She Demons (1958)

3 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: Horrific Nazi Experiments Gone Awry!
Directed by: Richard E. Cunha
Written by: Richard E. Cunha, H.E. Barrie
Actors include: Irish McCalla, Tod Griffin, Victor Sen Yung
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 77 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well this is definitely a '50s "B" movie, and it's got a high level of cheese but at the same time it's one of the better examples of it's kind. After a shipwreck a spoiled bitch named Jerrie (Irish McCalla...Sheena!), a heroic sort called Fred, his sidekick Sammy and the Captain end up on an unknown island. It doesn't take long before they realize that they aren't alone...in fact "She Demons" who dance and drum are mucking about. Worse still there is a Nazi mad scientist who is of course up to no good wanting to heal his disfigured Wife. It's absurd sure, but it's at least entertainingly so and it actually starts out and ends rather well...it's just the boring science mumbo jumbo in the middle that I could have done without. At the same time, it's only a 77 minute flick so they don't stretch things out too far. I also appreciate that they really did try to make this a horror film what with the make-up and so forth...it's not scary but it could have been wayyy worse.

Availability:  On DVD

Lifeforce (1985) aka Space Vampires

4 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: The Cinematic Sci-Fi event of the Eighties
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Written by: Colin Wilson, Dan O'Bannon
Actors include: Steve Railsback, Mathilda May, Peter Firth
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 116 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Okay so let me start by saying: Space vampires who sap energy and change their victims into zombie like creatures. Phew, now if you can swallow that you can enjoy this flick! With Tobe Hooper at the helm and Dan O'Bannon as the screenwriter, you can pretty much guess you are in for an entertaining flick. It springs into action with a space shuttle sent to investigate Halley's Comet only of course they find some strange spaceship. There are strange bat like creatures that appear to be nearly turned to dust as well as three nudies (if you like boobs, then you should get a little something extra from this one) in capsules. They decide to take the specimens back to their ship for investigation thinking everyone is dead...note I said "thinking". Before long, it's super pandemonium in a good 'ole fashion kill fest as zombie like people run rampant and electricity bolts are everywhere. Anyhow the effects on this are quite notable, sure it's a bit cheesy in places but it never veers too far off course. It has violence, sex, a decent enough story considering what the plot entails (it is based upon a book by Colin Wilson called "Space Vampires"). Give it a whirl if you like colorful sci-fi/horror from the '80s, but if you are looking for something seriously scary this won't be ideal.

Availability:  On DVD

X-Men: First Class (2011)

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: Witness the origin
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Written by: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz
Actors include: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Length: 132 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the series, though I've barely explored it. I saw the first X-Men movie back when it came out, thought it was alright but never bothered with any of the sequels. Luckily for me this is filmed in such a way that seeing the first film was all I really needed. It goes back to the '60s when Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr were friends and learning to use their powers together. Together they recruit other mutants and start teaching them to use the power within to try to stop a missile crisis that could blow destroy everything. Be prepared for a ton of neat action sequences, some cheesy montages, and of course some neat mutant activity. They also did a rather good job of tying it into the first movie (heck even Wolverine makes a cameo which is the best part of the film) and yet it didn't feel like they were retreading. I did feel it went on a little long, and a bit of trimming from the beginning wouldn't have hurt, but for the most part it was satisfying and it covered a lot of territory. It's made me curious what I've missed with the other sequels, that is for sure.

Availability:  Still in theatres currently

Thirst (1979)

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: Surrender to an Unholy, Insatiable Evil.
Directed by: Rod Hardy
Written by: John Pinkney
Actors include: Chantal Contouri, Shirley Cameron, Max Phipps
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this isn't the fastest paced flick, nor is it the bloodiest flick ever it does have some unique qualities that keep it from biting. It's an Australian vampire picture from the '70s (which isn't very common), and there is a definite gothic feel to it. The plot is about a young woman called Kate (Chantal Contouri) who is kidnapped by a strange blood cult. Oh did I mention that Kate happens to be the direct descendent of Countess Elizabeth Bathory? What is so interesting is this blood cult I mentioned, see they have some sort of human cow factory thing set-up. Folks wander around in a daze like mindless zombies before being chosen to be drained of blood which goes into milk cartons for mass distribution. Kind of a neat idea on the 'ole blood trade/vampirism thing right? It is a shame that with such a good idea they couldn't have made a more thrilling movie. It just sort of explains itself and then the last half is pretty boring and forced feeling plus some more historical detail would have been nice. It also could have used more blood (there is very little actual horror in this, more conceptual I guess), and maybe a twist could have helped. Oh well as it is, it's still worth checking out, I found it pretty interesting, it just could have used some tweaking is all.

