‘Phil’s Quick Capsule Review’ (a nod to legendary comedian Bill Hicks who coined the phrase when he reviewed ‘Piece Of Shit’ movie Basic Instinct)… where a perfect 10 is rarer than a rain free British summer!
Written by Phil Hobden – UK based podcaster, writer and former filmmaker. Part of the All Things Film network…
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review: William Gibson’s Alien 3 is not a film. No it’s an Amazon Audible original production, which takes William Gibson’s original Alien 3 script and converts it into a fully dramatised audio drama, even bring back original cast members Michael Biehn (Hicks) and Lance Henriksen (Bishop). And it works. Really well. I’ve always loved Alien 3, watching it probably more than any other Alien film growing up and this third version (Studio Cut, ‘Assembly’ Cut as the two others) gives a fascinating ‘what if’ look at the story which shares some very similar elements with the released version. At under two hours it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome and the production values are surprisingly high. Well worth signing up to a free trial to grab a listen.
Best Bit: Biehn! Henriksen!
Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Audible)
If You Liked this Try: Alien 3 – The Assembly Cut, Aliens, Alien
Phil Hobden is the former Film Editor & Writer for renowned martial arts focused COMBAT MAGAZINE in the UK. He is also a filmmaker in his own right, having produced two cult Independent action films in LEFT FOR DEAD and TEN DEAD MEN. He was the host for the award nominated Filmsploitation podcast for 4 years, currently co-hosts Ross And Phil Talk Movies and is a writer/editor for his own blog Phil’s Quick Capsule Review…
Each week Phil, from Phil’s Quick Capsule Review, takes a look at a different movie or TV related Top Five. This time out: Movie Trilogies
For most a sequel is an unwanted thing. And rightly so, after all most can be let downs and for every Godfather 2 there is an Independence Day Resurrection. However their are also some great sequels and in fact some great threequels out their. This week I take a look at the best movie trilogies (and no the Matrix is NOT included).
Close But No Cigar:Bourne Trilogy, The Indiana Jones Trilogy, Evil Dead, The Godfather Trilogy, Die Hard, Mad Max
5. Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring,The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) It’s no mean feat, adapting a multi-tome epic source novel over nearly 5 years with a cast and crew almostly permanently relocated to New Zealand by a director best known for low budget shlock films. But man did Peter Jackson pull it off. Epic does not even come CLOSE to describing the Rings trilogy (and the multiple endings of Return Of The King for that matter) but even now, over 10 years after it all finished, they still stand out as some of the best films of the last few decades.
4. Back To The Future Trilogy There may be technically better films out their for sure, but the story of Marty McFly which spans over a hundred years, is everything that is right with how blockbuster films should be. It defined a career for Michael J Fox, allowed my fascination with Elisabeth Shue to continue and gave us the iconic Doc Brown. “What the hell’s a gigawatt?”. Indeed.
3. Aliens Trilogy (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3) It’s a testament to just how good the first two films are that you almost ignore the fact that Part 3 is considered by most to be a disappointment. Thing is… it’s not. In fact Alien 3 is probably my second favourite of the whole trilogy (just under Aliens and just above Alien). Okay yes I’m mad but still! The key point here is just how good the first two films are, with both rating as best of their genre (Sci-fi and Sci-Fi Action). And trust me… whilst it’s FX’s are dated, try alien 3 Directors cut again. You MAY be pleasantly surprised.
2. Toy Story Toy Story not only defined a genre, it also redefined how animation was done for ever. It’s groundbreaking and things would never be the same again. Yet at it’s heart of every one of the films is a great story, expertly told and brilliantly voiced. Pretty much perfect.
1. Star Wars (A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) The trilogy that defined my childhood, that ignited my love with film and that left me playing in my room with 3″ plastic toys for years to come. Ageless (in it’s original form, not the horrid CGI remasters), this is epic storytelling, grandstanding action and odd plot twists at their best. Iconic.
