Alien (1979)

Even in 1979, the plot to “Alien” was been-there, done-that – a monster systematically kills a band of trapped humans until it’s one-on-one, last man (thing?) standing. But this sci-fi flick is a masterpiece, a touchstone in my cinematic life. The monster is an acid-for-blood alien on a massive spaceship, and the last man is a woman, Ripley, played by the amazing kick-ass persona of Sigourney Weaver. Director Ridley Scott’s film is epic, claustrophobic and paced out to the most extreme. It takes 50-some minutes for the shit to hit the fan, and when it does – on a mess hall table -- oh my God. Dark, nasty and bloody, “Alien” never lets up. I love the details. The ship is packed with junk and dials and machines, seemingly designed by engineers cramming in everything for space in outer space. And the cast: Phenomenal. Yaphet Kotto, John Hurt and the god-like acting class of Ian Holm as a single-minded science officer. But, wow, Weaver. This is her film. Her world. Every brilliant moment here belongs to her. Feminism rules!  A+