The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler]
Alien Resurrection [Theatrical Version]

102 minutes

Year: 1997
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer: Joss Whedon
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Brad Dourif, Michael Wincott , Winona Ryder, Ron Pearlman, Dominique Pinon, Gary Dourdan, and Dan Hedaya

this is the perfect example as to why you shouldn't listen to what everyone else says.

all i've ever heard is that Resurrection is an abomination. an absolutely god awful franchise killer that could never be seen in a redeeming light and somehow probably couldn't be worse even if Uwe Boll remade it.

okay, maybe not that far, but still

now. maybe i was just in a good mood after a three hour nap, but i found Resurrection to be a lot of fun. it's not a great film and honestly, it doesn't try to be. it's certainly got an atmosphere like none of the other films - for better or worse, and it certainly gives a certain flare to the franchise. each film really brings its own concept and mind to the table, which i love. no rehashing or constant, "yeah, we saw this exact scene in the first one!" feel. no, no, no, no, no. not here!

the story, or what looks like one, is that Ripley has been cloned, with the alien queen inside of her (which Alien3 didn't say, it was just a chestburster, but in the documentary they mention how Fincher wanted to show it was an alien queen egg) which then hatches and the science team breeds it and is trying to train it.

of course, that's dumb. three other films have shown us how stupid that attempt will be.

then comes in a group of... criminals who hi-jack a ship and sell the people to the scientists so they can be used as hosts for breeding aliens. so now we have a ship full of aliens! what a great idea! but honestly, it didn't bug me the illogical actions. pretty early on you get the feeling this isn't a high concept super smart script / story. and sometimes, that's okay

the film feels like a really big budget sci-fi film. lots of cheese, some okay acting, some terrible acting, some mediocre scenes and structure, but nothing that made me hate the film. i honestly think none of the films in the franchise suck. sue me

lots of bloody good kills. lots of aliens, but not as smothering as Aliens is. and while most of the "bad guys" are similar to those in Alien3 so bits of Resurrection feel like a slight rehash of moments of the previous films, the slick production and impressive sets liven it up a whole bunch.

enjoy with your brain off

big fan of Brad Dourif so i was glad to see him. for awhile...
and it was awesome to see Michael Wincott. for those who don't know the name, as soon as you hear him talk you'll know who he is (aka: bad guy from The Crow! )

Weaver gave an interesting performance as a clone who knows she's a clone and connects mentally and emotionally to the aliens. that was neat to see after she was so against killing it in the first three films.

i LOVED how the aliens escape their captivity:

[Show spoiler]sacrificing one by attacking him / her? so their acid with burn a hole through the floor

was AWESOME and definitely a Joss Whedon idea

Whedon, while supplying a fun, fast flick, has obviously gotten better and better over the years. but it was nice to see an Alien film that gets to the action faster than the previous 3. and honestly, Resurrection isn't trying to be a horror film. it's sci-fi film with some quirky humor (which Whedon also excels at better in the future) and some gory good times.

visually the film is damn impressive. much more so than Alien3, especially when it comes to the alien itself. the environment is a bit to... clean and sterile for me (then again it is a science lab so it has to be clean and is 200 years in the future) for my personal liking, but all in all money was well spent here.

although i hated the

[Show spoiler]skeleton / zombie looking alien

there was nothing that made me throw my arms up in disgust. maybe it was just in too good of a mood or maybe since everyone in the world seems to hate the hell out of it my expectations were so low it surprised me? all i know is that when i watch the Anthology, i'm not skipping any of the films

PQ: 4/5
AQ: 4/5

The Film: 3/5

__________________________________

thoughts on the franchise as a whole:

after watching the Alien3 documentary and seeing the horror the cast and crew (especially Fincher) had to go through to make it and then seeing such an outstanding product Fox has released here in the Alien Anthology, it is quite baffling.

