Why Did Parker Hesitate?

[ADWatts]

This just struck me as very funny. Not sure how
funny it really is, but what the hell.

Over at IMDb I was looking over the Alien message
board (mostly boring) when this subject caught
my eye:

"Lambert...that stupid, stupid bitch"

Well, some of you may remember I'm quite fond of
Lambert and feel she's maybe the *only* one that
reacts in a truly realistic way (fuck this, let's get the
hell out of here), so I had to read:

tommyp387 --
"If i was in Parker's postition (he's about to fry the
alien and Lambert wont move), i would have just
torched both of em. Parker was my favorite character
and he had to die because Lambert is a stupid, stupid
B I T C H."

Well, that got me laughing a little bit, inside. But I started
to laugh out loud when I read one of the replies:

keith-264 --
"Parker wasn't going to flamethrower the alien until he'd
discussed the bonus situation obviously. "

I can just see Parker getting into the alien's face, trying
to convince it that he deserves a full-share. CHOMP!

:-D

Have a great day!

Ahmed

[Tracy]

That was hysterical!!!!!!!! :-D

I have to admit here, although Signourney played an exceptional part
(she is a superb actress full stop!), Cartwright was amazing in Alien -
she had a clamminess about her from the start - neurosis city!
The noise she makes when the chestburster blood splatters on her face
and the terrified, frozen, stance when the alien gets Parker and then
herself.
To panic the way she did was the least I would have expected from her
character and boy, did she panic!!! Incredibly realistic! Class
frigging A+++++

[Rotes Sapiens]

On 23 Sep 2005 01:35:08 -0700, "Tracy"

Post by Tracy
That was hysterical!!!!!!!! :-D
I have to admit here, although Signourney played an exceptional part
(she is a superb actress full stop!), Cartwright was amazing in Alien -
she had a clamminess about her from the start - neurosis city!
The noise she makes when the chestburster blood splatters on her face
and the terrified, frozen, stance when the alien gets Parker and then
herself.
To panic the way she did was the least I would have expected from her
character and boy, did she panic!!! Incredibly realistic! Class
frigging A+++++

I still wonder about the cat at the end of the movie. Why didn't the
alien kill it when it went past it to get into the shuttle? Why
wasn't the cat misbehaving because of the alien in the shuttle? How
did the alien know to get into the shuttle? It was only a few days
old and didn't know about things like that.



Sig:
"The cat was once revered as a god. They have never forgotten this" - Anon

[Covenant]

Post by Rotes Sapiens
I still wonder about the cat at the end of the movie. Why didn't the
alien kill it when it went past it to get into the shuttle?

It was no threat.
And probably seen as too small for a *host* (As the chest burster is almost
as *big* as a cat!)

Post by Rotes Sapiens
Why wasn't the cat misbehaving because of the alien in the shuttle?

Cos it was in a box.
;' )

Post by Rotes Sapiens
How did the alien know to get into the shuttle? It was only a few days
old and didn't know about things like that.

It obviously did!
(And wasn;t the shuttle door open anyway???)


--
Covenant
A Man With Far Too Much Time On His Hands

[ADWatts]

Post by Rotes Sapiens
I still wonder about the cat at the end of the movie. Why didn't the
alien kill it when it went past it to get into the shuttle?

Jonesy wasn't a threat, and it had bigger things to worry about.

Although there were plenty of rumors at the time (the early
80's) about the possible "condition" of poor Jonesy. Which
was played up beautifully in the beginning of Aliens.

Post by Rotes Sapiens
Why
wasn't the cat misbehaving because of the alien in the shuttle?

The alien didn't do anything but look at it. Why should it
continue to freak out when it hasn't been attacked? Cats
I've been around calm down pretty quick after initial
distrust, unlike dogs which seem to just love to make a
big deal out of nothing.

Post by Rotes Sapiens
How
did the alien know to get into the shuttle?

Alien's alien is intelligent. (Although fans won't agree
on this point, I and many others take this as "fact".)
By reading Ripley's actions, it could make a guess
at what she was attempting.

Or, if you like, it got lucky. It was looking for a place
to rest (perhaps to go into another phase of it's life-
cycle) and it choose the shuttle, which was about to
depart.

Post by Rotes Sapiens
It was only a few days
old and didn't know about things like that.

You're relating it to human experience. It's explosive
growth should tell you right away that you can't think
about it in "normal" terms. Also, memory and knowledge
aren't just things which are aquired, but are also passed
down genetically. A monarch butterfly has never migrated
before, but it knows exactly what to do. A parasitic creature
which can use a variety of host would probably rely heavily
upon generic "memory". We also don't know just how much
the alien takes away from our genes when it gestates. It
obviously adapts physical characteristics so that it can
survive the host's environments, but it would also be logical
to assume that it might retain some of our "ancestrial
knowledge".

Our world might not be as alien to it as you might think.

Have a great day!

