Movie Review: ***Cocoon: The Return (1988)

The original Cocoon movie was new and fresh, while this movie seems like a rerun of the original.  Not very fresh nor novel, but just replayed.  Most of the original characters are here again.  the Maritime Institute actually finds one of the cocoons.  Fortunately Sara (Courteney Cox) is sympathetic, and they are able to steal the alien back,  after the cocoon had been opened.  Actors playing the older people home for visit include Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn and Gwen Verdon.  The four old guys playing basketball against a young crowd was a bit of a stretch.  Jack Gilford plays the friend they left behind, and Elaine Stritch his new girlfriend of sorts; however he has difficulty leaving his wife'e memory out of things.  Kitty (Tahnee Welch) the beautiful alien and Jack (Steve Guttenberg) rekindle their love relationship.  In the end, only one couple, the pregnant couple, decide to return.  they need the benefit of no health issues to assure the baby will be OK.  All the others decide to stay.
 

Movie Review: ****^ The Birds (1963)

The Birds is classic Alfred Hitchcock.  The story has some holes.  I never really understand why the birds go haywire.  The fact is they do, in Bodega Bay, and has something to do with the love birds purchased by Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) a San Francisco socialite who has bought the birds to impress Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) and for his sister's (Veronica Cartwright) birthday.  She ends up staying for dinner, and rooming with the school teacher, Annie (Suzanne Pleshette).  She also had a thing for Mitch, but was chased off by his mother.  It is probable mother (Jessica Tandy) will also chase of Melanie.
The birds slowly begin attacking the community.  The most eerie scene is at the school.  Melanie is there to pick up Mitch's sister, as the birds have killed a man, and mother is worried about her.  She is waiting for a good time to get her, while smoking a cigarette.  Slowly the crows begin to gather on the playground equipment.  We first see one crow, then two more, then five more, until the playground equipment is covered with birds.  Another bird flies to meet them, and Melanie follows the bird, until she realizes they have problems. As the students try to escape, the birds attack.  One child is injured, but they all are scared.  Next we see Melanie who has taken refuge in the local diner.  They talk about the birds, with many skeptics, and some doomsayers, while the birds gather again.  This attack is more violent, and result in a fire. 
The family holes up at the house, but not to good effect.  This is an eerie show, and leaves you understanding that we are at the mercy of the birds.