Alien

45th Anniversary Re-Release in 4K "Thank you so much for this conversation Sir Ridley, is there anything you would like to say to anyone watching? "No." Loved the conversation with Fede Álvarez and Ridley Scott exploring the legacy and future of the Alien universe. As time has gone by, and with lackluster entries the past few years, I've had this constant fear of the franchise falling into obscurity. But I really am excited for Alien: Romulus and all the great talent attached to it, so hoping for the best. I'm convinced that in order for sci-fi to really stick, it has to convince and exude confidence in its world, and that’s something that Ridley Scott has understood from day one. As far as I've seen, Alien has perhaps the best opening of all time, with unmatched confidence in presentation and identity. Everything feels inhabited and preexisting, despite it being the first of its kind. Worn paneling, sliding airlock-style doors, and endless arrays of screens & buttons, it's a patient introduction with the smallest of details that makes it so believable. I honestly have no idea how they constructed the set with the budget that they had, but it's an accomplishment of art direction that gives this 1979 film the timeless look that it still has today. Catching Alien in theaters has been a dream, first in 2019 and now in 2024. There were some people in my showing watching for the first time, and it’s always fun to hear their reactions. Based on my experience in showing this movie to friends, I really do think that it strongly benefits from being shown on the big screen; I’m enthralled regardless, but I could see how the first act could feel slow. Man the air duct sequence is my favorite and the best scare in the franchise.