"Prometheus" Review by Chris

Ridley Scott goes back to his roots to direct a semi-prequel to his hit film "Alien." Taking place three decades before the first film, "Prometheus" asks if our race may have its origins in the stars. To search for the answer, a team of scientists goes on an expedition to an uncharted portion of space that was mapped out by ancient civilizations. But the real question of this film is whether this a return to form for the director or just another sequel to a long dead franchise.

The story hooks you right out of the gate. Before you realize it, you're caught up in the lives of scientist Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) and searching for answers alongside them. Along the journey you'll also meet David (Michael Fassbender), an android with a mysterious mission of his own. All the characters will keep you wondering what's coming and where their motivations lie, but Fassbender’s character steals the show with his humor and intrigue. The remaining cast all give outstanding performances, but none of them are key to the main story and are easily forgotten when it's all over.

But when it all wraps up, you'll realize the Mr. Scott forgot something: close to none of the mysteries get resolved. After the halfway point it feels like all the answers to the riddles are just around the corner, but the characters just keep going in different directions. It makes you wonder what the ending will bring, but Scott goes for a tacked on finale that does little but allude to the fact that it's a prequel to "Alien."

With such great acting, amazing visuals and an engrossing universe, it's disappointing to know the story will give you nothing. Even the plot twists are underwhelming and predictable. It’s an interesting film with unique ideas, but do yourself a favor and don’t expect the unexpected.

3 "Weyland Ships" out of 5

Written by Chris

Edited by Aaron

"Men in Black 3" Review by Chris

Because new ideas are overrated, Columbia Pictures is bringing us yet another "Men in Black" movie.  True to uninspired sequel form, this time around Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back to the past to save his partner. During his journey he'll face countless time travel clichés and plot holes. Despite the “not again” smeared all over this storyline, is there a chance that the third time's the charm?

To start, great acting has never been a problem for the "Men in Black" series. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones roll up to this movie with all their skills hanging out. Newcomer Josh Brolin more than fills the role of Young Agent K — his portrayal of Tommy Lee Jones is terrifyingly accurate. The banter between Agent K and J is, as it's always been, the highlight of the film. Every moment they’re together you bottle your laughter to make sure you don't miss the next punch line. Jemaine Clement, who plays the toothy and villainous Boris the Animal, is less up to snuff. His story and dialogue are generic and the actor brings nothing to the role to make it unique.

The story is just as generic as the trailers imply. Agent J travels back in time to save his partner and thus prevent an alien invasion. Along the way he'll see the secrets of his partner’s past, and learn a few things about his own. There are very few surprises, but the ones that are there are enough to keep the film moving and give it heart. Time traveling also provides nonstop moments for comedy. Whether it's blatant comments on Andy Warhol's paintings or more subtle visual cues, there are plenty of laughs.

Sadly, "Men in Black 3" also has many flaws. Several of the questions early on go either unexplained or are totally underwhelming. The story isn’t friendly to new fans, and there is very little explanation of the characters. It’s best to watch to first two before seeing this one. Fans of the original will also be disappointed that some of the plot of the first two are completely ignored.

So is "Men in Black 3" the intergalactic success this series deserves? No. It fails to fill the shoes of the first film, but is light years beyond the second film. Great acting, an amazing script and bizarre situations make this a fun experience that should be seen.

3.5 "Neuralizers" out of 5

Writing and Image by Chris

Edited by Aaron

"The Darkest Hour" Review by Chris

When two website designers find themselves trapped in Russia during an invasion of invisible aliens, they must band together with other survivors to find a way to fight back. But how can they fight an enemy they can't see? They soon figure out that the only way to locate the aliens is by their effect on electrical objects, and it is this battle with the invisible is what sets "The Darkest Hour" apart from most alien invasion films.

Emile Hirsch and Max Minghella do a admirable job as the protagonists of the film, but their dialogue would have felt more at home in a sitcom. They bounce back and forth between making situational jokes and actually trying to figure out how to survive. The remainder of the cast does equally well with what they’re given, but have far less to work with than the main characters. Most are clearly there to push the battle forward and become cannon fodder for the aliens.

The film also suffers from a lack of story consistency in its established rules, and uses very basic science to explain complicated things. They learn early on that the aliens can see electricity because they’re made of energy, and by complete happenstance they also discover that glass acts like an insulator and makes them invisible to alien sight. Later in the film, aliens attack after seeing three of the characters through glass windows, but only a few minutes later one character hides behind a glass table and is invisible. The film is riddled with these holes, but never seem to be enough to stop the plot.

