UNIDENTIFIED (2013)

Admittedly, I would watch anything Parry Shen is in; he's one of the most likable, watchable, natural actors working today, and has been since Better Off Tomorrow.  That said, I still don't get the negative reviews I've read for Unidentified.  True, the film doesn't always seem sure of what genre it wants to be; about four friends who go to Vegas for a shady poker game, then end up on the run from a loan shark before ending up stranded in the Nevada desert with extraterrestrials, this part comedy, part science fiction, part horror, part buddy film is helped greatly by Shen and the always-excellent Eddie Mui, who - along with Colton Dunn and Eric Artell - help the film's slower first third give way to a healthy dose of suspense and creepiness until The End.  Go in with the right frame of mind - that this isn't Gandhi, but a low-budget buddy/road trip comedy/alien invasion horror film with good special effects and better-than-average acting, designed to entertain - and there's no reason not to enjoy the ride. (not rated)  ***1/2

UNIDENTIFIED trailer