Thursday, February 04, 2010

"It's a blessed condition, believe me": Images of African Americans in horror cinema #3.

Throughout February, ANTSS will be running images that reflect - for better or worse - the image of African Americans in horror cinema.



Action figure of Al Matthews's character Sgt. Apone from Aliens, 1986
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6 comments:

Sasquatchan said...

wasn't he cannon fodder as soon as they found the lair in the reactor room ? (A'la a red shirt, or as South Park put it, a black man who's to die heroically to save the white crew members)

10:41 AM
CRwM said...

Sassy,

Technically, he dies pretty late in the film. Though that's hardly a win as being a alien-worm incubator is hardly what most of us consider living. And if I recall, the goes down heroically trying to figure out what his incompetent CO is trying to tell him over his headset. Not exactly out in a blaze of glory.

12:59 PM
Sasquatchan said...

alas, the Mrs won't watch it with me.. But so many died in the first encounter that I figured he was one.. He does have some great lines: "You heard the man, now move, elbows and ass holes!"

4:00 PM
Anonymous said...

He dies in the first big scene, where they aren't allowed to use their weapons. And yes, he goes down after their communications get cut off and everyone stars panicking. To Apone's credit, once his soldiers realise he's gone, they totally freak out. He was a good Sarge.

This is my #1 favourite movie, by the way. Thanks for giving Apone his dues.

6:52 PM
CRwM said...

Thanks Gore-Gore Girl, but if I recall he doesn't die. Hudson see's his vitals and announces to the first battle's survivors that Apone and several others aren't dead. In the APC, the command center keeps track of the vital signs of each troop. It is suggested that the troops should go back in to save him, but Ripley puts the kabosh on it on it because she knows that they are being used to incubate chest-bursters.

7:49 PM
Anonymous said...

Yep, you're right - my bad. I was in the moment. The sarge ain't dead. I'm assuming he ended up dead though...maybe there's a sequel in there somewhere.

1:41 PM

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