Ahmed

[ADWatts]

Post by Tracy
I have to admit here, although Signourney played an exceptional part
(she is a superb actress full stop!), Cartwright was amazing in Alien -
she had a clamminess about her from the start - neurosis city!
The noise she makes when the chestburster blood splatters on her face
and the terrified, frozen, stance when the alien gets Parker and then
herself.
To panic the way she did was the least I would have expected from her
character and boy, did she panic!!! Incredibly realistic! Class
frigging A+++++

Better a late reply, than no reply. ;-)

I think Veronica Cartwright is definatety overlooked when it
comes to heaping praise on Alien. But she does a fantastic
job, as you point out so beautifully above.

The again, I'm a fan of hers. She was in one of my favorite
films of last year -- Kinsey -- and she's done a lot of good
steady work over the years, if not exactly high profile. Which
I actually enjoy more. Stars can get "too big for their britches"
while someone like Cartwright is just a solid performer every
time. I especially liked her on "The X-Files". And I was a fan
before Alien, having enjoyed the remake of Invasion of the
Body Snatchers in '78; and I've been a fan of her and Jeff
Goldblum ever since.

As for Lambert, I can't imagine Alien without her. Everyone
serves a function, of course, but I could relate to Lambert.
Dallas and Ripley were strong leaders. Kane a wreckless
dreamer (he'd be the second easiest for me to relate to).
Parker and Brett are the "comedic" element. And, Ash is
calm and intelligent, but that ends up being because he's
synthetic, of course. Lambert, she's scared and realistic.
I was scared. We were scared together. And when she died,
I just about went out of mind, not only because of the scream,
but I also felt really alone because I didn't really connect
with Ripley at that time. It was Lambert I wanted to see survive,
not Ripley. I would've taken Parker over her as well. Not that I
had anything against Ripley, I just couldn't empathize with her
the way I could some of the other crew members.

Who did anyone else relate to the best?

Have a great day!

Ahmed

[ROBERT LAWFORD]

Post by ADWatts

Post by Tracy
I have to admit here, although Signourney played an exceptional part
(she is a superb actress full stop!), Cartwright was amazing in Alien -
she had a clamminess about her from the start - neurosis city!
The noise she makes when the chestburster blood splatters on her face
and the terrified, frozen, stance when the alien gets Parker and then
herself.
To panic the way she did was the least I would have expected from her
character and boy, did she panic!!! Incredibly realistic! Class
frigging A+++++

Better a late reply, than no reply. ;-)
I think Veronica Cartwright is definatety overlooked when it
comes to heaping praise on Alien. But she does a fantastic
job, as you point out so beautifully above.
The again, I'm a fan of hers. She was in one of my favorite
films of last year -- Kinsey -- and she's done a lot of good
steady work over the years, if not exactly high profile. Which
I actually enjoy more. Stars can get "too big for their britches"
while someone like Cartwright is just a solid performer every
time. I especially liked her on "The X-Files". And I was a fan
before Alien, having enjoyed the remake of Invasion of the
Body Snatchers in '78; and I've been a fan of her and Jeff
Goldblum ever since.
As for Lambert, I can't imagine Alien without her. Everyone
serves a function, of course, but I could relate to Lambert.
Dallas and Ripley were strong leaders. Kane a wreckless
dreamer (he'd be the second easiest for me to relate to).
Parker and Brett are the "comedic" element. And, Ash is
calm and intelligent, but that ends up being because he's
synthetic, of course. Lambert, she's scared and realistic.
I was scared. We were scared together. And when she died,
I just about went out of mind, not only because of the scream,
but I also felt really alone because I didn't really connect
with Ripley at that time. It was Lambert I wanted to see survive,
not Ripley. I would've taken Parker over her as well. Not that I
had anything against Ripley, I just couldn't empathize with her
the way I could some of the other crew members.
Who did anyone else relate to the best?
Have a great day!
Ahmed

I related to Dallas the most. He came across as a reluctant leader and
wasn't afraid to go against the rule book or cut corners to get things done
:)

I've always had a problem connecting with Ripley, as she seems too cold and
impersonal for my liking. Every time she starts giving orders or lecturing
someone it irritates me as much as it obviously did Parker :P Sometimes
(depending on what mood i'm in) , i want the alien to get her at the end of
Alien, although i know of course that it won't.

When the alien looked at Jones in his cat box, it looks to me as if the
alien is almost laughing at it.

'Why did Parker hesitate?' Ooh, maybe because he was about to attack an 8
foot alien ( 'as big as a man') with sharp pointy teeth, knowing that he
would probably die, and for a fraction of a second considered hiding and
letting the alien get on with doing lambert in. I'd sure as hell bloody
hesitate if i was him! He died a pointless death though, because when the
alien went for him, Lambert just stood there, although i don't really blame
her. I probably would have done the same, oh well.

