Alien - Ridley Scott (1979)

This is a shining example of why I wanted to embark on this journey. 'Alien' is a movie that I refused to watch. 'I don't like that kind of movie.' So when I saw it on the list, I was less than thrilled. I saw that it was playing this week on the big screen and figured - well, if I am going to be forced to watch this thing, it might as well be on the big screen.

Boy was I wrong. This was an AWESOME movie. I think my hesitation in seeing it was that I thought it was going to be blood and guts. It's not. 

When I took an art history class in University, the professor, to try and help us in art appreciation, told us this: first thing is, decide if you like the piece of art or not. Then ask why. I think that this is a good way of approaching any movie. 

So, did I like 'Alien'? Yes (duh!!). Why? Well, this was a well told story first and foremost, with good characters and an interesting plot. This plot wound around and guided us slowly to the 'scary' part. It used music and lighting and shadows to draw us into the story. That's what makes it scary. The suspense and build up to it. If the Alien was just plunked down in the middle of the movie, or jumped out at the beginning - would not have been good.

While I was watching, I was trying to figure out what other movies or directors influenced it. (Don't worry...I'm not going all film critic-y on you.) And this is what I came up with....wait for it....'Alien' is Hitchcock on steroids. (Yeah...I'm pretty proud of that one.) 

(And that is why I will never be a professional film critic.)

One word to describe 'Alien': Awesome!!