Labor Day

The lives of two tormented souls (Josh Brolin as an escaped convict and Kate Winslet as a depressed reclusive mother) cross paths on a warm Labor Day weekend in 1987 as recounted the then adolescent son trying to be the man of the house. Two mysterious pasts are slowly revealed in flash back scenes as audiences wonder is it hostage taking or harboring a fugitive. Brolin and Winslet give terrific performances. J.K. Simmons, James Van Der Beek, and Tobey Maguire have very minor roles. If you are a romantic at heart, you may enjoy this sad love story. If not, you may be skeptical about the whirlwind romance.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "easy as pie" stars out of 4.

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That Awkward Moment

Experience some hilarious awkward moments through the mistakes of three best friends (Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, & Miles Teller) as they try to date while hanging on to their "bro's before ho's" attitude. This romantic comedy is adult humor fun from the male perspective with guys acting like idiots in their relationships with girls. It is "R" rated for sexual content, language, and nudity (mostly male). Look for some gag reel outtakes during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 "so... where is this going" stars out of 4.

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August: Osage County

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

It's August on the hot Oklahoma plains when a tragic event brings members of a dysfunctional family together. The amazing Meryl Streep plays the pill-popping cancer-stricken matriarch and the fabulous Julia Roberts is her estranged daughter.  They are surrounded by a superb supporting cast (Margo Martindale, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julette Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Julianne Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, and Sam Shepard). Based on a Pulitzer Prize winning play, it's full of smart dialogue revealing toxic truths, long standing bitterness, and family secrets. This "R" rated dark comedy/drama is peppered with F-bombs and a sense of humor to get you through the rough spots. This movie may not be for everyone but if you like great acting and a Roberts/Streep cat fight, you may enjoy this one.

Alien gives it 3 "a spoon of sugar makes the medicine go down" stars out of 4.

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Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan is back but don't worry newbies. This fifth film featuring writer Tom Clancy's famed character is a reboot. See how Ryan (Chris Pine) got his start with the CIA and how he goes from covert analyst to field operator. Kevin Costner plays his mysterious mentor. Kenneth Branagh is the film's director & star villain in a terrorist plot to plunge America into financial ruin. It's good espionage action with a questionable Keira go-Knightley girlfriend.

Alien gives it 3 "geopolitics, not couples therapy" stars out o 4.

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Ride Along

It's an "Odd Couple" buddy cop comedy when a tough (Ice Cube) teams up on a ride along with a rent-a-cop police academy hopeful (Kevin Hart) who seeks the approval of his girlfriend's brother. Ice Cube plays straight man to Hart's hilarious fast-talking antics. Even though this type of plot is always predictable, it still is a fun ride filled with lots of laughs. Look for a short clip just after the credits begin to roll.

Alien gives it 3 "The Black Hammer" stars out of 4.

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Nut Job (3D)

It's "Over the Hedge" meets "The Bank Job" when the park animal denizens facing a food shortage must look to the city for their survival through the winter. In a tale of two heists, two gangs cross paths and complicate each other's scheme to gather their riches. This cute 3D animated film is family fun for the young and old. Kids will learn about the double cross, who can you trust, and sacrifice. Look for a surprise animated cameo during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "shiny silver thingy" stars out of 4.

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The Legend of Hercules (3D)

It's "300" meets "Gladiator" meets "Percy Jackson" when the son of Zeus suffers from "Cinderella" syndrome at the hands of his evil stepfather & stepbrother. A predictable plot has our hero (Kellen Lutz) survive a suicide mission and sold into slavery where he must fight for his freedom against enormous odds in order to save his love from wedding his enemy. The special effects are underwhelming and overproduced. The ho-hum performance by this second banana "Twilight" vampire doesn't bold well for a "Hercules: The Legend Continues".

Alien gives it 2 "Steve Reeves and Kevin Sarbo" stars out of 4.

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Gimme Shelter

A troubled teen (Vanessa Hudgens) is failed by the system and toughen by the hard knocks of bad foster care and an abusive drug-addicted mom (Rosario Dawson). The search for her dad (Brendan Frasier) turns out disappointing so she becomes a runaway until she ends up at a shelter for wayward girls. Hudgens is convincing as the angry jaded girl and Dawson is disturbing as the worst mother ever. James Earl Jones is the inspiration for hope in this heartbreaking & heartwarming movie based on a true story. See photos of the real people represented in this movie during the credits.

Alien gives it 3 "faith, family, & finding love" stars out of 4.

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her

It's "Lars and the Real Girl" meets "Roxanne" meets "2001 Space Odyssey" when a lonely man (Joaquin Phoenix) facing divorce installs an artificial intelligent operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson)  and falls in love with it. Set in the near future, this romantic comedy/fantasy/drama is a fresh interpretation of human relationships, frailties, and dependencies on technology. Johansson & Phoenix give outstanding performances; one without a physical body and the other playing it for two. The supporting cast includes Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, & Amy Adams in minor roles. This adult film invoking awkward humor is rated "R" for language, nudity, and sexual content.

Alien gives it 3 "socially acceptable insanity" stars out of 4.

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Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

The wildly popular, low budget, big bang for the buck film franchise continues with a Latin flavored spin-off. In Oxnard, California, 2012, bad things happen around boys bitten by something unknown. Film makers keep the mystery & horror going with video footage connecting a witch coven, portals embellished with wicken symbols, and demonic behavior. Look for prior "Paranormal Activity" film bread crumbs scattered about, but they won't really clarify much. Primal fears of things that go bump in the night will keep believers on the edge of their seats. Once again, seemingly real people portrayed by unknown actors sell the believability that this could truly happen.

Alien gives it 3 "electronic Simon Says toy" stars out of 4.

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