Horror

Review of Videodrome

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Videodrome DVD CoverRating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Review

A television programmer attempts to signal into a mysterious broadcast of people being tortured and possibly murdered for entertainment. Considering this could be the future of television, Max Renn pursues the source of the broadcast slowly being brought through a series of techno-hallucinations. The film quickly escalates further and further from its original tone, eventually devolving into such a  uniquely fascinating take of insanity and 80’s aesthetic horror. Director David Cronenberg has created a fair amount of bizarre films in his long run as a director, but Videodrome is Cronenberg at his most merciless. You get the impression he has something to say, but it’s drowning in one disgustingly bizarre scenario after another.

Reason to Watch

Well, James Woods pulls a gun out of his own chest and goes on a murder spree. Oh, and he makes out with a tv. I think there’s a message there, but when the tv began going on a rampage, I sort of forgot thinking about it.

Context

Perfectly embodies a bizarre 80’s vibe through one of Canada’s most notoriously wicked directors, David Cronenberg.

Most Memorable Quote(s)
  • Max Renn: I want you to stay away from them. Those mondo-weirdo video guys. You know, in some countries, like Argentina, making subversive video is considered a criminal act. They execute people for it. In Pittsburgh… WHO KNOWS?
  • Nicki Brand: I live in a highly excited state of overstimulation
What You Need to Get Through This Movie

It’s not necessarily SUPPOSED to make sense, and don’t assume everything you see is a halluncination, because that gives the film one of those “it was all just a dream” vibes, and that’s awful and lame.

Trivia

Videodrome is one of the most sampled sources in history, apparently especially among heavy metal musicians. I guess metalheads like cheesy 80’s special effects and flesh eating organisms. Makes sense to me.

Educational Content

If you are in need of a weapon to be attached to your arm to kill a distasteful tv personality, tear your own chest open.

Justification for Rating

Though Videodrome is undoubtedly silly and entirely over-the-top, there is some intriguing substance here for those who want to dive beneath the surface of the overtly bizarre.

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httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdOnUtHamko

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Scifi

Review of Zontar the Thing From Venus

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Zontar the Thing From VenusRating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Review

This is not yout typical cheesy B flick. It was cornier the most yet I have to admit i kind of liked it. i’m not really into this type of Sci Fi but I am glad I saw this movie. There is a rocket scientist, who makes a home made “high power” radio set. With this radio he starts to get messages from Zontar. Zontar is from Venus and thinks Earth people need to see/learn what it’s like to be without our form of communication. He wants to be in command of everyone. People can’t even take a bath without the okay from this Venus weirdo! The rest of the movie I was kind of lost. It was hard to follow as nothing really made any sense- typical of these type of films.I mean the film had these bat looking animals biting people and putting a micro chip in them that made them virtual slaves to this Zontar creature. I guess it could have been worse 🙂 The drama in the movie was great. the actors did a great job!

Reason to Watch

If you are into old SciFi movies and have a funny compulsion for outerspave weirdos that land on Earth to try and take over our world you will not be disappointed!

Context

This movie was released in 1966 in Dallas Texas. The idea at that time was aliens were being spotted in our desert states (Texas, Arizonia, etc) so filming in texas at that time was made for a more believable movie.

Most Memorable Quote(s)

It must come from learning; it must come from the very heart of Man himself.

What You Need to Get Through This Movie

You need these things:
1) A beer bong and a 12 pack
2) A water bong and a lot of medicinal marijuanna
3) A lifelong membership to StarTrek fanclub
4) an IQ of 12
or
5)A total love of all things cheesy and super corny!

Trivia

This movie wasshot in 16mm and color. It was also made for television, not released in theaters.

Educational Content

If you ever come across a creature from Venus and you are a lady you do have a chance of survivng, heck you might even get your very own gun! All you have to do is stick your chest out, add a little padding if needed and smile!
In extreme situations you may have to disrobe.

Justification for Rating

I gave this movie a 6. It is not the best SciFi but it looked as though the cast really put their heart into the project because it was good acting for such a chessy film. I thought it was well written. Vontar was a mess but…

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Scifi

Review of Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet

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Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet Rating: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Review

It is 2020 and the Moon has been colonised. Spaceships Vega, Sirius and Capella are launched to space in order to explore Venus. The mission is being run from moon base Lunar 7 by the man who has planned it from its opening stages, professor Hartman. Spaceship Capella get strucked by an asteroid and professor Hartman wants to postpone the landing but the crew on the spaceship Vega has other plans. Two astronauts, accompanied by their robot, set out to explore the surface of the planet. Things seem to be going well until violent changes begin to rework the surface. Will they be able to escape the planet with their lives?

Reason to Watch

Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet was slapped together from footage from a Russian science fiction movie and additional footage with American actors. Although none of the additional footage is interesting or helps the plodding story along very much, original parts from the Russian movie and effects are good.

Context

This film was made in 60’s when American International Pictures really started living up to their name. In addition to shooting an increasing percentage of their own films overseas, American International Pictures began importing huge quantities of foreign product.

Most Memorable Quote(s)

“I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind exploring Venus.”

