Alien: Romulus (2024 film directed by Fede Álvarez) (previously: So Disney has ordered a direct-to-Hulu Alien movie)

[crumbs 15,124]

Nothing on the score yet? I thought Wallfisch was pretty good with posting little teaser clips when recording his scores.

[Thor 8,700]

Gilliam is notorious for his many disparaging comments about famous directors and iconic films. He doesn't like Spielberg either. As for the ALIEN comments, see here or here.

 

Of course, I think he's way off with his easy, superficial dismissal, but it's a grouchy-man "schtick" of his that is somehow endearing too.

 

Back to ALIEN: ROMULUS...only five more days to go until I see it. I've avoided the latest trailer. I think the earlier ones already revealed a little too much. Trying to go in as fresh as possible, but with expectations somewhat lowered.

[A24 4,662]

 

Quote

“Alien is just a ghost train where something jumps out and you don’t know who’s going to die next,” Gilliam told the site. “When I watched the first Alien, all I kept saying was, ‘Just kill them all and be done with it,’ because you just know that they’re all going to die along the way."

 

Well yeaaah, at most basic of levels (the premise of the story), Gilliam is not wrong. Nothing new about this critique.

 

Gilliams didn't like Blade Runner either, and yet it influenced him, because Brazil was literally his answer to Blade Runner.

 

For the record, unlike most people here, I generally don't like Gilliam's movies. The only one I like is the one you guys don't like:

 

[Nick1Ø66 6,076]

9 hours ago, Thor said:

Gilliam is notorious for his many disparaging comments about famous directors and iconic films. He doesn't like Spielberg either. As for the ALIEN comments, see here or here.

 

Of course, I think he's way off with his easy, superficial dismissal, but it's a grouchy-man "schtick" of his that is somehow endearing too

 

It's harder to blow it off as "grumpy old man schtick" if he hadn't been doing it most of his career. Spielberg & Scott are both better, and more versatile, director's than Gilliam ever was. He wanted to direct Harry Potter, which of course would have been a disaster.

 

That's not to say he's not a talented, creative director with his own (one-trick pony) style who has made some good films. He's for sure has the ability to create a distinct mise-en-scène, the way say Burton and Wes Anderson can, but without the latter's versatility,

 

In any event, yeah, he's dead wrong about ALIEN.  

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

5 minutes ago, Nick1Ø66 said:

one-trick pony

 

What's the one trick?

[Andy 5,419]

16 hours ago, Tallguy said:

You know Star Trek has been doing a pretty good Alien pastiche the last couple of seasons...

Yeah I’ve had mixed feelings about that.  I look to Trek to innovate ideas rather than homage well known franchises.  What do you think?

[Tallguy 4,740]

17 minutes ago, Andy said:

Yeah I’ve had mixed feelings about that.  I look to Trek to innovate ideas rather than homage well known franchises.  What do you think?

 

(It worked!)

 

Well, Arena was close enough to an existing story that they paid the author. Same with Trouble with Tribbles. And have you ever watched Balance of Terror and The Enemy Below back to back?

 

I've actually really liked the stories. Alien has become enough of it's own archetype at this point that I think getting closer to the source rather than farther from it kind of helps. (YES we know what we're doing. No we're not trying to fool anybody.) The stories have been scary and emotional and I think have served the characters well. We'll see how the cliff hanger plays out.

 

BUT... They're not the Gorn. Not because they don't look like the guy-in-the-suit from Arena. (Although the extremely talented design team has been masterful at making TOS props and sets look "real" in other cases.) No, it's because part of the point of Arena Is that the Gorn are an unknown. And in this telling of the story they are WAY known. Not just known by humans, or Starfleet, but by this actual crew. In Arena when they found out it was the Gorn at least one of these people should have started crying for their mommy. (It would have been awesome if it was Scott.)

[Andy 5,419]

I’m not completely opposed to breaking canon, but this seemed like a case where it could’ve been named a different species. 
 

Good point with your Balance of Terror example.   I personally have to do a mental patch to look past the ALIEN homage to enjoy the Gorn storyline.   It’s okay, but it’s science fiction riffing on same genre science fiction, rather than say, Outland (SciFi) doing High Noon (western). 

[Naïve Old Fart 10,795]

On 07/08/2024 at 5:37 PM, Nick1Ø66 said:

(one-trick pony) 

 

Great album. My favourite Paul Simon record. Very underrated.

[Nick1Ø66 6,076]

30 minutes ago, Naïve Old Fart said:

 

Great album. My favourite Paul Simon record. Very underrated.

