The Thing (2011)

An alien doppelganger is discovered in Antarctica and unless a small team of scientists can keep it quarantined it may spell the end of the human race! I thought this was going to be a reboot of John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) but its not, its a prequel that fits very nicely on top of the 82 version (making it a natural double header). If this will be your first exposure to The Thing then I would say you are in for quite the critter FX experience. There are of course gaffs but I like to chalk that up to the nature of the beast (movies), as well as time constraints. The standard issue flame throwers will have to be overlooked as well..lol.. and you have some cliche's where this group of supposedly intelligent people can't seem to agree on what is obvious to us regular viewing folks. But this is failing you will find in nearly all movies of this type, on the up side the players work well and the tempo stays brisk. I enjoyed it and although I was less than thrilled with it as a reboot, I am more than satisfied with it as a 'part one'. For old school sci-fi/monster movie fans this will take you back to those Saturday afternoon creature feature marathons.

The Guard (2011)

An Irish country cop has a new partner, F.B.I. agents, and an international drug smuggling ring dropped into his tea and screws up an otherwise lovely morning. This is comedy the way I like it, dry and rapid fire. Sort of a Beverly Hills Cop in reverse where the straight man is the transplant and the rest of the world is wacky. Everything comes in just the right portions of comedy, drama, action and warm fuzzy tacked on the end. The language is Irish and what else would it be ya fucking cunt! If that doesn't throw you off then this may be a good choice for those looking for something light but not without intelligence. Definitely a feel good film. Highly recommended.