Fox had two of the most impressive films to start a franchise in quite some time (although i think Aliens is weak, millions love both, so thus, my statement) and sadly, their eagerness, ego, and god knows what else really derailed the franchise and probably cost them any chance of working with David Fincher again, who has gone on to be one of the best Directors working today. nice move Fox

had Alien3 been given time, money, and had Fincher been trusted to do what he wanted and given an actual script BEFORE hand. or if Fox would have just calmed down, cooled their engines and held off of production, this could be a franchise that would still be very viable and maybe even more around today than it is.

given then that most fans hate Alien3 and Resurrection, Fox should be thanking the gods that fans still care about the franchise as a whole and that they can make money on the films and that they've gone on to make the (albeit horrible) AvsP films, after what has happened.

it certainly isn't the best franchise nor is it my favorite, but there are certain things i love about each film and each has a unique twist and taste on a different genre and acceptance of the alien species. the first holds a special place in my heart and the rest are... somewhere holding space in my mind

very thankful Fox went ahead and made this anthology, massive extras and all. they definitely didn't have to, and maybe didn't even want to (at least for the last two) but i for one am glad they did.

i truly believe all 4 films should be seen, at least once. and i for one, cannot wait to go back and watch the special editions of all 4 films and work my way through the dozens and dozens of hours of special features

Alien = | Aliens = | Alien3 = | Alien Resurrection =

This whole review is spot on!

I seem to remember thinking that the egg inside Ripley in "Alien 3" was a queen egg; I thought they mentioned it in the movie somewhere. Might be another difference between the DC and TC, but I don't remember now.

For the series overall, I'm in the same boat; I find them all worthwhile seeing. My scores would look like this:

"Alien" 4/5
"Aliens" 4.5/5
"Alien 3" 3/5
"Alien: Resurrection" 3.5/5

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Alien Resurrection [Theatrical Version]

102 minutes

[Show spoiler]
Year: 1997
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer: Joss Whedon
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Brad Dourif, Michael Wincott , Winona Ryder, Ron Pearlman, Dominique Pinon, Gary Dourdan, and Dan Hedaya

this is the perfect example as to why you shouldn't listen to what everyone else says.

all i've ever heard is that Resurrection is an abomination. an absolutely god awful franchise killer that could never be seen in a redeeming light and somehow probably couldn't be worse even if Uwe Boll remade it.

okay, maybe not that far, but still

now. maybe i was just in a good mood after a three hour nap, but i found Resurrection to be a lot of fun. it's not a great film and honestly, it doesn't try to be. it's certainly got an atmosphere like none of the other films - for better or worse, and it certainly gives a certain flare to the franchise. each film really brings its own concept and mind to the table, which i love. no rehashing or constant, "yeah, we saw this exact scene in the first one!" feel. no, no, no, no, no. not here!

the story, or what looks like one, is that Ripley has been cloned, with the alien queen inside of her (which Alien3 didn't say, it was just a chestburster, but in the documentary they mention how Fincher wanted to show it was an alien queen egg) which then hatches and the science team breeds it and is trying to train it.

of course, that's dumb. three other films have shown us how stupid that attempt will be.

then comes in a group of... criminals who hi-jack a ship and sell the people to the scientists so they can be used as hosts for breeding aliens. so now we have a ship full of aliens! what a great idea! but honestly, it didn't bug me the illogical actions. pretty early on you get the feeling this isn't a high concept super smart script / story. and sometimes, that's okay

the film feels like a really big budget sci-fi film. lots of cheese, some okay acting, some terrible acting, some mediocre scenes and structure, but nothing that made me hate the film. i honestly think none of the films in the franchise suck. sue me

lots of bloody good kills. lots of aliens, but not as smothering as Aliens is. and while most of the "bad guys" are similar to those in Alien3 so bits of Resurrection feel like a slight rehash of moments of the previous films, the slick production and impressive sets liven it up a whole bunch.

enjoy with your brain off

big fan of Brad Dourif so i was glad to see him. for awhile...
and it was awesome to see Michael Wincott. for those who don't know the name, as soon as you hear him talk you'll know who he is (aka: bad guy from The Crow! )

