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Coffee Review

By Victoria Hock

Nestled in Cuba, a town almost 30 minutes from Houghton, is the Perfect Blend, a small coffee shop that features a breakfast and lunch menu as well. On a beautiful fall day, I ventured there with a family member who was in town.

When you walk in, you are immediately greeted by quaint decor. Though there isn’t a lot of seating inside, there was still ample seating outside, giving people the opportunity to enjoy views of Cuba as they enjoy their coffee. The Perfect Blend immediately struck me as a place that would be perfect whether you’re visiting with family or friends or looking for a spot to get some work done.

The ordering process was simple. We walked in, and immediately walked up to a counter to place our orders with the friendly, helpful staff. The menu was written behind us on a chalkboard, and there were a lot of options, without being overwhelming. After we placed our orders, my family member’s drink (I went for a simple bottled iced tea) was placed on the side counter while our food was brought to us.

As I said, I went for a simple bottled iced tea as my drink — there was nothing particularly unique about it. However, the family member I was with selected a raspberry latte. I hadn’t seen a raspberry latte in many coffee shops previously, and with how good she said it was, I was tempted to order one myself.

The Perfect Blend offered a variety of foods, including things like bagels and breakfast sandwiches for breakfast and paninis and bowls for lunch. My family member’s and my eventual food selections were very different from each other, with my family member going for a breakfast item with a simple bagel and cream cheese, and with me selecting more of a lunch item with the garlic fest bowl. Both selections were very good.

Overall, we enjoyed our visit to the Perfect Blend. We look forward to returning in the future. Whether you’re looking to just grab a coffee with someone or as fuel while you get some homework done, or breakfast or lunch, the Perfect Blend is the perfect spot. ★

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News

East Africa Program’s Cancellation Addressed

By Jennifer Page

The last cohort of Houghton University’s East Africa Program returned to campus this fall disappointed in the program’s cancellation and hungry for answers.   

Since 1998, the East Africa Program has impacted the lives of Houghton students by offering them the opportunity to experience a culture vastly different from their own. 

Dr. Eli Knapp, professor of biology and director of Houghton’s East Africa Program since 2013, explained that the program offered a holistic approach to education where students and professors experienced life together, which allows relational opportunities a traditional classroom does not. 

Knapp participated in the program in 1999 and has a firsthand understanding of its effect on students and their education.

“I came alive as a student on the program,” he said.“Normal classes were fine, but I didn’t realize there was a higher plateau I could reach. Seeing lions on a kill in my Wildlife Behavior course was different from hearing a professor talk about it or reading about it in a textbook. I wanted to perpetuate that model of experiential learning.” 

This type of experiential learning helped students recognize how the lessons they were taught influenced their lives outside of the classroom.

“The program forced me to grow as a student and as a person, which is something my normal classes haven’t done,” said junior Kayleigh Verspoor. “It also forced me to challenge the beliefs I already had in place and find something deeper and more authentic. I really miss my time in Kenya.”

When asked how she felt about the program’s cancellation, Verspoor said, “I’m deeply saddened. I think it takes away life-changing opportunities for students.” 

Verspoor isn’t the only one who thinks this. Senior Nina D’Amato, Verspoor’s cohort mate, said, “It seems like [the program] had such an abrupt ending without reason. I think we’re all hungry for those answers.”

But those answers are hard to come by. 

Dr. Paul Young, who served as provost during the 2020-2021 academic year, gave his answer to the program’s cancellation by saying, “In earlier years of the program, the program budget benefited from enrolling several students from other colleges each year. As the numbers of students enrolling decreased, the overall budget became more difficult to balance.”

In early 2021, Knapp received news of the program’s termination. 

“For the sake of our students, the decision to end such a successful, long-running, and life-changing program saddened me,” Knapp said. “But a university has to be wise with its resources and I understand the reality of financial constraints. We had something unique and special, and I did want one last year to do it. So I was really grateful for that chance.”

Knapp ended up appealing the decision, and Dr. Shirley Mullen, Houghton’s president at the time, approved one final year of the program. 