Availability:  On DVD

Freaked (1993)

4 / 5 May '11
Tagline: A thinking man's stupid comedy.
Directed by: Tom Stern, Alex Winter
Written by: Tim Burns, Tom Stern
Actors include: Megan Ward, Randy Quaid, Alex Winter
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
What a strange combination of comedy, parody and sci-fi which echoes the sentiments of Monty Python films in many ways. I've got to say that although it's insanely silly it's really very funny, especially the first 40 minutes. Some of the gags get a little stale as it goes on and even though it has a shortish runtime it couldn't have carried on any further. It's absurd, bizarre, not afraid to go for cheap laughs and of course full of freaks and surprisingly it has a nearly all-star cast. The plot revolves around a self-absorbed actor called Ricky Coogan (Alex Winter) who has accepted the role of a spokesperson for a toxic chemical company. Ricky and his friend Ernie (Michael Stoyanov) then travels to South America to learn more about the chemical. Along the way they also pick up love interest and activist Julie (Megan Ward), together the three end up at a mutant freak farm. Before they know it, they are science projects and part of a sideshow with other freaks and they must plan their escape! I think my favorite part were Eye and Eye, the Rastafarian minions for the bad sideshow overlord...soo stupid but I'm still laughing about it. This is definitely low-brow, if you are looking for some classic that will make you think or something you are obviously barking up the wrong tree. If you are looking for a quirky cameo filled freakfest this is your flick!

Availability:  on DVD

Return Of The Living Dead III (1993)

3.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: She's To Die For.
Directed by: Brian Yuzna
Written by: John Penney
Actors include: Kent McCord, James T. Callahan, Sarah Douglas
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm really happy to see that this third installment really does rejuvenate the franchise with a far better offering than the previous installment of the series. This time they bother to explain a little more of what is going on scientifically (the Government is still working on studying reanimating the dead for military purposes). One of the Military fellas has a teenage son named Curt who has stolen his swipe pass to impress his girlfriend Julie. The two are a little wild, and totally in love! So when they go exploring they happen to learn about the zombie experiments. They also soon find out that Curt is to be moved away because his Father has been transferred to another city. The two teens decide to go it alone together, and head out on Curt's bike...only a terrible accident happens and he needs to use the reanimation powder to fix things. As we all know, things will go terribly wrong and before we know it we are in the middle of a gory zombie battle (hooray!). Sure it's a bit cheesy and over the top but what more could one expect? It actually does a good job of working within the confines of the series so far and it's quite entertaining. Definitely a worthwhile and bloody sequel that should appeal to fans of the series and just horror fans in general.

Availability:  On DVD

Horror Hospital (1973) aka Computer Killers

3 / 5 Apr '11
Tagline: The Operation is a Success ... When the Patient Dies
Directed by: Antony Balch
Written by: Alan Watson, Antony Balch
Actors include: Michael Gough, Robin Askwith, Vanessa Shaw
Genre: Horror, Black Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 100 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one silly campy and ridiculous mess of a movie but parts of it were at least amusing. It's about a rock singer (who definitely looks like a member of the Rolling Stones) who wrote a really fantastic song (so he says) that is ripped off by his band. He needs a breather so he sees an advert for "Hairy Holidays" (what?) and signs up immediately. He happens to meet up with a young lady (with an identical haircut) at the train station on the way to the retreat. Of course she is headed to the same retreat to meet her Aunt Harris (who happens to be one of the staff at this place). This place isn't quite what they expected...in fact it's a hospital where the evil Dr. Storm (Michael Gough) uses clients to perform mind control surgery of some sort. It really doesn't bother with things like logic or scares, it's very much a black comedy really. It at least does bother to offer a unique decapitation method you won't soon forget but little else is worth remembering.

