@Geff said:

Why do you have to watch it so many times? Do you have ADHD or poor memory?

The only movie I've seen more than once over a short period of time was The Wailing (2016), and that's only because the movie is intentionally difficult to interpret and I was also writing up an analysis of it. I watched that once start to finish initially and I went back to see individual scenes later for analysis. I guess you could say I watched in 3 times total, although I haven't seen it start to finish after that initial time.

For Alien, I watched it once when I was a child. I don't even know if you can call it "watching" it because I covered my eyes many times. I saw it once more when I was an adult. I don't feel it is necessary to watch it more. The movie itself is fairly straightforward unlike The Wailing.

I watch some outstanding movies if many years have passed after initial viewing. Moon (2009) and Take Shelter (2011) are movies that I rewatched recently just because I enjoyed them so much initially. Take Shelter, in particular, had a very different effect on my on second viewing because I analyzed details like how the filmmaker used music to tell a story, and I analyzed each line of dialogue more carefully. I came to a drastically different conclusion about the ending after second viewing. Rewatching Moon was a mistake, I got nothing more out of it upon second viewing, it tells its story very clearly without any ambiguity.

Alien does have complex themes which you can decipher without viewing it over and over. But, I don't recall any ambiguity in any of the scenes so I don't see how viewing it over and over can crystallize your analysis of it.

I don't know what watching a movie many times is supposed to prove? Does it prove your expertise on the movie? Does it validate the value of the movie?

Why so judgmental? Why do people like to go for an ocean cruise more than once? After all, it's the same ocean. Or a theme park. I mean, if you've been on a fun roller coaster once why ever go on it again? It's not like it's going to be a different ride the second time. Why do people go to the Louvre over and over? I mean it's not like Rembrandt is painting anything new these days.

People like different things and that applies to movies as well. Many people cannot watch a movie more than once. To them, watching something a second time is inconceivable and boring. To others, it's a pleasant feeling, like slipping on a pair of comfortable shoes, that some find relaxing. Sure, Alien isn't any different the fiftieth time than the first, but if others are like me they enjoy watching the movie because it has a unique, even languid pace, and incredible visuals.

In some ways, movies like Alien ARE like fine paintings. Enjoyment can be had in noticing an object you hadn't noticed before. Or reveling in the textures that Ridley Scott was able to produce using old surplus military parts, rubber tubes, and a few old computers.

Don't knock what you don't understand. Just celebrate that others derive enjoyment from things you don't. I may not go to renaissance faires and personally think they're a little strange, but I love the fact that like-minded people can come together socially and enjoy one another's company.

@AlienFanatic said:

I'd say I've completed it at least fifty+ times. That's a pretty conservative number.

It's my favorite movie of all time ... Hell, it's my screen name on almost every site I bother to comment on, so you might say I'm obsessed with it.

Sorry if this is considered off topic (I can start a new thread if it's deemed more appropriate to do this that way) but, does the insertion of Predators into the alien universe work for you, or would you rather have seen the two franchises stay separate?

@DRDMovieMusings said:

Sorry if this is considered off topic (I can start a new thread if it's deemed more appropriate to do this that way) but, does the insertion of Predators into the alien universe work for you, or would you rather have seen the two franchises stay separate?

Separate. I wrote a long reply, but deleted it and I'll just say that I agree that it risks derailing the conversation. If you have your own opinion and wish to start that discussion, though, I'll contribute.

@Geff said:

Why do you have to watch it so many times? Do you have ADHD or poor memory?

Neither ADHD nor poor memory are requisites for watching a film multiple times.

I don't feel it is necessary to watch it more.

Okay, that is your prerogative.

The movie itself is fairly straightforward unlike The Wailing.

Complexity is not a requisite for watching a film multiple times.

Moon (2009) and Take Shelter (2011) are movies that I rewatched recently just because I enjoyed them so much initially.

Well, then you've answered your question. If someone enjoys watching a movie, and want to enjoy themselves again, they can have at it.

