Sigourney Weaver On Why She Chose the Role of Ellen Ripley

Ellen Ripley: Have Horror/Sci-Fi Heroines Evolved Since the Release of Alien?

• Released in 1979, the first installment of the successful sci-fi/horror franchise was directed by a then  unknown Ridley Scott. The story begins with the crew of a commercial deep space mining ship heading back to planet Earth. The ship receives an S.O.S. from a nearby minor planet and they venture out to investigate. Along with her crew, Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley (played by newcomer Sigourney Weaver) discover the signal is coming from an abandoned alien spacecraft. While investigating the signal within the spacecraft, the crew discovers the signal was intended as a warning, and not an SOS. Soon after, the crew come across a room full of mysterious looking eggs. One of the eggs releases a creature that attaches itself to a crew member, an event that proves fatal. Eventually, it is brought to the crew's attention that an alien was forming inside the now deceased crew member. Now in danger far from their home base Earth they must figure out how to stay alive. One by one each member of the ship falls prey to the now full grown alien with the exception of Ellen Ripley who finds herself to be the "last man standing" as a result of her focus, self reliance and determination to survive and dominate the savage alien. 

Part I: The story and character of Ripley

• The character of Ellen Ripley became a breakthrough figure for women in horror and sci-fi films. Until 1979, women in horror and science fiction movies were depicted almost exclusively as bimbos, sex objects or hysterical prey.
  
  
  With the exception of John Carpenter's Halloween, which was released less than a year before Alien, women in horror and sci-fi movies rarely survived and if they did make it to the end, their dignity was compromised in one way or the other. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley was also the first female protagonist to lead a movie into a series of sequels. If not for her, we may not have female driven successions such as the Scream movies, the Resident Evils or the Underworld series.





Another reason why the character is almost peerless is that Ellen is not defined by her femininity, in fact her character was originally written for a male actor. When Weaver auditioned they decided to make Ripley a woman, but not change anything in the script far as gender was concerned. This progression of events helped create a female lead that was not motivated by female cliche. She didn't depend on a man for love or work, she was not defined by motherhood, she was not on a personal mission to impress a father figure; she was a woman doing her job and fighting to make it out alive. She also does not possess supernatural powers of any kind. Though she is in a interstellar setting, she is a flesh and blood human only working off of her mind and body to help her survive.
Ripley as a movie icon is often placed high on numerous lists for Best Character in Horror, Science Fiction or All-Time in general. 

Part II: Post-Ripley

  The female presence in movies in a post-Ripley world are better for her having existed, but have not quite attained the same intent and quality. RIpley has indeed raised the bar for women in not only the fantasy genres, but for all genres. She has changed the game for female characters, they no longer have to make their roles relatable by their sex, but as their role as the protagonist in their story. Still, with the progression in female roles there is still a place that feels the need to artlessly announce a female as a lead protagonist. She can be the commander of an army, but her bust line must compete with her ambition and skill set. She can easily slay vampire after vampire with only her stealthy mind to protect her, but once  she's done with that she's going to go cry herself to sleep about her boyfriend who won't return her phone calls. 

  In his weekly column, film critic Roger Ebert commented on the impact of Alien and it's lead character, "The 1979 Alien is a much more cerebral movie than its sequels and imitators, with the characters (and the audience) genuinely engaged in curiosity about this weirdest of lifeforms...Unfortunately, the films it influenced studied its thrills but not its thinking."

“I always chose sophisticated parts because you can't really be interesting as a young girl or 
  outstanding as an ingenue.” -Norma Shearer

 Sissy Spacek in her Oscar-winning performance as Country singer, Loretta Lynn, in 1980's "Coal Miner's Daughter".

This scene is a personal favorite of mine not only for my love of a good cinematic breakdown, but because it shows how much Sissy Spacek understands the character she is playing. She completely breaks it down for the audience by using subtle movements and the patterns in which she takes her breaths.
It's not the performer Loretta Lynn speaking in this scene, but the woman that happens to be Loretta Lynn. You don't really see acting like this in movies nowadays- where an actor puts their whole body into it without going completely overboard. There's no vanity in this performance.

From the unwavering stomp she makes up to her stage, to her rattled, vulnerable eyes before she calls out for her husband, Spacek shows the pressures this woman feels as a mother, wife and performer.

I don't always think awards are relevant in a actor's performance, but I do feel that it was more than justified that Spacek received the highest honor in film for this performance.

Natalie Wood (1938-1981)

29 years ago today we lost 3 time Oscar nominated actress Natalie Wood. 
She is virtually the namesake to my blog and the inspiration for it's point of interest. 
Let's remember her with this sweet clip from the 50s and 60s game show "What's My Line?".

