Movie Review: Dark Skies

Cast:

Keri Russell: Lacy Barrett

Josh Hamilton: Daniel Barrett

Dakota Goyo: Jesse Barrett

Kadan Rockett: Sam Barrett

Runtime: 1 h 37 min

Rating: PG-13

Plot: As the Barrett family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them.

In My Opinion: This was another movie on my must see list ever since I first saw the trailer. The story starts out with the family of four having strange things happen inside their home while they're sleeping and later their behaviors all begin to change. It takes the parents some time to realize and accept what is happening to them. Although I started watching this already knowing it was about aliens from the trailers, I was on edge wondering when and how the bug-eyed visitors were going to make their first appearance. I felt frustrated for the parents and kept trying to think of ways they could get help or even stop things from happening. The way the aliens invade all of their lives was terrifying in itself. As a big fan of The X-Files series, I was really pleased with almost everything about this movie. The only thing I can honestly say I didn't like was the ending. The new formula in Hollywood seems to be trending toward the shock factor, and in this one I definitely didn't like it (and I already suspected the twist way before it was revealed). I realize not everything happens with a happy ending, but with this one it would've been nice to see an exception to the rule.

It Rating Time

The Story:  4 out of 5 stars: It was awesome but the ending left me frustrated.

The Acting: 5 out of 5 stars: Keri Russell delivers as the star of the show and the rest of the ensamble did well—especially the oldest boy.

The Scare Factor: 5 out of 5 stars: Although it's (thankfully) not your typical horror film and is better described as a thriller, it scared the tar out of me in many places.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom line: If you like thrillers and alien movies, you'll definitely like this one!

~Jen

Movie Review: Mama

Cast:

Jessica Chastain: Annabel

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau: Lucas/Jeffrey

Megan Charpentier: Victoria

Isabelle Nelisse: Lilly

Runtime: 100 mins

Rating: PG-13

Plot: Annabel and Lucas are faced with the challenge of raising his young nieces that were left alone in the forest for 5 years.... but how alone were they?

In My Opinion: I've wanted to see this movie ever since it was in theaters, but until recently when my daughter told me she wanted to start watching scary movies, I didn't have a friend who would go see them with me. We basically know everything about the story from the trailers. The only real mystery is how Mama came to be, which is revealed later on. After two girls are found living alone in the woods (and the way they end up there is so twisted it almost literally made me sick), they bring a creature back with them. There was a lot of potential in this one for being scary and it had a great storyline overall, but I feel like it missed its mark. 'Mama' was way too cartoonish for my taste. I almost laughed at her each time she made an appearance. And the insane ending really killed it for me. What was most notable in this movie was the performances. At first I didn't even recognize Jessica Chastain (from Zero Dark Thirty and The Help), which in my eyes makes her a brilliant actress. But it was little Lilly (played by Isabelle Nelisse) who really stole the show. Her character was so creepy in so many ways, I kept wondering how they could get a little girl to play such a twisted part.

It Rating Time

The Story:  3 out of 5 stars: It was okay, but could have been so much more.

The Acting: 5 out of 5 stars: The ensemble was brilliant and I'd like to see Isabelle again.

The Scare Factor: 3 out of 5 stars: Each time I was scared it was ruined by crappy effects.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Bottom line: It was decent. If you're bored and looking for a new flick, it will keep you entertained.

~Jen