New in Home Entertainment
August 15, 2017
Alien: Covenant
Rated R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
Original Alien director Ridley Scott brings us this Prometheus sequel/Alien prequel that follows a group of terraformers as they put off their mission in order to investigate an unknown planet. When they get there they discoverer the synthetic human David (again played by Michael Fassbender) alone in what used to be some sort of major civilization. I am very mixed on this film. It has really great potential and a highly intelligent theme. After all, the question of how we came to be and why has defined mankind since their existence on the planet. But there are so many stupid plot devices, just as we saw in Prometheus. Perhaps the sloppiest of these was the catalyst scene which shows the first infection. After all, these folks are on a mission that could not have been deviated by an interesting planet. And also, you wear a helmet not just for the oxygen, but to also keep away potentially dangerous pathogens from an unknown planet. Just because you can breathe doesn’t mean you are free to inhale the natives. And these folks would have known that. These types of flaws take me out of the film when they could easily be thought through and corrected. C+
Chuck
Rated R for language throughout, drug use, sexuality/nudity and some bloody images
Rotten Tomatoes Score 79%
In the seventies, boxer Chuck Wepner had a promising career, a loving wife and kid and and he was even Sylvester Stallone’s inspiration for Rocky. But between stupid life choices, like cheating on his wife and using (and selling) drugs, he managed to throw it all away. Here Lieb Schrieber portrays the could-have-been famous fighter as he unravels his life. The acting is quite good here with a tremendously talented cast including Schreiber’s real-life wife Naomi Watts, Jim Gaffigan and Elisabeth Moss. But the acting isn’t the problem here. Watching a man throw away his life has never been the secret to a successful box office. And while most of the writing is good, the third act throws away the fight as it loses momentum and can’t find a way to safely get from point B to point C without looking wimpy. The story tries to land a feel good punch at the end, but it is a little underwhelming to say the least. B-
How to Be a Latin Lover
Rated PG-13 for crude humor, sexual references and gestures, and for brief nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%
Upon first seeing this trailer I couldn’t believe that this film was actually hitting real theaters and that it was doing so with such a great cast including Salma Hayek, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Rob Cordry, Rob Riggle and Michael Cera. The film, directed by Ken Marino, follows a once-suave Latino man (Eugenio Derbez) who is dumped by his much older and much richer wife. In an attempt to woo another rich senior, he enlists his young nephew who he must teach to be as sexy as he is. While the story is very flawed and entirely stupid, the amazing ensemble of actors put in their best and they look like they are having fun in the process. So while I would have normally hated this film, I found myself chuckling under my breath and surprised at my lack of harsh judgment. C+