What You Need to Get Through This Movie

In order to see this movie you must have the power of will to shut down all of yours rational thoughts for an hour and a little bit more.

Trivia

The film is actually a US adapted and edited version of the Russian sci-fi movie Planeta Bur directed by Pavel Klushantsev with some American actors for the US/English speaking market.

Educational Content

If you see a big plant don’t get too close… It can eat you!

Justification for Rating

Special effects in the film are suprizingly good. Not that they can match present special effects but ,for the 60’s, they are very well done.

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Scifi

Review of The Last Man on Earth

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The Last Man on EarthRating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Review

Robert Morgan is a scientist who is fighting desperately to develop a cure for a virus that has plagued the entire world! Sound familiar? Well, it should. This is actually an adaptation of Richard Matheson’s I am Legend. Morgan finds himself alone battling zombies by day and taking refuge in his reenforced home at night. It seems like the rest of his life will be lived in solitude. Then, one day, he thinks he may have seen somebody else?

Reason to Watch

Although the sound effect may be cheesy and the dubbing maybe a bit off, it is appreciable because Vincent Price does a great job being the center of attention through out the bulk of the film. This film will help you to appreciate the modern take on I am Legend without moving too far away from the original novel.

Context

This movie was produced during the 60’s when movies were still being made in black and white, and the act of being subtle may actually be more effective in moving an audience than big budget special effects.

Most Memorable Quote(s)

“And I thought you were alone. I was going to cure you! Does that amuse you?”

What You Need to Get Through This Movie

Most movies made from this era may be lacking in many areas by our generations standards. I think that in this case all you will need is the right mood to really enjoy this flick. Find someone who enjoys older and more classic films, make some popcorn, turn down the lights and enjoy.

Trivia

This film was originally going to be produced by Hammer Films of Great Britain. They decided not to make it and passed the script over to their U.S. associate, Robert L. Lippert, who produced the film in Italy.
The script was written in part by Richard Matheson, but he was dissatisfied with the result and was therefore credited as Logan Swanson.

Educational Content

At some point you almost feel like this could be mistaken for a vampire flick. Living a normal life during the day, staking a few zombies, and boarding yourself in to protect yourself from the hordes that come at night! It seems a stake can kill just about anything.

Justification for Rating

For me this movie deserves a 7/10. It is one of those films that just seems to show us where a lot of ideas have come from in many of our modern films. Hordes of zombies attack a lone person(s) in the dead of night, dozens of blood/flesh thirsty zombies surrounding a car are locked inside… sound familiar? Most of us can relate this to a lot of modern zombie and horror flicks. If you are in the mood to just sick back and enjoy a movie without too much thought on the plot and possible holes, you will enjoy this movie.

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Scifi

Review of The Corpse Vanishes

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The Corpse VanishesRating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Review

Bela Lugosi is back as the evil doctor who turns from good to evil to satisfy is own wicked desires. In The Corpse Vanishes Lugosi playes Dr.Lorenz a doctor who is bent on keeping his wife young and who will stop at nothing to achieve it. Soon young virginal bridemaids are turning up dead and their bodies missing. Our Dr.Lorenz has discovered that by extracting a substance from these young girls neck he can keep his wife young and beautiful. With the help of a dwarf and his dim witted brother the doctor soon turns the town into chaos. Arriving on the scene to try and figure out the mystery is a young female reporter who enlists the aide of a young doctor. They soon found out that there is a story behind the orchids all the dead girls are wearing.

Reason to Watch

Bela! Bela! Need I say more? Lugosi, is great as the mad scientist who has turned evil in his attempt to do good. Sure we’ve seen the same movie done over and over with a diferent sub plot but not all of these movies have Lugosi.

Context

The movie was made in 1942 and the war was going on at the time. I think one reason Lugosi was so popular at the time was because he could personify the evil foreigner. That evil outsider was also a representation of the Nazi.

Most Memorable Quote(s)

1.”Aww, now wait a minute. Are you trying to tell me that this Professor Lorenz is a hypnotist as well as a horticulturist?”
2.”Why, yes, in a manner of speaking. I find a coffin much more comfortable than a bed.”

What You Need to Get Through This Movie

Your going to need alot of friends over so you won’t be the only one screaming at your television as you watch these people do things no sane person would ever do. Make sure you get a case of beer or something harder, so when your driven to start acting out the scenes you just saw, you can be at least half as bad. Keep the cover of DVD close by just in case you or your friends want to check out what your watching again.

Trivia

“One laboratory scene where Lugosi’s mad scientist character becomes enraged at his half-witted assistant and thrashes him with a whip was duplicated 13 years later by director Ed Wood in Bride of the Monster with Lugosi and Tor Johnson.”

Educational Content

1. Never knew glands help us to have nice teeth and hair.
2. Do you think sleeping in a coffin will help those with insomnia or even back problems?
3. Is the good doctors wife a junkie since she shoots drugs in her veins?
4. Do you think that teenagers know that hormones are the reason for life?

Justification for Rating

I gave this movie a 5 for I love a movie where there is the doctor turn wrong in his attempt to do right. Sure the script is weak and downright funny but everyone loves a horror movie where we kind of feel bad for the evil guy.

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