Above:
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Tentacles
Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying. Arthur C. Clarke
In movies, most alien encounters are meant to be scary. They prey on our inner fears that there are monsters in the sky just waiting to kill us, experiment with us, or take us back to their home planet. Sometimes however, the encounters can be romantic, and others, like ET are incredibly beautiful and heartwarming.
In many cases, the encounters are based in humor, in comedies such as 2018's Alien Addiction. In the film, Riko is showering when his visitor arrives. Riko, who lives in a small New Zealand town, befriends the two aliens who crash-land near his house. In the end, they develop a remarkable intergalactic relationship.
Below are some of the previous 'Alien Encounters' I've featured on the site:
Horror Hunks: Under The Skin
'Do you think I'm pretty?'
So many of the posts and themes that I explore on FH are inspired by a movie or television show that I watched, a play, or book that I've read. Other times however, it's the theme that introduces me to a project. I'd never heard for the 2013 Scottish film Under The Skin.
This was a bit surprisingly to me , given the critical acclaim the film received. It also featured actress Scarlett Johansson, one of Hollywood's most well known stars. The film was directed by Jonathan Glazer, who some of you might know from directing Birth and Sexy Beast. Glazer had been trying to get the film made for about a decade, starting after his success with Sexy Beast in 2000.
The film was based on the book by the same name by Michel Faber. Originally, the film was going to be about couple, with Brad Pitt cast as the husband. Instead, they took everything related to the couple, and focused on the character called simply 'the Female', with Johansson playing the lead.
The female is a mysterious young woman who seduces lonely men during the evening hours in Scotland. In this scene, we meet one of her first victims, and we see the pattern of her seduction. She lures the men with her beauty into a dark void, has them strip and then submerges them into a liquid abyss.
The female is both a watcher and predator of men, and from the beginning, it's clear she's some sort of otherworldly and supernatural being. She's also on her own journey of self-discovery, and we learn her true identity at the films end. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't scroll down to the end where I feature images of what's under 'the female's skin.
Horror Hunks: D.B Sweeney in Fire in the Sky
'For five days, a man was borrowed....'
1993's Fire In The Sky is probably one of the most famous 'alien abduction' films, with one of the most terrifying scenes of what happened to one man who 'borrowed' and then used and experimented on. I remember seeing the film on when I was a teenager, and the abduction scene remained in my memory, and my nightmares, for years after.
The story follows Travis Walton, (D.B Sweeney) an Arizona logger who mysteriously disappears for five days. Early in the film, Travis and a group of his friends encounter the visiting space craft, and Travis is drawn to the light and to the ship. His friends take off, but Travis has endures an alleged painful alien encounter and examination.
Travis' friends and co-words endure ridicule and contempt and even accused of foul play by Lieutenant Frank Watters played by James Garner. Five days later, one of Travis' friends receives a phone call, and they find Travis, naked and terrified outside of a local gas station.
The film is based on the book The Walton Experience by Travis Walton. In the book, Walton tells how he was abducted by aliens aboard a UFO. The writers and producers of the film however, felt the account of his 'abduction; so the took creative license to make a more dramatic alien encounter.
Although I remembered the film, and the abduction scene, I'd forgotten how hot the male cast was, and how many I've previously featured on FH. They include; Henry Thomas, (HERE:) Robert Patrick, (HERE:) Peter Berg, (HERE:) and Craig Sheffer. (HERE:) Unfortunately, one of my favorites, actor Bradley Gregg, never had a nude scene, not that I could find anyway.
Although star D.B Sweeney had a nude scene in the film, it was a side view, and you didn't really see much. Sweeney showed a 'wee' bit more in the 1999 drama, The Weekend. In the film, Sweeney played Tony, the lover of Lyle. (David Conrad) I couldn't find a great copy of the film, the 'blueish' tone is due to these being dream flashbacks.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Favorite Pic of the Day for October 31st
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Beware the Grim Reaper, and his long sickle...
Boo Yah!
Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!
Bram Stoker
Today's HALLOWEEN posts are for the most part a bit retro. I was going to say vintage, but I'm not sure I'm ready to have 'vintage' used to describe things that have happened in my life time. I did most of my trick or treating in the 80's and early 90's, and for me, it was one of the best times to grow up, and one of the best era's to have experienced and enjoyed HALLOWEEN.
We didn't have the Internet until I was a teenager, and am grateful to have been a kid without it. There was no reason to rush home after trick or treating, there was enough stimulation being in the cool Autumn air with candy, and a good group of friends.
If you remember the 80's and 90's, I'm guessing you remember many of the visuals included in this post. This was the era when decorating meant witch and skeleton wall hangings, bit plastic orange pumpkins and tons of cob webs. There weren't many Halloween specials, but most television shows at the time had a Halloween themed episode. The main television event was of course, It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
If you're a regular FH reader you know that I don't hate Halloween, gay or otherwise, I love the holiday and expression of freedom it provides. I'll be back to regular posts this weekend, but in the meantime, I'm creeping it real with some vintage imagery so sit for a spell, maybe enjoy a brew and put some childhood fun into your October 31st!
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