Availability:  On DVD

The Deadly Spawn (1983) aka Return Of The Alien's Deadly Spawn

3.5 / 5 Mar '11
Tagline: Mankind vs. the ultimate eating machine
Directed by: Douglas McKeown
Written by: Ted A. Bohus, John Dods
Actors include: Tom DeFranco, Charles George Hildebrandt, Richard Lee Porter
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 78 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
At first I thought I was in for a dud...I mean the budget is quite miniscule and the acting is shall we say weak. My mind was changed when I saw the alien monsters (erm Deadly Spawn) who actually looks pretty good what with a multitude of teeth. The excessive and hilarious gore really helped to make this a quirky likeable film as well. The plot begins with campers who discover meteor crash only to become lunch for the angry alien parasites. Soon the aliens take up residence in town nearby in a basement eating everyone in sight. It's up to a group of teens to save humanity from becoming alien chow...will they rise to the challenge? Yeah so basically plot schmott...it bears a resemblance to many better films but it's still pretty fun and has a sense of humor about it. Definitely for those who like B movies, just don't expect too much and you might just be surprised.

Availability:  On DVD

Mosura (1961) aka Mothra

3 / 5 Mar '11
Tagline: EARTH QUAKES AS MONSTER SEEKS TINY MATES!
Directed by: Ishirô Honda
Written by: Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichirô Nakamura
Actors include: Frankie Sakai, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kyôko Kagawa
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope





Review: 
Although it's a very beautifully filmed Toho production...and I do mean production (nearly epic) it's rather dull. The first 45 minutes of the film are nothing but talking and completely Mothra free. When Mothra does show up it doesn't really do much except cause destruction with it's wingspan and oddly later in the story when it's flapping about there isn't even a breeze? The plot is about an island that had radiation tests performed on it. The people are tiny, and two little singing Princesses were kidnapped by Men who forced them to sing in an entertainment show. The singing girls sing mainly about Mothra who is summoned to come save them from their captivity. It's a strange one, I mean what were they smoking when they came up with the idea of a radiation victim giant savior Moth? Oh well, it's colorful and nice to look at, just difficult to get through the first half of it and the second half is just silly.

Availability:  On DVD

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

Starcrash (1978) aka The Adventures Of Stella Star

2.5 / 5 Feb '11
Tagline: A Sexy Space Adventure
Directed by: Luigi Cozzi
Written by: Luigi Cozzi
Actors include: Caroline Munro, David Hasselhoff, Christopher Plummer
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 92 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Even by it's title you can tell it's a Star Wars imitator, but it also has a fair bit in common with Barbarella too. The cast is what drew me to the film, I mean Christopher Plummer (as "The Emperor"), Joe Spinell (as the evil "Count" ahem Vader", David Hasselhoff (as Luke er Simon) and the scantily clad Caroline Munro in the leading role Stella Star. The plot is rather epic, it's about a secret weapon capable of mass destruction that Stella Star, her alien friend and robot friend (with a penis helmet) must save the world from. The acting is quite terrible, and so are the hilariously bad effects. It's also a laugh for quite a bit as you point out what parts were stolen from what film and so forth. I think the main purpose of the film was to show of Munro's legs but when dealing with a film this cheesy it's hard to say. I'm kinda sad we bought this on blu-ray but I guess if nothing more it did amuse until it bored to tears...skip this unless you like bad movies.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Le Voyage Dans La Lune (1902) aka A Trip To The Moon

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès, Victor André, Bleuette Bernon
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Length: 14 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
What a marvelously creative and well made little sci-fi film, in fact it is one of the first of it's genre. Georges Méliès is such a gifted director that I expected greatness of this film, but still I was impressed at how well he did. It's about a group of Men who wish to travel to the moon. They work with tradesmen to build what looks like a bullet (but is actually their spaceship) that gets shot out of a large cannon. The land in the eye of the moon (love the face in the moon, every detail really was seen to) and get out only to encounter a strange world of giant mushrooms and aliens. It is just so iconic and the story is very well told and easy to follow, although it is merely 14 minutes long, it's very complete. Highly imaginative and definitely recommended, a really fun little film to watch that. It's just a shame that Georges Méliès apparently didn't receive money for this film because Edison copied it and reaped the rewards.

