Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Pwaters' Month of Terror Day 4: Alien

Hello ladies, gentlemen, and creatures lurking in the shadows!  This month, October, is a favorite among horror fans, such as myself.  My goal for the next 31 days is to share with you the scariest and best of the genre.  The films will range from old school classics to modern day gorefests (they won't be in any particular order).  So scout these movies out, grab a bag of popcorn (or a blood bag) and enjoy!


Alien (1979)
Dir. Ridley Scott

Some people prefer the more action oriented sequel Aliens, but for me, nothing tops the eerie sci-fi horror masterpiece that is Ridley Scott's original Alien.  The movie is about a spaceship crew on a trip back to Earth, awakened from their frozen state by the ship's computer telling them a transmission (indicating possible life) is coming from a nearby planet.  Upon investigation, the crew finds an alien life form, and not to give anything away to those few who haven't seen it, but shit goes down and because they're in space, everyone is essentially fucked (as indicated by the film's amazing tagline "In space, no one can hear you scream").
This film begins quietly, and then it hits you when you least expect it.  The setting of space is seemingly perfect for a horror movie because there is nowhere to run to.  The ambience, the sounds of the metal corridors, and dimly lit areas of the ship only add to the atmosphere - and they provide places where said alien can easily cranny into and blend in.  The various creatures and special effects were groundbreaking for the time, earning the film an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and still scare audiences to this day.  It was also considered trailblazing to not only have a female protagonist in a film like this (played by Sigourney Weaver), but to have her kick the most butt out of anyone else.  That's not to say her male counterparts are shabby either; co-starring are Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, and Ian Holm.  It's a scary, intense ride all the way through, with great actors, great aliens, great atmosphere, and best of all, Sigourney Weaver in white panties. 

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