This is in fact the first year film studies reading of that film (Alien is notoriously used as an example of psycho-analysis approach to film theory). Any chance jizzwad did/is doing Film Studies?
mean streets is a favorite of mine.
I’m pretty sure I heard “One more kiss” in the new cut of Bladerunner. Didn’t know the work print had a different track, can’t wait to finally lay my eyes on that.
Yeah Alien is an amazing film, it’s one of the few films I can think of that fills you with dread from the start and never lets go. All the Giger/Moebius/Cobb designs are great in there. I think the scene where they discover the derelict is brilliant, the U shaped design of the ship is so odd it really sets you on edge. It’s interesting that Giger, Moebius and Cobb were all working on Jodorowsky’s version of Dune and when the project folded Scott pulled them all onto Alien. I’m one of the rare fans of Lynch’s version of Dune but it sure would’ve been interesting to see Jodorowskys’ version with all these different artists working on it (not to mention Salvador Dali playing the Emperor and Pink Floyd handling the soundtrack!).
Yeah Aliens is fine for what it is, after that the sequels are a bunch of visually interesting films that might work better with the sound off. Alien vs Predator is an abomination.
Jodo’s Dune would have been amazing. I actually believe that culture and particularly pop culture would have been different if it had come about. Now beofre you think I’m going off into hyperbole remember it was being worked on before Star Wars. Had it succeeded Star Wars would have looked like a knock off (sand planet, similar designs, etc) and had it failed Star Wars probably wouldn’t have been made. If Star Wars had never happened it is questionable if the entire blockbuster approach towards movies would have gotten off the ground and collectible toys might not have happened in the same way either. In their place we’d have a modern surrealist approach as handled by the greatest living master of the form (Jodo). This is one subject that I can waffle on about for a while so I’ll cut it short.
Speaking of Bill S, anyone read Stray Toasters? Reading that back in grade school did a number on me. I loved it and it fucked up my aesthetics as a result.
Jaws had a more profound effect on the development of the current blockbuster system, so if Star Wars wouldn’t have been made, I’d guess it wouldn’t have that big an effect. Its difficult to predict how the merchandising business would develop but I also don’t think it wouldn’t have been drastically different.
With that said, the concept of not having the abomination that is Star Wars as an integral part of world culture sounds interesting indeed 
…the abomination that is Star Wars
Not the original? you mean currently right? I’m ok with that!
Late,
grmpysmrf
Hahahah, no actually I really do dislike Star Wars quite a bit.
Obviously, if there is one thing that its good at is using calculated epic tale narrative elements to make a product that sells well; however, as a story in general it is very problematic. Fun to watch and well made, but ultimately can’t stand on its own as a story.
Well it’s just cowboys and indians in space… the characters are really likeable and as you said it’s well made. sound effects and special effects are genius! Although I know where you come from cause the newer ones are terrible and all the special effects and noises don’t make up for crappy characters and a thrice told story…although I did like The third one and the Darth maul character.
Late,
grmpysmrf
Hahahah, no actually I really do dislike Star Wars quite a bit.
Obviously, if there is one thing that its good at is using calculated epic tale narrative elements to make a product that sells well; however, as a story in general it is very problematic. Fun to watch and well made, but ultimately can’t stand on its own as a story.
Yeah you’re right Jaws did start the blockbuster, there’s my mind slipping away. Will say without the toys though there might not have been the “collect them all” mentality spread so strongly to Gen X kids. I sometimes wonder how different my life would be if I hadn’t grown up inside that mindset. Not that I’m bitching, it’s just one of the more obviously odious things that I absorbed like a sponge as a young tyke.