Alien Scene By Scene

In this new book by cultural critic John David Ebert, the 1979 classic science fiction film Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is analyzed in a scene-by-scene breakdown. Ebert introduces the concept of the "metaphysical vulva" as a counter concept to Lacan's "phallus" as the film's central hidden signifier. Ebert demonstrates that the film concerns a battle for possession of this "metaphysical vulva" by two separate sign regimes: that of the scientific-industrial complex, which wishes to use it for cloning, genetic engineering and the creation of artificial life; and that of the more ancient, mythic (and biomorphic) "Gigerian" sign regime of Titans, Furies and serpent monsters repressed by the techno-industrial regime during the rise of the metaphysical age. The crew of the Nostromo inadvertently stumble upon the very underworld of the mythic-matriarchal consciousness to which Olympian gods such as Zeus or Apollo banished the Titans and Furies of the matrilineal sign regime by deprivileging it as it constructed the great signifiers of the logocentric / metaphysical era that led to the development of ever higher and more advanced forms of technology. Ebert explores all of these themes and more in this intricate analysis of Ridley Scott's Alien.

For the first time, Oscar-winning production designer and director Roger Christian reveals his life story, from his earliest work in the British film industry to his breakthrough contributions on such iconic science fiction masterpieces as Star Wars, Alien and his own rediscovered Black Angel. This candid biography delves into his relationships with legendary figures, as well as the secrets of his greatest work. The man who built the lightsaber finally speaks!

Words on love, Lines on pain, Stories and sights, In tempestuous vein. Glimmers of hope, Of fiery zest, A leaf from the books Of history’s best. On many a home, And worldly ties; To this humble canvas, Please offer your eyes.

Released in 1979, Ridley Scott's Alien has come to be regarded as a classic film, and has been widely written about. But how have audiences engaged with it? This book presents the – sometimes very surprising – results of a major audience research project, exploring how people remember and continue to engage with the film.

A comprehensive and definitive volume telling the complete story of how Alien was made, featuring new interviews with Ridley Scott and other production crew, and including many rarely-seen photos and illustrations from the Fox archives. In 1979 a movie legend was born, as Twentieth Century-Fox and director Ridley Scott unleashed Alien - and gave audiences around the world the scare of their lives. To celebrate the movie's fortieth anniversary, author J.W. Rinzler (The Making of Star Wars) tells the whole fascinating story of how Alien evolved from a simple idea in the mind of writer Dan O'Bannon into one of the most memorable sci-fi horror thrillers of all time. With brand new interviews with Ridley Scott and other key members of the original production crew, and featuring many never-before-seen photographs and artworks from the archives, The Making of Alien is the definitive work on this masterpiece of popular cinema.

"Applaud for KLAWDE. Two paws up!"--Dav Pilkey, creator of the Dog Man series. "Funny, savage, and brilliant, Klawde is the pet I wish I had."--Max Brallier, author of the New York Times Best Seller The Last Kids on Earth Klawde is not your average cat. He's an emperor from another planet, exiled to Earth. He's cruel. He's cunning. He's brilliant... and he's about to become Raj Banerjee's best friend. Whether he likes it or not. Klawde had everything. Sharp claws. Fine fur. And, being the High Commander of the planet Lyttyrboks, an entire world of warlike cats at his command. But when he is stripped of his feline throne, he is sentenced to the worst possible punishment: exile to a small planet in a quiet corner of the universe... named Earth. Raj had everything. A cool apartment in Brooklyn. Three friends who lived in his building. And pizza and comics within walking distance. But when his mom gets a job in Elba, Oregon, and he is forced to move, all of that changes. It's now the beginning of summer, he has no friends, and because of his mother's urgings, he has joined a nature camp. It's only when his doorbell rings and he meets a furball of a cat that Raj begins to think maybe his luck is turning around... Heavily illustrated, with a hilarious, biting voice that switches between Raj and Klawde's perspectives, this is the story of an unlikely friendship that emerges as two fish out of water begin to find their footing in strange new worlds.

This text examines the construction of sex and gender in the four science-fiction films comprising the Alien saga (starring Sigourney Weaver). It will be useful to researchers and teachers in film, mass communication, women's studies, gender studies and genre studies.