Catch Jonesie the cat and keep the work loader handy because Alex and Andrea are on an express elevator to LV-426 discussing feminism, mothering, special effects and the enduring influence of classic science fiction in the Alien franchise. Stay tuned for Part 2 in June!

REQUIRED READING

Alien. Dir Ridley Scott, 1979.

Aliens. Dir James Cameron, 1986.

EXTRA CREDIT

Strange Shapes – a blog dedicated to everything Alien.

Reel Terror: The Scary, Bloody, Gory, Hundred-Year History of Classic Horror Films by David Konow.

H.R. Giger – Giger’s Necronomicon and the making of Alien – A documentary on HR Giger, the artist behind some of the arresting imagery in the movies.

Alien Behind the Scenes – The extensive making-of doc taking a look at all that went into Alien.

The Making of Aliens – The equally-extensive featurette about the second film, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

Get That Life: How I Co-Founded Bitch Media – A history of the evolution and influence of Bitch Magazine.