as those new to the franchise.

by A.G. aka XMAN


X-Men First Class has to be one of the best movies I've seen this year. Forget Thor, or whatever else you thought was good. This movie kicks the others to the curb. Good character development, more than descent visual effects, visually appealing fighting sequences and amazing scenes keep you engaged throughout the film. I will most definitely watch it again. Expect to read subtitles as there is dialogue in German, Russian, French and Spanish. Personally hearing the Russian language butchered isn't a favorite of mine, but they get an A for effort.

by M.R. aka Russian Persuader

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