Movie Time With the Duo - Alien (1979)
Added 2019-12-01 12:30:28 +0000 UTC
Comments
Another (somewhat minor) thing I noticed was that a lot of what was pointed out as "mistakes" or things that you were lost in the conclusion of your commentary weren't really mistakes at all. Most were things that were covered in the dialogue (that I think you might have missed?) or was simply implied by what was taking place. For example: * That planet is not Saturn. In fact, they're not even in our solar system. Most of the early dialogue after they wake up is centered on them expecting to be within or close to our solar system, returning from a recent expedition, but finding out they were actually in the Zeta Reticuli star-system...which is "relatively" close to ours but still very, very, very far away. * They approached and continued searching the alien craft (despite the possible danger) because that's exactly what they landed there to do...to find the source of the signal/beacon they detected and figure out what was going on. * They were experiencing turbulence not in space, but entering a moon's atmosphere. * The thing about rain, I suppose I'm a little lost on all the confusion. Obviously it's not rain. Whether they're in space or not, they're in an enclosed vessel...so it's definitely not rain. What you could (and probably would) have in space, however is condensation inside an enclosed vessel like that, if anything within got cold enough to produce it. I don't think it's ever really stated, but the fact that a reactor (which was mentioned)...presumably a nuclear reactor...is powering the ship, it's logical to assume there's some sort of coolant system, which could quite possibly create condensation. Given that the ship is creating artificial gravity somehow, and assuming there's ultimately some way for them to "collect" the water that's fallen, it wouldn't really pose any problem. * The self-destruct system is both tedious and, seemingly, purposelessly mechanical because you want there to be lots of hoops to jump through to make sure the person engaging it 1.) Has the actual authority and clearances to do it and 2.) Is really sure that they want to do this, and that this isn't just someone (or something) accidentally mashing buttons and starting the self-destruct sequence. A lot of real-life systems, particularly those that govern facilities and/or devices that could cause massive casualties if engaged in certain ways, have these sorts of fail-safes. In fact, most require more than one person engaging it. If anything, it's almost too easy in the case of the Nostromo. * Although it's never clearly spelled out (something which movies today do too much, and with really cringe-worthy exposition), it's pretty clear that the alien, while fairly cunning, is less like a human (mentally) and more like insects or other animals. So this sort of explains, for instance, why it's seemingly preoccupied with the cat (instead of her) at one point. Or how/why it's not just attacking her outright at first in the final scene. It's completely still/hidden at first - the implication being, presumably, that it's resting/sleeping. The insect/animal analogy makes a little sense of this. Maybe the bee or the tiger sees you and attacks; because it's hungry, or because it feels threatened. On the other hand, if it's tired or resting, it might not care much about your presence at all...especially if it doesn't feel any particular threat from you (hence her attempts to make her movements at that point slow and steady...as not to signal herself as an immediate threat). All of these things being said, there were real/actual mistakes made, I'm sure. The point about there not being sound in space is salient...and, actually, pretty ironic given that (I think) the advertising tagline for the movie was, "In space, no one can hear you scream." Also, depressurization between a vessel filled with "air" and space probably wouldn't be quite as forceful as it's made out to be when she blows the alien out of the airlock. Likewise, with the way the ship and it's decks seem to be oriented, it's not quite clear how they're managing to create artificial gravity. There are definitely a few things like this that are either not very realistic or that, at the very least, ask us to use our imagination and charitably assume certain things. Add to that that there's definitely a little bit of cheesy dialogue and acting here and there, and it's easy to see how a lot of people might not enjoy or even appreciate the experience. I'm really glad you stuck with it though, and I'm really looking forward to check out your reaction to the sequel, which I'm about to do now!
Ryan Wills
2020-05-04 15:43:59 +0000 UTC"That's the weirdest dildo I've ever seen!" ~ Steve ROFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave M.
2020-03-11 20:11:51 +0000 UTC
