Alien: the director’s cut was on Sky One last night[1] although I couldn’t really tell you what the difference is between that and the theatrical release as I haven’t seen it in a while. And I missed the first half cause I didn’t know it was on.
It is still a good film, still makes you jump, but aren’t those special effects really noticeable. And the cutting between fake robot Ash and real actor Ash were very obvious.
Although, that didn’t really detract from the film[2] Not the way the ropey cgi in Narnia did. Possibly because the effects were very much secondary[3] to the story. Even the alien didn’t look all that great, and in comparison to a lot of films today, the ending wasn’t very climactic was it?
There are posters up all over town with pictures of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, and underneath a sentence reads “murdered by British Imperialists”. Makes me want to print off a picture of Michael Collins with the line murdered by betrayers of the Irish Republic[4]
Course he wasn’t, he was killed in military action. And the leaders of the 1916 Rising weren’t murdered either. They were executed for a failed uprising against the government of the time. Semantics?
Work is busy busy busy. Loads of students around, and quite a few of the lecturers are cleaning out their offices before summer and bringing down donations[5] for the library. I’ve two rather large piles of books to be added to the catalogue. But because it is exam time the students who work in the library are on reduced hours, understandably, and so I don’t have that much time away from the desk.
I’m probably way behind on my paperwork too[6]
Aliens is still one of the best sci-fi movies out there. Great tension in the story. Its been a long time since I've seen Alien. I know I liked it but would probably feel the same way you do about how its stood the test of time.
I found that the chestburster scene was still VERY powerful, even though you know what's going to happen. And even though when the thing skitters along the table and escapes, I couldn't stop thinking of the bit in Spaceballs: "hello, my honey, hello my darling, hello my ragtime gal". Hee.
I tuned in just after the chestbuster scene, but it is a great scene. And you're right Carl, is is one of the best sci-fi films.
That film that doesn't exist was on ITV last night. The one with the talking and the boring and The Architect.
Yeah I know. ITV showed all the films one after another; even the two that were never made.
I love your footnotes. Have you ever seen John Carpenter's The Thing? I love that movie even more than Alien, but then, Kurt Russell looks like my brother. Now, that's a random thought, isn't it?
I need to meet Kelly's brother.
Can we have more on that cryptic exchange between you and NineMoons?
Yeah, Alien was the first horror film I ever watched, I was 11. Marked me for life, I love those now.
And regarding your 6th footnote, what about "Oooooh, I have nothing to wear…!"?
Well, I can do random too, I guess.
K, it's like this Anne:
Went to see first Matrix film and was totally blown away. Even paid good money to see it in cinema three times when I was a broke student. My Beloved bought it for me on video (heh. Video) for the first Christmas present he gave me.
Then I saw the sequels. So dreadful that Fence and I decided that they simply didn't exist. Because if they did exist, then their existence would prejudice my love for the first one.
Capisce? :-)
Kelly I think I've seen the Thing. I'm pretty sure it was on one of those "season of horror" that the tv shows occasionally. Along with stuff like The Blob. And I think I saw it, but have no memory of it, so I suppose you could say I haven't seen it.
Anne NM explainified all. The Matrix sequels were. never. made. And yes, that is a good complaint.
But I really DO have nothing to wear…
Oooh, right. Yeah, I see your point. In fact, I never even saw the two sequels, that's how unmade they are.
Anne, my brother's married to a gorgeous woman (I'm so sorry) but I'll do you one better. Our friend Doug's family is good friends with Kurt's family, up in Nantucket. In fact, Kurt and Doug used to go sailing together or some such. Would you like me to finagle an invitation?
And when I say that, of course I'd like somebody to finagle ME an invitation, too.
Oh, extra credit to Kelly for use of the word finagle. Nice!
I love that song *points to the title*. Especially as done by The Candice Night and her Blackmore husband…
Fence, I LOVE that you're more impressed by my use of the word finagle than you are by my roundabout (trust me, non-)connection with Kurt Russell. What a woman.
Its a pretty good song alright Max.
Well, iffin it had been someone yummy we may have been more impressed. Although it'd take a lot to beat finagle.
Politics always "re-interprets" events…it would be interesting to know whose version of events (any event) is really the actual version.
But is there really any one actual truth Sally? Everyone who witnessed or participated in an event will have their own account, and everying can re-interpret that any way they want.
MY version is the real version. Duh.