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review: Aliens is the template for how to make a sequel. Whilst Alien was a sci-fi horror, Aliens is pure action wrapped in a sci-fi narrative. And it works. Up the Aliens, add in more cannon fodder and take Ripley from a victim to killer. A quotable script, memorable characters and some of the most tense set pieces film has ever delivered. Yup Aliens is that good. Pretty much perfect.
Best Bit: Special Edition sentry guns!
Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy
If You Liked this Try: Alien, Terminator 2 Judgement Day, Alien 3
On this episode of the podcast we talk about the films (and TV shows) we have watched over the past month or so. Quick fire reviews and movie chat ensues.
Hosted by Award winning filmmaker Ross Boyask and blogger/writer/failed filmamker Phil Hobden.
Films Discussed: Revenge, The Expanse, Cobra Kai, Lost In Space, Luke Cage, Daredevil, The Punisher, The Cured, Andre The Giant, Don’t Kill It, Deep Blue Sea 2, Den Of Thieves, A Quiet Place, Black Weapon, The Perfect Weapon, American Ninja, Universal Solider Day Of Reckoning, Riot, The Greatest Showman, Game Night, Supercon, Sanatarium, Accident Man, Terminal, Payback, Alien 3, Nailed It, Colony
In our latest regular feature, coming out the first Friday of each month, Phil (of Phil’s Quick Capsule Review) breaks down a film related subject in order of his own personal enjoyment from Best To Worst. This time out: Alien Films! [divider]
Best: Aliens (The Directors Cut)
Aliens is not just a high water mark for the Alien franchise itself but it’s also a high watermark in sequels, action and science fiction films. Yes – its that good (in fact one of my top 5 films of all time). Especially in it’s extended edition (Sentry guns!). James Cameron has never been better (T2 was close) and delivers action & thrills alongside a memorable quotable script. A classic. (Side note it also gave us a piece of music that has been used in almost every action film trailer since…)
★★★★★★★★★★
——
2. Alien
Alien is a tense science fiction survival horror with an award worthy central performance by Sigourney Weaver and career making direction from Ridley Scott. It’s aged well and still today, over 35 years after it was released stands up as one of the best films of its genre.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
3. Alien 3: The Alternate Cut
Alien 3 is much and unfairly maligned as a film. This “Alternate Cut” (listed here as a separate film as that is pretty much what it is) restores some of David Fincher’s original vision for the film as well as taking away some of the less liked elements. The effects on this restored version aren’t great but what IS pretty stunning is how much better this film is that it’s studio messed with original.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
4. Alien 3
Growing up I watched Alien 3 almost as much as I did Aliens. It’s gritty approach, limited technology and the way it tossed aside the more upbeat ending of Aliens appealed to me. Yes it’s flawed for sure and the studio enforced ending doesn’t work but it has moments that show just how great this could have been had the studio let Fincher do his thing.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
5. Alien Covenant
Alien Covenant isn’t perfect. But it’s a far more enjoyable movie than Prometheus was, finally delivering us the Alien we wanted alongside a story that, whilst I don’t always like, at least mostly makes sense. Visually great but still full of dumb people doing dumb things, it ramps up the action and is never dull. Pulp Alien for sure but good pulp…
★★★★★★★★★★
——
6. Alien: Resurrection
There’s a sharp drop off between Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection but it’s not a film without merit. The issue here come from the franchise bring back Weaver after her death in Alien 3. There were so many directions the film could have gone in but sadly it ends up as a much lesser retread of the three films previous. And don’t even get me started on the new born.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
7. Prometheus
Great idea. Badly done. Prometheus is a mess of a film which offers a stupid script with stupid characters doing stupid things. It’s dull at times, makes no connection in production design to the previous films (the technology is well beyond Alien Resurrection which is set years ahead) and wastes what could have been an interesting film.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
8. Alien Vs Predator 2: Requiem
Alien Vs Predator Requiem is bad. It’s just slightly less bad that the original. The main issues (other than story & cast) come from the filmmakers desire to shoot everything so dark that you cant see anything for the bulk of the movie. Totally forgettable, it’s a low point for the franchise.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
Worst : Alien Vs Predator
You take the two most iconic creatures from cinema. Ignore the excellent games and comic books which offered far superior storylines and you deliver what is an utter mess of a film. Nonsensical, boring and badly made this film does nothing with it’s concept. One to avoid.
