#192 - Alien: Covenant (2017) - End of the Unended - Film Analysis

Following Ridley Scott's Alien-prequel-spinoff Prometheus came Alien Covenant. It was expected to deliver both on audience expectations (Aliens appearing in an Alien franchise) and to provide some answers to the questions presented by Prometheus. In a way, neither would be delivered on. What's the legacy of Alien Covenant, now that the further sequels to Ridley Scott's storyline have been effectively cancelled? Films covered in this episode: Alien: Covenant (2017) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune performed by Nick Grivell.

Prometheus is the return of director Ridley Scott to the Alien franchise. This is in fact a standalone story based on the same Alien universe, but not an Alien movie per se. It provides ample story elements, but are most of them driven to any conclusion? Do the writers and the director even know the meaning of their own plot threads? Karri and Henrik also discuss the film's atmosphere, the character's decision-making, Ridley's 'space jesus' concept, and other topics. Films covered in this episode: Prometheus (2012)

"Alien: Resurrection" is often considered the black sheep of the franchise, and the passing decades have not been kind to it, at least among some fans. What could be behind the venomous hate towards "Alien: Resurrection"? Is this the lowest point in the franchise, or is that still yet to come? Is "Alien: Resurrection" successful at its self-parody? Hear how Henrik makes his case for "Alien: Resurrection" and Karri argues against it. Films covered in this episode: Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Alien 3 was a nightmare production for the first-time feature director David Fincher. As the young master was trying to put together the best film he could under the circumstances, the studio and even scriptwriters kept interfering with his attempts at applying his vision to a material that he had only few weeks to mull over before shooting had to begin. This combined with onset antics and disagreements between actors. What came out keeps splitting the fan base to this day. Is Alien 3 actually a much better film than its reputation? Films covered in this episode: Alien 3 (1992) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune performed by Nick Grivell.

The Flick Lab rarely indulges in hyperbolic adulation or labels films as masterpieces. However, we do consider James Cameron's Aliens (1986) to be a masterpiece. This landmark film in the sci-fi genre transformed the Alien franchise into a global phenomenon. In this episode, we delve into the film’s themes, the shift from slow burn to action, the bug hunt aspect, character dynamics, Alien genetics and reproduction, plausibility of Burke's schemes, the differences between the Theatrical and Special Edition, Vietnam War allegories, the tech of Aliens, and more. Films covered in this episode: Aliens (1986) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune performed by Nick Grivell.

Karri and Henrik delve into their personal experiences from their artistic roots and TV/media industry. Among the discussion points are Karri's loss of interest in the industry, the industry's brutality, the tools they've utilized in media, advancements in editing on Linux, the debate over high-framerate in the film industry, challenges with high-resolution remasters of old films, AI enhancement, and other topics. Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune performed by Nick Grivell.

In this podcast episode, Karri and Henrik discuss the movies and TV series they've watched over the past year or so, ones that haven't received dedicated coverage in previous episodes. This segment marks the second part of a two-part series. Films covered in this episode: For All Mankind (TV Series, 2019-) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7772588 Moonfall (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5834426 Home Alone (1990) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785 The Pope's Exorcist (2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13375076 Nope (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10954984 Kung Fury (2015) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3472226 Umma (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13235822 Crash Landing on You (TV Series, 2019-2020) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10850932 Crimes of the Future (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14549466 The Mole: Undercover in North Korea (Documentary, 2020) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13243898 Significant Other (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15353964 Deadstream (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12788488 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0010323 Stupid Young Heart (Hölmö nuori sydän, 2018) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6592296 Apollo 11 (2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8760684 Sauna (2008) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124394

In this podcast episode, Karri and Henrik discuss the movies and TV series they've watched over the past year or so, ones that haven't received dedicated coverage in previous episodes. This episode marks the first part of a two-part series. Films covered in this episode: Reacher (TV Series, 2022-) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9288030 White Fang (1991) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103247 Bullet Train (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12593682 Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two (1945) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038268 The Nun II (2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10160976 The 400 Blows (1959) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053198 They/Them (2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14502344 Dogs Don't Wear Pants (2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9074574 City on a Hill (TV Series, 2019-2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7187044 Beyond Utopia (Documentary, 2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt25470468 Invoked (Documentary, 2022) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22873412 Iron Butterflies (Documentary, 2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12427090 Theatre of Violence (Documentary, 2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27009862

The Flick Lab podcast recently had the pleasure of watching 'Healing Plan', a short film by two recent NYU graduates. Actress Matilde Silva and Director Samantha Joia joined us to discuss their new film. Luna, a Portuguese teen struggling with insomnia and her recent move to America, is sent to a celebrity doctor to help cope with her adjustment. His revolutionary sleep therapy brings her back to the beginning of her move and several of the struggles she has faced since. But his “healing plan” has some devastating drawbacks she is not quite ready to face.  The film infuses dream-like states, dramatic lighting sequences and revolves around the important topic of the potential drawbacks of cultural assimilation and the effects of social media. Among the podcast discussion points are also the risky nature of film industry, the importance of passion and atmosphere at the set, pastel de nata, and other topics. Films covered in this episode: Healing Plan Healing Plan film website: https://healingplanfilm.com/   Matilde Silva: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14451415   Samantha Joia: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14160255   Indie Activity interviews: https://www.indieactivity.com/in-conversation-with-matilde-silva-on-her-role-in-healing-plan/ https://www.indieactivity.com/in-conversation-with-samantha-joia-director-for-healing-plan/

In this episode of the podcast, the hosts Karri and Henrik compare the original Howard Hawkes / Christian Nyby 1951 version of The Thing to John Carpenter's 1982 reimagining and finally to the 2011 prequel / remake, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. There's also a discussion on the original source novella by John W. Campbell from 1938. Each film version is a time capsule, reflecting their respective zeitgeist. Which film adaptation is the best one? Films covered in this episode: The Thing from Another World (1951) The Thing (1982) The Thing (2011) Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell.