Species (1995)

Scientists make an alien/human hybrid using DNA data transmitted from the deep dark corners of space. You just know that’s going to end well.
Species could have been really amazing. The first half hour is great. The creature design is excellent. The CGI is bad. Natasha Henstridge is surprisingly good. Forest Whitaker is his usual great self. Everyone else is wooden. The pacing is clumsy. The finale is abysmal.  In the end it’s more shit than shine, but has a few moments that will please sci-fi/horror fans.

2½ parent traps out of 5

The Bank Job (2008)

No prizes for guessing what TBJ's about. The Stath heads up a British crime film that appears to have been made in the 70’s but also manages to feel completely modern. With so much taupe and camel tones on display the entire cast could've just stepped off the set of The Sweeney. It’s based on true events about a cover-up involving the British aristocracy and, obviously, a bank job. It's a quality film that slipped under many people's radar.

3½ artful dodgers out of 5