Availability:  On DVD

Phase IV (1974)

4 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: Adapt or die.
Directed by: Saul Bass
Written by: Mayo Simon, John Barry
Actors include: Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 84 minutes/93 for the lost version
Banned: Nope

Review:
I give this credit for managing to be a relatively intelligent film about ants overtaking the world...I mean that is not an easy task. All this and it's quite fascinatingly filmed with ant's eye view and some techniques and visuals that one would just not expect. The plot is very similar to Them!, but this one seems less campy and more serious. We follow two researchers in the middle of nowhere (who work out of a building that looks like Epcot center) who are studying the mutations in the ant population. We watch as they slowly become immune to the poisons we use and how they evolve to communicate and that whole idea is a little frightening. We also meet a family who mainly die during a poison spread, only the teenage daughter survives and she ends up stuck with the researchers. It's definitely a creative take on an idea that would normally be laughable and it is very entertaining and well made. It's maybe a bit slow at the start but the plot is so compelling that it's quite gripping as it goes on. One of the better "scare humanity" sci-fi pictures of the '70s, also this was remade in the '2000s but I didn't see that version. Oh and there are 6 minutes missing from the end that are supposedly psychedelic and involve what the ants have intended for us which I am dying to see. Currently these minutes are completely lost, I'm crossing my fingers that someone will find them and release them, I'm so curious.

Availability:  On DVD

The Man With Two Brains (1983)

4.5 / 5
Tagline: Steve Martin Is A World Famous Surgeon. He Invented Screw Top, Zip Lock Brain Surgery. Trust Him.
Directed by: Carl Reiner
Written by: George Gipe, Steve Martin
Actors include: Steve Martin, Kathleen Turner, Dave Warner
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This has got to be the funniest Steve Martin movie I've come across yet, not only was he fantastic but I loved Kathleen Turner in this too! This film not only has a great cast but it has some of the funniest bits in any film ever! It's a wonderful mix of silly, absurd and universally funny. Steve Martin plays a surgeon (Dr. Hfuhruhurr, the name gag never gets old) who is the inventor of the first "twist off, zip lock" brain transplant. He accidentally hits Kathleen Turner with his car and she starts using him (because she gets off on making Men miserable) and of course the two wind up married. The only problem is, when visiting a scientist's lab he falls madly for a brain (Miss Uumellmahaye)! There is also a serial killer who murders on elevators prowling about (which is my personal favorite part) which is worry some too! It's a hilarious hybrid of many different things, but certainly early sci-fi films but I really think you don't have to be in "the know" to appreciate this gem.

Availability:  On DVD

Spaceballs (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  Revenge of the Schtick
Directed by:  Mel Brooks
Written by:  Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan
Actors include:  John Candy, Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis
Genre:  Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length:  96 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Now that I've seen Star Wars finally, it was time for Spaceballs as I find Mel Brooks' films usually very funny. This one wasn't one of his best but there were definitely quite a few laughs to be had, but usually silly ones and prop humour. John Candy's character "Barf" (Chewy) was probably my favorite, though Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet was hysterical on it's own. The idea here is that the evil planet Spaceball is running out of air, but Druidia (where our characters come from) has plenty of air. From there of course the evil dudes devise a plan to thieve their air, but will the good guys be able to stop them? Not all of the gags succeed but I still found this very easy to watch, and something that I'll probably even watch again. Really cute, and sci-fi fans should definitely find something to love in this one.