 

Late in the Evening is great. But I prefer Simon's more slow tempo songs. His best being Hearts and Bones (which I believe is about Carrie Fisher).

[Mr. Hooper 3,750]

“Alien is just a ghost train where something jumps out and you don’t know who’s going to die next,” Gilliam told the site. “When I watched the first Alien, all I kept saying was, ‘Just kill them all and be done with it,’ because you just know that they’re all going to die along the way."
 

This isn't criticism. It's saying that "ghost trains" aren't your cup of tea.

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

He should watch the DoD intro instead. 

[GerateWohl 5,344]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

“Alien is just a ghost train where something jumps out and you don’t know who’s going to die next,” Gilliam told the site. “When I watched the first Alien, all I kept saying was, ‘Just kill them all and be done with it,’ because you just know that they’re all going to die along the way."

 

 

This isn't criticism. It's saying that "ghost trains" aren't your cup of tea.

 

 

Jabberwocky isn't that much different. 

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

18 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

Jabberwocky isn't that much different. 

 

I've got the German blu. 

[GerateWohl 5,344]

I got the mediabook.

[Nick1Ø66 6,076]

42 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

“Alien is just a ghost train where something jumps out and you don’t know who’s going to die next,” Gilliam told the site. “When I watched the first Alien, all I kept saying was, ‘Just kill them all and be done with it,’ because you just know that they’re all going to die along the way."
 

This isn't criticism. It's saying that "ghost trains" aren't your cup of tea.

 
Nah, it’s a slight…albeit a passive-aggressive one.

 

I’d be more inclined to give Gilliam the benefit of the doubt if he’d hadn’t spent most of his career taking thinly veiled swipes at his contemporaries like this one.

[Mr. Hooper 3,750]

Oh I agree it's a slight. Just saying it doesn't pass as legitimate criticism.

 

It sounds like sour grapes to me, and bashing films that have achieved more success than his, at least internationally.

[Mr. Hooper 3,750]

First reactions are in, and it's looking pretty good...

 

"The most insane final act for a film I've ever seen", said one.

 

I've stayed away from any more clips after the first full trailer, because it revealed too much already. Looking forward to seeing this in IMAX and letting it transport me. The world-building is said to be good in it too.

[Edmilson 9,440]

These first reactions are always so melodramatic...

 

"The best superhero movie since The Dark Knight!"

 

"The best Tarantino since Pulp Fiction!"

 

"The funniest movie I've seen in theaters in my entire life!"

 

Sigh. People post those tweets right after leaving the theater when they're still excited about what they saw and before they had time to reflect on the movie and ponder its qualities and flaws.

 

And this kinda create a "boy who cried wolf" situation. Or overestimates movies to a degree they may not be able to fulfill.

[Tallguy 4,740]

24 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

These first reactions are always so melodramatic...

 

"The best superhero movie since The Dark Knight!"

 

"The best Tarantino since Pulp Fiction!"

 

"The funniest movie I've seen in theaters in my entire life!"

 

Sigh. People post those tweets right after leaving the theater when they're still excited about what they saw and before they had time to reflect on the movie and ponder its qualities and flaws.

 

And this kinda create a "boy who cried wolf" situation. Or overestimates movies to a degree they may not be able to fulfill.

 

Agreed. But maybe I'll feel that way for a few minutes after I see it. I didn't after I saw Alien 4.

[Nick1Ø66 6,076]

I hear it's the feel-good hit of the summer.

[A24 4,662]

"Finally a young and hip crew!" 10/10

[Mr. Hooper 3,750]

Oh the dripping cynicism! lol

 

Going into a movie with your arms crossed, an arched eyebrow, and a sharpened pencil poised to criticize is no way to enjoy it.

[Edmilson 9,440]

19 minutes ago, A24 said:

"Finally a young and based crew!" 10/10

Fixed.

 

They need to keep up with current slang used by the youth.

[A24 4,662]

I feel so old now!

[Nick1Ø66 6,076]

36 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Going into a movie with your arms crossed, an arched eyebrow, and a sharpened pencil poised to criticize is no way to enjoy it.

 

True. But it's an excellent way to get clicks on YouTube!

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

On 08/08/2024 at 8:17 PM, GerateWohl said:

I got the mediabook.

 

Mediabook?

[Andy 5,419]

Mediabooks are awesome, and I wish they were the default packaging for Blu rays.  For some reason Germany makes a lot of them.  But if you’re not familiar, they are hardcover booklets that have a place for the discs, like digibooks, but nicer and more sturdy. 
 

