Aliens opened in theaters

Aliens Released: July 18, 1986 Studio: 20th Century Fox Genre: sci-fi/action Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 85.16 Worldwide: 131.06 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 184.80 Worldwide: 284.40

Directing: James Cameron Screenwriting: James Cameron Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser Review: “Aliens is the model for every potential sequel-maker: it connects irrefutably with the events of the original…and expands on all the ideas and themes while simultaneously differentiating itself.” E23 James Cameron, who penned the script and directed, was smart enough “to not try to top the original as one of the greatest ever horror movies. Instead, he transplanted the Alien (and, significantly, Ripley) to a different genre, and created one of the greatest ever action movies” E18 as well as a “war movie fused inextricably with science fiction.” E23 It is also “an intense thriller” MSN that left viewers walking “out of the theaters with feelings of unease and anxiety.” MSN “Aliens construction of action scenes, its build-up of tension and its final execution of combat is a marvel to behold.” E23 Cameron also “drools lavishly over the future technology of weaponry.” E23 This is “monstrous hi-tech mayhem to the max.” T98 The premise is that Ripley (Weaver) “survives 57 years of deep space sleep, only to be sent back…to the original Alien planet.” T95 Communications have been lost with the since-colonized planet and Ripley has been tapped to lead a team of space marines to investigate. She becomes a reluctant heroine. “Courage, for Ripley, is an acceptance of fear and dealing with it with intelligence.” E23 The sequel adds “refinements such as Ripley’s newly discovered maternal instinct, and another one of those androids being sneakily passed off as an ordinary crew member.” T95 Mostly, though, the movie focuses on “not just a single, ruthless, unbeatable killing machine but an army of them. On home turf.” E23 This is “one helluva roller-coaster ride” T95 and “a movie that excels in the craft of filmmaking. MSN It’s “also one of the most enduringly quotable films.” E18 Sources: E18 Empire (3/20/2018). “The 100 Greatest Movies” E23 Empire (3/2/2023). “Aliens Review” by Ian Nathan MSN MSN Entertainment (7/19/2018). “100 Best Movies” by Shahnaz Mahmud T95 Time Out (1995). “Centenary Top One Hundred Films” T98 Time Out (1998). “Readers’ Top 100 Films”

Accolades: Oscars: Wins: 2: Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects Nominations: 7: Best Actress (Weaver), Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Hall of Fames: Lists: Genre Lists: First posted 5/27/2025.

50 years ago: Modern Times, Chaplin's masterpiece farewell to the silent era, released

Modern Times Released: February 25, 1936 Studio: United Artists Genre: comedy, drama, family Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 0.16 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 5.80 Worldwide: ?

Directing: Charles Chaplin Screenwriting: Charles Chaplin Starring: Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman Review: In this “consistently hilarious, and unforgettable” LM “Chaplin masterpiece” VD he says farewell to his “beloved character The Tramp.” MSN “This social protest film was also Chaplin’s final great effort in the silent era, as the talkies overtook silent films. The film was made between 1932 and 1936, with Chaplin writing, directing, producing and scoring it.” MSN It is “a ‘mostly silent,’ funny and poignant comedy/satire in which Charlie Chaplin bids farewell to silent comedy.” FS Modern Times “perfectly captures Chaplin: naive, but ever so heartfelt.” TV It is a comic nightmare of mass production, runaway capitalism, the police state – all of which helped get the film (and its star) labeled Red.” TV Chaplin is a factory worker “in the Depression era of poverty and unrest” FS slaving “on a dehumanizing automated assembly line” FS overseen by his “‘Big-Brother’ tyrannical boss who spies on employees with a giant TV monitor and demands greater speed and efficiency.” FS Chaplin “quickly has a nervous breakdown [and] goes insane.” FS “After several trips to the hospital and jail, ultimately finds happiness with a kindred soul.” A07 “He meets and falls in love with an orphaned street waif and fellow vagabond The Gamine (Goddard), and the two dream of a contented, suburban existence.” FS The movie “includes some utterly stunning sequences” TV such as “his trip through the cogs of a factory.” TV “In one of the ‘sound’ sequences, the Tramp impersonates a singing waiter.” FS “The feeding-machine sequence is priceless.” FS The “final shot is among Chaplin’s most famous and most poignant.” LM It is “a touching ending – a final farewell to the Little Tramp character.” FS Sources: A07 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” LM Leonard Maltin “100 Must-See Films of the 20th Century” MSN MSN Entertainment (7/19/2018). “100 Best Movies” by Shahnaz Mahmud TV TV Guide (August 8-14, 1998 issue). “50 Greatest Movies on TV and Video” VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 0 Nominations: 0 Other Lists/Honors: Critics’ Picks: Leonard Maltin Guillermo del Toro First posted 6/4/2023.