Now that Dr. Mullen has moved on from Houghton, however, the cohort may not get the answers they are looking for. When speaking to David Davies, Houghton’s current Provost, he explained that a lot of economic and COVID-19-related factors may have played a part in the decision. “But it was ultimately President Mullen’s decision.”

He also stated that Houghton’s commitment to international experiences has not changed and that he does not want to see those opportunities go away for students. If Houghton could find a way to run the program sustainably, like running it on a four-year cycle, he is open to it.

“If we want to have international experiences for students, it makes sense to build off of the relations we already have. It makes more sense than starting a whole new program,” Davies said. “That’s a conversation worth having for sure.”

Houghton may not have seen the last of the East Africa Program, but for now, there are no concrete plans for Houghton students to return.

“It was going on for twenty years,” Knapp said. “It changed lives, it changed my life. It really is the death of something, but as I like to remind my biology students, the death of one thing may be the birth—or rebirth—of something else.”★

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News

An Unfortunate CAB Event

By Jax Johnson

It is with great pleasure that the Houghton STAR presents some unfortunate news. At 9 p.m. tonight in the John and Charles Wesley Chapel, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) will host the Wheel of Unfortune, where teams of up to five people will compete in a Wheel of Fortune style competition for a chance to win a prize. 

This event will be based on the popular game show, “Wheel of Fortune.” In the TV show, “Wheel of Fortune,”contestants spin a wheel with various amounts of money listed and, after spinning the wheel, are allowed to guess a consonant with the goal to complete the word puzzle on the board. 

 Hannah Tyer, who is running Houghton’s own version of Wheel of Fortune, describes how teams will compete in a series of challenges to get ahead and win prizes.

“It will run similar to Wheel of Fortune (the game show on TV),” Tyer said “The big differences are that it is team run (instead of playing individually) and instead of buying letters with money, they will have to perform tasks (like a certain amount of push-ups, eating spicy foods, etc.) in order to buy vowels similar to the show.”

Tyer also expressed her excitement for this event, saying, “My favorite part of the event are the prize baskets for the winning top three teams to pick from.” As to what those prizes are, only she knows— students will have to show up to find out.

Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry, also describes the event saying, “Participants can sign up as a team to compete for some unique high stake’s prizes. It should be a great event that any student can enjoy.” 

Whether students love “Wheel of Fortune” or just want something to do tonight, they can show up to the chapel at nine and see who will win Wheel of Unfortune. ★

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News

“Foul Play” At Houghton

By Anna Catherman

Next Thursday, Nov. 17, students will have the opportunity to take a stab at solving a mystery  – a rather large mystery. 

The mafia-style event will ask students to solve the murder of a well-known Houghton University figure: Luckey the Lion. 

Junior Eileen Goodge, one of the event’s organizers, explained that the event is designed to be a fun way to meet new people and work together. Players have to find out the who, where, and why of Luckey’s murder, just like the board game “Clue.” There will be several different  mock rooms, according to Goodge,  in which groups of 10 players will search for cards and clues. 

Goodge explained that, though the event is themed after “Clue,” the gameplay resembles more of a murder mystery dinner party. 

“Emily [Fausnaught] and I have both played a dinner mystery game,” Goodge noted, which inspired them to choose a similar concept for their event. 

Fellow organizer junior Zachary Fahey noted that the event is designed to be “a thrilling experience for students while letting them just let loose while still using their minds to solve a murder.”

While there is no dinner at this event, participants will  have an opportunity to enjoy cooperative teamwork and meet new people. The event is designed for large groups of 10 people each, maximizing the possibility that people will work with others they don’t know well and hopefully meet a new friend. Intergenerational gameplay is encouraged as well: students from the ENCORE program for adult learners have also been invited.

The event is one of several organized by students each semester in the Sports, Recreation and Wellness Department’s Program Planning and Evaluation class, in which.  students learnt how to run events. 

Goodge spoke highly of the class, explaining that “It covers a lot of stuff our business classes don’t.” That “stuff” includes marketing, liability, and collecting engagement data. 

Every semester, many events are put on by students in the class. Students creatively brainstorm and put on some of the most unique events on campus. Last week’s Mobile Mafia night was put on by a different group of students from the Program Planning class. Another group of students is putting on “Luau at the Rock Wall” Saturday, Nov. 19. Other past events put on by the department have included a mac ‘n cheese cook-off, an escape room, a horseless horse show, and a movie night. 