The visuals for the aliens are one of the highlights of this film. Early on they can only be seen as flickers and waves, but they produce an interesting spectacle of lights when they vaporize humans into dust. Their lack of form adds to the suspense, but halfway through this effect is ruined when humans learn their weaknesses, and the aliens gain physical form. Despite being physically inconsistent, the aliens are well crafted and have a unique look to them. These invaders are the highlight of the film and the reason to keep watching.

The 3D effect is adequate, but adds nothing to the film and is generally tacked on, which is unfortunate considering most theaters are only showing it in 3D. No moment ever feels too flat, but nothing stands out as memorable. Even the fast moving aliens fail to add excitement to the 3D experience.

With its unique ideas and decent cast, "The Darkest Hour" had potential to be a different type of invasion film, but a lackluster script and little consistency drag it down. It has some new ideas but everything else is simply average.

2.5 "dusted humans" out of 5

Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron

"Paul" Review by Chris

Let’s get this out of the way early. "Paul" has its flaws as a movie. There are countless unnecessary vulgarities that get old quick, many of the cameos feel tacked on and the story is predictable. But none of these problems bring this entertaining journey to a grinding halt, and it's a trip that should be taken, but maybe not by all crowds.

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost join together once again to play a sci-fi artist and a writer who are doing a tour of American alien landmarks. Along the way they meet Paul, an alien on the run who's voiced by Seth Rogen. From that point on it's a classic road trip movie. The cast is rounded out with several well-known faces like Jason Bateman. Each character starts out stereotypical, but they become relatable by the end of the movie.

This is Seth Rogen's best film. He utilizes his typical weed smoking, rude humored persona, but adds heart and depth to Paul that wasn’t in his previous roles. Throughout the film, Paul helps the other characters grow, and there are many surprises along the way. Director Greg Mottola also finds different ways to use Simon Pegg and Nick Frost than Edgar Wright, who directed the pair in "Hot Fuzz."

The quality of the film work isn't anything to brag about, but it does its job. What really impresses from a visual standpoint is our CG hero, Paul himself. He's highly detailed: Right down to the veins under his skin and the moister in his eyes. Every time he goes invisible or revives the dead, it's gorgeous. Rogen’s voice work becomes an integral part of Paul through seamless animation.

As I mentioned previously, this film might not be enjoyable for all. Half of the humor is crude, and more often than not, involves drugs, sex, alcohol and vulgarities. There are lots of references to drugs, sex and alcohol. With some violence mixed in with the vulgarities, this movie definitely earns it's R rating. And finally, two important warnings, first, some of the humor is meant to be understood only by my fellow nerds, and second, this movie brutally attacks people who deny evolution, so if you think we descended from heaven and not from the Great Apes, give this movie a skip. "Paul" is going to offend some, but for most it will have you laughing your way to another galaxy.

I give it Four "Mother ships" out of Five

Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron

"Battle: Los Angeles" Review by Chris

We’re screwed. If alien invasion movies teach us anything, it's this: if the government doesn't have a secret facility or the aliens don’t have a fatal aversion to water or country music, then we're going to go through hell before we get our planet back. Were the unthinkable to occur, would "Battle: Los Angeles" provide a different plan that might save our lives?

Aaron Eckhart plays Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz, a 20-year career soldier finishing up before retirement. Commanding a cookie cutter group of soldiers to evacuate civilians from what appears to be a meteor shower, Nantz is forced to fight the unknown when it becomes clear this is an unnatural disaster. Smashing into the West Coast, these aliens don't waste time giving warnings or hovering over our government buildings. They invade our biggest cities, and take down most of the west coast in a matter of hours. But this movie isn't about winning a war, it's about finding small victories. Nantz's only goal is to get as many survivors out as possible, but he and his group go above and beyond the call of duty, not only saving lives but finding enemy weak points to help tilt the battle in their favor.

Though the movie takes time to set up each character, it fails to connect with the audience early on, and often it's hard to tell who gets shot or killed. It's not until the numbers have thinned and their personalities develop that you start to feel involved in their lives. Epic visuals and military realism make this war devastatingly scary. Within minutes the city is burning and hope seems lost, making the comparatively small scale of Nantz’s quest that much grander. Aaron Eckhart does an excellent job as an inspiring leader, and if humanity’s forces have soldiers like him around, it bodes well for our side.

"Battle: L.A." gives a less fanciful perspective on the alien invasion, and while it takes time to get you situated into its universe, once there, you're cringing at every explosion and cheering at every conquest. It's a great movie for alien and military movie fans.

I Give it four flying saucers out of five.

Writen by Chris
Edited by Aaron