Weaver gave an interesting performance as a clone who knows she's a clone and connects mentally and emotionally to the aliens. that was neat to see after she was so against killing it in the first three films.

i LOVED how the aliens escape their captivity:

[Show spoiler]sacrificing one by attacking him / her? so their acid with burn a hole through the floor

was AWESOME and definitely a Joss Whedon idea

Whedon, while supplying a fun, fast flick, has obviously gotten better and better over the years. but it was nice to see an Alien film that gets to the action faster than the previous 3. and honestly, Resurrection isn't trying to be a horror film. it's sci-fi film with some quirky humor (which Whedon also excels at better in the future) and some gory good times.

visually the film is damn impressive. much more so than Alien3, especially when it comes to the alien itself. the environment is a bit to... clean and sterile for me (then again it is a science lab so it has to be clean and is 200 years in the future) for my personal liking, but all in all money was well spent here.

although i hated the

[Show spoiler]skeleton / zombie looking alien

there was nothing that made me throw my arms up in disgust. maybe it was just in too good of a mood or maybe since everyone in the world seems to hate the hell out of it my expectations were so low it surprised me? all i know is that when i watch the Anthology, i'm not skipping any of the films

PQ: 4/5
AQ: 4/5

The Film: 3/5

__________________________________

thoughts on the franchise as a whole:

after watching the Alien3 documentary and seeing the horror the cast and crew (especially Fincher) had to go through to make it and then seeing such an outstanding product Fox has released here in the Alien Anthology, it is quite baffling.

Fox had two of the most impressive films to start a franchise in quite some time (although i think Aliens is weak, millions love both, so thus, my statement) and sadly, their eagerness, ego, and god knows what else really derailed the franchise and probably cost them any chance of working with David Fincher again, who has gone on to be one of the best Directors working today. nice move Fox

had Alien3 been given time, money, and had Fincher been trusted to do what he wanted and given an actual script BEFORE hand. or if Fox would have just calmed down, cooled their engines and held off of production, this could be a franchise that would still be very viable and maybe even more around today than it is.

given then that most fans hate Alien3 and Resurrection, Fox should be thanking the gods that fans still care about the franchise as a whole and that they can make money on the films and that they've gone on to make the (albeit horrible) AvsP films, after what has happened.

it certainly isn't the best franchise nor is it my favorite, but there are certain things i love about each film and each has a unique twist and taste on a different genre and acceptance of the alien species. the first holds a special place in my heart and the rest are... somewhere holding space in my mind

very thankful Fox went ahead and made this anthology, massive extras and all. they definitely didn't have to, and maybe didn't even want to (at least for the last two) but i for one am glad they did.

i truly believe all 4 films should be seen, at least once. and i for one, cannot wait to go back and watch the special editions of all 4 films and work my way through the dozens and dozens of hours of special features

Alien = | Aliens = | Alien3 = | Alien Resurrection =

Nice review of the series as a whole.

I'm curious: have you seen any of Jeunet's other films:

Amelie
A Very Long Engagement
Micmacs
Delicatessen
The City of Lost Children

One of the most inventive storytellers I have ever seen.

[Foggy]

Went to do some fancy clothes shopping (got 2 very camp looking shirts) and went into a store called CEX (I pronounce it like it looks) I almost got Blade Runner for £10 but I was wary because it was used, so I decided against it and went all the way to the other side of my world to see if I could get it for the same price brand new, went into Blockbuster, didn't have it so I decided to get something else. They had Moon, and I've been dying to see that for years, plus I think Bearcat said it was one of the best films ever or something of that extent so I bit the bullet and got it

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Hello guys,

how is everyone doing? Enjoying the movies I am quite sure

Been busy looking around over here so no movies for me. Weather is hot, so hot that I swear I will never complaint about Montreal's winters

Sunday afternoon here and it's another humid one with a big thunder storm on the way so I think I will stay in the hotel and take it easy a bit. Take care everyone and see you everyone soon.

nice to hear from ya P@t. glad to see / hear you're enjoying your trip!

