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Species

year 1995decade 90sdirector Roger Donaldsongenre Science fiction horror

108 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Michelle Williams Young Sil
Ben Kingsley Xavier Fitch
Michael Madsen Preston "Press" Lennox
Alfred Molina Dr. Stephen Arden
Forest Whitaker Dan Smithson
Marg Helgenberger Dr. Laura Baker
Whip Hubley John Carey
Anthony Guidera Robbie Llywelyn

Species | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Van Lathanproducer Jack Sanders
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Most Rewatchable Scene

Young Sil escaping the gas-filled enclosure is nominated; the immediate opening and lack of explanatory preamble are praised.

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:50Read transcript
  • Young Sil escaping the gas-filled enclosure is nominated; the immediate opening and lack of explanatory preamble are praised.
  • Fitch explaining the alien project to the assembled crew is nominated for efficient exposition and the female-docility exchange.
  • The burn-room escape is called fun despite questions about why the door is not opened promptly and why Madsen is not angrier.
  • Sil’s club visit, bathroom killing, and lethal French kiss at the Hollywood Hills house are nominated.
  • The bathroom murder is discussed as Sil’s literal response to a romantic threat; Robbie’s car, view, and automated home are admired.
  • Initial rooting interest in Robbie ends when he tries to prevent Sil from leaving.
  • Robbie’s threatening conduct and diabetes are both considered reasons for his death.
  • The Palisades encounter is nominated, with sympathy for the helpful man whose successful date becomes a sudden death.
  • The car chase and body-switch explosion are called fun to watch.
  • The paired sex scenes are nominated, and the Helgenberger–Madsen scene is reportedly partly improvised.
  • The dueling sex scenes at the end are called clearly the answer; Henstridge is praised for going for it.
  • The Robbie Hollywood Hills sequence receives a separate explicit favorite-scene preference.

The most "year the movie came out" thing

Young Michelle Williams is nominated as a 1995 marker, followed by discussion of her reported disavowal of the film.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:03Read transcript
  • Young Michelle Williams is nominated as a 1995 marker, followed by discussion of her reported disavowal of the film.
  • The short-lived portable Sony television is favored as the most 1995 object.
  • The finale’s effects, paper credit-card authorization machine, and the actors’ thin and young appearance are additional 1995 markers.

What’s Aged the Best?

Molina’s Species-to-Boogie Nights career stretch is praised.

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:10Read transcript
  • Molina’s Species-to-Boogie Nights career stretch is praised.
  • Madsen watching hockey with beers before receiving the call is admired; the exact game cannot be identified.
  • Dan’s obvious observations and inconsistent empath powers are treated as funny, including his response to the dead woman and alien cocoon.
  • Dan’s sympathy for Sil and inexplicable characterization are part of the movie’s appeal.
  • Whitaker is praised for playing weird, off-kilter, soft-spoken characters, with Ghost Dog also cited.
  • Laura and Preston’s sex scene is praised as especially frisky, with Laura’s initiative and private fist pump singled out.
  • More scenes of Natasha shopping in downtown L.A. are desired, including buying weird things or headphones.
  • Learning culture from hotel-room television is admired as a recurring device shared with Borat and Big.
  • Dan surviving is noted as unusual in the genre, while the friendly woman on the train supplies a counterpoint; infected rats are called a frightening device.
  • The surviving creature material and rat suggest a sequel direction considered more promising than the poorly regarded actual sequel.
  • A commentary anecdote says Madsen antagonized Kingsley by interfering with his guarded chair, including putting garbage on it and hanging it from a crane.
  • The ragtag team of specialists assembled for a hunt is praised as an appealing genre setup.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The cinematography is praised, and Sil emerging from the train cocoon is nominated, with the train reportedly inverted to achieve the effect.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:25Read transcript
  • The cinematography is praised, and Sil emerging from the train cocoon is nominated, with the train reportedly inverted to achieve the effect.
  • The Biltmore’s appearance is praised.
  • The tongue emerging through Robbie’s head is considered the defining and most memorable shot, even if not conventionally cinematic.

