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The Rewatchables · August 31, 2026

Aliens

host Bill Simmons host Chris Ryan host Sean Fennessey producer Craig Horlbeck theme Summer of CR

What aged best: Slow-burn structure, practical craft and the ensemble
Casting what-if: Weaver negotiations
Top ten: The ten best sequels, plus the hosts’ additions

All 44 categories

Who won the movie James Cameron / Sigourney Weaver
Roger Ebert
Dion Waiters Award Al Matthews as Apone
“That Guy” Award Mark Rolston

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:29:53

Franchise direction, Vietnam comparison and Ripley’s final line

Aliens may be the best entry while constraining the franchise around Ripley

Aliens may be a better Vietnam film than Full Metal Jacket, without necessarily being a better movie

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 2:07:41

Avoid returning to personal hell

Do not return to your personal hell

The film

Aliens (1986)

Directed by James Cameron · Science fiction

137 minutes

IMDb Letterboxd JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Sigourney Weaver Ellen Ripley

Michael Biehn Dwayne Hicks

Paul Reiser Carter J. Burke

Lance Henriksen Bishop

Carrie Henn Rebecca "Newt" Jorden

Bill Paxton Hudson

William Hope Gorman

Ricco Ross Frost

Al Matthews Apone

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

6:50

Top Ten List

The ten best sequels, plus the hosts’ additions

Also mentioned

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 00:06:50Read transcript

The hosts introduce a list of the ten best sequels, with an explicit caveat that it may not be complete. — Bill Simmons
The opening selections are The Godfather Part II, Terminator 2, The Dark Knight, Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back, and John Wick: Chapter 2. — Bill Simmons
The John Wick exchange includes an objection followed by a correction distinguishing the second film from the third. — Bill Simmons
Lethal Weapon 2 and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers follow; the mistaken “Twin Towers” wording is corrected. — Bill Simmons
Before Sunset is included. The tenth spot is left between The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training and Taboo II. — Bill Simmons
A participant proposes judging immediate follow-ups to the original and adds From Russia with Love. — Sean Fennessey
Bride of Frankenstein and Toy Story 2 are proposed as additional great sequels.
Rocky II is praised for its final stretch but qualified by the slower earlier portion. — Sean Fennessey
The Dark Knight and Batman Returns are cited as strong immediate follow-ups; Friday the 13th Part 2 is also raised and favored over the original. — Chris Ryan
The Godfather Part II is the answer to the follow-up question about a favorite sequel. — Chris Ryan

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39:40

The Proof of Life / David Caruso Award for a Character Who Should Have Been Spun Off into Their Own Sequel

Private Hudson; Vasquez and Drake also proposed

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:39:40Read transcript

Private Hudson is the main spin-off suggestion
Vasquez and Drake are suggested for a prequel

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41:14

Private Hudson Game Over Man category

Private Hudson — proposed full-film scene-stealer award

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 00:41:14Read transcript

Bill Paxton’s Hudson is too prominent to qualify as a short heat-check performance
The proposed award recognizes a supporting performer who takes over much of the film
About Last Night’s Jim Belushi performance is offered as a comparison
The name is not finalized during this discussion

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43:09

Reggie Cleveland Award

Michael Biehn’s character name: Dwayne Hicks

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:43:09Read transcript

Dwayne Hicks is cited as a Reggie Cleveland-style name mismatch — Bill Simmons

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52:41

Steven Seagal shitting on himself award for most unbelievable anecdote from the actual film shoot

Cameron’s farewell to the Pinewood crew

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:52:41Read transcript

The hosts recount Cameron’s cutting farewell after a difficult Pinewood shoot — Bill Simmons

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54:24

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:54:24Read transcript

The hosts report Ebert awarded 3½ stars — Bill Simmons
They contrast his praise of craft with his discomfort at the sustained intensity — Bill Simmons

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55:38

Most Rewatchable Scene

Motion trackers / ceiling reveal; alien-hive ambush

In the discussion (12)

Approx. transcript time · 00:55:38Read transcript

Ripley’s nightmare — Bill Simmons
Meeting the Marines, Vasquez’s pull-ups and Bishop’s knife trick — Bill Simmons
Discovering the facehuggers and Newt — Bill Simmons
Finding the cocooned colonist and the hive ambush — Bill Simmons
Ripley taking control of the armored vehicle — Bill Simmons
Bishop volunteering to reach the transmitter — Bill Simmons
Motion-tracker countdown and aliens above the ceiling — Bill Simmons
Hudson’s last stand and Gorman/Vasquez’s shared death — Bill Simmons
Newt in the water — Bill Simmons
Ripley rescuing Newt from the egg chamber — Bill Simmons
Power-loader finale, Bishop torn apart and the airlock rescue — Bill Simmons
Two preferences favor the tracker sequence; the ambush is another explicit preference — Bill Simmons