Phil’s Quick Capsule Review: Alien Covenant is the best Alien film since Alien 3. For many that may be damning with faint praise but actually I have always held (and still do) Alien 3 with high regard, and for sure it’s the Alien film I have watched the most. Covenant is also miles better than Prometheus, which again wasn’t hard, delivering a bloody, gore filled two hours that moves at pace and makes the most out of a concept and ideas we have seen done many times before. Fassbender steals the film as Michael and this time Scott remembers to deliver a story alongside the impressive visuals and production design. When the titular Alien finally arrives it’s worth the wait (although I’d still rather a man in a suit than the usual CGI) and even if the ending makes no sense film overall is satisfying and worthwhile addition to the franchise.
In our latest regular feature, coming out the first Friday of each month, Phil (of Phil’s Quick Capsule Review) breaks down a film related subject in order of his own personal enjoyment from Best To Worst. This time out: Alien Films! [divider]
Best: Aliens (The Directors Cut)
Aliens is not just a high water mark for the Alien franchise itself but it’s also a high watermark in sequels, action and science fiction films. Yes – its that good (in fact one of my top 5 films of all time). Especially in it’s extended edition (Sentry guns!). James Cameron has never been better (T2 was close) and delivers action & thrills alongside a memorable quotable script. A classic. (Side note it also gave us a piece of music that has been used in almost every action film trailer since…)
★★★★★★★★★★
——
2. Aliens
Alien is a tense science fiction survival horror with an award worthy central performance by Sigourney Weaver and career making direction from Ridley Scott. It’s aged well and still today, over 35 years after it was released stands up as one of the best films of its genre.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
3. Alien 3: The Alternate Cut
Alien 3 is much and unfairly maligned as a film. This “Alternate Cut” (listed here as a separate film as that is pretty much what it is) restores some of David Fincher’s original vision for the film as well as taking away some of the less liked elements. The effects on this restored version aren’t great but what IS pretty stunning is how much better this film is that it’s studio messed with original.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
4. Alien 3
Growing up I watched Alien 3 almost as much as I did Aliens. It’s gritty approach, limited technology and the way it tossed aside the more upbeat ending of Aliens appealed to me. Yes it’s flawed for sure and the studio enforced ending doesn’t work but it has moments that show just how great this could have been had the studio let Fincher do his thing.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
5. Alien: Resurrection
There’s a sharp drop off between Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection but it’s not a film without merit. The issue here come from the franchise bring back Weaver after her death in Alien 3. There were so many directions the film could have gone in but sadly it ends up as a much lesser retread of the three films previous. And don’t even get me started on the new born.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
6. Prometheus
Great idea. Badly done. Prometheus is a mess of a film which offers a stupid script with stupid characters doing stupid things. It’s dull at times, makes no connection in production design to the previous films (the technology is well beyond Alien Resurrection which is set years ahead) and wastes what could have been an interesting film.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
7. Alien Vs Predator 2: Requiem
Alien Vs Predator Requiem is bad. It’s just slightly less bad that the original. The main issues (other than story & cast) come from the filmmakers desire to shoot everything so dark that you cant see anything for the bulk of the movie. Totally forgettable, it’s a low point for the franchise.
★★★★★★★★★★
——
Worst : Alien Vs Predator
You take the two most iconic creatures from cinema. Ignore the excellent games and comic books which offered far superior storylines and you deliver what is an utter mess of a film. Nonsensical, boring and badly made this film does nothing with it’s concept. One to avoid.
