MovieChat Forums > MichaelJPollock > Replies
MichaelJPollock's Replies
Personally, I'm not one of what Hitchcock (whose number of films were ridden with plot holes and inconsistencies, yet were -and still are- masterpieces) called "the realists": I'm not overly bothered by plot holes in (good) films. Mainly because in arts "Truth" has little to do with "reality" or realism. Secondly, because even in reality, many things are extremely difficult to explain or understand.
But I understand why some people would be bothered by them: we don't all look for the same things in film.
Also, I don't agree that Fincher's film disregards everything about Cameron's. But even if it did, I wouldn't mind either. I'm more interested in originality than continuity of vision.
Sometimes unforeseeable tragedy strikes, and people's lives, predicament and motivations change.
"Maybe, but that’s why it doesn’t work as a sequel"
***
I agree, it doesn't work "as a sequel". It works as something greater than a mere sequel (see my earlier post).
"It didn’t feel natural or organic to what came before."
***
What's important, is that it feels organic to what comes AFTER (and it certainly does).
It is actually... Good observation. What do you make of it?
But mostly, I find 'Alien 3' is "about" something at the same time more complex, grander and more relatable than anything 'Aliens' is about:
- Grief for the tragic loss of a “child”, and acceptance of the intrinsic unfairness of existence (something I understand the immense majority of people who disliked Alien3 for "killing off" both Newt and Hicks had the most difficulty coping with).
- The depression and difficulty to stand up and fight in the face of what seems like insurmountable odds: Ripley is at the same time so much stronger (she stands her ground amidst a group of violent male criminals and rapists) and vulnerable (she can’t take it anymore and decides to end her life at some point… before deciding to fight again) than in the other films.
- The sheer terror and hyper-reality of the moment you realize something with your x-ray is not quite right, and all that it could imply.
- The living for so long with something inside of you that will eventually kill you, that it becomes a part of who you are.
- Acceptance in a community that is so fundamentally different from yourself, and learns to "tolerate" the "intolerable". Turn on the news today and see how crucial and difficult this is.
"I also think it could be a better film than "Aliens.""
***
I realize it's not the popular opinion (although 'Alien3' seems to be getting more and more love as time passes...) and I'm well aware of the infamous production troubles the film went through, but I still think so too.
Cameron's 'Aliens' is the first film of the saga I saw, at a fairly young age, and it really impressed me at the time.
I still think Scott's 1979 'Alien' is in a league of its own, and nothing short of a major masterpiece (from an otherwise fairly mediocre filmmaker, I have to say, but that's a discussion for another board I guess...).
That being said, I much prefer the photography, sets and costume design from Alien3, compared to Aliens. Aliens is full of ugly blue screen and interior design reminiscent of the first Alien.
I also prefer Ripley's characterization in Alien3: give me "horny Ripley" ("-Are you attracted to me?", "-In what way?", "-In THAT way!") over "motherly Ripley" from Aliens, any day of the week.
The editing in Alien3 is also better, I find (watch that autopsy sequence again! https://youtu.be/8xzSZYaeBcU?t=58).
I did (at 13 years old). Arrived late and missed the opening credits, so wasn't aware that one of the crew had been "face hugged". Loved the film! Still do (and not even the Assembly Cut, I prefer the theatrical cut myself, warts and all).
Ages better than Cameron's 'Aliens' I think.
Either "I'll show you a tremor!" (*SLAP*) or "kids suck!".
Shut up. We all know the girls where manipulating both Troy and Brand to get to the hunk they were REALLY after.... Sloth.
Yeah, that guy had RANGE.
I still have nightmares from that upside down "I'll put your c**t wife on the streets to be f**ed in the a** by nig*** and porto-ricans..." shot.
Agreed. Alan Silvestri's score for 'Predator', four years later is so very similar.
How he goes from being a lustful beast used as breeding stock, to understanding the potential dangers of casual sex (the encounter with the witch), to understanding the profound attachment and meaning of commitment to another human being (Valeria, whom he treats as his equal).
At the end of the film, Conan doesn't try to take advantage of the rescued princess who worships him and kneels before him: he instead gives her back her dignity and takes her to her father.
How he goes from the simple, belligerent worldview and politics of a thug (“Crush the enemy, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women...”), to a materialistic world view (his “Tony Montana phase” -so to speak- where he literally drowns in his soup, covered in jewels and gold), to a higher understanding of morality, honor and a more philosophical view of the transience of existence (“No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad, why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that few stood against many.”)