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1:04:20

The most 1986 thing

Vietnam echoes and 1986 Hollywood conventions

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:04:20Read transcript

Vietnam-war overtones
A female action lead treated as a novel proposition
Michael Biehn replacing James Remar
Burke’s contemporary-looking blazer
Metroid and the female-hero reveal are linked to Ripley

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1:05:56

Gandolfini Butter on My Ass So It Pops in My Mouth Award

Marines gearing up; waking from hypersleep

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:05:56Read transcript

The Marines’ preparation and gear-up sequence
Characters waking from hypersleep
Bishop’s tearing sound is offered earlier as a sensory favorite

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1:06:46

Borat Sagdiyev Rancid Body Odor Award

Post-hypersleep hygiene and Ripley’s apartment

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:46Read transcript

Waking from long sleep without a shower
Ripley’s enclosed apartment, cat and smoking

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1:07:43

Todd Parker Award for Best Character Entrance

Vasquez waking up and doing pull-ups

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:07:43Read transcript

Vasquez’s immediate pull-ups and verbal comeback — Bill Simmons

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1:07:43

What’s Aged the Best?

Slow-burn structure, practical craft and the ensemble

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 01:07:43Read transcript

An hour-long build before the first sustained alien action
Timeless hostile-terrain war structure
Physical sets, miniatures and creature effects
The war-focused promotional tagline
Paul Reiser as a comic actor playing a villain
Organic continuation from Alien
Video calling and other simple future technology
Michael Biehn’s screen presence
Hudson and Hicks as contrasting partners
Filming the Marines’ introduction late to capture their familiarity
The finale’s countdown matching elapsed time

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1:13:42

Hudson: Are you a good guy or a bad guy? Because I’m still not sure award

Hudson — proposed morally ambiguous character award

The panel proposes a new category here.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:42Read transcript

Hudson is discussed as neither clearly good nor clearly bad
This is a second Hudson proposal, distinct from the full-film scene-stealer proposal

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1:15:55

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Newt in the water; power-loader reveal; ceiling reveal

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:15:55Read transcript

Alien emerging behind Newt
Ripley appearing in the power loader
Hicks lifting the ceiling panel
Paxton leaning into a group shot to confront Burke

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1:17:07

Sean Fennessey Award for Stealth Homage That Gives Every Movie Nerd a Criterion Orgasm

Dark Star, The Shining, War of the Worlds, war films and 2001

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:17:07Read transcript

Bishop’s knife game compared with Dark Star — Sean Fennessey
A child’s Big Wheel in the extended cut compared with The Shining — Sean Fennessey
The opening probe compared with 1953’s The War of the Worlds — Sean Fennessey
Military structure compared with Sands of Iwo Jima — Sean Fennessey
Parallel Vietnam storytelling with Rambo: First Blood Part II — Sean Fennessey
Dissolve from sleeping Ripley to the planet compared with 2001 — Sean Fennessey

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1:19:18

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Apone, Bishop, Spunkmeyer and Vasquez

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:19:18Read transcript

Apone
Bishop
Spunkmeyer
Vasquez

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1:19:45

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Keep Aliens

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:19:45Read transcript

The existing title is favored — Bill Simmons
A maternal profanity-based alternative is joked about — Bill Simmons
Cameron’s dollar-sign pitch is recalled — Bill Simmons

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1:20:13

Jesse Eisenberg “That’s good. You should be proud of that right there. Don’t worry if you don’t make it any further” Award for Best Line Reading

Bill Paxton as Hudson

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:20:13Read transcript

Bishop volunteering exchange — Chris Ryan
Confronting Burke — Chris Ryan
Reacting to the power cut — Chris Ryan
Seventeen-day rescue estimate — Chris Ryan
Express-elevator delivery — Chris Ryan
Sentry-gun morale joke in the extended cut — Chris Ryan
Game-over reaction after the dropship crash — Chris Ryan

Share this discussion More Jesse Eisenberg “That’s good. You should be proud of that right there. Don’t worry if you don’t make it any further” Award for Best Line Reading answers

1:21:31

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Burke’s scheme; Newt’s parents; Newt / missing motivation

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:21:31Read transcript

Burke’s plan to bring an alien specimen home is challenged
Newt’s parents bringing children to investigate the derelict ship is questioned
Newt’s prominence and self-assigned nickname are criticized
Ripley’s daughter backstory is defended as crucial motivation in the extended cut

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1:25:52

What’s Aged the Worst?

