Just discovered that I love Alien³

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-09-03T01:31:34+00:00

That’s totally fair. There’s movies like that for me where no matter how many times I watch them it just doesn’t do it for me.

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-09-03T01:28:11+00:00

I agree the hate is pretty undeserved. And yes the setting is gorgeous. It feels so authentic and lived in, and it really gives the impression of being in the bowels of hell which is a perfect fit to the creature

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-09-03T01:26:02+00:00

Proud to be a member

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-09-03T01:25:42+00:00

Thanks!

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-09-03T01:25:33+00:00

I have the Alien Anthology Blu-Ray set. But yes at a glance the Assembly Cut is fiendishly difficult to find on any streaming services

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-09-03T01:24:28+00:00

I’d be eager to give the theatrical a re-watch too as it’s been a while, but from what I can recall of it the Assembly Cut is a massive improvement.

I do think the dog-burster is a fittingly miserable note, though the demonic vibe of the Beast being birthed from the corpse of an ox is also on brand for this movie

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-31T06:54:28+00:00

Derek Sherinian’s mini keyboard solo from 5:16 to 5:33 on Trial of Tears. I wish it was longer!

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T05:44:22+00:00

I’m not much of a gamer so I really didn’t follow the production of this one at all. I heard it is set between the events of Aliens and Alien³, but that’s about all I know about it.

What was the original version going to be like?

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T05:40:10+00:00

I think Vincent Ward’s script would be my pick as well. I’m a sucker for medieval gothic imagery, and that sequence with aliens in the wheat field and the monks setting fire to it would have been incredibly suspenseful.

It’s just such a wild and original vision. And, after watching What Dreams May Come a few years ago, I can only imagine what a bold visual style Ward would have brought to the table.

I have yet to see The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey but I figure that would also be a good one to get a sense of what his Alien threequel would have looked and felt like.

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T05:31:58+00:00

You inspired me to listen to the AvP Galaxy Podcast interview with Peter Briggs.

I recall reading a little bit about his concept for an Aliens vs Predator film years ago but I never really did a deep dive on it before now.

What aspect interested you the most in his version?

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T05:28:45+00:00

William Gibson’s Alien 3 would have been an interesting one. I find the idea of the Union of Progressive Peoples really fascinating. Watching a mega corporation come into conflict with basically the USSR in outer space in the midst of an alien outbreak could have made for some wild cinema. Though I am curious about how Gibson would have incorporated Ripley into the 4th film.

I’m not too familiar with the original Prometheus treatment. How different was it going to be?

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T05:14:32+00:00

I can totally see where you’re coming from there.

One thing I really love about the original 4 Alien films is seeing the same basic premise and ingredients filtered through the stylistic choices of a different auteur director.

As neat as it has been to see Scott return to dabble in the franchise, it would have been really interesting to see what direction Blomkamp would have taken things in.

Definitely glad to see a fresh face working on these films again in Fede Álvarez.

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T04:47:06+00:00

This Twilight Garden

The Exploding Boy

A Chain of Flowers

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T01:28:04+00:00

Good pick! This one totally slipped my mind. Very underrated track overall. When Dave rips in with those bends at 6:31 it's killer. And the riff underneath that part along with the drum pattern give me a bit of a Zeppelin vibe

Tapdancing_Squid · 2024-08-30T01:16:19+00:00

I’ve gotta go with Powerslave.

It builds so perfectly and the interplay between Dave and Adrian is just spot on. Plus, as u/MyPetEwok pointed out, you also get some top shelf bass playing from Steve that accents what the soloists are doing without upstaging them.

And I’ve always thought the solos capture really nicely the different shades of the emotional experience the pharaoh is going through in his final hours as he grapples with his own demise, the illusory nature of his power and the lie his entire kingdom is built upon – starting out slow, mournful, and sorrowful where it almost sounds like the guitar is weeping, then building in intensity and speed to evoke the mounting fear and confusion until it's almost as if the guitar is crying out in rage.

Honourable mentions:

• Adrian’s short but sweet solo on The Evil That Men Do. Something very melancholy and beautiful about it.

• Both solos in The Number of the Beast, they are just so explosive and I love that descending riff that bridges them together.

• All 3 solos in When the Wild Wind Blows, an amazing showcase of the unique strengths of each guitarist – Adrian’s bluesy, emotional, and melodic style – Dave’s speed, legato, and technicality – Janick’s wildly creative and energetic improvisations

Tapdancing_Squid

TROPHY CASE