The Host

Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel, Diane Kruger

Directed by Andrew Niccol

Based on the book by Stephanie Meyer

Faithfulness to the book: 9/10

Rating of movie: B

In Stephanie Meyer's sci-fi novel, Earth has been taken over by friendly aliens in the form of a silvery floating orb. These orbs are implanted in the spinal cord and take over human bodies. Earth no longer has wars, crime, or rude people. Sounds like Utopia, right? The humans who have managed to escape being taken over don't think so. Melanie (Ronan) fought tooth and nail not to be taken by the Seekers (humans taken over by aliens who search for those still truly human). Melanie's love for her brother and the group of survivors she hides with is what keeps her mind conscious despite having her body taken over.

Though Melanie can't speak for herself, she mentally fights the alien called "Wanderer" who has taken over her body. Wanderer helps the Seekers give up information on where Melanie's group of friends are hidden, but as Wanderer ends up finding the hidden place herself she learns these people are worth fighting to live for too. Only one Seeker (Kruger) won't give up looking and starts to show a little humanity as she grows desperate by firing a gun.

I think it might be a little generous to give "The Host" a "B" rating when the book, and movie adaptation, were both flat. One thing about Meyer's writing not just in the "Twilight" series but in "The Host" as well is that she has a way of making the worlds feel very realistic (despite vampires and aliens not being real). The group Wanderer sticks with are, for a majority of the film, in a cave. They only resort to violence against the Seekers when confronted and even that doesn't happen often. There is no real conflict, while Wanderer figures out a peaceful solution to their troubles and how to get Melanie back to her own body.

Looking at it from from a non-subjective perspective, it was a well-made movie. It leans more towards romance and is a little more mature (like "Breaking Dawn") than her usual audience is used to. I would recommend that anyone who enjoyed "Twilight" or young adult novels to watch and read "The Host". I have to admit that the movie is pretty faithful to the book which is refreshing since most adaptations are as faithful as keeping character names and setting but changing things around.

Paul

Seth Rogan, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman

Directed by Greg Mottola

Rating: 3 stars

Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost) are two British comic-book nerds trekking across America. They stop along at Comic Con in Los Angeles, California, and are crossing Nevada when a speeding car goes off the road in front of them. As they find, Paul is an alien on the run from an FBI agent (Jason Bateman) who want to "terminate" him. Paul has been in America for a number of years, a captive by the FBI, giving information and treated as a prisoner. Graeme and Clive must help Paul escape the FBI so he can go "home".

Paul was an entertaining movie that appeals mostly to sci-fi fans. There was lots of references to alien movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "Predator", and "ET" with an edition of a cameo from Steven Spielberg. Paul (as in the movie, not the alien) didn't live up to it's hype though. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost make an excellent team and are enjoyable to watch in films (like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) but this film in particular was just average. I think what made it a "three star" movie was the whole Kristen Wiig spiel. Sure, it's cute that a comic-book nerd gets together with an "odd" girl but I think Wiig's lines should have been re-written or cut out entirely. The ending wrapped together nicely and was not a disappointment. Paul is worth watching, don't get me wrong on that. I would recommend Paul to those who like sci-fi comedies or any movies starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Other then that, watch and enjoy!

Battle: Los Angeles

Aaron Eckhart, Ramon Rodriguez, Cory Hardrict, Ne-Yo

Directed by Jonathan Liebsman

Rating: 3 stars

Sgt. Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart) had his share of war time experience and just had his retirement approved only to be put back in the line of duty when the world is under attack by an unknown force. Los Angeles is one of the many cities under attacked by meteors that seem to slow down once they hit the earth's atmosphere. The platoon is being led by 2nd Lt. William Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez) which puts pressure on Nantz since most of the platoon is skeptical of their chance of survival since rumors have spread that the last mission Nantz was on, only he made it out alive. So when the platoon makes it to the police department to save some civilians, they find out that what they are dealing with are literally from out of this world. They must find a way to make it back to their base safely within a set time before a bomb goes off while destroying the aliens after them.

Battle: LA starts off interesting enough, however this movie drags on and on and on. Though it is only a few minutes short of being a two-hour movie, Battle: LA has so much content that it's not overwhelming, it just feels boring. You get tired of the action that keeps going-- or at some moments lack of action, that by the end of the movie you are washed with relief that it is over.

I think this movie deserves three stars because it was worth watching once. I wouldn't want to buy this movie but if you're looking for a good action movie to rent, I would recommend this one. What could have made this movie more successful would be if there was more suspense. Some scenes are suspenseful in the beginning to middle of the movie but then you get tired of it that you don't find yourself holding your breath, waiting to see what happens next. Another weak item in this movie was the aliens. They looked like metal contraptions. You do see the aliens but they are simply shiny, or rather dirty, pieces of metal. At one scene they break apart the alien trying to kill it but you don't see the typical alien accustomed to horror films. In fact, the lighting makes it hard to distinguish what it truly looks like.

Therefore, it is my opinion that Battle: Los Angeles was a film well-made, however, be warned that it is just a film that feels a tad too long.