“Foul Play at Houghton” will take place in the Chamberlain center on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 8p.m.-10 p.m. Goodge expressed the hope that sports teams, and those in evening classes, will be able to participate after their events are over. Sign-ups will be available soon, with various time slots available within the event’s run time.★

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Columns

Club Highlight: Sigma Zeta Honor Society

By Josh Carpenter

For the fall 2022 semester at Houghton University, the Sigma Zeta National Honor Society is reaching out to diverse audiences as it turns the page to its new Beta Nu chapter. 

According to Sigma Zeta’s official website, “Sigma Zeta welcomes the formation of new campus chapters interested in furthering the purpose of the society as stated in the mission statement: a national undergraduate honor society to encourage and foster scholarly activity and recognize academic scholarship in the natural and computer sciences and mathematics.” 

         Senior Skye Chaapel, who is President of Sigma Zeta’s Beta Nu chapter, explains,“Beta Nu just indicates that this is the specific chapter of the national honor society, Sigma Zeta, here at Houghton University. It doesn’t have any other meaning outside of that.” 

This current chapter of Sigma Zeta adheres to the theme, “To make science more accessible for diverse audiences of all ages,” shares Chaapel.

To accomplish this, Skye hopes that Sigma Zeta members will share their love and appreciation for the math and science fields with others through celebrating days like Pi Day and Mole Day, also by putting on Lab Saturdays once a semester for high school students. 

Karen Torraca, Professor of Chemistry at Houghton University and Sigma Zeta’s faculty advisor, is encouraging the club this semester to participate in community outreach.  

Torraca writes, “I work with local Christian schools, homeschool groups and public high schools to invite high school students to come to campus for a Saturday afternoon of labs in chemistry, biology, and physics.” 

 Leading these labs are members of Sigma Zeta, who come to campus from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. In her observation of them, Torraca writes, “[It’s] fun to watch the Sigma Zeta students interact with the high school students and vice versa. It’s a win-win for everyone.” 

To be eligible for Sigma Zeta, students must be a declared STEM major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher collectively in STEM classes and a 3.0 GPA or higher overall. Students are additionally required to have completed at least 25 credit hours, including 15 hours in the natural sciences or mathematics. If students meet these requirements, they will be selected based on all classes taken through the fall semester, then be invited to join Sigma Zeta during the spring semester after they pay a national membership fee of $35. 

Students who think they meet the requirements but were not contacted about joining the club should contact Dr. Karen Torraca, the chapter advisor. ★

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Opinions

Freshman Thoughts: Life at Houghton

By Caleb Welker

Being a freshman here at Houghton has been quite the experience, to say the least.  These past eight weeks have had their fair share of highs and lows, but through all of it, I can say it’s been pretty fun.  When I came here, I found myself almost instantly pulled right into the community.  As a member of the baseball team at Houghton, I didn’t need to wait long to find people who I was going to be spending a lot of time with.  I remember walking up to Lambein Hall and being instantly greeted by Coach Reitnour and an upperclassman baseball player.  Being a student-athlete has already provided me with long days of practicing and class. I didn’t know how difficult it would be to balance my academic, social, and athletic life, but Houghton came to my aid very quickly.

In my first week of classes, I could already tell how much the professors cared. Their instant connection to us as students was evident in their opening lectures. Being at a school where the professors know you and truly want to help you succeed is an amazing thing that not many people get to experience. One of my favorite classes I have taken so far this year is Introduction to Communication Theory. I take this class with Professor Gaerte, who has made an 8 A.M class way more fun than it should be.  Although I dread waking up and dragging myself to the library to sit in class, I’ve always been drawn in quickly by him.  He also is a prime example of how much the professors here care, as he is constantly making conversation with me, whether it be about baseball or just how my day is going. He always seems to make an effort to talk to me.    