Availability:  On Blu-Ray & DVD

Innerspace (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  An Adventure of Incredible Proportions
Directed by:  Joe Dante
Written by:  Chip Proser
Actors include:  Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, Meg Ryan
Genre:  Science Fiction, Comedy, Action
Length:  120 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
A rather ballsy fighter pilot Lt. Tuck Penelton (Dennis Quaid) is chosen for a miniaturization experiment and shrunken down to be tiny. He's some thugs come in and steal the syringe that houses mini Tuck and his vessel and the machinery for the experiment. Then they inject mini Tuck into a dorky hypochondriac called Jack Putter (Martin Short). Then Tuck has one heck of a mission trying to convince Jack that he's real and that he needs to help. Jack being a grocery store clerk has no experience in stealing back the machinery so it's quite comical. Not as funny as some comedies but it's definitely strange, it's like sci-fi All of Me only a bit better I think.
Availability:  On DVD

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

4 / 5
Tagline: Brace yourself amigos for a most triumphant video!
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Written by: Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon
Actors include: Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves, George Carlin
Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Another '80s movie involving a time machine? No way dude, yes way! Meet Bill S. Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan, the gnarliest doofuses of the '80s! Trouble comes their way when they are on the verge of failing out of school if they don't pass history class (which means military school for Ted). Since the two believe their future to be in a rock and roll band called the Wild Stallyns they simply can't be separated. They get some help from a visitor from the future named Rufus (I had a cat named Rufus when I was younger) who needs them to pass history because if that band isn't formed his future is doomed! Rufus has a time traveling phone booth so they can snatch historical figures from the past for their test so they can pass! It's stupid sure but in a good way, it's also very funny entertaining, especially for kids I'd think.

Availability:  On DVD

*Batteries Not Included (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline: Five ordinary people needed a miracle. Then one night, Faye Riley left the window open.
Directed by: Matthew Robbins
Written by: Mick Garris, Brad Bird
Actors include: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Frank McRae
Genre: Sci-Fi, Family, Comedy
Length: 106 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a charmingly adorable little family film that everyone should be able to appreciate. A group of folks in an apartment complex are being forced to move so that the area can be demolished, but of course they love their homes and don't want to move. The evil land developers then hire a gang to try to force the people to leave in a less than friendly manner. It seems like all hope is lost until an elderly couple leave their window open one night. See little mechanical aliens (that is pretty cute) have arrived and are ready and willing to help the tenants using their special powers. The cast are really great in this, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn are hard to resist and the aliens are great too. I haven't seen this in many years but it still brings warm fuzzies to think about watching it, definitely recommended for most.

Availability:  On DVD

X-Men (2000)

3 / 5
Tagline: The future is here.
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Written by: Bryan Singer, Tom DeSanto
Actors include: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I have never read one of the comic books (I'm guessing this was based on one) nor did I know anything about this going into it. An ex-boyfriend actually put this on (why he couldn't have waited until I wasn't visiting to watch it is beyond me) and well it could have been worse I suppose. The idea is that these mutants (with useful battle abilities) are outcast by society so they have a special school thing they go to. They then are faced with a battle between mutant terrorists (I guess not all mutants get along). The furry wolfman rip-off guy is the lead mutant (how original), and really the costumes and their special powers were a little too ridiculous for me to enjoy. I think I disliked this for the same reason I dislike most Troma films, I'm not a 12 year old boy. It had a beginning, an end, special effects, and action so if you look for those things in a film then this might be entertaining for you. Maybe you had to read the comics or something to really get into this, who knows? If you like superhero stuff than you will probably like this, I knew going into it I probably wasn't going to enjoy and gosh darn it I was right.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

A Cold Night's Death (1973)

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: Michael C. Gwynne
Directed by: Jerrold Freedman
Written by: Christopher Knopf
Actors include: Robert Culp, Eli Wallach
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Drama
Length: 74 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Such a clever little well paced sci-fi thriller involving a scientist who studied monkeys in a remote snowy location. He stopped responding to calls so two more scientists (Robert Culp and Eli Wallach) have come in to take over the research and find out what happened to him. They find him frozen solid with a look of horror on his face and the window open, the monkeys are cold and starving and unhappy. As they settle into their posts some freaky things start happening and soon they can't help but wonder if they will suffer the same fate. It's really well made, it's very engaging and it's really short, sure it isn't graphic and gross or anything like that but a good story goes a long way and it makes a good point while it's at it too. It's also rather well filmed, well acted and darn it one of the best made-for-tv movies I've come across, it's just a shame a proper nice release has never happened for this film, it deserves it. Try to seek this one out, it's well worth your time.

Availability:  Currently unavailable though people appear to be selling bootleg DVDs