My favourite sequence in the film has to be when Conan’s chased by feral dogs after having gained his freedom, enters an abandoned tomb as a frightened brute still in chains, and emerges from it a free man, with purpose and a sense of History as well as his own place in the world, after his encounter with the remains of the Old Warrior King.
Something deep happens in this sequence, and it’s all communicated very cinematically, with only a single word of dialogue (“Crom!!”) in the whole 5min that it lasts.
And of course, Poledouris’s titanic score…
Quite right.
And Conan himself is not just all brawn, but also something of a philosopher -both in the film and books-, who reflects on the world and his own condition.
Milius's film shows very well how Conan's philosophy, understanding of his own way of being-into-the-world, ideas about religion, women, etc. all evolve throughout his adventures:
How he gradually learns that neither Steel (his Father's philosophy), nor Flesh (Tulsa Doom's philosophy) move the world, but rather the Will that wields both (he's seen holding both his father's broken sword and Doom's severed head in the finale, and tosses both; he's able to subdue the entire cult and its remaining followers through his sheer presence, fearlessness and willpower, without weapons or political power).
How, as a child, he blindly accepts his father's tenets about religion (the opening monologue about Crom), then comes to thinks of one's faith as something to oppose and defend against other faiths (“Crom laughs from his mountain at your Four Winds!”), but finally understands that the purpose of God and religion is to serve men, not pit them against each other (Conan's prayer to Crom before the Battle of the Mound: "Grant me one request... and if you don't listen, then to hell with you!").
(continued...)
"Science disagrees."
***
Again: get your story straight.
Is science to be trusted? Or not? Or only when you decide it should be? Which is it?
You posted the following 2 days ago:
https://moviechat.org/bd0000082/Politics/5f24125d52aa7a0de38a4082/We-cant-even-trust-science-anymore
"We used to think of science as this reliable and object means of gaining knowledge but like very much everything it too has become politicized and "corrupted" by the identity politic crowd. Now science has to conform to their ideology or else research won't get funded and/or attacked as not being diverse, inclusive or something similar.
It is like there is no truth to be found anywhere, not in the media, not in science, not in politics. Quite sad."
"There are objective scientific tests done to people suffering gender dysphoria that shows that their brain correspond to the opposite sex. It is not a mere feeling."
***
Same as before. Please get your story straight: either science is capable of objective testing in order to back-up or debunk claims about the nature of the world, or science has become "politicized and corrupt" and "we can't trust it anymore" (your words: link to your post and copy of its contents below).
https://moviechat.org/bd0000082/Politics/5f24125d52aa7a0de38a4082/We-cant-even-trust-science-anymore
"We used to think of science as this reliable and object means of gaining knowledge but like very much everything it too has become politicized and "corrupted" by the identity politic crowd. Now science has to conform to their ideology or else research won't get funded and/or attacked as not being diverse, inclusive or something similar.
It is like there is no truth to be found anywhere, not in the media, not in science, not in politics. Quite sad."
Hi,
Could you please get your story straight?
Either science is fact-based and able to back-up or debunk claims about the nature of the world, or science has become "politicized and corrupt" and "we can't trust it anymore" (your words: link to your post and copy of its contents below). Which is it? Many thanks.
https://moviechat.org/bd0000082/Politics/5f24125d52aa7a0de38a4082/We-cant-even-trust-science-anymore
"We used to think of science as this reliable and object means of gaining knowledge but like very much everything it too has become politicized and "corrupted" by the identity politic crowd. Now science has to conform to their ideology or else research won't get funded and/or attacked as not being diverse, inclusive or something similar.
It is like there is no truth to be found anywhere, not in the media, not in science, not in politics. Quite sad."
Don't know, but there's a healthy Torrent out there.
Many thanks dude, Sword of Gideon is actually a terrific made-for-TV movie!
Believe or not, I saw it when I was a kid and only remembered the scene where Michael York defuses the bomb in the safe-house in France (then goes for a glass of milk in the fridge...), which really impressed me as a child. Have been trying to find what movie this scene was from for almost 30 years...
Thanks, didn't know that. Will look it up. Interesting casting: Steven Bauer, Lino Ventura and Rod Steiger... will definitely watch this one.