I don't know what watching a movie many times is supposed to prove? Does it prove your expertise on the movie? Does it validate the value of the movie?

I'm not sure most people watch movies multiple times to "prove" anything. I think most do just because it's enjoyable to them.

There are a number of movies I've seen many times; one thing I've found is, the first time I watch a movie, I don't "catch" everything. Most situations and circumstances in life are not intentional, they are random and meaningless; whereas, in a movie, almost everything that appears on screen is there for a reason - that creates a "meaning density" beyond most people's normal capacity to process. So, we miss stuff because we don't know what's important to the story until we know the whole story, which doesn't happen, for most, until the end of the story.

Other times, it's just because I love how a particular dialog is written, or portrayed by the actors. Other People's Money is one of my favourites - the first meetings between Garfield, Jorgenson and Coles, and Garfield and Sullivan, are spellbinding to me - the pace, the poetry, the juxtapositions...

I have a list of movies I've seen countless times, nearly memorized them. Not trying to prove anything.

i couldn't say specifically. i'd be very surprised if it wasn't in the triple digits.

@bluersun said:

Yeah you're right, I started to say pretty much what you said and saw you posted before I could do... 'liked' and put my (slightly) drunk take on it... Anyway, I've deleted it now so feel free to delete you quoting me and nip the hate... Then I suppose I'd best delete this...!

Deleted. Now when you delete your post asking me to delete my post that referenced your original post, I'll del...Oh fuggit! ;)

I don't often rewatch movies anymore. If its one I really liked I might go back to revisit it years later.

Alien is an exception though. It's a great movie in so many ways. The visual effects are still impressive all these years later, the performances, the beautiful yet creepy world they created, the powerful sense of isolation and helplessness. Scott slowly ratchets up the suspense so effectively, especially in the scenes in which the crew members encounter the Alien. And of course it features the nastiest, most terrifying monster in a suit of all time.

In its entirety or most of its entirety, easily a dozen times, probably more.

@AlienFanatic said:

@bluersun said:

Yeah you're right, I started to say pretty much what you said and saw you posted before I could do... 'liked' and put my (slightly) drunk take on it... Anyway, I've deleted it now so feel free to delete you quoting me and nip the hate... Then I suppose I'd best delete this...!

Deleted. Now when you delete your post asking me to delete my post that referenced your original post, I'll del...Oh fuggit! ;)

I think we're safe now...

I've watched it maybe a dozen times, but I've watched Aliens and Prometheus more.

Only around 5-6 times, for some reason. Hm, I want to watch it again now. Maybe tonite ;)

@holdme said:

I've watched it maybe a dozen times, but I've watched Aliens and Prometheus more.

Prometheus more? I didn't like it - until I read someone theorizing that all evidence points to Predators being the ones that wiped out the Engineers - that's what made it even remotely interesting to me. Have you heard of this, or can you go through your recollection of the movie and see it?

@DRDMovieMusings said:

@holdme said:

I've watched it maybe a dozen times, but I've watched Aliens and Prometheus more.

Prometheus more? I didn't like it - until I read someone theorizing that all evidence points to Predators being the ones that wiped out the Engineers - that's what made it even remotely interesting to me. Have you heard of this, or can you go through your recollection of the movie and see it?

the article you linked doesn't mention Predators...

@BarkingBaphomet said:

@DRDMovieMusings said:

@holdme said:

I've watched it maybe a dozen times, but I've watched Aliens and Prometheus more.

Prometheus more? I didn't like it - until I read someone theorizing that all evidence points to Predators being the ones that wiped out the Engineers - that's what made it even remotely interesting to me. Have you heard of this, or can you go through your recollection of the movie and see it?

the article you linked doesn't mention Predators...

Down in the comments section...

NigeJan-09-2017 12:33 AM

Something bad ass enough to kick the doors in, something fastidious enough to remove all the Engineer remains, something strange and hardy enough to leave green "goo" with cells still viable after 2000 years, something confident enough not to worry about a rampaging Deacon on the loose...sounds a bit like a Predator to me.

Have only seen it twice...