Google Scholar Search Bibliography

I am interested in the 'Aliens' franchise and how it keeps its image throughout other cross overs and appearances within other franchises. To find resources, I have conducted a search using Google scholar. I have used search terms 'Aliens', 'Game', 'Novel', 'Comic', 'Predator', 'image' and 'Transmedia'. I have identified approx 1170 number of articles, and the three most relevant ones are as follows;

Article 1

David Frauenfelder (2005), "Popular Culture and Classical Mythology", in The Classical World, Vol. 98, No. 2, pp. 210-213. Accessed at - http://www.jstor.org.lcproxy.shu.ac.uk/sici?origin=sfx%3Asfx&sici=0009-8418(2005)98%3A2%3C210%3APCACM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F&cookieSet=1

This article is all about how modern franchise and pop culture compares to old classical mythology and how it transfers over. This is relevant to my research as it describes various ways in which Alien and Predator comes from mythology. Also how it coverts into other forms of media. Also because i am researching how the image of Alien differs though out different media forms, the 'origins' of mythology for the Alien are relevant. It also helps background research.

Article 2

Henry M. Taylor (2009)'Alien to The Matrix: Reading Science Fiction Film'.
Issue: Volume 37, Number 4 / Winter 2009, Pages: 199 - 199
URL: http://heldref-publications.metapress.com/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,6,6;journal,1,52;linkingpublicationresults,1:119937,1

This article talks about how sci-fi films stand in modern society. With references to Alien in both film, cult status and franchise. This helps my research as it talks about the franchise and how it affects the public.

Article 3

Nickie D. Phillips (2001), 'Cultural criminology and kryptonite: Apocalyptic and retributive constructions of crime and justice in comic books' URL- http://cmc.sagepub.com.lcproxy.shu.ac.uk/cgi/reprint/2/3/304

This article highlights how crime in comic books and film are portrayed. This includes war, which is the case here. It talks about how the image of the Alien in 'Aliens' is of an army. Also how this is reflected in AVP. This helps my research as it talks about how the creators of the films and games have created a species, not just a singular monster.


My Presentation -

http://www.scribd.com/doc/27396416

American Beauty Trailer.

The trailer for American Beauty for me is a bit misleading yet totally clear about the film. By this i mean, it gives the impression on a high concept narrative yet it actually has a low concept narrative. This will simply be because of marketing and sales. For me, it doesn't do it justice. The film it's self is quite a complex journey through the main characters (Lester played by Kevin Spacey) mid life problems including work, family etc. This is shown in the trailer yet only as an observation, where within the film its very physiological and he takes you through that experience using narration. Within the narrative is also included the teenage daughters life problems, in which this is less in the film than made out in the trailer. Again this will be because of marketing to a wider audience.
The trailer seems to make out like the film is an episode of Desperate Housewives, with some focus also on the wife and strange going ons' within the neighbourhood. The fact the gunshot at the end is heard, almost gives away a massive plot point yet still manages to keep it aside, gripping the viewer. The message of 'Look Closer' which is frequently repeated on screen, gives the impression that everything has another side to it. This again is to tie the audience in within the narrative. Red is a constant theme within the trailer and film, with roses, doors, dresses, petals, lipstick all re-appearing constantly. This could suggest one of three things - Passion, Love or Blood. To me, it in its own way suggests all three. Passion with the red petals coming out of the young girls blouse, Love with the wife holding the rose and blood with the end sequence with the gunshot and red roses appearing on screen.
Music is a great choice on this trailer. Its The Who - 'Baba O'Riley', the build up sequence used gets faster and faster which is great for the quick cuts and drama. After the gunshot, all music is gone and just birds are heard tweeting. This suggests peace has been made.

Group Project - 'Aliens' initial idea.

As a starting pont, my group (Toby and I) have decided to cover the Alien franchise. More specifically, the Vs series. Aliens as a franchise go across pretty much all forms of media. Films, comics, games, novels, toys and tv shows. With cross overs including Predator (most famously), Judge Dredd, Green Lantern, Batman, Superman, Terminator, Darkness, Witchblade and even Wild C.A.Ts.


We will be more specific in what we decide to cover in our reseach but this initial idea is about how the Alien keeps its image and motifs throughout the crossovers and across the different forms of media.