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Late to the Party: Alien (1979)

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This ‘Late to the Party’ is a review of one of the most memorable films of all time,1979’s Alien.  I must say, I’ve never truly been a fan of space based horror films or really any sci-fy to begin with.  Aside from Star Wars not much else interests me when it comes to that genre.  However, with the revival of ‘Late to the Party’ I’ve been able to dive into a series that I never watched before.  I know, I know, Alien is one of those groundbreaking films that almost every horror enthusiast has seen… but me.  Alien has been quoted so many times and  has been referenced multiple times in pop culture making me feel that I have already seen it.  It’s common knowledge that the main character’s name is Ripley and she was played by Sigourney Weaver.  I could tell you that in one of the films Weaver shaves her head to battle the beasts.  I could tell you what the alien looked like and I know about the scene when the creature emerges from one of the crew’s chest, but aside from that I really didn’t have a clue what the rest of the film was about.

Image result for alien film series pics

The first two things that struck me as peculiar was Mother and the crew’s initial mission.  The crew is a commercial mining outfit tasked with carrying minerals back to Earth.  I couldn’t help but find it striking that after humans used up all the fossil fuels on Earth, it would only be fitting that as a planet we would start molesting other worlds for theirs.  What I also found interesting was Mother.  The main brain on the ship that monitors the crew and their actions seemed distant and cold.  It’s ironic this cold and emotionless computer would have such a warm and loving word like “Mother” be the name of the system.  Before long the crew receives a signal.  Due to company policy they must investigate.  It doesn’t take them long before things become a mess.  Landing on the planet the bottom of the ship is badly damaged due to the rocky terrain of the planet.  Two members of the crew decide to stay back and repair the ship while the other three investigate the signal.  The crew learns that the signal had been coming from another spacecraft, so they head in to investigate the spacecraft.  This is where the initial alien is found.  The alien, however, seems to have exploded from the inside.

Image result for alien film series pics

While investigating alien eggs aboard the ship one of the creatures attaches itself to crew member Kane’s face.  The jellyfish/squid looking alien becomes the reason that Ripley does not want the three to reenter the ship, as she claims that quarantine issues prevents it.  This is one of those moments, and there are many, where the crew should have listened to Ripley!  It’s also obvious at this point what is to become.  It’s almost a bad joke.  The crew attempt to remove the alien from Kane’s face but only find that it’s blood is highly acidic and corrosive.  The alien eventually removes itself and dies.  However, it would just be a waste if it did no harm.  So during the final meal before stasis, Kane becomes very ill and the moment we all know and love finally arrives!  The alien bursts through Kane’s chest and runs away!  The crew attempts to locate the alien using many methods, including the use of a flame thrower! Because, why not?

Image result for alien film series pics

If things weren’t ridiculous enough already another member of the crew, Brett, follows the ship’s cat into the engine room.  Why is there a cat aboard you may ask, because, again, why not?  Perhaps it was on board to chase space mice, to cuddle with the crew during stasis, or perhaps as a last minute meal if the crew had problems.  Who the hell knows?  It is in this engine room that a full sized alien attacks Brett.  Man they grow fast!  The crew eventually chases the alien through air ducts, but they soon get tired of the chase and decide to evacuate in a small shuttle.  The problem is the shuttle is too small for four people, so they argue some more and decide to keep hunting for the alien.

It is eventually revealed that the scientist on board, Ash, is a droid with one goal in mind; to return to Earth with the alien while the crew is expendable.  Sounds like a great plan; bring the nasty alien with corrosive blood back to Earth so that it could kill more people.  However, now knowing that Ash is a droid there are only three left to escape in the shuttle!  The other two crew members are killed by the alien while gathering supplies.  Seriously, no big surprise.  Ripley sets the self destruct mode on board the ship, because what ship doesn’t have a self destruct button?  Ripley narrowly escapes the exploding ship only to find that the alien is in the shuttle with her. She blasts the ugly creature into space with a grappling hook but it is still attached to the ship!  She fires the engines that eventually destroy it.  She then proceeds to put herself into stasis with the only other living creature that survived, Jones the cat!

Final Thoughts:

This movie was absolutely absurd!  Perhaps it was that it was made in 1979, but I don’t really think that was the problem.  The main problem is that the first part of the film seems to drag on and on.  When the action finally hits, it comes off as laughable and silly.  This film is a classic, however, deserves a watch even if it’s only to laugh at the silliness of it all.  A good majority of the film is quite predictable, however there are a few subtleties along the way that give intrigue, like the on board scientist being a droid.  I truly hope that the next film, which I’ll review in November, steps up its game and is less silly than the original is right out of the gate.  If you’re a fan of this film, I’d love to hear why, leave a comment and let me know.

It’s Aliens 31st Anniversary

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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