Being a member of the baseball team here has provided me with so many opportunities in the last eight weeks alone.  Team events have included meals together every day, trips to the weight room at six in the morning, and late night practices in the freezing cold. We have also participated in events such as sitting together, being very loud at volleyball games and working the Harvest Festival at Houghton Wesleyan Church.  Whatever you want to do, there’s someone there to do it with you.  After four weeks of practice, it felt very odd within the last few weeks not having to block practice out of my day, but I managed to figure some things out to make sure I wasn’t too bored.
With Houghton’s location, there’s not really a lot to do off-campus. First of all, before I got here, I got a job as the Women’s soccer team’s public address announcer and scoreboard operator. Throughout the season, I got to watch the team’s games, announce the goals and substitutions, keep track of the score and time on the board, and struggle to pronounce the names of the opposing teams’ players. I found myself becoming very invested in the success of the team throughout the season, at points having to contain myself after goals, remembering I have a job to do.  The job gave me experience in the field of athletics, and I got paid to watch a sport, so that was pretty cool.

Another connection that I have here at Houghton is through my family.  I don’t know if you have realized reading this yet, but I share a last name with the Opinions Editor of the Star. At first, I told everyone I wasn’t going to Houghton because I didn’t want to be at the same school as my older brother.  Obviously, my opinions changed because, well I’m here, but having a sibling at Houghton has given me another connection.  I was able to say hi to his friends and impress some other Freshmen by knowing upperclassmen.  Plus, it hasn’t been anything like what I thought it would be like, we aren’t right on top of each other. It’s cool to see a family member here as I do miss my family, but we really do have separate lives here, and we can spend time together, but it’s not like we’re home.

Other Freshmen and I have had different experiences. I know that I’ve helped some people by telling them the things I picked up about Houghton before I even came here from my brother, and I know of people whose experiences here have been quite different from mine. Many people here at Houghton have different experiences and can answer the question, “What does Houghton mean to you?” very differently.  I know people who aren’t athletes, who seem to be shocked when I tell them I had to wake up early for practice.  But those same people are there to listen to me, when I’m annoyed with a class, not that that ever happens, or just need somebody to talk to.  And that’s really what makes Houghton beautiful.  Sure we spend a lot of our time with different groups of people, but we truly all come together to make the Houghton family.

All in all, Houghton has already been amazing in the short time that I’ve been here.  The community here has shown me why the people I know who attended loved the school so much.  The small closeness of this campus and the community of students, faculty, and staff really have made my time here special and makes me look forward to the rest of my four years here. ★

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News

Houghton Welcomes Back Fall Productions With Little Women

By Victoria Hock

At 7 p.m. on November 3-5 in the Center for the Arts Recital Hall, Houghton University presents their production of Little Women. 

According to Music Theatre International, Little Women “follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more about what’s close to her. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of what she and her sisters experience growing up in Civil War America.”

Junior Lydia Rech, who portrays Beth March, noted that Little Women has been one of her “dream shows” for a while now, so she is excited for the opportunity to be in this production. 

Junior Josey Ikker, who plays the role of Amy March, was not as familiar with Little Women, explaining that she had “no knowledge of what Little Women was about.” However, she further remarked that she wanted to audition for any musical, and “Little Women was no different.”

Ikker and Rech also expressed their excitement about playing their respective characters. 

“Playing the role of Beth March is both fun and humbling,” Rech said. “Beth is a lot like me – she loves music, she often likes to work behind the scenes, and she wants to encourage and support those around her.”

Beth “inspires” Rech.“She is sweet and supportive even when it’s hard,” she said. “She is not perfect, but she always seeks to live in a way that is honoring to God.”

Ikker, on the other hand, initially found Amy a little “difficult to relate to.” She explained that Amy’s attitude was: “I just want this but my time might not come for a while, or if anything won’t ever come.” Amy tends to “follow society”, and that she grows to have a “proper side to herself.” 

Rehearsals consisted of a lot of learning and character development for both cast members.

“It feels like we are already locking things in during rehearsals – not just getting lines memorized or having all the choreography polished, but really bonding as a family,’” Rech said. “When I get onstage with Emily, Grace, and Josey, they really feel like my sisters.”

Ikker praised the learning experience that rehearsal has provided to her.

“I’ve received lots of incredible feedback on how I can develop my character,” she said.

Both Ikker and Rech encourage members of the Houghton community to come out and see the show. 

