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.