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Icon: Emma Caulfield

                                                                                      video by the dish rag
    
    Any fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer (specifically seasons 3-7) is very
familiar with and probably loves the Madeline Kahn-esque vengeance
demon Anya, played by the talented Emma Caulfield.  Emma is one of
those actresses that I feel a strong affinity with. Whenever I learn
that she likes the same things I like I get giddy and gushy with
fandom. For example, in the video above Ms. Caulfield reveals that she
is a fan of the flawed, but hypnotic Francis Ford Coppola movie,
"Bram Stoker's Dracula ... “
      Me too!!!
She's a self-proclaimed sci-fi fan and thinks "Battlestar Galactica" is maybe one of the best shows 
"ever ... ” 
      Oh my GAWD! I totally agree...I totally agree.
In a companion video she reveals that she is also an Aries.
      Me toooo! I can't believe it....it's kismet!
I wonder if she likes sugar cookie scented candles?
I just LOVE sugar cookie scented candles...

  All that aside, here is the reason why I posted the random video and wrote some silly, amateurish ramblings: Emma Caulfield is quite an under appreciated actress and I want as many people as possible to know who she is. She really was Buffy's emotional center and at times spoke for the viewers that didn't always agree with the Vampire Slayer, all with her Carole Lombard level of comedic timing. Also, who didn't love her 40s inspired wardrobe?! In the video above, she talks about the weight of being associated almost exclusively with the
cult show, which I imagine is a burden. I do have to say though, her
evolution as Anya is incredible. It's no wonder people still crave for the character that Emma brought to life.  Emerging as an emotionally abstruse and socially obtuse
character starting with the episode "The Wish".  Ending her run as Anya on the
series finale, "The Chosen," as a beloved heroine going to battle for the greater good and breaking our hearts in the end when she makes her unforeseen exit.  Since Buffy, Emma has enjoyed box office success (Darkness Falls),  co-created a successful web-comic strip called "Contropussy,” a possible modern female take on Fritz the Cat, done voice work for Adult Swim's "Robot Chicken". She will be working with Buffy alumni Felicia Day in the Red Riding Hood retelling "Red", and also has a new show premiering next month on Nickelodeon called "Gigantic, which is produced by Marti Noxon who also produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  
     Emma is indeed a busy and accomplished woman, but I seriously think we need to see more of her. I feel she's exactly what the "leading and supporting lady" assemblage is missing. Maybe I'm being heavy-handed in my opinions, I just think a lot of the roles Parker Posey or Winona Ryder have done in the last handful of years could have been played by Emma with striking effect.
Don't get me wrong I'm not hating on Posey or Ryder, if you know me, you know that I love Parker Posey and Winona Ryder...I have seen "Mermaids" more than I would like to admit. Maybe it's because Caulfield is not easy to "peg" or "label", or she's not dating the upincoming comedic actor in the new Judd Apatow movie, or she very well may be exactly where she wants be.

   I just want to acknowledge that this actress is special in her field and we need more variety in film and tv when it comes to casting. Cast Emma! I really don't mean to be distasteful, but if I see one more "Coming Soon" poster at the local cinema with Jennifer Aniston or Reese Witherspoon on it I will be forced to stand in the lobby and do this. 
      I'm not joking....I will.  
  
  Regardless,  Emma is more than just "bunny hating Anya from Buffy", she is an actress who created a liberated heroine for a generation. That's powerful and nothing to belittle. I hope that the new generation that has sprung will see Emma in her new show "Gigantic" and feel inspired to take a look at Emma's past work. They will see, undoubtedly, what has made me and many more like me care so much. "Gigantic" may bring a new female TV icon to worship soon.


While you're here...

Check out Emma's award-winning performance in the short film, "Hollow" and her sci-fi romantic comedy "Timer" on Netflix's Watch Instantly.

"As I watched kids' programs with them, I became concerned about gender balance and stereotypes. Boys take up much more space on TV than in real life."

      - Geena Davis (after watching a tv show with her kids)

Turner Classic Movies picks Natalie Wood as their Star of the Month for June

Well, it seems Turner Classic Movies finally answered my prayers and chose Natalie Wood as Star of the Month for June. They will be showing her movies every Monday this month, starting June 7th. Starting with the movie, "Tomorrow Is Forever" (costarring Orson Welles and Claudette Colbert),a movie that became a milestone for Natalie. The role would be little Natasha Gurdin's first credited role and would give birth to her new name, Natalie Wood. TCM will also be showing movies that are hard to view otherwise due to the fact that they are not available on DVD (yet) such as, "A Cry In the Night", "The Burning Hills", and "The Girl He Left Behind". Some of my favorites are "Love With a Proper Stranger", "Gypsy", "Inside Daisy Clover" and the Elia Kazan classic "Splendor in the Grass". The final movie they will showing in the month long series will be Natalie's final film before she died, "Brainstorm", a science fiction movie co-starring a Christopher Walken and Louise Fletcher (otherwise known as Nurse Ratched). Natalie would die tragically from drowning shortly after the filming of "Brainstorm" ended. Here Natalie's co-star, close friend, and former high school classmate Robert Redford remembers her.

Click here for TCM's complete roster of Natalie Wood's films showing this month.