Vasquez casting and omitted Ripley backstory

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:52Read transcript

Jenette Goldstein’s portrayal of a Chicana character is discussed critically — Bill Simmons
Omission of Ripley’s daughter from the theatrical cut — Bill Simmons
James Horner’s compressed scoring schedule — Bill Simmons
The scripted co-ed shower scene and its removal — Bill Simmons
Alien 3 killing Hicks and Newt — Bill Simmons
Later action movies unfavorably compared with Aliens — Bill Simmons

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1:28:38

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Bill Paxton and Vasquez

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:28:38Read transcript

Paxton’s heightened performance is praised — Sean Fennessey
Vasquez’s gestures and physical posing are nominated — Sean Fennessey
No clean final ballot is stated — Sean Fennessey

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1:29:20

Sasha Jenkins Award for Actor Who You Can’t Believe Didn’t Become a Bigger Star

Michael Biehn

Flex pick · Sean Fennessey

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:29:20Read transcript

Michael Biehn is nominated as an actor who should have become a bigger star — Sean Fennessey

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1:29:53

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Franchise direction, Vietnam comparison and Ripley’s final line

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:29:53Read transcript

Aliens may be the best entry while constraining the franchise around Ripley
Aliens may be a better Vietnam film than Full Metal Jacket, without necessarily being a better movie
Ripley’s famous final line delivery is criticized; another participant defends it
Craig is invited to prepare for this category in future and has no prepared take here

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1:33:19

Hans Gruber Scale Villain Ranking

Burke: 6.5 versus 8.5

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:33:19Read transcript

Burke receives proposed ratings of 6.5 and 8.5
The alien queen is defended as protecting her young rather than being a villain

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1:33:29

Casting What-Ifs

Weaver negotiations; Paxton and Remar/Biehn casting

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:33:29Read transcript

Weaver’s salary negotiation is recounted
Paxton’s prospective Police Academy 2 role and Bobcat Goldthwait are discussed
James Remar’s removal and Biehn’s quick arrival are recounted
Pacino visiting a neighboring set leads to imagined roles for him; those are jokes, not casting history

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1:36:58

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Mark Rolston

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:36:58Read transcript

Mark Rolston, identified through his Shawshank role
Paul Maxwell as Van Leuwen

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1:37:11

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Al Matthews as Apone

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:37:11Read transcript

Al Matthews is the stated Dion Waiters candidate
The cast’s appearance at a past cemetery screening becomes a tangent

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1:38:11

Recasting Couch

Boston; director swap; Costner and Barrymore

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:38:11Read transcript

Move the setting to Boston — Bill Simmons
Swap Kubrick and Cameron between Aliens and Full Metal Jacket — Bill Simmons
Young Kevin Costner as Hicks — Bill Simmons
Drew Barrymore as Newt — Bill Simmons

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1:39:34

Willem Dafoe: This Creepy-Looking Guy Turned Out to Be Nice Award

Bishop — Craig’s proposed award

The panel proposes a new category here.

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:39:34Read transcript

Craig proposes an award for a suspicious-looking character who turns out to be kind
Bishop is the example

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1:40:00

Marion Cobretti Pizza Cutting Award: Why Didn’t They Stop This on Set?

Ripley’s unchanged clothing style

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:40:00Read transcript

Craig questions why Ripley’s clothing style is unchanged after 57 years
The group offers fashion-cycle and personal-style explanations

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1:40:41

Half-Assed Internet Research

Practical effects, production conflicts and the extended cut

In the discussion (11)

Approx. transcript time · 01:40:41Read transcript

British crew tea-break conflicts
A lightweight Newt dummy for carrying scenes
Carrie Henn repeating slide takes
Fourteen puppeteers operating the alien queen
Heavy prop weapons
Henriksen’s reported illness from Bishop’s milky effects mixture
Reuse of the alien-nest set for Batman
Editing out the colony sequence
Weaver’s objections to cutting Ripley’s daughter backstory
Franchise timeline complications
Alien: Isolation’s Amanda Ripley premise

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1:45:16

Apex Mountain

Weaver, Biehn, and Goldstein: yes

In the discussion (9)

Approx. transcript time · 01:45:16Read transcript

Sigourney Weaver: yes
James Cameron: no
Michael Biehn: probably yes
Bill Paxton: no, with Twister and Titanic cited
Extraterrestrial movies: E.T. offered instead
Alien franchise: disagreement between Alien and Aliens
Jenette Goldstein: yes
Body-concealment performances: examples discussed without resolution
Paul Reiser: no; Mad About You offered instead

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1:49:42

Cruise or Hanks?