Originally Posted by Foggy

Ugh, I hate this film with a passion, it's all very dull to me, walking out of the cinema 5/6 years ago, of course, every single joke was spoiled for me by the trailers, so there was little suprise. The story is another "Us Humans are right dicks you know kids" It feels like a film with zero imagination, zero originality and zero charisma. Even the animation bugged me, sure it's amazing, but it's a film for kids, a cartoon, I don't want it to look photorealistic, there is no fun in that. And plus how can they speak with a beak

exactly

Maybe my friend is wrong on this one then, although I wouldn't be shocked, his film taste is quite awful (Back to the Future is his fave film of all time, followed by Alien and Aliens)

maybe i just have bad taste

Seriously been considering grabbing the Anthology for quite some time, I might cave in some time soon, however I usually feel more pressured to buy something else when I have money, like tomorrow, I'll be getting the UK Release of Apoclypse Now FINALLY!!!

Apocalypse Now = but you know that
and the UK set looks pretty cool.

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

I'm glad you found enjoyment in it, but I see I'm not alone in my utter distaste for this movie. Can't believe there is a second coming out...

oh god no....

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

This whole review is spot on!

I seem to remember thinking that the egg inside Ripley in "Alien 3" was a queen egg; I thought they mentioned it in the movie somewhere. Might be another difference between the DC and TC, but I don't remember now.

For the series overall, I'm in the same boat; I find them all worthwhile seeing. My scores would look like this:

"Alien" 4/5
"Aliens" 4.5/5
"Alien 3" 3/5
"Alien: Resurrection" 3.5/5

maybe they did mention it and i just forgot, who knows hard to remember everything i know Alien is my favorite, but i think either Aliens or Resurrection would be second in line, but each of the last three could vary depending on what mood i'm in

Originally Posted by Steve46

Nice review of the series as a whole.

I'm curious: have you seen any of Jeunet's other films:

Amelie
A Very Long Engagement
Micmacs
Delicatessen
The City of Lost Children

One of the most inventive storytellers I have ever seen.

i have not but i did look him up because he sounded familiar for some reason. i'm planning on picking up Amelie when it comes out here in the states, but the rest i have not seen, but heard of and plan to check out eventually.

Originally Posted by Foggy

Went to do some fancy clothes shopping (got 2 very camp looking shirts) and went into a store called CEX (I pronounce it like it looks) I almost got Blade Runner for £10 but I was wary because it was used, so I decided against it and went all the way to the other side of my world to see if I could get it for the same price brand new, went into Blockbuster, didn't have it so I decided to get something else. They had Moon, and I've been dying to see that for years, plus I think Bearcat said it was one of the best films ever or something of that extent so I bit the bullet and got it

Moon =
good luck getting the score out of your head. Clint Mansell excels again (Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, The Fountain, Black Swan, Smokin' Aces...) and the film, i think, is pure genius. i think you'll really enjoy it.

don't know if i said it was one of the best ever but i may have but it's definitely one of the best SCI-FI films ever. yeah.. that's probably what i said

______________

meanwhile, just picked up:

Back to the Future Trilogy
The Bank Job
The Guardian
High Tension

may go back to Best Buy and pick up Matrix Collection since it's $25! and Drive Angry for $10 if i can use the $5 off coupons

expensive day!

[AKORIS]

[QUOTE=iam1bearcat;4833579]

Alien Resurrection [Theatrical Version]

102 minutes

Year: 1997
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer: Joss Whedon
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Brad Dourif, Michael Wincott , Winona Ryder, Ron Pearlman, Dominique Pinon, Gary Dourdan, and Dan Hedaya

this is the perfect example as to why you shouldn't listen to what everyone else says.

all i've ever heard is that Resurrection is an abomination. an absolutely god awful franchise killer that could never be seen in a redeeming light and somehow probably couldn't be worse even if Uwe Boll remade it.

okay, maybe not that far, but still
trying to be a horror film. it's sci-fi film with some quirky humor (which Whedon also excels at better in the future) and some gory good times.