In addition to Ikker and Rech, the cast includes Master’s Student Ethan Carr, who will be playing John Brooke, Seniors Linette Taylor, Grace Dietrick, Emily Quick and Mikayla Bond, who will be portraying the roles of Marmee, Jo, Meg and Aunt March, respectively, Juniors Thomas Auld, who will be portraying Laurie, Cody Johnson, who will be playing the role of Professor Bhaer, and Christian Welker, who will be portraying the role of Grandpa Laurence.

“This show is going to be beautiful and such fun!” Rech exclaimed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we fill up the recital hall each night. I am so excited! You won’t want to miss it!” Ikker expressed similar sentiments, using adjectives like “empowering” to describe the production. She further noted how she hopes people find that Little Women provides “inspiration” and “healing”. ★

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News

The Campus Garden

By Sophia Vernon

“These are my potatoes! Pretty much any potatoes that you have in Metz are mine,” said Emily Wahlenmayer, the student caretaker of the campus garden.

 Potatoes are just one type of produce that  Wahlenmayer,  grows for the dining hall.   

Wahlenmayer is a junior at Houghton who started as an eco-rep through the Center of Sustainability (CFS) before the summer of 2022. When given the opportunity to stay in Houghton over the summer as the garden intern,  she leaped into caring for the campus garden. 

“The garden has gotten a bad rap,” she comments, after explaining that for years it was never nurtured or cared for, and in turn never produced any crops of substance.  

For the past five months, however, with full decision-making authority over the campus garden, she has curated the garden into a thriving resource for the school. 

When asked about the beginning of the campus garden,  Wahlenmayer replied with, “[it was started] 4 years ago? 2018…. It’s first year was unproductive, second year was covid, third year was bad interns, fourth year [2022] was me.”

There are a vast array of crops grown in the garden, including  tomatoes, kale, three colors of beans, stunning carrots, pumpkins, zucchini, sunflowers, and more.. 

An assortment of the garden’s crops is used regularly in the dining hall and students have free access to all these resources. During a brief interview with the head of CFS, Brian Webb, he outlined the main goals that inspired the garden to be constructed, and the purpose of continuing the program. Webb expressed the three main goals of the garden as: (1) Providing local produce for the dining hall,(2) Educating students about the importance of local produce, sustainability, and the aspects of caring for a garden, and (3) Providing on campus jobs.

In interviewing a variety of students around campus, the majority have never visited the campus garden or fostered any interest in getting involved. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors r had  deeper negative perspectives than freshmen due to the past reputation of the garden.

In addition to the previously unmanaged nature of the garden, students are hindered by the distance of walking from campus to the garden, which is located next to the college flats.When asked how it would be easier to get involved, sophomore Emily Tam said she would go “If there was a car to take me there. The flats are kind of far.”  

With the crest of winter upon us, the last of the harvests from this once neglected garden have come to a close after the most successful season to date. Looking forward, the Houghton campus garden welcomes students to take full advantage of what it has to offer – be it through learning, growing, or eating. ★

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News

Upcoming Internship Fair

By Sarah Burton

On Nov. 9-11, Houghton University will host an Internship Fair in the Van Dyk Lounge by the fireplace from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm each day.

The Center for Student Success will host the event, which was planned entirely by Rachel Wright, who is the Director of the Office of Vocation and Calling, and Associate Director of the Center for Student Success. 

Wright says, “in talking with Dr. Burrichter, it [the Fair] was a need that we needed.” 

Wright hopes that, by attending the Fair, “students can learn about different internship opportunities and can realize the process may need to start earlier than they were originally thinking.”

The Fair will consist of  various employers for  various majors, with about ten employers presenting each day.

 Wright discussed the diversity of employers, saying “there are some missions organizations, summer camps, as well as guidance centers, and nonprofits,” as well as some based more locally and others from across the United States.

The Fair will also offer a multitude of internships, including summer internships that will be held on Houghton’s campus. Wright also stressed the presence of job opportunities at the Fair, and not just internships.

Ashley Burton, a senior Biology major, spreads her hope about the Fair by stating, “As a graduating senior, I haven’t received a lot of information about jobs, mostly due to Covid-19, and I feel like this can provide me with [career] opportunities I may not have thought of.” 

