Movies
[Review] ‘Alien: Covenant’ is an Intensely Crafted Nightmare
Fox has had a strong sense of confidence with Alien: Covenant that made it hard not to at least get a little bit excited for the film, even after the giant misstep that was Prometheus. I watched every trailer, each of the two prequels and read up on what I needed to know for the film and despite all that I tempered my expectations. I’m relieved to say that, while not without its flaws, Alien: Covenant is nothing short of the film we wanted, and I’m even more excited for the series’ future after watching it.
The film picks up a decade after the ship Prometheus mysteriously disappears with all of its crew. The ship the film is named after, Covenant, is on its way with a small crew of its own and a massive cargo of colonists and human embryos to a planet that may or may not be humanity’s new home. They’re well into their voyage when they pick up a rogue human transmission from another life sustaining planet they hadn’t known of previously, and things kick off from there.
Right out of the gate, the film is visually stunning. Ridley Scott’s mastery of color grading and framing is presented at full force from start to finish. Much like the original Alien film, the future Scott imagines is advanced but also refined in a way that makes it feel more than plausible, and even at points possible. Despite the advanced tech required to move people across galaxies, a lot of it still requires human (or synthetic) maintenance and from the very beginning, you’re left completely aware that anything could go wrong at any moment.
The Covenant’s crew is rounded out with some great talent including Michael Fassbender’s Walter, Katherine Waterson’s Daniels and Billy Crudup’s eerily fanatical Christoper Oram. The real star of the show though is Danny McBride as the ship’s pilot and maintenance leader, Tennessee. At first, he plays his usual loveably dumb and kind of annoying role, but Scott smartly writes Tennessee in a way that totally subverts what you’d expect for him, and McBride handles it flawlessly. Waterson brings a surprising mix of leadership, strength, and humanity to her role as the film’s protagonist that I honestly wasn’t expecting. She’s smart and resourceful when she has to be, but she isn’t ever reckless, and the decisions she makes thought the film (except for one towards the end that totally goes against her character) are entirely sensible.
As for the horror aspects, there’s almost more than enough tension and gore here to satisfy fans of the franchise who felt let down by Scott’s previous entry. Both the Xenomorphs and Neomorphs in the film are downright disturbing, and the CGI is minimal in relation to both. The practical effects are downright disgusting, and watching people get torn apart is just as juicy as we all hoped it would be.
As far as whether or not the crew’s enemies lean more towards Alien or Aliens goes, I’d say it’s a healthy mix that will satisfy fans of both films. There’s a clear difference in intelligence and ferociousness between the Xenomorphs and Neomorphs that I was happy to see. Michael Fassbender also brings some much-appreciated humor into the film that breaks up the tension at just the right moments.
Covenant‘s only true misstep is due to the fact that Scott is far too resistant to leave the more fantastic elements introduced in Prometheus in the past. David has an obsession with the meanings of classical music and humanity, and frankly, that stuff is so cringe-worthy to me that I think the film could have easily done without it and would be noticeably better for it. It’s an added layer that, at this point in the franchise’s greater story, serves no purpose and I think it’ll be tough to keep including it in meaningful ways going forward.
If the only question you want to be answered by this review is whether or not Alien: Covenant is better than Prometheus, then that answer is a resounding “Yes.” If you were hoping that it would totally leave the ideas introduced in Prometheus behind, you might be a little disappointed with certain parts, but as a whole, I think you’ll probably enjoy it. The story is self-contained for the most part, but it does open up some plot threads for a sequel. With that said, Covenant is the shot in the arm that the franchise’s future needed it to be.
Movies
‘The End of Oak Street’ and All-Night ‘Wishmaster’ Wish-a-Thon Invade Popcorn Frights 2026 Second Wave
The 12th annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival returns August 6-16 for 11 days of horror fun in South Florida, and second wave programming announcements suggest it’s going to be even bigger and bloodier this year.
Highlights in this wave include a special screening of The End of Oak Street. Popcorn Frights will immerse audiences in the world of Oak Street with a tricked-out screening, themed games, special photo opportunities, and an open invitation to wear your best bitchin’ ’80s attire for an unforgettable night at the movies.
The fest is also conjuring magic and granting wishes with a special screening of Wishmaster, with FX artist Robert Kurtzman and star Andrew Divoff in attendance.
After this screening, the ultimate overnight horror endurance event hosted by the Wishmaster begins. “Audiences will descend into an all-night cinematic marathon featuring a secret lineup of genre oddities, forgotten gems, and delirious cult favorites, all united by one sinister theme: wishes gone horribly wrong. The only guarantee? You’ll be sitting in a movie theater… and you won’t be sleeping. Even better, the event benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with all ticket proceeds helping grant life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses.“
Also in attendance this year is actor William Sadler, joining for special screenings of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and The Shawshank Redemption. Felissa Rose returns for a live commentary of Sleepaway Camp and the premiere of The Barn Part III.
That’s only the start of wave two programming, but the fest isn’t done yet; expect a third wave soon.
Read on for the packed second wave of Popcorn Frights 2026 programming:
IN-THEATER FEATURE FILM LINEUP
The Barn Part III
Florida Premiere
United States | 2026 | 97 Min. | Dir. Justin M. Seaman
Years after the events of “The Barn Part II”, the group still fears that the three evil ones will return to finish the harvest once and for all.
Breeder
Florida Premiere
United States | 2026 | 97 Min. | Dir. Alex Goyette
An eccentric poodle breeder lures a broke college student to her remote ranch with a promise of research funding. But, as he soon learns, there’s a catch.
Drag
Southeast US Premiere
United States | 2026 | 86 Min. | Dirs. Raviv Ullman, Greg Yagolnitzer
Two burglars face disaster during a simple home heist when one suffers a back injury. As the clock ticks and pain sets in, their escape becomes increasingly chaotic before the owner’s return.
