Mood:
happyTopic: A Star for A Star!
It is hard to believe that this is the 20th anniversary of Actor Lance Henriksen’s performance as the android "Bishop" in the highly acclaimed "Aliens".
"Aliens" was the second installment of the Alien Movie Franchise. In addition, it was one of the rare instances where a sequel was better than the original or first movie. Another movie with that type of record was from the Terminator Franchise. It is not consequence that Director James Cameron directed both films.
Director James Cameron also ensured Lance Henriksen got the role as "Bishop" and the rest is history. Lance and James are long time friends including Bill Paxton. I am glad to see that their friendship survived in such a "cut throat” industry where entertainers are often coerced into doing things that they did not want to do.
Prior to Lance Henrisken's performance, androids or robots appeared on the "silver screen" as stiff, lifeless, boring, and emotionless mega brains. Actor Lance Henriksen showed a more lifeful, intelligent android/robot, and one with a sense of humor. Just about everybody true to the genre of Sci-Fi remembers that famous line - I may be synthetic but I'm not stupid. And that knife scene with Actor Bill Paxton rocks!!!!!!
The second movie of the Alien franchise has a cult-like following. Young adults that were 5 years old or less when the Aliens hit the "silver screen" knows about the Aliens movie and Actor Lance Henriksen. And Lance has been going and going non-stop. Lance is a true actor and artist that has truly embraced his craft and enjoys "feeding" the hefty the appetites of the many fans of the genres of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Animation, Horror, and Drama. Lance is also funny. Watch Jennifer 8 to see a side of Lance’s comedic side. He dances and laughs with his actress wife in the Jennifer 8 and “shoots the breeze” with John played by Andy Garcia. I really enjoyed the scene where Lance (Character Freddie Ross) asked Actor Andy Garcia (Charcter John) whether he thinks the blind girl, Helena, played by Actress Uma Thurman would want an old dog like him (Garcia).
By Lafemmenikita07
'Aliens': 20 years later, mother of all alien flicks still has bite
"Chuck Vinch
The Army Times
Sept. 25, 2006 12:00 AM
Twenty years ago, Sigourney Weaver sent her career into hyperdrive as steely Lt. Ellen Ripley, humanity's longest-suffering crusader against the bloodthirsty critters known simply as "Aliens."
When the second chapter in this now-famous quadrilogy was released 20 years ago in the summer of 1986, fans were unsure how it would stand up next to the classic 1979 original, which featured one of the most unsettling and indelible scenes in screen history - John Hurt giving birth, sort of, to an Alien.
Turns out "Aliens" is the rare sequel that surpasses its progenitor, in such glorious style that it has become a giant of the sci-fi/action/adventure genre - a rocket ride through the dark side of our souls powered by awesome visual effects, a razor-sharp cast, tart 'n' tangy dialogue and a frenetic pace set by writer-director James Cameron of "Titanic" fame.
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Part of the film's appeal lies in its interesting mix of genres and themes.
On the surface, it's a sci-fi and war flick. But it also tweaks corporate malfeasance, satirizes the yuppie mentality, delves into the eternal battle of the sexes and riffs on the very essence of what it means to be human.
And the most unusual aspect: Beneath all the lead-slinging action, it's really a tender tale of motherhood, embodied by two females doing what's natural - protecting their young. One of them just happens to be a slimy, 15-foot-tall insectoid with deadly claws, a razor-sharp tail and concentrated acid for blood.
For anyone who has ever served in the military, much of the fun derives from the Colonial Marines, the "very tough hombres" with whom Ripley returns to the infamous Planet LV-426 when the human colony there falls silent.
The futuristic weaponry this space faring strike force packs can level worlds, yet the grunts wielding it are familiar:
• The fresh-scrubbed 2nd Lt. Gorman (William Hope), getting his first taste of combat action
• Gunnery Sgt. Apone (Al Matthews), the cigar-chomping, nail-spitting topkick
• The cool and respected Cpl. Hicks (Michael Biehn), and
• The boastful but cowardly Pvt. Hudson (Bill Paxton), who finds his courage in the heat of battle.
Cameron delights in having this crew show that no matter how technology evolves, some parts of military life are likely to endure forever - such as the time-honored tradition of griping about lousy field chow.
There's much tight-knit interplay among the cast members, who also include the android - uh, "artificial person" - Bishop (B-movie icon Lance Henriksen), company toadie Burke (Paul Reiser) and, later, young Newt (played with a fine mix of fear and fortitude by Carrie Henn, an Air Force brat whose dad was based in England, where the film was shot).
Once the setup is out of the way and the Marines arrive at the seemingly deserted colony, the film accelerates into one long rush punctuated by wild action and lots of sharp, ironic lines.
As the film roars along, the relationship between Ripley and Newt emerges as a central theme with deep emotional resonance. Oddly, a scene early in the film that gives new worlds of meaning to this crucial theme was stripped from the original theatrical release to trim two lousy minutes from the run time.
The scene comes just after Ripley has been rescued from hypersleep. Burke informs her that her daughter, only 10 when Ripley left 57 years before, has been dead for two years. "I promised her I'd be home for her 11th birthday," Ripley sobs.
It's no wonder she and Newt later bond like glue; Ripley is not about to fail this surrogate daughter as she did her own child. Fortunately, this scene has been restored to the video and DVD versions of the film.
On DVD
"Alien Quadrilogy," 2003, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Rated R, $63.98.
Released in December 2003, this mammoth box set - nine DVDs with more than 60 hours of material - is almost as big as an Alien Queen and twice as bad.
The films are on four discs: remastered versions of the original theatrical releases of "Alien," "Aliens," "Alien3" and "Alien Resurrection," along with alternate versions of each - Ridley Scott's director's cut of "Alien," and expanded special editions of the other three films, all with deleted scenes restored.
Each film disc has a companion supplemental disc with an awesome array of special features about developing the stories, crafting the production, creating the special effects and casting the roles.
Sigourney Weaver's original screen test for "Alien"? It's here. Conceptual art portfolios of the unique creatures created by artist H.R. Giger? Ditto. Full-length audio commentary by the directors, artists and actors? Extra deleted scenes? Huge still-photo archives? Affirmative.
To top it off, there's a ninth disc with still more documentary features and all 28 theater and TV trailers for the four films.
"Alien Quadrilogy" is so jam-packed with slimy, acid-soaked goodness that it'll be a long time before you have to say, "Game over, man! Game over!"
