Rush

Director Ron Howard brilliantly captures the competitiveness between two Formula I racers, each driven by their desire for the 1976 World Champion crown. James Hunt (Chris Helmsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) are entangled in a bitter rivalry which is skillfully contrasted in their personalities on and off the track. It's playboy vs ratboy, McClaren vs Ferrari, risky vs calculated. Each give excellent performances. Who will you root for? Terrific visuals will put you on the track and in the car for some thrilling racing. It's a superbly crafted and acted film, but unfortunately both lead characters are not so likable. Look for glimpses of the real racers near the end of the film.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "spin out, crash, and burn" stars out of 4.

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Baggage Claim

A flight attendant (Paula Patton) becomes tired of always being the bridesmaid and never the the bride so she gives herself 30 days and 30 thousand miles to take a second look at her past boyfriends. It's contrived and predictable because it's exactly what one expects in a romantic comedy. Patton is not only beautiful, but also has comedic talent. She is very watchable on screen. A supporting cast of colorful characters make this film a pleasant flight that gets you where you want to go.

Alien gives it 3 "airline attendant stalker" stars out of 4.

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (3D)

Shrimpanzees, Mosquitoasts, and Watermelophants...  oh my!

It's "Jurassic Park" meets "The Island of Dr. Moreau" when the Food Channel merges with Animal Planet. The old Cloudy-Meatballs gang is back for more fun with foods. It's great family entertainment for all ages with a cornucopia of food jokes and puns as Flint's water-to-food conversion machine mutates its mission. Young ones will learn about the need for friends in the fight against evil. Look for more animated humor during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "food-imals" stars out of 4.

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Gravity (3D, RPX)

Gravity: the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth or; alarming importance or; both.

It's "Titanic" in space as Sandra Bullock & George Clooney portray astronauts having a very bad day. Just because these are the last two actors you would imagine in this type of role unless it was a romantic comedy, don't overlook this incredibly amazing special effects thriller with intense action. Clooney plays the calm & collected veteran/mentor on his last mission caught in a dire emergency and Bullock  plays the shaky novice/scientist in a panic situation. Bullock may surprise you as her character must rise to the occasion and take you on a hell ride through an astronaut's worst nightmare. You'll feel like you are right there drifting hopelessly in space narrowly escaping one calamity after another as you simultaneously sit on the edge of your seat & grip your armrest.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "space shrapnel" stars out of 4.

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Prisoners

Issues of child abduction & vigilante-ism are explored as drugs, alcohol, and frustration overwhelm those involved in the case; even taking some beyond the law. Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano all shine in this all-star cast and give incredible performances in this dark & gritty thriller. Follow the clues as the search for suspects widens. For two and a half hours, you'll get twists and turns, but just when you think you got the ending all figured out, you may be surprised again.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "how far would you go to protect your family" stars out of 4.

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Captain Phillips

It's intense drama and terror on the high seas when an American cargo ship is boarded by Somali pirates. Based on a real 2009 incident, this gripping hostage situation will have you on the edge of your seat. Tom Hanks gives an outstanding performance as the resourceful captain dedicated to saving his crew and ship. The supporting cast is also superb. The film manages to capture the sense of imminent danger as the situation becomes more and more desperate. This film will make you think twice about booking any cruises.

Alien gives it 4 "Maersk Alabama" stars out of 4.

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Insidious: Chapter 2

Picking up right at the end of the first film, the Lambert family continues to be haunted by an evil spirit from the Further. It's more of the same as "Paranormal Activity" meets "Ghostbusters" again, but with a "Psycho" twist. Same cast, same scare tactics; some frights, some humor. Once again, if you go with the flow, you may have a good time, no matter if you are a believer of not. The film will take you back to the beginning & bring you full circle as you either have a frightful experience or some cheesy fun. This chapter closes, but the franchise hints towards another one.

Alien give it 2 ½ "bride in black" stars out of 4.

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The Family

It's meet the 'Blakes' in director/writer Luc Besson's humorous tale of a mob family in the witness protection program relocated to Normandy, France and trying to blend in. Robert De Niro & Michelle Pfeiffer head this family with anger management issues. Old habits are hard to break as they revert to their 'wise guys' ways. Dianna Agron plays the daughter and Tommy Lee Jones is the FBI agent in charge of their safety. What begins as a dark comedy ends in a blazing gun battle. Besson should just stick with his action films like the "Transporter" & "Taken". The comedy is only amusing, unless you find overkill brutality hilarious. This predictable film is rated 'R' for violence and language.

Alien  gives it 2 ½ "mob mentality" stars out of 4.

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Riddick: Rule the Dark (IMAX)

It's "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" meets "Tremors" as escaped convict Riddick (Vin Diesel) returns for a third installment. Picking up from the end of "The Chronicles of Riddick", our anti-hero is double-crossed & stranded on a deadly planet where is only hope of escape is to trigger an emergency beacon which will signal the mercenary bounty hunters & a man connected to his past. This is a darker & more primitive Riddick in a battle between high & low tech. The special effects are amazing, the action is riveting, and the storyline will keep you guessing how. It's been 13 years since cult favorite "Pitch Black", but Vin has not lost a step as his bad ass character personifies "when the going gets tough then the tough get going". If you love the first two films, then you'll love the third. If this is your first exposure to Riddick & you like it, you'll probably want to see the previous movies. It's 2 hours of "R" rated thrilling violence and seconds of gratuitous nudity.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "alien dingo dog beast" stars out of 4.

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