visuallyPQ: 4/5
AQ: 4/5

The Film: 3/5

__________________________________





I liked your review and agree with it-- this is another one of those films that's on a list that everybody seems to hate---
and all I can do is scratch my head and wonder where the hatred comes from-- it's like a bunch of people got together and made a list of 10 films that they all agreed to diss every single time it's mentioned!!
(others on this list would be SPIDER MAN 3, DIE HARD 2, X-MEN 3. etc etc)

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I liked your review and agree with it-- this is another one of those films that's on a list that everybody seems to hate---
and all I can do is scratch my head and wonder where the hatred comes from-- it's like a bunch of people got together and made a list of 10 films that they all agreed to diss every single time it's mentioned!!
(others on this list would be SPIDER MAN 3, DIE HARD 2, X-MEN 3. etc etc)

i agree. and for your list i agree with Die Hard 2. i liked DH2. however, i HATED SM3 and i cannot remember much about X-Men 3. but there does seem to be a list that is a "you must hate this!!!!" list, which puzzles me for most of the selections

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

oh god no....

I know. Saw the trailer in front of Kung Fu Panda 2...It's so bad.

I can't believe the guy who made that mad the Mad Max movies!

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I liked your review and agree with it-- this is another one of those films that's on a list that everybody seems to hate---
and all I can do is scratch my head and wonder where the hatred comes from-- it's like a bunch of people got together and made a list of 10 films that they all agreed to diss every single time it's mentioned!!
(others on this list would be SPIDER MAN 3, DIE HARD 2, X-MEN 3. etc etc)

Can't agree with you on Die Hard 2, that film sucks all that was great about Die Hard 1 and replaces it with more crap.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Can't agree with you on Die Hard 2, that film sucks all that was great about Die Hard 1 and replaces it with more crap.

It's kind of The Hangover 2 of action movies...a very simliar retread of the first movie, but not as entertaining as the first. I don't mind the second, but it's definitely my least favorite in the series.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Can't agree with you on Die Hard 2, that film sucks all that was great about Die Hard 1 and replaces it with more crap.

i didn't mind it too much and found parts enjoyable. the big negative is that it could have been ANY action movie. it didn't feel like a Die Hard film. it could have starred anyone and been received a bit better, but putting it as a Die Hard i'm sure pissed many fans off.

i think it also helps that i saw DH2 about a week after seeing DH for the first time so Die Hard didn't have some major spot in my heart. i think for some people, they connect better with some films and then when later on a sequel comes out and it isn't as good, it comes off as REALLY bad.

not all the time, but sometimes

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Can't agree with you on Die Hard 2, that film sucks all that was great about Die Hard 1 and replaces it with more crap.

maybe I just like Renny Harlin action movies--- I always think of DIE HARD 2 as part of his "action trio" which also includes LONG KISS GOODNIGHT and CLIFFHANGER. Bottom line, I saw all 3 of these in the theatre and had a great time with all of them--

I've seen them all many times and my opinion does not change--
DH2 to me had lots of great action scenes, good villains (no not as good as Hans Gruber but still...) was well paced, and Bruce Willis was great. I was not disappointed in the least...

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i didn't mind it too much and found parts enjoyable. the big negative is that it could have been ANY action movie. it didn't feel like a Die Hard film. it could have starred anyone and been received a bit better, but putting it as a Die Hard i'm sure pissed many fans off.

i think it also helps that i saw DH2 about a week after seeing DH for the first time so Die Hard didn't have some major spot in my heart. i think for some people, they connect better with some films and then when later on a sequel comes out and it isn't as good, it comes off as REALLY bad.

not all the time, but sometimes

I think you just hit the nail squarely on the head!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Hello guys,

how is everyone doing? Enjoying the movies I am quite sure

Been busy looking around over here so no movies for me. Weather is hot, so hot that I swear I will never complaint about Montreal's winters

Sunday afternoon here and it's another humid one with a big thunder storm on the way so I think I will stay in the hotel and take it easy a bit. Take care everyone and see you everyone soon.