[GerateWohl 5,344]

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

Mediabook?

That's a mediabook.

 

Like And said, it's pretty much like a hard cover book with disk in the book cover and the booklet information in the book pages.

As this has some similarities with a digipack you'd probably hate it.

But I like it.

[Andy 5,419]

I should see that film. 

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

8 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

That's a mediabook.

 

Like And said, it's pretty much like a hard cover book with disk in the book cover and the booklet information in the book pages.

As this has some similarities with a digipack you'd probably hate it.

But I like it.

 

Hardcover digipaks are acceptable  

[Tallguy 4,740]

44 minutes ago, Andy said:

I should see that film. 

 

I wonder what Ridley Scott thought of it?

[tomsmoviemadness 3,691]

I saw it this Wednesday and thought it was really good. A great homage to Alien & Aliens, but it's not just a rehash of those.

 

It has some really cool and inventive sequences and the third act truly is really crazy. But I was totally with it, really great!

 

Wallfisch's score is also wonderful and

Spoiler

 quotes some previous material from multiple composers.

 

Full embargo is till this coming Wednesday. So reviews will also come out then.

[HunterTech 1,338]

You might want to spoiler that last part, in case anyone wants to be surprised there.

[Andy 5,419]

Love this collaboration with Reebok. 
 

Alien Romulus Reebok Shoes

 

 

 

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

Are you getting a pair?

[crocodile 8,739]

On 09/08/2024 at 10:59 PM, JNHFan2000 said:

I saw it this Wednesday and thought it was really good. A great homage to Alien & Aliens, but it's not just a rehash of those.

 

It has some really cool and inventive sequences and the third act truly is really crazy. But I was totally with it, really great!

 

Wallfisch's score is also wonderful and

  Reveal hidden contents

 quotes some previous material from multiple composers.

 

Full embargo is till this coming Wednesday. So reviews will also come out then.

Cool, I am going to a noon showing on Friday and hoping to have a good time. That alone would be good enough for me. 😀

 

Karol

[Andy 5,419]

4 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Are you getting a pair?

Nah. I couldn’t pull off the look.  But my kid and I were just looking at the hottest boutique sneakers which come pre-distressed. It reminded me of the Reeboks, which seem like a bargain by comparison. 
 

Golden Goose Shoes

 

[Naïve Old Fart 10,795]

Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers. You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers.

[Tallguy 4,740]

2 hours ago, Naïve Old Fart said:

Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers. You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers.

 

Everybody's talking bout the new sound honey but it's still rock and roll to me.

[itsevilr 4]

On 10/8/2024 at 5:59 AM, JNHFan2000 said:

I saw it this Wednesday and thought it was really good. A great homage to Alien & Aliens, but it's not just a rehash of those.

 

It has some really cool and inventive sequences and the third act truly is really crazy. But I was totally with it, really great!

 

Wallfisch's score is also wonderful and

  Reveal hidden contents

 quotes some previous material from multiple composers.

 

Full embargo is till this coming Wednesday. So reviews will also come out then.

Heard the final trailer is full of spoilers. Can you confirm?

[Thor 8,700]

I willfully stayed away from the final trailer, which is a good thing. But came back from the film now. Going to write a review of it, so still sorting my thoughts. It's OK, but without any auteur stamps like the previous films. So I suppose my headline would be something like "Heartfelt fan film without auteur blood" or something. Also embargoed until Wednesday, like JNHFan2000.

[tomsmoviemadness 3,691]

I think I'm more optimistic than you about the film, but I do agree with you for the most part.

[Evanus 367]

That's about what I expected. A really expensive fan film, basically. Pretty good looking one though.

[Edmilson 9,440]

28 minutes ago, Evanus said:

A really expensive fan film, basically. Pretty good looking one though.

Doesn't that also describe the Disney Star Wars movies?

[A24 4,662]

7 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe Disney Star Wars?

 

You beat me to it!

[Jurassic Shark 13,740]

Or Despicable Me 4.

[Thor 8,700]

30 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe the Disney Star Wars movies?

 

Maybe the sequels. Possibly ROGUE ONE. But the enormously underrated SOLO is its own thing, a proper space western.

[Nick1Ø66 6,076]

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe the Disney Star Wars movies?

 

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe the Disney Star Wars TV shows?

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe NuTrek?

 

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe Rings of Power?

 

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

Doesn't that also describe Dial of Destiny?

 

Yes.

[Edmilson 9,440]

9 minutes ago, Nick1Ø66 said:

Yes.

Don't forget the Jurassic World movies.