While many films over complicate things with too many ideas and trying to be too clever, the genius of Ridley Scott's Alien is in it's simplicity. It transcends it's surface veneer of being a sci-fi movie by being a near perfect example of an old school haunted house film. Throw in Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the most kick ass, female action heroes ever to appear on screen; iconic set pieces, a genuinely scary monster and you have a bone fide classic that will be tough to top. In fact, I think I'm going to watch it tonight with the lights off and some instant noodles...