2 Guns

A "I got a man" gold-toothed DEA agent (Denzel Washington) and a "I don't miss" winking Naval Intelligence officer (Mark Wahlberg) team up for an undercover sting operation involving the Mexican drug cartel and a bank robbery. This action/comedy is a wise cracking buddy cop film that will keep you on the edge of your seat and wondering who are the good guys here. This Denzel/Wahlberg pairing is a can't miss box office draw that proves to be extremely dangerous in the kitchen. If you like intense action along with smart mouth humor, come check out these bad boys as they get deeper and deeper into trouble. This film is rated "R" for brief gratuitous nudity and shoot 'em up/blow 'em up violence.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "you're my people and we have a code" stars out of 4.

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Wolverine

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

It's "The Last Samurai" meets "Real Steel" when Wolverine journeys to Japan to see an old friend. Things start getting interesting when battles breakout involving yakuzas, ninjas, & a giant silver samurai. For Avenger fans, a Hawkeye-type & a Black Widow-type are tossed into the mix.  However, the villains are weak. Will Wolverine finally face his morality and/or will he be de-clawed? The plot is predictable, contrived, & a little slow in parts, but the action scenes will keep the fans entertained. Stay for the credits for a hint at what's coming next.

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

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Fruitvale Station

Based on the true story of Oscar Grant, this powerful & moving film is not so much about the tragic 2009 New Years Day event at the train station, but about the character of a young man struggling to get his life back on track, only to have it snatched away. Writer/director Ryan Coogler skillfully acquaints the audience with Grant mainly through the events with friends and family on the day before his fatal date with history. Michael B. Jordan is outstanding as Grant and Octavia Spencer plays his mother. Shot on location in Oakland, the film captures the flavor of Grant's environment.

Alien gives it 3 "humanizing the headlines" stars out of 4.

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The To Do List

This must be the evil twin of  "The Way Way Back" in some alternate universe. Both are comedies about a youth trying to find themselves while employed at a recreational water facility. One is sweet and charming; the other is lewd and raunchy. It's an "Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex, But Were Afraid To Ask" trip back to 1993 as a naive goodie-two-shoes valedictorian (Aubrey Plaza) makes a to-do list in order to gain sexual experience before starting college. This no holds barred look at casual sex only stops just short of nudity. If you are not grossed out by the blatant sexual encounter scenes, you may find this film funnier than you thought it would be, as it dares to push boundaries. The cast also features Clark Gregg, Connie Britton, Rachel Bilson, and Bill Hader. This "R' rated film is boobie trapped with F-bombs.

Alien gives it 3 "embarrassingly awkward situations" stars out of 4.

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R.I.P.D. (3D)

It's "Ghost" meets "Men in Black" meets the "Roadrunner" in a bizarre buddy cop/cowboy/sci-fi/comedy. A murdered cop (Ryan Reynolds) goes from Boston Police Department to the Rest In Peace Department. Partnered with a deceased lawman from the old wild west (Jeff Bridges), he returns to earth reassigned to round up dead men who refuse to leave the mortal world. Alien isn't sure why Reynolds & Bridges along with Kevin Bacon & Mary-Louise Parker would sign on to appear this Looney Tunes special effects driven monstrosity of silliness. Perhaps it all sounded better on paper. Prepare your eyes to be pulverized by some insane madness that could only have leaped off the pages of a comic book.

Alien gives it 2 "afterlife cop cartoon for adults" stars out of 4.

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The Conjuring

Many movies have attempted, but have failed in recreating the impact of "The Exorcist" and "The Amityville Horror". However, "The Conjuring" effectively succeeds by using all the classic scary moment tactics that preys upon our fears of the dark, the unknown, ghosts, and demons. A sweet family of seven find themselves haunted in their new home where things go bump in the night. If you believe in the paranormal, this film may be the scare that you are looking for. The performances of Vera Farmiga and Lilli Taylor bring great credibility to the movie. The film feeds on the viewer's fears to build suspense and intensity. Alien is a skeptic and wasn't frighten, but enjoyed the thrill and chill ride, occasionally smiling as I could see what the scene was leading to. The creepiest part is realized during the credits, as some actual photos and headlines are revealed for this 'based on a true story' movie. (insert "Psycho" sound effects here)

Alien gives it 3 ½ "infestation, oppression, and possession" stars out of 4.

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Girl Most Likely

A failed playwright (Kristen Wiig) with early potential falls on hard times and finds herself back at home with her quirky dysfunctional family. Wiig is perfect for the part as the lovable loser struggling to find her piece of happiness. Annette Benning is terrific as the eccentric mother. Matt Dillon plays the mom's odd & mysterious younger lover. If your sense of humor favors offbeat comedy, you might enjoy this funny film. It's not hilarious, but it has its moments. The grass is always greener on the other side when a girl with Jersey roots & New York ambitions learns life's lessons about friends and family. Look for a couple of surprise cameos.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "crab shell security" stars out of 4.

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Turbo (3D)

It's "Spider-Man" meets "The Fast & The Furious" meets "Days of Thunder" when a pair of brothers team up to fulfill their dreams. A garden snail with a need for speed and a taco truck vendor from Van Nuys with an advertisement gimmick end up at the Indy 500 race. DreamWorks has created a fun family film that manages to make snails look cute. It's a wonderful re-combination  of the "Hare & Tortoise" tale blended with "The Little Engine That Could" story.

Alien gives it 3 "tuck and roll" stars out of 4.

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RED 2

Labeled as "Retired, Extremely Dangerous", ex-CIA black-ops agents Moses (Bruce Willis) & Boggs (John Malkovich) once again find themselves targets of professional assassins. This time they become pawns in a weapon of mass destruction scheme. Mary-Louise Parker is still hysterically funny as the girlfriend/thrill seeker. Helen Mirren is irresistible as the Martha Stewart of mercenaries. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anthony Hopkins, and Byung-Hun Lee have been added to spice up the cast. This action/comedy is delightful fun amidst over-the-top stunts and excessive violence tastefully done as it romps through Paris, Moscow, and London. Like the original, the ends at the beginning of another mission.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "bet you didn't see that one coming" stars out of 4.

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 Pacific Rim (3D)

It's "Godzilla" vs. super-sized "Real Steel" on an "Avengers" mission with a "Blade Runner" backdrop. In the near future, giant monsters rise out of a portal in the Pacific Ocean to attack coastal cities and giant robots are constructed as a counter measure. The special effects are awesome. Director Guillermo del Toro's action-packed thriller is a rock 'em sock 'em tribute to those Japanese monster movies where Tokyo gets destroyed. Look for a surprise clip in the middle of the credits.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Kaiju vs. Jaeger" stars out of 4.

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