tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post7190463730272135557..comments2023-11-05T02:01:53.847-06:00Comments on Antagony & Ecstasy: BURSTING WITH EXCITEMENTTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491952893581644049noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-51477094991413701222012-06-08T22:50:50.291-05:002012-06-08T22:50:50.291-05:00Good call on all Ridley Scott's entire reputat...Good call on all Ridley Scott's entire reputation being built on this movie and Blade Runner. I had to check it out and, yep, I haven't liked a single movie he's made since. Although I think you either meant "3 decades" or "30 years". I don't think Ridley Scott or cinema are quite 300 years old!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-22541610223074002412012-06-08T18:15:16.968-05:002012-06-08T18:15:16.968-05:00Tim, thanks for this—one of my favorite reviews of...Tim, thanks for this—one of my favorite reviews of yours in recent memory—if nothing else than for reminding me how much I adore Alien, and why. I've always thought or felt something along the lines of your last paragraph, but I've never been able to articulate it. Thanks again.<br /><br />The only thing I would add, insofar as reasons for admiring Alien go, is that the film seems remarkably unpretentious. Especially in regards to all matters extraterrestrial in the film, nothing is ever explained. Next to no interpretation is given on the film's part regarding the big questions one inevitably forms when confronted with the derelict, space jockey, and the xenomorph itself. The motives and rationale—if you could call it that—behind the alien components are left just that: alien. How often does that happen, in any medium? How often does a creator rest content with not explaining things, perhaps understanding that doing so usually ends up explaining them away?<br /><br />I should have come to the conclusion that Prometheus was bound to fail, always, based on the fact that it functions largely as an explanation—and therefore domestication—of the extraterrestrial elements of Alien. And you know how it goes: mystery is the horror movie's best friend. Once you explain it one way or the other, instead of leaving logic and motives utterly foreign and unexamined, you lose something, no matter the quality of the explanation. (Recalls the novelist China Mieville calling detective stories quantum narratives.) <br /><br />Still, I had such hopes for Prometheus. Alas, we'll always have Alien.ryantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11935654578756403527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-34835378585213235982012-06-08T13:24:52.824-05:002012-06-08T13:24:52.824-05:00I recently had the distinct pleasure of re-watchin...I recently had the distinct pleasure of re-watching this with an otherwise completely normal human being who had somehow never seen it before. After countless screenings over the years, it is easy to forget just how breathtakingly startling the "profoundly unsuccessful dinner" scene is. Watching someone witness it with that look of authentic shock and awe on their face that we all had our first time was a pure joy...Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08377504727468770408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-52821068568326118532012-06-07T12:45:31.657-05:002012-06-07T12:45:31.657-05:00It's an interesting take on this movie to call...It's an interesting take on this movie to call it a triumph of realism, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. The design of the Nostromo is completely believable and utilitarian in direct contrast to Giger's design. You know, I seem to remember hearing that Roger Christian won an Oscar for set design on Star Wars - I wonder what else he's done?<br /><br />*checks*<br /><br />Oh.<br /><br />Oh no.<br /><br />Oh God.Thrash Til' Deathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741491764040608276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-40550696399826152632012-06-07T10:22:38.313-05:002012-06-07T10:22:38.313-05:00Although I have a strong affinity for the original...Although I have a strong affinity for the original Star Wars (child of the 80s here), I can acknowledge the problematic results that came out of an effects-driven epic. However, despite the ridiculously stilted dialogue, there was still a good story and plot with the movies (ignoring the Ewoks). I don't think Star Wars killed Hollywood, I think the problem was/is that too many directors and producers took the wrong message from Star Wars; that you can create a big, loud special effects extravaganza that does not have a decent plot or narrative story. Basically, too many decided that I can blow lots of shit up without actually explaining why shit is blowing up and call it a wrap.<br /><br />Lucas and Star Wars outlined the prerequisites for killing Hollywood movies, but it took someone as inept and empty-headed as Michael Bay to kill Hollywood movies in a big, inexplicable ball of fire and sparks.Surly Duffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12847807145926996504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-22551897524706186912012-06-06T13:40:16.154-05:002012-06-06T13:40:16.154-05:00And that, really, is all that needs be said. Revie...And that, really, is all that needs be said. Reviewing perfection (or near perfection) is one of the hardest tasks a writer could set to.Calebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18374497545791328382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-13563199917453411852012-06-06T09:38:46.650-05:002012-06-06T09:38:46.650-05:00Let's take this one step further: without Star...Let's take this one step further: without Star Wars, there's no Alien, and without Alien, there's no Metroid. So while I too may lament the end of the 70s character drama, that's still a legacy I can get behind.Mr. Blackwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08656702134779980724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-4989623112690578782012-06-06T06:54:03.799-05:002012-06-06T06:54:03.799-05:00Tim, you are the man, I don't put this into qu...Tim, you are the man, I don't put this into question. But, come on, defending the Star Wars legacy is akin to implying that hard drugs, after all, make you feel pretty good, side-effects notwithstanding. Yes, I am pumped for Prometheus, but darn, I love American drama from the 70s/80s and I wouldn't trade Network or All The President's Men for a sci-fi fix. George Lucas came close to ruining film indeed, yet for his push of the digital medium, I do have to tip my hat. And I do like the Alien movies, even the third one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14812333.post-43490505189338993162012-06-05T18:12:28.453-05:002012-06-05T18:12:28.453-05:00Great review Tim,
I will add that the novel "...Great review Tim,<br /><br />I will add that the novel "Nostromo" is largely set around a silver mine in a fictional South American country and the actions focuses on how this captialistic enterprises corrupts the people of the country. The fact the devious company names the vessel Nostromo is a salient allusion to the abuses of capitalism...or something.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04634087887519608773noreply@blogger.com