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

The kidnapped woman and the extended body-decoy sequence are nominated as unnecessary; the DNA purpose does not persuade the objection.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:23Read transcript
  • The kidnapped woman and the extended body-decoy sequence are nominated as unnecessary; the DNA purpose does not persuade the objection.
  • The last twelve minutes in the sewer are criticized because Natasha is no longer Natasha and the movie becomes conventional.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Species 2 is nominated, citing Madsen’s reported description of it as lousy and a paycheck job.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:57Read transcript
  • Species 2 is nominated, citing Madsen’s reported description of it as lousy and a paycheck job.
  • Long Island iced teas are criticized as unfashionable, caloric, and potent, with the claim that nobody drinks them challenged.
  • The discussion questions whether Dan avoids alcohol for religious reasons and criticizes slipping alcohol to him on that possibility.
  • Missed Hollywood mating encounters are criticized, with the Viper Room, Swingers locations, and Canter’s proposed as opportunities.
  • More Santa Monica and outdoor-pool locations are desired; Fitch’s assumption that Sil will return to the same club is questioned.

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Whitaker is selected for the film overall, with Kingsley’s single tear separately nominated; the film is otherwise called underacted.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:52Read transcript
  • Whitaker is selected for the film overall, with Kingsley’s single tear separately nominated; the film is otherwise called underacted.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

The hottest take imagines an alien rated a six struggling to find a mate, turning the movie into a rom-com.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:28Read transcript
  • The hottest take imagines an alien rated a six struggling to find a mate, turning the movie into a rom-com.
  • The movie is said to need more sex, including on the train once she becomes a grown-up woman, and a hard-R or stronger-rating approach.
  • An HBO series beginning in 1995 is proposed as a potentially transformative early cable drama, expanding the pursuit and giving the investigators further cases.
  • The TV show idea prompts concern that aliens would be too expensive; showing them once a year and continuing with Madsen and Marge are suggested.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Whip is selected, with St. Elmo’s Fire and Top Gun recalled as earlier familiar roles; the transcript corrects an initial pronunciation.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:22Read transcript
  • Whip is selected, with St. Elmo’s Fire and Top Gun recalled as earlier familiar roles; the transcript corrects an initial pronunciation.

Apex Mountain

Henstridge is accepted as an apex selection.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:24Read transcript
  • Henstridge is accepted as an apex selection.
  • Madsen’s apex is disputed: Reservoir Dogs is offered, while Species’ success and the accumulated visibility of his earlier roles support this period as his career peak.
  • Helgenberger’s apex is assigned to CSI, Kingsley and Whitaker are rejected, and horny-alien films are proposed as a genre apex.
  • Mid-1990s BMW convertibles are proposed, with comparisons to Speed and a Frank Ocean cover left partly uncertain.

Cruise or Hanks?

Cruise is favored in several versions: Cocktail or Magnolia era as a picked-up man, current Cruise as Fitch, or Cruise as Lennox; Hanks is doubted for keeping a straight face.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:27Read transcript
  • Cruise is favored in several versions: Cocktail or Magnolia era as a picked-up man, current Cruise as Fitch, or Cruise as Lennox; Hanks is doubted for keeping a straight face.

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

The earlier prestige-television pitch is reaffirmed, including as a current adaptation, against the actual poor sequels.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:38Read transcript
  • The earlier prestige-television pitch is reaffirmed, including as a current adaptation, against the actual poor sequels.

Is This Movie Better With…?

DB is imagined announcing the naked cocoon appearance; the idea of bringing the observed Shack into more movies remains unfinished.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:52Read transcript
  • DB is imagined announcing the naked cocoon appearance; the idea of bringing the observed Shack into more movies remains unfinished.
  • Byron Mayo is imagined responding to Sil, and first-take Jay Williams is proposed for the recurring impression roster.

Just One Oscar

Special effects is proposed, with a separate Madsen choice offered for affection.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:09Read transcript
  • Special effects is proposed, with a separate Madsen choice offered for affection.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Forrest Whitaker’s observed Coofy is the only memorabilia suggestion after another participant cannot come up with one.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:07Read transcript
  • Forrest Whitaker’s observed Coofy is the only memorabilia suggestion after another participant cannot come up with one.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Lessons warn against underestimating dangerous attractive aliens and treating an immediate demand for a baby as too good to be true; women are not to be used is also offered.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:18Read transcript
  • Lessons warn against underestimating dangerous attractive aliens and treating an immediate demand for a baby as too good to be true; women are not to be used is also offered.