Hannah Gullifer, a junior history major, thinks that the Fair is  “a great opportunity to look into the different opportunities that I can benefit from,” “Internships look great on a resume and can help to get jobs in the future[,] and can help me to grow as a person and someone in my field. They can be really exciting learning experiences.”  

The Internship Fair will offer students opportunities for experiences that can help them build on their professional expertise as eager learners. Houghton University is helping pave the way to send off successful graduates by offering resources like this.

   Students can register for the Fair on Handshake or the Houghton Hub to receive more information about the Fair, specifically which employers will be present each day, including some virtual events from employers and information sessions.

 Wright mentioned the importance of students utilizing Handshake beyond the Internship Fairby saying, “Students can use it for scheduling appointments with the Writing Center, Vocation and Calling, and Academic Support, as well as receiving resources and guides.” 

 After the Fair, more information about open internships can be found on Handshake. These internships would be with employers who were not able to make it to the fair. ★

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Columns

Alien (1979): A Horror Classic

By Caleb Tiedemann

“I admire its purity.” – Science Officer Ash

Alien is just that. Purity. Through and through, it is perfect. At this time in film history, space was a relatively unexplored concept. Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey and George Lucas’s Star Wars were the only predecessors in the space genre. Horror in space had not been done. However, in 1979 Ridley Scott delivered Alien.

Alien is a horror classic that follows the crew of the Nostromo when they intercept a distress signal from a planet of unknown origin. Ordered by their superiors, the crew lands and begins to explore. When one of the crew is attacked by an unknown creature, he is quickly rushed back to the ship, unaware of the impregnation of a parasite that will explode from his body and terrorize the rest of the crew. 

The plot follows the typical “last survivor” trope. To be fair, this is a trope of the 2000s and not really of the 70s, which leads me to wonder if Alien had a hand in kickstarting that. One of the complaints I’ve heard before is that the movie is slow, and I completely agree. But that’s where some of the mastery comes into play. The calm before the storm, so to speak, lets each character be established so you can gather their general personality. That being said, all of these actors are wonderfully handpicked, and each manages to bring personality and genuine humanity to their characters, no matter how long or short they are on screen. Each character is wonderfully alive, until they aren’t, of course, but their journey of survival is one that you latch onto with the hope that your favorite will come out on top. 

Another beautiful aspect is the costume for the alien known as the Xenomorph. A hulking black skeletal creature that skulks around silently, blending into the darkness before lunging out to kill you with its dangerous appendages. The cinematic aspects are enormous. The sets and scenery are absolutely perfect. A dark and cluttered ship offers the perfect environment for anything to hide. The clutter adds a paranoid claustrophobic element, as there is truly no escape from the horror. The use of lighting in this movie is amazing. Darkness completely covers the sets which work another fear in the movie, a silent terror in the darkness. 

The lack of computer-generated imagery (CGI) is also something to be praised. In a world where a movie without CGI is unthinkable, it is always refreshing to view classics and learn how filmmakers used special effects to achieve their desires. The alien costume is horrifying and looks far superior in live action, whereas the later alien movies used CGI for the Xenomorphs and therefore lost some of its distinctiveness. The space scenes use models just as George Lucas did for early Star Wars and honestly, in its own special way, it stands far superior to many movies that do not. The combination of these elements works tremendously well for the movie. 

The final aspect that sets the movie aside is the sound design. Combined with the factors above, the sounds of the ship are a whole new addition. All of your senses are preoccupied with sounds, sights, or lack thereof. The score is a horrifyingly eerie one that builds up tension. Sometimes it’s all for nothing, other times it doesn’t build up well enough until you see the Xenomorph take another victim. The movie does a great job of keeping you guessing whether or not you’re genuinely in for a scare. 

Overall, Alien is a classic horror movie that is essential for any horror lover. A 1979 classic that embodies all the essential emotions and fears of a horror movie, sucking you into this nightmare with the crew of the Nostromo. I truly believe this movie is “pure” in all the right ways and offers an experience that few movies can. 

Final Grade: 10/10 (A+) ★