Ridley Scott’s Alien has inspired many filmmakers to make their own version of the science fiction/horror classic. Which ones do you really enjoy watching?
I don’t hear many people talking about Transformations (1988), which is a shame, because it’s a lot of fun…
AN ACT OF PASSION UNLEASHES A DEADLY FORCE
Wolfgang is traveling in outer space when a monster, which he sees as a beautiful woman, appears in his spaceship and makes love with him. Then the ship is forced to land on a planet which is a penal colony. Here he meets Miranda who falls in love with him. A group of prisoners uses him and his spaceship to fly away from the planet. But the monster which is by now inside Wolfgang arouses and only Miranda’s love can save him.
Leviathan starring Peter Weller was a cool “Alien underwater” film.
You’re right, that’s definitely a fun one! It was directed by George P. Cosmatos, who also did Rambo: First Blood Part II, Cobra and Tombstone. He also happens to be the father of Panos Cosmatos who directed Mandy (2018). :)
…and another fun (and virtually unknown) Alien knockoff: Lifeform (aka Invader) from 1996:
THERE’S SOMETHING OUT THERE AND IT’S FOUND A WAY IN
The army discovers the Viking Lander, a satellite previously orbiting Mars, in the middle of the desert. On board is an alien, which is killed by NASA after a manhunt. During the autopsy, scientists discover an egg from which a new alien emerges. The newborn turns out to be a lot smarter and dangerous than its parent.
Moontrap. One of Koenig’s finest roles.
Moontrap is so underappreciated. Any movie starring Bruce Campbell is worth seeking out!
“Galaxy of Terror” for sure.The movie is quite bad, but is also powerfully unnerving cosmic horror.
Funnily enough, production design by one Jim Cameron lol If you watch Aliens after, you can see he copied himself a bit, in a good way.
Galaxy of Terror is great! Cameron’s production design is what elevates this movie above other Alien ripoffs. The scene where the alien worm creature forces itself on a woman is also noteworthy.
I like the movie more and more upon rewatches. I think it’s legitimately scary, if you can get past the hammy-ness. You’re right though, the production design does a lot of heavy lifting.
Tentacle grape before it was cool (in USA).
It amused me to no end that his work on this cash-in of Alien basically got him the job for the sequel, Aliens.
Well, kinda. Terminator happened and was a smash hit, that helped a little 😂
