Aliens (1986)

 

The planet from Alien (1979) has been colonized, but contact is lost so a rescue team with impressive firepower is sent to investigate.

Sensible sequel to a sci-fi classic and upping the ante on suspense and action, although there are some silly moments (alien mother riding the elevator).

On re-watching: A step down from the original, more focused on action, but it certainly delivers the goods.

Halliwell*: "Frightening but mechanical sequel with none of the half-assed poetry of the original."

Maltin***1/2: "Intense, exciting sequel directed by Cameron the same way he did THE TERMINATOR - once it gets going there's just no letup! Weaver is sensational in compelling leading role."

 

The Circle (2017)

A woman lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, only to uncover an agenda that will affect the lives of all of humanity.

Nicely made, well-intentioned, but quite sketchy satire only hastily takes aim at its topic and has hardly any punch; even the star cast is not much challenged.

Nightcrawler (2014)

When a con man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.

The story has been told before (Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole comes to mind), but Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of a soulless reporter adds a whole dimension of frightening demonical possession.

Apollo 13 (1995)

NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.

Top-notch production (and special effects) and cast guarantee for an entertaining, but not quite original or surprising space adventure.

Halliwell**: "A gripping documentary-style recreation of an averted tragedy, excellently done but one that is an uncritical celebration of the American way and which makes no attempt to put the mission into a wider historical context; it settles for simple patriotism."

Maltin***1/2: "Exhilarating story...A rare instance where special effects actually serve the story and help make it completely credible; perfect 1970s period detail is another asset."

Trespass (1992)

Two Arkansas firemen get hold of a map that leads to a cache of stolen gold in an abandoned factory in East St. Louis.

Despite the evident expertise in the production the plot is messy and the action and violence hardly exciting.

Halliwell**: "Tense and violent thriller, like a modernized, interior, technological version of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre."

Maltin***: "Fast, furious, culturally disreputable entertainment filmed in potent cat-and-mouse style by director Hill - his most entertaining movie in years."

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

A military officer is brought into an alien war against an extraterrestrial enemy who can reset the day and know the future.

The story is not new, there are hardly any surprises otherwise, and the militaristic stance is unappealing; but the result is a professionally made, exciting and entertaining action movie.

Maltin***: "Intriguing premise is punched across in this kinetically entertaining science fiction yarn, sharply directed by Liman."

The Colony (2013)

Forced underground by the next ice age, a struggling outpost of survivors must fight to preserve humanity against a threat even more savage than nature.

OK doomsday drama with some nice ice-age settings, but otherwise this is quite routine fare.