Picture this: you're a studio executive in 1958, and someone pitches you a movie about a gelatinous blob that terrorizes a small Pennsylvania town. Your first question probably isn't "What does this say about the Red Scare?" But looking back at seven decades of alien cinema, it becomes clear that our extraterrestrial visitors have always … Continue reading From Rubber Suits to CGI Nightmares: How Alien Designs Mirror Our Deepest Fears
Aliens
Wavelength
The first time Eliza saw the colors, she was alone in her apartment. A shimmering patch of deep indigo appeared on her living room wall—vibrant and impossible, like spilled ink bleeding upward against gravity. She blinked, certain it was a migraine aura or a trick of the evening light. The indigo pulsed once, then dissolved … Continue reading Wavelength
The Worst 78 – Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem 2007 Directed by David Zucker Welcome back to Movie Monday, folks! We're continuing our journey through my personal hall of shame, aka the worst movies I've ever had the misfortune of watching. Remember, this is all based on my opinion, so your mileage may vary. Today, we're diving into the murky … Continue reading The Worst 78 – Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
The Character Couch – Ellen Ripley
Welcome to another exciting edition of The Character Couch! This is that section of The Confusing Middle where we take a look at well-known movie characters and examine them from a psychological point of view. What makes them tick? Grab some popcorn because today we’re going to dive into the psyche of the Nostromo's lone … Continue reading The Character Couch – Ellen Ripley
Messenger
Originally written in April of 2011… Allen ran as fast as his feet would carry him through the tall grass of the open plain. His lungs burned as he tried to breathe in and out, but he knew he couldn’t stop. The message he was carrying was far too important, and his enemies were far … Continue reading Messenger
Why Are They Called Martians?
No... I get it. They're from the planet Mars, so we call them Martians. That part makes sense. But I have to ask, why is it that in so many science fiction stories the Martians refer to themselves as Martians? Of course, I haven't read or seen every bit of entertainment out there that features … Continue reading Why Are They Called Martians?
My Favorite Movies #74 – Arrival
Arrival 2016 Directed by Denis Villeneuve Netflix says... Confronted by a mass landing of alien vessels around the globe, military leaders seek the help of brilliant linguist Louise Banks in an effort to communicate with the extraterrestrials and determine their intentions. Have you seen this one? It is kind of brilliant. But it can also be … Continue reading My Favorite Movies #74 – Arrival
The Silverfish Scenario
Ugh... Silverfish... Is there a more disgusting thing in all of creation? Probably. But, at the moment, I'm not capable of thinking of one. You know what a silverfish is, right? They're those bugs that basically look like pocket sized alien monsters. I'm sorry, something with that many legs is just unnatural. Last night, prior … Continue reading The Silverfish Scenario
Six Fictional Presidents I Would Rather See Win This Year’s Election
Look, I generally make it a point to avoid talking about politics on my blog. But I can confidently say that I am struggling with this year's presidential election. For reasons which are my own, I have a very difficult time supporting either of the major party candidates. For anyone who knows me even a … Continue reading Six Fictional Presidents I Would Rather See Win This Year’s Election
So Many Questions, Part III
Welcome to the third of a five part series of questions. If you missed the first two parts, 1-20 are here and 21-40 are here. Enjoy! 41. Write the first sentence of your obituary. Aaron Lee Peck, bestselling author and inventor of the thing that changed the face of western civilization, died at the age … Continue reading So Many Questions, Part III
The Confusing Middle 