Worst2First: My Top Ten Alien Films
Worst2First:
My Top Ten Alien Films
So here are my personal top ten alien films, worst2first...
**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**
#10
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Based on Douglas Adams's iconic novel, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" follows one man who is taken aboard an alien ship after Earth is destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway. We see this new world through his primitive eyes, and experience a hilarious adventure through the cosmos. If you're a fan of British humor, you'll find yourself laughing like I did from start to finish. The film also boasts an impressive cast including Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, John Malkovich and Alan Rickman who voices the manic depressive android Marvin - who also steals the show.
#9
Super 8
When you combine the talents of J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg, you're bound to get a timeless alien adventure filled with heart and excitement. Before "Stranger Things" there was "Super 8," a film that hearkened back to "E.T.," "The Goonies" and "Stand By Me." A group of kids are making a movie using a Super 8 camera when they witness a train derailment, and the cargo inside breaks free. The mystery surrounding the creature is paramount to the story, and unravels beautifully. The child actors all excel in their performances, and the effects are impressive and amazing.
#8
District 9
More an allegory on the apartheid in South Africa, Neill Blomkamp's visionary film centers around an alien race who lands over Johannesburg 28 years ago, and how the government sanctioned them to reside in their own area away from human contact and subjected them to extremely poor living conditions. It's a fascinating film that sheds light on very humanistic fears and prejudices, but through the eyes of aliens.
#7
The Abyss
Some people say we know more about outer space than our oceans, and James Cameron explores this concept with "The Abyss," a film about a recovery team who goes into the ocean to recover a submarine, but finds an entirely different type of vessel. Starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn, the film boasts a terrific, terrifying story, outstanding acting and before-its-years effects that earned an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
#6
Arrival
Denis Villeneuve is one of today's most powerful directors, bringing to life the likes of "Sicario," "Prisoners" and "Blade Runner 2049." With "Arrival," he bends the alien genre and creates an entirely new concept. Here, Amy Adams stars as the world's most prolific linguist who is brought in to communicate with an alien race that landed in twelve different spots on Earth. Using her communication skills, she tries to bridge a divide between the two races before an intergalactic war begins - and when she finds out why the aliens have arrived, it shakes her to the core. Filled with amazing performances and effects, plus a solid script and sound directing, the film earned eight Academy Award nominations.
#5
The Thing
John Carpenter takes us to the uttermost desolate terrain in the world - Antarctica - that helps in aiding the audience to the terror they face along with the hapless group of men who are stationed there for research purposes. When they come across a strange ship, they soon discover that not everything inside died, and an alien being is impersonating the men in order to survive and escape to civilization. Filled with dread and tension at every move, "The Thing" is also a groundbreaking work of special effects and led by Kurt Russell's phenomenal performance.
#4
Alien
Ridley Scott made audiences terrified of what could lie in the cosmos with "Alien," a film centering around a group of space travelers who come across an alien species bent on killing them all. There's several moments in the film that are now iconic - including the dreaded, claustrophobic chase through the heating ducts and that shocking ending - as well as amazing acting all around. Plus it gave birth to one of cinema's most powerful femme fatales in Sigourney Weaver's Ripley.
#3
Aliens
Taking over the reigns from Ridley Scott, James Cameron advances the "Alien" story with "Aliens," which centers more on sci-fi action than horror. Sigourney Weaver solidifies her spot in cinematic history as Ripley, who once again battles the deadly aliens that invaded her spaceship in the previous film. However, this time she's not alone, as a team of space marines in hopes of totally eradicating the alien species once and for all.
#2
E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial
There's few films out there that are as iconic and memorable as "E.T.," one of Steven Spielberg's crowning achievements. The film follows Elliott, a lonely boy who befriends an alien stuck on Earth, and their adventure to get him back home. There's several memorable moments in the film (including Reese's Pieces, and that bike ride through town), and remains a family-friendly film that's only gotten better with time. Plus the film has amazing effects, that John Williams score, and is also features one of the first appearances of Drew Barrymore.
#1
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
When it comes to alien movies, only Steven Spielberg can top...Steven Spielberg. When you have the legendary Ray Bradbury say a film is the greatest science fiction film ever made, you know you've made something unique and visionary. When a man experiences a UFO, he sets out to find the truth behind what he saw and encountered. Featuring stunning visual effects for its time, the film also boasts a terrific cast including Richard Dreyfuss, and that now-iconic finale set at the Devils Tower.
Comments
Post a Comment