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We’re making our way through August, and we got another big blockbuster franchise in theaters, but a few different streaming options this week. Below is my take on the new movies. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Alien: Romulus (Theaters)
Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced
Synopsis: It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott gave us a vision of terror in space with Alien. In that time, we’ve seen the titular alien, and its friends, appear in more than a half dozen films. Now, they are back again in a new franchise addition from Fede Alvarez that takes audiences back to the beginning. The film both literally touches on the original and brings back that sense of dread, suspense, and horror that made Scott’s first film so iconic. It’s a wonderful return to the world and one of the better offerings in the franchise. In the new film, we begin with a Weyland craft scooping up the remains of the Alien from the wreck of the Nostromo. Flash forward a bit and we’re transported to a grim mining colony. Life is tough there and the planet is so polluted it offers zero days of sunshine. It makes sense then, with her parents gone, that Rain (Spaeny) is trying to leave. Rain doesn’t have much, but it seems the company has moved the target for getting off the planet and she may be stuck a bit longer. Her only companion is her brother, Andy (Jonsson), a synthetic rescued by her parents and programmed to be her ally. Soon, she gets a request from a friend for a meeting. It turns out some of her friends (Archie Reneaux, Aileen Wu, Merced, and Spike Fearn) may have found a way out. They have a ship and they’ve detected cryo pods on an abandoned ship floating above. They just need Rain—or more specifically Andy—to help get the pods and make the journey. Together they set out but what they find is actually a derelict, and damaged, station named Romulus. In addition to cryo pods, the station holds darker secrets that threaten their simple plan. This film has a solid story and builds up a tight crew of characters. That all resonates with the original and adds a strong layer to the film. Alvarez, in addition to directing, worked on the script with Rodo Sayagues and has a feel for what he wants to say with this world. It is a direct sequel to the original and draws on that story, those characters, and that aesthetic to build out the world. Spaeny, who earlier this year starred in another strong film Civil War, offers a quiet determination and strength that works well in the lead here. Jonsson is also quite good. His character goes through a few changes, which allows Jonsson to showcase some good range and ability. Rain and Andy are not only the focal characters but for the heart of this story. But what sells it is the tense look and feel. This ranges more toward the somber horror of the original and it works well. Alvarez has some wonderful visuals in the film, too, but it’s the moody tension and the savage action that works best. I am a fan of the original Alien more than most of its sequels. Seeing this film return to that style and deliver a compelling story made for an exciting late summer addition to the cinematic landscape.
Rating: Rated R for bloody violent content and language.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Daughters (Netflix)
Synopsis: This documentary on Netflix dives into a unique set of daddy-daughter relationships. The epidemic of incarceration—especially in some communities—leaves a lot of brokenness. In particular are the children who are left without one of their custodial parents. In this film, which comes from Angela Patton and Natalie Rea, we follow a quartet of girls who are growing up with a father in prison. We meet the girls and their fathers and explore their relationship and struggles leading up to a unique daddy-daughter dance being held in the prison as part of a unique fatherhood program. The film is a fascinating look at the system and its wide-ranging impacts that come long after justice has been handed down. It’s at time uplifting and at times emotional, but it delivers a subject that is worth exploring.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Jackpot! (Prime Video)
Starring: John Cena, Awkwafina, and Simu Liu
Synopsis: This film, which comes from director Paul Feig, is something of a comedic take on an idea like The Purge. I know what you’re thinking, how does that work. Honestly, it doesn’t. In the film, California is desperate for money in the near future. So, they introduce a new lottery program where the winner gets a huge jackpot—if they can survive the day. But, if someone can manage to kill them, they get the jackpot. The one twist—no one can use a gun. Katie (Awkwafina), an actress, recently moved back to California after her mother’s death. She’s blissfully unaware of the new lottery program—until she wins. As she’s being hunted, an up-and-coming protection agent named Noel (Cena) offers his services. But can Katie trust Noel, and better yet can he keep her alive all day? There’s some potential in the premise and I like the cast. However, this doesn’t all come together. It’s more plodding than expected, and the humor doesn’t always land. At an hour and 45 minutes, this feels a little long. It might have worked better as a short. The cast is talented but ultimately this is just OK.
Rating: Rated R for pervasive language, violence, and sexual references.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

The Union (Netflix)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, J.K. Simmons, Jackie Earle Haley, and Mike Colter
Synopsis: The next film from Netflix is a big-budget action film with an impressive cast. It centers on Mike (Wahlberg), an everyman working a simple job and living in New Jersey. Soon, he’s recruited by a former flame, Roxanne (Berry), to join a special spy group working under-the-radar. They take on a crucial mission that leads Roxanne to cross paths with her ex-husband (Colter), a former agent who might not be what he appears. This film seems promising based on the cast and the premise. But the characters and the story fall somewhat flat. The narrative isn’t as interesting as it could be, and the execution is somewhat lacking. It’s glossy and has all the pieces but it isn’t very engaging, and it feels longer than it is. Despite the talent involved this is something of a misfire.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, suggestive material and some strong language.
Verdict: Two stars out of five