Page 36 - 2011 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - March 2011

Top 15 Alien Invasion Movies Top 15 Alien Invasion 12. The Faculty (1998) 8. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Granted, the 1978 version is probably About the time when Scream re-ignited Movies the teen horror property, The Faculty borrowed more entertaining to watch, but this was the By Joe Belcastro that stylish atmosphere and combined it with a pioneer for many future alien invasion products sci-fi approach. The plot revolves around commonly found in cinema today. Although it Society has been enamored with the students suspecting their teachers are not so lacked true visual alien perks, the story’s possibility of alien life-forms existing in the human anymore. Their teachers’ goal is to first purpose was to depict the panic if such a annals of space for thousands of years. This infect the student-body and eventually the rest pandemic would occur. Honestly, the thought process has been sensationalized by of the town. The alien parasites that are storytelling delivered here puts a lot of modern Hollywood for the better part of a century. Who controlling the humans, need abundant amounts products to shame. doesn’t take pleasure in a good alien invasion of water to maintain their human cover. A group Scene of alien awesomeness: Not many flick these days? of mismatched students, catch on and attempt to to choose from, but seeing the chaos of citizens Now what qualifies as “good” is make a stand in the high school. This entire running away from virtually nothing, has its subjective. For there have been a wide range of production had a great ensemble cast. suspenseful moments. alien invasion products that either play it Scene of alien awesomeness: When straight, or have some fun by spoofing the Clea DuVall is caught in the school’s swimming 7. Species (1995) concept of having visitors from another planet pool area, while being stalked by one of the The ranking may seem a tad high for this invade our realm. With that said, here is creatures. Also enjoyed when coach (Robert guy, but has an alien ever been any sexier than BuzzFocus’s top 15 alien invasion flicks from Patrick) and the rest of the possessed football Natasha Henstridge? When scientists believe the world of cinema: team are taking a “drink.” they can clone humans using alien DNA, they create this horny little creature. A creature that is 15. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) 11. Mars Attacks! (1996) every man’s desire on the outside, but can Although it was the remake of the 1951 Probably the funniest alien invasion instantly transform into an armored up death classic, this is an example where technology movie of all-time. This is a spoof on the genre, machine. As Natasha wants to procreate her definitely enhanced the original story. When a which brought in an A-list roster ranging from species, a deadly task-force made up of giant orb of light lands in a park, a human-like Natalie Portman to Jack Nicholson. By far the professional hit men (led by Michael Madsen) being (Keanu Reeves) appears, costumed in best out-of-this-world comedy one will ever attempt to take her out. some sort of biological cocoon. Joining him is a discover. Crude jokes and over-the-top Scene of alien awesomeness: Natasha skyscraper sized robot that will wipe out any performances make this enjoyable every is making out with a possible mate and her military aggression toward its alien counter- minute. Invading Earth has never been so elongated tongue impales the through the back part. They’re here because the human race’s joyous. of his head. actions and decisions are threatening the other Scene of alien awesomeness: The entire life-forms on the planet. So it’s time to get rid of 106 minutes. 6. The Last Starfighter (1984) the humans and start from scratch. If you grew up in the ’80s, chances are Scene of alien awesomeness: When the 10. War of the Worlds (2005) this VHS tape was a part of your favorite movie robot transforms in a giant swarm of metallic Director Steven Spielberg takes this collection. The story tells about a trailer park alien mites that devour everything in its path 1953 property based on the novel and radio simpleton (Lance Guest), who spends most of broadcast from H.G. Wells, and turned this into the time playing an arcade game. He comes to 14. Dreamcatcher (2003) an Oscar-nominated (effects) epic tale of find out, that the game is similar to a job It’s funny, this movie based off a novel survival. Tom Cruise stars as a blue-collar father application, as he is recruited by an outer-space by Stephen King, was ripped apart by most who tries to keep his two kids (Dakota Fanning fleet to fight an evil alien race. The script kind critics and audiences when it was released. & Justin Chatwin) safe from a monumental of portrays the character as the chosen one. Many citing that the first half was well-done, alien invasion. Which is basically an Anyway, he is brought up to space and is but a horrid second half buried this tale about extermination of the human-race. Giant tri-pod captain of a famed ship and does intergalactic parasitic aliens possessing and/or torturing a machines armed with advance weaponry battle against an armada. This is pure ’80s feel group of telekinetic friends (Thomas Jane, systematically wipe-out anything and everyone good, heroic cinema, that had the production Timothy Olyphant, Jason Lee, Damian Lewis). that cross their path. Coincidentally, some say budget to make it all worthwhile. Which leads to a government quarantine led by Cruises’ career was wiped out shortly after this. Scene of alien awesomeness: When Morgan Freeman. Scene of alien awesomeness: When the Lance Guest is outnumbered by the armada, he Scene of alien awesomeness: When first machine emerges from underground, Tom fires the secret weapon (death blossom) and the Damian Lewis and Jason Lee are wrestling with Cruise is running through city streets and people ship carves up the alien enemy fighters. (Could the creature in the cabin/bathroom. Turned out around him are vaporized into dust by the giant you tell I became excited when writing this one to be suspenseful, bloody fun! machine. up?) 13. Signs (2002) 9. Starship Troopers (1997) 5. Predator (1987) Think back to the days when a M. Night This R-rated blockbuster surprised Or as we like to call, Steroids versus Shyamalan product was still cutting-edge. everyone. Critics embraced it. Civilians turned alien. Governor Arnie leads a militia (Carl Starring Mel Gibson & Joaquin Phoenix, a it into a cult classic. Complete with gore and Weathers and Jesse Ventura to name a few) family living on a farm, begin to notice giant everything else that should be in an R-rated against a cloaked creature who is highly skilled crop circles in their field. These same designs feature, this story was about 18-year-olds who at hunting its prey. The epic encounter boils start popping up all over the world. Slowly, join the military to fight off monstrous alien down to Arnold trying to match wits and muscle more evidence suggests that aliens are indeed insects in the far-off future. Spacecrafts and with the crafty Predator. It can be questioned if on Earth. Which forces Gibson barricading his futuristic weapons are blasted all over the place. this flick was a true invasion on mankind. That family in the old country house, as aliens start ST found the balance of providing a decent said, the unique take of having just one alien surrounding them. Signs built up decent tension drama with popcorn movie shenanigans. It was terrorize ample competition, proved that the and the ending really paid-off. Some will basically Star Wars with the Empire being genre was able to branch out. remember this as Shyamalan’s last great flick. represented by bugs on steroids. And who didn’t Scene of alien awesomeness: The Scene of alien awesomeness: When the want to be Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien). Predator holding a fallen foes skull and spinal audience sees the creature holding a child and Scene of alien awesomeness: When the chord. Plus, the bad-ass cloaking device was Joaquin just starts teeing off on the alien with a legions of bugs bum-rush a stronghold. And the handled perfectly while the alien warrior would Louisville slugger baseball bat. scene where Denise Richards (I think it was her hop from tree-to-tree. character) bites it in slow-motion. Continued on Page 37