May 17, 2015 I wouldn't say it's bad quality. It's probably better than the DVD rip. Spoiler We all watch the movie some time during the week separately, and then post about it to discuss. The sooner you watch, the better.
May 17, 2015 I don't think anybody has a preference. Just make a note of what version it was when you post your thoughts.
May 17, 2015 i really want to watch it rn but im tired and i know il fall asleep half way through so ima wait til tomorrow
May 18, 2015 Should sticky this thread to the top instead of the sign ups thread. I'll get around to watching it in the next couple days.
May 19, 2015 Just finished watching the original cut. I plan to see the director's cut later this week, but here is my initial reaction. First off, the environment. Upon waking from a cryogenic sleep, everything is clean and bright. The interior is reminiscent of 2001 A Space Odyssey. The purity of that introductory shot is symbolic, accidentally or not, of the crew being intact and everything going smoothly. Once the alien is on board, we are introduced to the steamy inner workings and pitch black air ducts. This setting also works to hide the flaws in the practical effects. By the end, Ripley is a lone survivor frantically navigating a flood lit, epileptic nightmare. Though the film takes place aboard a spacecraft in the future, it's really a horror film. It's kind of a bait and switch once the alien is introduced. The execution harkens back to the Hitchcock quote about anticipation being in the absence of the threat. As soon as it claims its first victim and vanishes, a tension is introduced. Every scene thereafter is riddled with anxiety. The score is wonderful in respect to the nervous atmosphere. So subtle, yet so powerful. The dead silence when she comes to the realization that she (and her cat) are the only survivors, is a heavy moment. Great use of negative space. The longer takes and drawn out edits during the conversational moments perfectly contrast the panicked quit cuts when they encounter the alien. The handicam work when Ripley is running from Ash after discovering the prime objective is stunning. The spastic movements compliment her realization and haste. Every facet of movie making is put in service of the tone. I'll get more in depth after I watch the director's cut.
May 19, 2015 I'll watch it tomorrow. Dont think i can write better than CharlieWork but I'll do my best
May 19, 2015 @CharlieWork how will this go? is there specific day of the week? i can feature some of these when we have slow week like this week
May 19, 2015 I was planning on bumping this midweek or something to remind people. Everybody should have watched it by Sunday so we can discuss it then while I post the next week's selection. I'm open for suggestions on how to manage it. A feature would be nice.
May 20, 2015 alien is genius because it's a boilerplate haunted house movie that takes place in space.
May 20, 2015 Okay so i just got done watching the Directors Cut of the film and this brought back some memories. I remember the first time i watched this film i was pretty young maybe 6 or 7 and i didn't have any clue what the movie was about or the plot or really anything i just new it was a movie in space with aliens and people died,i remember the first time the Xenomorph (alien) came on screen and just thinking,wow that is one menacing looking b------.I think it was a very interesting take on an alien instead of having them look like what you expect aliens to look like they look evil and actually scary for once. I thought the environment was interesting and original,and the set was built very well,i thought the characters were all very likable and the writing in the movie was great.The dialogue between the characters was really good and the people felt real,you cared about them and didn't want them to die which is something that i don't like in modern horror movies,you go into the movies wanting the characters to die.The characters felt like real people and your actually rooting for them to win against the movie. I thought the tone in the movie was very eerie and dark and fit perfectly for the film,i imagine someone who watches this film with an open mind and knows nothing about this and just sits down and watches it might find maybe the first 25-30 minutes boring but even the parts of the movie that are slower then others still have this eerie atmosphere and you know whats coming up and your waiting for the alien to come on screen and cause chaos. I thought the acting was good in the movie especially for when the movie was made seeing as how i feel a lot movies around that time period has sort of cheesy acting as makes movies less enjoyable to watch however this was an exception as i feel the characters actions resemble that of what would happen in a real life situation if that were to occur. Overall i think this movie was great and would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.
May 20, 2015 nope. i'm being reductive, obviously--but the plot points are as classic haunted house as you can get. doesn't make the movie any less great. pretending everything is hyper-original is dishonest.
