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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Sweeney

It's an over-weight British "Dirty Harry" (Ray Winstone) leading a team of detectives nicknamed "The Sweeney" which is short for "Sweeney Todd", a slang term for "The Flying Squad" apparently. His less than legal methods and tough guy tactics while searching for some dangerous thieves puts him and his squad in jeopardy under the scrutiny of Internal Affairs. It's coppers and robbers with daring car chases and blazing gun battles in the streets of London, but the British accents and slang terms makes it a bit hard to follow some of the dialog. Alien did like the characters and the film's raw energy without that Hollywood feel.

Alien gives it 3 "baseball bats & axe handles" stars out of 4.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Jack the Giant Slayer (3D)

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum...

Director Bryan Singer puts his own spin the classic beanstalk fairy tale as his Beast (Nicholas Hoult) turn zombie R (Warm Bodies) becomes a giant slayer. It's an action packed special effects extravaganza in 3D with a sense of humor. Ian Shane, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, and Stanley Tucci lead this thrilling adventure involving a forbidden romance, an evil suitor, a bag of magic beans, a crown of power, and a two-headed giant commanding his army of gross uglies. It's giantic fun, but it ain't over until the last bean is counted.

Alien gives it 3 "pigs in a blanket" stars out of 4.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Identity Thief

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

It's "Catch Me If You Can" meets "Road Trip" meets "The Bounty Hunter" when Sandy Bigelow Patterson (Jason Bateman) gets his identity stolen by a clever con woman (Melissa McCarthy). Straight man Bateman and talented comedienne McCarthy are the perfect "Odd Couple" pairing in this funny buddy picture featuring physical comedy bits. It's a madcap romp from Florida to Denver as these two characters start to influence each other.

Alien gives it 2 1/2 "throat punch" stars out of 4.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Snitch

A father (Dwayne Johnson) tries to reduce his son's jail time by helping the Feds make a drug bust, but gets caught in the crossfire and sinks deeper into trouble. Although inspired by a true story, this film is too contrived, over-dramatized, and full of cheesy lines. The larger-than-life 'Rock' is forced to play a boring everyday Joe dodging bullets and driving a truck. He is under-utilized if you don't like him flex his muscles and go on offense. Susan Sarandon and Benjamin Bratt over-play their parts. Who would have guess the drug cartel was such a big deal in Missouri.

Alien gives it 2 "jack-knifed semi" stars out of 4.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Side Effects

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

Rooney Mara (patient) and Jude Law (doctor) are outstanding in this psychological pharmaceutical thriller involving depression, drugs, and deception. Catherine Zeta-Jones (doctor) and Channing Tatum (husband) round out the cast. Lives become ruined as the story unfolds. Is it guilty or innocent; is it murder or malpractice; will justice be served or will someone get away with murder? Alien felt like an unwitting participant in a drug trial test who was uncertain about what was fantasy & reality and was surprised by some unexpected results.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Ablixa or placebo" stars out of 4.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Good Day to Die Hard

Yippy-Kai-Yay, Mother Russia!

True to form, John McClane manages to step in the middle of "it" again while on "vacation" in Moscow for another "family reunion". It's "Prison Break" meets Mission Impossible" as estranged Senior and Junior team up for non-stop action involving a political prisoner, an unbelievably wild car chase, some double-crossing, blazing gunfire, and explosions galore. Bruce Willis as McClane for the 5th time does what he does best... killing the bad guys and making wise cracks. Audiences will get exactly what they expect in this guilty pleasure thrill ride.

Alien gives it 3 "father/son bonding experience" stars out of 4.

Thursday, February 07, 2013

21 and Over

It's "Dumb and Dumber" led by "The Jerk" on a "Hangover" night of drunken lewd, crude, and rude stupidity. Best friends pay a surprise visit to celebrate their pal's 21st birthday, the night before his important medical school interview. If you like gross Frat boy humor and idiotic behavior, this waste of time might have the laughs you are looking for. The writers of "The Hangover" went to great efforts to dumb it down for audiences. This pointless piece is rated "R" for language and nudity. Unfortunately, most of the nudity exposure comes from the 3 male leads.

Alien gives it 1 "slo-mo mechanical bull riding vomiting" star out of 4.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Beautiful Creatures

It's "Romeo & Juliet" meets "Carrie" meets a very dark "Bewitched" with a Southern drawl when a young girl returns to the family plantation just before her 16th birthday. Mortals are caught in between good and evil casters (they don't like being called witches). Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, and Emmy Rossum are terrific playing their roles larger than life and over the top. Viola Davis also has a key role. The supernatural special effects are stunning. Will history repeat itself, will someone be seduced by the dark side of the Force, and will the Curse be broken in this bittersweet love story?

Alien gives it 3 "choice or destiny" stars out of 4.


Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Identity Thief

Alien wanted to attend this screening, but someone must have stolen my identity and claimed my screening pass. Maybe it was one of these 3 suspects who each had a comment about the film:

1. It was pretty funny... up and down through out.

2. It had it's moments... funny. The actress (Melissa McCarthy) was good for the part. You'll want to hate her for ruining his life (Jason Bateman), but in the second half, you can't help but like her.

3. Cute but doesn't compare to Bridesmaids.

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