Where exactly in Asia are you?

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i didn't mind it too much and found parts enjoyable. the big negative is that it could have been ANY action movie. it didn't feel like a Die Hard film. it could have starred anyone and been received a bit better, but putting it as a Die Hard i'm sure pissed many fans off.

i think it also helps that i saw DH2 about a week after seeing DH for the first time so Die Hard didn't have some major spot in my heart. i think for some people, they connect better with some films and then when later on a sequel comes out and it isn't as good, it comes off as REALLY bad.

not all the time, but sometimes

Well that's not true for me, I watched them a day between each other I guess I can't let my suspension of disbelief so far as to believe that hand grenades last 1 minute to explode.

Talking about suspension of disbelief...

Moon

Minor nitpick but with a computer as important and advanced as GERTY, they would think he would have a emergency back-up drive

With that out of the way, I loved the film. It's a and feast. With all of it's characters (all 3 of them) evoking a different response in you and making you feel towards them. The score is and the acting is , the story is and the visuals are . All in all a very emotive movie that plays 5th symphony with your heartstrings.

Compared to Source Code (that other film by the son of Bowie) Source Code is more thrilling, fun and attention grabbing in and out film, while Moon is the slow, methodical and lasting, and of course, out of the two, it is his better film.

10/10

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Talking about suspension of disbelief...

Moon

Minor nitpick but with a computer as important and advanced as GERTY, they would think he would have a emergency back-up drive

With that out of the way, I loved the film. It's a and feast. With all of it's characters (all 3 of them) evoking a different response in you and making you feel towards them. The score is and the acting is , the story is and the visuals are . All in all a very emotive movie that plays 5th symphony with your heartstrings.

Compared to Source Code (that other film by the son of Bowie) Source Code is more thrilling, fun and attention grabbing in and out film, while Moon is the slow, methodical and lasting, and of course, out of the two, it is his better film.

10/10

Very glad you ended up loving it Foggy. As I said in my recent "review" of it my friends were getting a bit restless by the slow pace but once the twist came then they finally calmed the F down.

I think it's a very underrated gem of a film. I blind bought day 1 in January 2010 for $30 and while that is a bit much I don't regret it at all. Glad you're happy with your newest addition

[Steve46]

Tell No One

Brilliant, complex French thriller. I need to watch it again before I write a proper review, but I'm thinking:

Film 4.5/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 3.5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Tell No One

Brilliant, complex French thriller. I need to watch it again before I write a proper review, but I'm thinking:

Film 4.5/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 3.5/5

i gave it a 3.75/5 after my one and only viewing and have been meaning to pick it up when the price is right (eh, i guess $14 isn't too bad, but i've been spoiled lately), or just plain remember it when doing amazon shopping

i'm curious to know what you think of the U2 song during the cafe / computer scene i laughed hysterically at how cheesy it came off, but it serves a purpose and i know others have no issue with that.

i know jhiggy and surf both love it a whole bunch.

well made, and highly underrated.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i gave it a 3.75/5 after my one and only viewing and have been meaning to pick it up when the price is right (eh, i guess $14 isn't too bad, but i've been spoiled lately), or just plain remember it when doing amazon shopping

i'm curious to know what you think of the U2 song during the cafe / computer scene i laughed hysterically at how cheesy it came off, but it serves a purpose and i know others have no issue with that.

i know jhiggy and surf both love it a whole bunch.

well made, and highly underrated.

I like the song and have no issue with its placement.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I like the song and have no issue with its placement.

oh. i'm all alone in my laughter

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Tell No One

Brilliant, complex French thriller. I need to watch it again before I write a proper review, but I'm thinking:

Film 4.5/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 3.5/5

Yeah this movie was AWESOME!!!!! I gave it a perfect score, i've never seen a movie with these many twist, i respect the director too because there are so many times he could of messed the whole movie up but he was very consistent. Very good thriller!