[Tracy]

Post by ADWatts

Post by Tracy
I have to admit here, although Signourney played an exceptional part
(she is a superb actress full stop!), Cartwright was amazing in Alien -
she had a clamminess about her from the start - neurosis city!
The noise she makes when the chestburster blood splatters on her face
and the terrified, frozen, stance when the alien gets Parker and then
herself.
To panic the way she did was the least I would have expected from her
character and boy, did she panic!!! Incredibly realistic! Class
frigging A+++++

Better a late reply, than no reply. ;-)
I think Veronica Cartwright is definatety overlooked when it
comes to heaping praise on Alien. But she does a fantastic
job, as you point out so beautifully above.
The again, I'm a fan of hers. She was in one of my favorite
films of last year -- Kinsey -- and she's done a lot of good
steady work over the years, if not exactly high profile. Which
I actually enjoy more. Stars can get "too big for their britches"
while someone like Cartwright is just a solid performer every
time. I especially liked her on "The X-Files".

Yes, yes, yes, "Spender's mum"!!! :)))

Did you see Veronica spewing up cherry stones in another film?? Brilliant!

And I was a fan

Post by ADWatts
before Alien, having enjoyed the remake of Invasion of the
Body Snatchers in '78; and I've been a fan of her and Jeff
Goldblum ever since.

Dont talk about JG to me - the sexiest man on the planet as far as I am
concerned (but thats a girly perspective, I am sure!!!!!!). er.... I havent
seen the remake of Invasion..... should I????

Post by ADWatts
As for Lambert, I can't imagine Alien without her. Everyone
serves a function, of course, but I could relate to Lambert.
Dallas and Ripley were strong leaders. Kane a wreckless
dreamer (he'd be the second easiest for me to relate to).
Parker and Brett are the "comedic" element. And, Ash is
calm and intelligent, but that ends up being because he's
synthetic, of course. Lambert, she's scared and realistic.
I was scared. We were scared together. And when she died,
I just about went out of mind, not only because of the scream,
but I also felt really alone because I didn't really connect
with Ripley at that time. It was Lambert I wanted to see survive,
not Ripley. I would've taken Parker over her as well. Not that I
had anything against Ripley, I just couldn't empathize with her
the way I could some of the other crew members.
Who did anyone else relate to the best?
Have a great day!
Ahmed

I liked the Ripley character... She wanted to follow protocol and protect
the Nostromo. She also used her instincts and went checking to see why Ash
had allowed possible contagion onto the vessel...... "crew expendible"
Her serious and often pragmatic outlook helped her to survive.
Deep down, I kinda wanted Parker to survive - just because of his comedic
attitude to life.
I am glad the Ripley character ended up being female because we needed a
strong woman for once, rather than those stereotypical 1950's B-movie
screaming, clinging girlies that had graced our screens for so long.

But, Cartwright (Lambert) stood out for me from beginning to end because of
her "realistic" acting - she looked like she was scared *making* the film!

[ADWatts]

Post by Tracy
Dont talk about JG to me - the sexiest man on the planet as far as I am
concerned (but thats a girly perspective, I am sure!!!!!!). er....

Well, you are a girl, right? :-)

Post by Tracy
I havent
seen the remake of Invasion..... should I????

Absolutely. I'm not a big fan of remakes, but this is a great film.
Directed by Philip Kaufman. Also stars Donald Sutherland,
Brooke Adams, and Leonard Nimoy. Don Siegel, the original's
director, also makes a cameo.

It looks a little dated now, but it stands the test of time. I still
think the original 1956 film is better (I love old black & white
horror/sci-fi films) but this one is very creepy and well-made.
Just avoid the third go-round, 1993's Body Snatchers. That
one was mediocre at best.

Post by Tracy
I liked the Ripley character... She wanted to follow protocol and protect
the Nostromo. She also used her instincts and went checking to see why Ash
had allowed possible contagion onto the vessel...... "crew expendible"
Her serious and often pragmatic outlook helped her to survive.

I learned to admired her in subsequent viewings, but I
didn't connect with her all that much the first time. Well,
actually, I wasn't thinking much of anything after the
chestburster scene except "OMG!!! WTF!!! WHERE IS
IT?! OMG!!! I CAN'T WATCH!!! WTF WAS THAT?!!
WHERE??? WHAT??? AHHHHHHHHH!!!!" and the
like. My mind was pretty much jelly, I'll admit it. ;-)

Post by Tracy
Deep down, I kinda wanted Parker to survive - just because of his comedic
attitude to life.
I am glad the Ripley character ended up being female because we needed a
strong woman for once, rather than those stereotypical 1950's B-movie
screaming, clinging girlies that had graced our screens for so long.

Won't disagree there. I still have to chuckle thinking about
how O'Bannon wrote all of the characters so they could
be played as male or female, leaving it open to which
would survive.

Post by Tracy
But, Cartwright (Lambert) stood out for me from beginning to end because of
her "realistic" acting - she looked like she was scared *making* the film!

I think she was!

Have a great day!

Ahmed