The End of Oak Street
Special Presentation
United States | 2026 | 100 Min. | Dir. David Robert Mitchell
The Platt family bands together to navigate their new surroundings after a cosmic event transports their suburban neighborhood to someplace unknown.
Hen
North American Premiere
South Africa | 2025 | 108 Min. | Dir. Nico Scheepers
After a brutal massacre, a childless couple discover a feral boy locked inside a wooden chest on an isolated farm. They take the child in, only to discover that the boy carries an inexplicable affliction: an unseen force that drives those who love him toward madness and despair.
Never After Dark
Florida Premiere
Japan | 2026 | 105 Min. | Dir. Dave Boyle
A traveling psychic who helps lost souls cross over encounters a powerful entity at a remote house. While investigating its origins, she uncovers dark secrets and faces a deadly threat from an unexpected source.
Unholy Night
US Premiere
Canada | 2026 | 91 Min. | Dir. Michael Gabriele
A family’s Christmas Eve dinner becomes a nightmare as Gino must protect his loved ones from his reanimated grandmother who crashes the celebration with murderous intent.
VIRTUAL FEATURE FILM LINEUP
Big City Pizza
Florida Premiere
United States | 2026 | 80 Min. | Dir. Dusty Saunders
As tension rises in the big city for the Omni Ball Championship, Boney, a skeleton pizza delivery man starts his shift.
Break a Leg
Southeast US Premiere
Australia | 2026 | 89 Min. | Dir. Kaitlyn Boyé
An aspiring actor arrives at the audition of his career–only to find himself locked in the theatre alongside fellow auditionee and disgraced former child actress.
Cat Cam
Southeast US Premiere
United States | 2026 | 95 Min. | Dir. Sara Werner
When two cat owners decide to put up pet cameras in their new home while they’re away on a trip, they soon make a terrifying discovery as to why their cat has been acting so strange.
The Daughters of the Domino
Southeast US Premiere
United States | 2026 | 98 Min. | Dir. Jesse McAnally
A modern noir about a mother who must reunite with her estranged detective sister to find her missing teenage daughter.
Demonetize
East Coast Premiere
United States | 2026 | 96 Min. | Dir. Alexander Watson
Out-of-work television ghost hunters discover the key to getting their jobs back–and proving ghosts are real–is by working with the last group of people anyone would expect: Social Media Stars.
The Fright Stuff
Florida Premiere
United States | 2026 | 72 Min. | Dir. Mike Meyer
A deep dive into the life and times of the haunted attraction industry in the United States–the history, the people, the lasting imprint it’s had on the culture.
Hollow Girls
World Premiere
United States | 2026 | 87 Min. | Dirs. Greg Swinson & Ryan Thiessen
Six teenage girls are lured by a classmate into a deadly trap, unraveling a shocking true-crime nightmare of jealousy, kidnapping, torture, and murder.
Lenore
East Coast Premiere
Australia | 2026 | 88 Min. | Dir. David Ward
When a controversial influencer suddenly disappears, a terminally online sycophant goes hunting for answers, but comes face-to-face with the monstrosity of his own sins.
Life at Sandy’s
East Coast Premiere
United States-Norway | 2026 | 75 Min. | Dir. Aleksandra Hansen
A lonely American stuck in a small Norwegian town is lured in by the characters of a friendly sitcom with increasingly sinister intentions.
Narcisa’s Will
Florida Premiere
Brazil | 2025 | 85 Min. | Dirs. Daniel Dias & Clarissa Appelt
A woman returns to her childhood mansion after her famous mother’s death to sell it and split proceeds with her brother. While clearing the property, she uncovers unexpected family secrets.
Savage Prey
World Premiere
United Kingdom | 2026 | 90 Min. | Dir. David Ryan Keith
A year after her son vanishes without a trace in the remote Scottish Highlands, a grieving mother returns to the wilderness that stole him, refusing to let the mystery die.
The Vanishing Tour
East Coast Premiere
United States | 2026 | 91 Min. | Dir. Patrick Meaney
When a struggling band is carjacked and stranded in the desert, they seek shelter at a mysterious compound that houses a dangerous and otherworldly secret.
IN-THEATER RETRO LINEUP
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey
35th Anniversary, 4K Restoration
United States | 1991 | 93 Min. | Dir. Peter Hewitt
A tyrant from the future creates evil android doubles of Bill and Ted and sends them back to eliminate the originals.
From Dusk Til Dawn
30th Anniversary Presentation
United States | 1996 | 108 Min. | Dir. Robert Rodriguez
*Presented with the original short film From Dusk Till Dawn
Two criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in a truck stop populated by vampires, with chaotic results.
The Shawshank Redemption
Special Event, 4K Restoration
United States | 1994 | 142 Min. | Dir. Frank Darabont
After a banker is sentenced to life in Shawshank Prison, he forms an unlikely friendship with a seasoned inmate and clings to hope amid cruelty and corruption.
Sleepaway Camp
Special Live Commentary Event
United States | 1983 | 84 Min. | Dir. Robert Hiltzik
Bunks and showers are a mad stabber’s beat at a summer camp strictly for teens.
Wishmaster
Special Event
United States | 1997 | 90 Min. | Dir. Robert Kurtzman
A demonic djinn attempts to grant its owner three wishes, which will allow him to summon his brethren to Earth.
Individual tickets and All-Access Badges for the in-theater experience—hosted at Savor Cinema Fort Lauderdale and Classic Gateway Theater—are now available. Virtual All-Access Passes can also be purchased for streaming access to the full digital lineup. To order an In-Theater All-Access VIP Badge, click here, to order a Virtual All-Access Pass, click here.
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