Thursday Movie Picks: Aliens
1) Alien
I'll start with the obvious, even though I know I should try a little harder to think of something more original. But come one, this movie is great.
2) E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial
I can't not go with this. E.T holds a special place in a lot of people's hearts. It's another typical pick, but it would feel wrong to leave it out.
3) Space Jam
I fucking love this movie. I don't care how ridiculous it is. How can you not love little aliens possessing some of our favorite NBA players?
Cool picks. I've seen them all. Those first two are absolute classics. That last one is a classic, too, in its own way. Not sure if you know this but Space Jam 2 was announced last week. It will star LeBron James.
ReplyDeleteShhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm pretending Space Jam 2 doesn't exist.
DeleteI haven't seen Space Jam but the other two are terrific choices. My favorite of the franchise is Aliens but this first one is a wonderful film full of dread and suspense. Super performances as well. I'm not as enraptured of E.T. as most folks seem to be but it is an enjoyable film with a nice message.
ReplyDeleteTo me this genre always brings to mind the more outlandish movies that were the staple of it before Alien sobered them up so that's where I went for my picks.
I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)-After his buddies give him a bachelor party handsome young hunk Bill (Tom Tryon) heads home but stops when he thinks he’s hit something in the road and is suddenly engulfed by a heavy gray fog. Next day prospective bride Marge (Gloria Talbott) frets when Bill is late to the wedding until he shows up and faster than you can say Jack Robinson she’s “MARRIED TO A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!” Pulpy 50’s sci-fi follows their story as it slowly dawns on Marge that there is an alien race who are seeking a way toward reclamation of their species. Leading man Tryon eventually abandoned acting for a very successful writing career (The Dark Secret of Harvest Home, The Other etc.)
I Come in Peace (1990)-A gang of drug traffickers known as the "White Boys” cause havoc when they make off with a cache of heroin from a federal building followed by a strange spate of deaths where the victims bear a puncture mark on their foreheads. Hard-nosed cop Jack Caine (Dolph Lundgren) and FBI agent Arwood Smith (Brian Benben) follow bizarre clues looking for an answer. B movie actioner whose tagline “Good cop. Bad alien. Big trouble.” pretty much says it all.
They Live (1988)-Drifter John Nada (Rowdy Roddy Piper) finds a pair of sunglasses that when worn shows the world as it truly is. How it truly is happens to be a place where the billboards and all media carry subliminal messages such as “No Imagination” and “Stay Asleep” and the people in authority are actually aliens hidden behind a mask of normalcy who are keeping the masses subdued. Directed with a sardonic tone by John Carpenter.
Honorable Mention-Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)-Playing into both the public’s fascination and fear of space exploration and outer space in the 50’s this low budget sci-fier is both earnest and reactionary. Flying saucers, looking like exact replicas from My Favorite Martian, start blasting the hell out of a military base when their signal is misinterpreted. Once the mistake is revealed and against government orders a lone scientist tries to straighten out the muddle. Finding out the aliens intentions it’s then a race to find a defense before the human race is enslaved! Cheesy but if you like this kind of thing it could be fun.
OMG They Live. That movie was so ridiculous, I love Roddy Piper. I haven't seen the others. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteYEY such a cutie that Xenomorph :P
ReplyDeletelol, so much less intimidating than what they grow into.
DeleteObviously, Alien is an A+++ choice to have on this list even if it is a typical choice. It's probably my all-time favorite movie! That final act is cinematic gold. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing is great. I don't think I found sci fi movies all that creepy until I watched that one.
DeleteSPACE JAM!!!! That movie was the shit back in the day (in middle school, for me lol). Haven't seen it in years but MAN did I love it when it came out.
ReplyDeleteI feel like not picking Alien for an "Alien" theme is silly.
It's such a given, I tried not to. I really did.
DeleteOkay I didn't try that hard. Alien is awesome.
Space Jam is a GREAT pick!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteAll pretty cool picks. Really like that you picked Space Jam which is really underrated
ReplyDeleteIt's awesomeness just cannot be matched.
DeleteI used to love Space Jam as a kid! My dad gave it to me as a gift and I watched it over and over again!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had it on DVD. It's got to be in a bargain bin somewhere.
DeleteI hope you'll find it!
DeleteAlien is too scary for me but have seen E.T. And it's ok but it's not one of my favs. It is sweet but I don't get why it is revered so. I haven't seen the last flick
ReplyDeleteSpace Jam is campy fun. That's why I love Alien so much, it's a scary scifi film, and I haven't seen many of those.
Delete2 films that I love in Alien and E.T. (favorite Spielberg film) and a film that I don't like. King James is a pussy. I ain't watching Space Jam 2.
ReplyDeletelol nor am I. I can't have that.
DeleteWait, I do like Space Jam. Michael Jordon was always cool and plus, he's North Carolina and I always have to root for the ACC and NC whenever they go up against Duke.
DeleteAlien is popular this week! I loved E.T., and Space Jam was fun.
ReplyDeleteAs it should be.:)
DeleteGreat picks! Love that you went with Space Jam, I absolutely love that film!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOMG, I haven't seen Space Jam in such a long time. Nice picks!
ReplyDeleteI saw it on TV the other day, I let the nostalgia flow lol
DeleteI love E.T. It's magical.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. :)
DeleteEven with the technology of recent animated films, Space Jam still holds it ground as one of the best. It combines great animation with the classic humor of Looney Tunes. This film is great for basketball lovers of all ages because it includes humor for both kids and adults. This film is also a must have for any Michael Jordan Fan. An all-around awesome film.
ReplyDelete