Cruise as Burke or Hicks; Hanks as Hudson

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:49:42Read transcript

Tom Cruise as Burke
Tom Cruise as Hicks
1980s Tom Hanks as Hudson
Preferences split between Cruise/Hicks and Hanks/Hudson

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1:50:11

1994 Demi Moore / 2003 Angelina / 2014 Charlize / 2026 Zendaya as Ripley

Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie and Zendaya considered

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:50:11Read transcript

2014 Charlize Theron receives two preferences
Angelina Jolie is another choice
Zendaya is considered for physical presence
1994 Demi Moore is listed among the options

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1:51:22

Most Memorable Death by a Security Guard or Other Bystander

Ferro and Spunkmeyer in the dropship crash

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:51:22Read transcript

Dropship pilot Ferro and Spunkmeyer are selected — Chris Ryan
The named award’s eponym is garbled and the speakers themselves question it; recording review needed — Chris Ryan

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1:52:03

Picking Nits

Ripley ignored, inconsistent logic and survival mechanics

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 01:52:03Read transcript

Authorities ignore Ripley’s experience
Claims of no comparable alien life versus Marines’ alien-sex talk
Ripley’s financial situation after hypersleep
Newt surviving alone
Destroying the eggs despite an imminent explosion
Ripley’s exposure inside the power loader
Holding on during airlock decompression
Sparing Burke needs more justification
Marines overlook the ceiling
The Marines’ effectiveness is questioned and defended as Vietnam commentary

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1:58:34

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Untouchable, with franchise variations already made

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:58:34Read transcript

Untouchable is favored — Bill Simmons
The group notes that many sequel and TV variations already exist — Bill Simmons

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1:58:47

Is This Movie Better With…?

Impressions and a proposed refresh of the roster

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:58:47Read transcript

Zane Lowe interviewing Ripley
Barney from The Vanishing is proposed
Hudson is proposed for future impersonations
Frank Hackett from Network is proposed
The group discusses refreshing a recurring roster

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2:01:37

Just One Oscar

James Cameron for directing; Oliver Stone counterargument

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 02:01:37Read transcript

Cameron is proposed for Best Director — Bill Simmons
Oliver Stone’s Platoon win is defended — Bill Simmons
Other directing nominees are listed for comparison — Bill Simmons

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2:02:15

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Hypersleep, transfer changes and Bishop’s future

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 02:02:15Read transcript

Whether Ripley’s teeth were altered in the 4K transfer
Biological needs during and after hypersleep
How to spend the first moments after waking decades later
Relative horror of cocooning, implantation and being torn apart
A deleted Burke cocoon scene and timeline logic
Bishop’s reconstruction after losing half his body

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2:07:17

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Armor, Vasquez’s headband and a prop gun

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 02:07:17Read transcript

Armored vest
Vasquez’s headband
A heavy prop gun; Craig is explicitly asked and chooses a gun

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2:07:41

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Avoid returning to personal hell; distrust cryosleep

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 02:07:41Read transcript

Do not return to your personal hell
Destroy the site from orbit to be certain
Avoid cryosleep

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2:07:58

Best Double Feature

Alien / Platoon

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 02:07:58Read transcript

Alien is repeatedly selected — Chris Ryan
Platoon is an additional suggestion — Chris Ryan

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2:08:10

Who Won the Movie?

James Cameron / Sigourney Weaver

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 02:08:10Read transcript

Two Cameron votes and two Weaver votes are explicitly tallied
Paxton is mentioned as a personal favorite, not a fifth final vote
Individual speaker mapping remains unresolved in this pass
The group suggests a public poll to resolve or explore a true split

Podcast choices

Speaker not identified: Sigourney Weaver
Speaker not identified: Sigourney Weaver
Speaker not identified: James Cameron
Speaker not identified: James Cameron

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More from the conversation

Summer/year of CR wording connects Aliens with Chris Ryan’s requested run; no exact formal month is established.

Approx. transcript time · 00:00:37Read transcript

A Vietnam-themed month is floated as an idea, not announced as this episode’s series.

Approx. transcript time · 00:28:33Read transcript

Sigourney Weaver winning an Oscar for Gorillas in the Mist is asserted in the transcript. This claim is flagged for external checking and is not imported as a movie fact.

Approx. transcript time · 00:31:27Read transcript

Theatrical versus extended cut is debated; screenplay and production stories are reported claims.

Approx. transcript time · 00:59:39Read transcript

An October horror movie month is announced as future programming. Aliens is not tagged Horror Month.

Approx. transcript time · 02:16:01Read transcript