The Andromeda Strain (1971)

3.5 / 5 Feb '11
Tagline: The picture runs 130 minutes!... The story covers 96 of the most critical hours in man's history!... The suspense will last through your lifetime!
Directed by: Robert Wise
Written by: Michael Crichton, Nelson Gidding
Actors include: Arthur Hill, David Wayne, James Olson
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 130 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Conceptually this is very interesting, and the documentary style likely creeped out many. The plot is about an alien virus that is discovered near New Mexico. Then we are treated to what would happen in the next few days as they try to discover the virus and how to treat it, and learn of the disaster it could cause. It's visually very well made, everything is stark and put together, though some of the strange camera ideas and whatnot definitely scream of the times. I think what works so well as this feels like it could happen, they go about portraying the story in a very realistic way. Where it lacks is that it's just too darned long, I could do with an hour less and be far more satisfied. This is a slow moving film with purpose and I do recommend it to fans of vintage sci-fi, particularly to see how influential this must have been. I did feel a little disappointed but I certainly don't regret watching it.

Availability:  On DVD

The Terminal Man (1974)

3.5 / 5 Sept '10
Tagline: Harry Benson is a brilliant computer scientist. For three minutes a day, he is violently homicidal.
Directed by: Mike Hodges
Written by: Michael Crichton, Mike Hodges
Actors include: George Segal, Joan Hackett, Richard Dysart
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 107 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
This was a rather strange adaptation of a Michael Crichton novel (that I've honestly not read) but I likely would after seeing this film. It's sort of trippy sci-fi with some definite lessons crammed into it. Harry Benson is an intelligent man, but from a result of a head trauma he suffers from paranoid delusions and seizures where he becomes extremely violent and attacks people. Doctors have figured out a way to correct this problem by toying with his brain, inserting some chips to shock the patient when the seizures come about. After the surgery Harry is getting frustrated with all of this nonsense and flees the hospital only for things to go from bad to worse. It's a very slow moving and deliberate piece, they could have whittled it down a bit and made a much more interesting movie but as it sits it's still quite worthwhile. The useage of colors (or rather white) and angles in the cinematography were fascinating, probably one of my favorite parts of the film. It also did make a few points and teach me a couple of things and it was very interesting to look at. It's sort of a psychological horror film in several ways, rather dark and depressing, best to watch on a gray or raining evening.

Availability:  On DVD

Looker (1981)

3.5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: If Looks Could Kill...
Directed by: Michael Crichton
Written by: Michael Crichton
Actors include: Susan Day, Albert Finney, James Coburn
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This definitely has some inventive ideas that actually have come to exist, and it's pretty cool in many ways. Plastic surgeon Dr. Larry Roberts (Albert Finney) has had a few weird requests lately, beautiful women wanting several slight surgeries to adjust their appearances. When three of them are potentially suicide victims of course they start investigating Larry. Only thing is, he is oblivious, but he does notice that all of the dead girls belong to a research lab. He also finds out that model Cindy Fairmont (Susan Dey) is in serious danger being the only one left alive. It's got a slight romantic plot there but mostly it's a rather exciting investigation into this research company to find out what really is going on. The big problem is that weren't given an actual reason for killing these girls, sure we find out "what's going on" but it doesn't explain the big questions. From my research I've learned there is a scene in the movie that was cut out that explained some things but why the heck would anyone cut that out of the DVD release? Anyhow I do think it's a pretty neat tale from Crichton and if you've wanted to see Dey naked you'll have another reason to watch.

Availability:  On DVD