Jack Reacher

It's Dirty Harry meets Jason Bourne meets Rambo when an ex-military police officer/now mysterious drifter (Tom Cruise) comes to Pittsburgh after a sniper shooting. This murder mystery is slow to unfold, but the sense of danger escalates as the good guys get closer to the truth. Cruise provides the action and the heroics, but the script is a bit weak. Richard Jenkins' talents are wasted as the D.A., but Robert Duvall is a delight as the shooting range owner. Rosamund Pike plays her lawyer role on the skittish side. Jack Reacher aka Tom Cruise is more ego than substance and comes up a bit short.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "vigilante justice" stars out of 4.

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Les Miserables

Based on a Broadway play based on a French novel, this spectacular movie details the victims of harsh times who are given a second chance in life. It's a magnificent film adaptation which blends an outstanding tear jerking story, superb acting while singing their lines by the entire cast, wonderfully melodic songs, and some fabulous costumes & sets. Hugh Jackman & Anne Hathaway give amazing performances. Sacha Baron Cohen & Helena Bonham Carter provide comic relief. It is a moving musical experience that will touch your heart and leave a lasting memory on your mind. You will be mesmerized for  2 ½ hours. Bravo! Viva La Revolution!

Alien gives it 4 "24601 always on the run" stars out of 4.

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This Is 40

This sort-of-sequel to "Knocked Up" continues 5 years later with the lives of Pete & Debbie (Paul Rudd & Leslie Mann) and their children Sadie & Charlotte (Maude & Iris Apatow). It is a hysterially hilarious look at a couple stressing over financial, marital, and mid-life crises. The dialog is brutally honest, just not what normal people would utter out loud. Albert Brooks & John Lithgow play the dads in this insanely funny comedy. Megan Fox is blatantly casted as an object of sexual desire. Melissa McCarthy steals her scenes and is featured in the blooper reel during the credits. This Apatow (Judd, Leslie, Maude,& Iris) family affair film is "R" rated for language, sexual content, and brief nudity. You will be laughing so hard because the film is so wrong, but so funny.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "riotously raunchy" stars out of 4.

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Parental Guidance

It's old school vs new school when child rearing views clash between grandparents (Billy Crystal & Bette Midler) and their daughter (Marisa Tomei). Crystal and Midler are delightful as they each bring their own comedic style and passion to the film. It's a sweet old fashion family comedy that is predictable, but still fun to watch the generation gap antics. Stay through the credits to catch one last bathroom humor joke.

Alien gives it 3 "strikes and you're not out" stars out of 4.

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End of Watch

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

It's life and death every day in the streets of South Central L.A. for two cowboy cops (Jake Gyllenhaal & Michael Pena) trying to ride herd on crime. Get down and dirty with these brothers in blue in this gritty account of their lives both on and off duty. It's high drama depicting the dangers facing these officers. Although shot on a low budget, the cast is packed with talent. It gets bloody and violent, but that's life in the hood.

Alien gives it 3 "street real" stars out of 4.

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (3D)

Trolls, Orcs, and Goblins...  oh my!

Bilbo Baggins, a meek and mild Hobbit, is an unlikely candidate selected by Wizard Gandalf to join a band of 13 Dwarf warriors on a quest to reclaim their kingdom. It's a wonderfully foreign yet familiar Middle Earth world recreated by director Peter Jackson in fabulous 3D. Great heroes and villains battle in spectacular action scenes tempered by an unexpected sense of humor. 48 frames/sec technology brings an unprecedented clarity and brightness to the images on the big screen. This is an amazing nearly 3 hour action packed heroic journey that will just make you anxious for the next part of this trilogy.

Alien gives it 4 "three stooges trolls & rock'em sock'em rock giants" stars out of 4.

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Life or Pi (3D)

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

It's "We Bought a Zoo" meets "The Perfect Storm" meets "Castaway" when a man tells his story of boy and beast surviving many days lost at sea. An Indian boy named Pi searches for religion, but learns about survival in an amazing tale directed by Ang Lee. This is a gorgeous looking film with stunning visuals, touching messages, and intiguing drama.  By its end, this remarkable film will challenge you for an opinion.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Richard Parker & Pi" stars out of 4.

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Warm Bodies

It's "Twilight" meets "Zombieland" in this Romeo & Juliette love story set in an apocalyptic world overrun with the walking dead, corpses that don't bleed. The twist here is that we get to view it from the zombie perspective hearing the inner thoughts of R as he connects with Julie. It's funny and creepy at the same time. This great date flick has romance for the ladies, zombie action for the guys, and humor for all. Beware of the "bonies" in the dead zone, but never give up on love and hope.

Alien gives it 3 "just R" stars out of 4.

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Hitchcock

It's Alfred Hitchcock "Psycho"-analyzed in this making-of-the-movie biopic. Anthony Hopkins is absolutely outstanding as "Hitch" capturing his voice, mannerism, sense of humor, and spirit. Helen Mirren is tremendous as the woman behind the famed director. See the inspiration for Norman Bates. See the struggle to get "Psycho" made. See the insecurities of this legendary film maker as well as his brilliance conducting his masterpiece. The movie is thoroughly entertaining and fascinating to see behind the scenes. This is a fitting tribute to the man with the most famous silhouette. Stay to the end of the credits to see that profile once more.

Alien gives it 4 "Master of Suspense" stars out of 4.

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The Guilt Trip

It's "The Odd Couple" road trip when son (Seth Rogen) and mother (Barbara Streisand) go across country together on a sales pitch tour. But like most long family car trips, it always sounds more fun than it actually is. Rogen is Rogen and Streisand is Streisand. The movie is just a one trick pony playing the awkward Jewish mother/son relationship card over and over. It is amusing, but predictable. It's more of a Streisand comedy with Rogen interjecting his two cents in whenever he can. It does have a sweet ending though.

Alien gives it 2 "Are we there yet?" stars out of 4.

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