Gammera the Invincible (1966)

All right, I had planned to review a film that I rented at Family Video, however, that movie was even worse than some of my latest selections. Needing to clear my mind, I decided to head back into some of the schlockfests that came with my 12 Creature Features set, after some debate, I decided on the 1966 American release Gammera the Invincible.

Plot/ An atomic explosion awakens Gammera--a giant, fire-breathing turtle monster--from his millions of years of hibernation. Enraged at being roused from such a sound sleep, he takes it out on Tokyo.

Fans of no-budget monster flicks from the 1960s and 70s should already know what expect from this one; a lower budgeted Godzilla type flick full of cheese and schlock. In fact, this one offers that and more. Yes, there are the cheesy effects with a rubber suit and miniature cities, the storyline is unfathomable and hilarious, the dialog and dubbing while bad and uneven make this one extremely entertaining and laughable. Plus, the soundtrack is awesome and the Cold War tensions are perfect! Of course, for non-fans of this genre, they will say this is a miserable movie with very few redeemable qualities; to them, I say grab some popcorn and free your mind. In the end, technically, there are definitely many flaws, but then again, that was part of the charm of these movies when watching them on the Saturday morning creature features on a UHF channel. If you are from that generation, you should definitely agree with me on that. This one is easy to find in the bargain bins, find it and check it out.

Terminus (2015)

Last night I stayed away from the Internet and the blog to watch, the Steelers take it to the Washington Redskins in their season opener. Honestly, there is nothing like opening weekend in the NFL and it is the greatest time of the year (next to Halloween). I did watch a few movies the day before and am now trying catch up. The next movie for review is the 2015 Australian Sci-Fi entry Terminus.

Plot/ Following a near-fatal accident, David Chamberlain makes an unprecedented discovery that will not only determine the fate of his family, but of mankind.

There are times where you can watch a movie, and not truly absorb it until a few hours later. That was the case with this movie. More of a drama than Sci-Fi You entry, this movie does paint a strange picture of society in a very familiar world that many of those who are awake will recognize. While the movie starts slow and has some sluggish moments, there are some interesting parts and enough atmospheres to make it a rather easy movie to watch. Unfortunately, the plot may be revealed too early, the performances are uneven, and some of the scripting is slow, aspects that definitely wear on you as a viewer. In the end, this is not a bad movie; it just does not live up to its potential and can feel unsatisfying. If you love Sci-Fi flicks, give it a shot; you could do worse.

Z for Zachariah (2015)

After watching the interesting He Never Died, I decided to venture into the post apocalyptic world. Unfortunately, my selection for that genre did little to quench my craving for that realm. That movie was the 2015 entry Z for Zachariah.

Plot/ In the wake of a disaster that wipes out most of civilization, two men, and a young woman find themselves in an emotionally charged love triangle as the last known survivors.

This is one that was picked up at Family Video that I had zero expectations for. Fortunately, that was the case because I really found nothing extremely new or interesting inside this one. In fact, the best part was the lush New Zealand backdrop. Slow and unmoving, this post apocalyptic flick is definitely miscast as something Sci-Fi, being more of a drama/love story. Yes, the performances were solid, but that could not so anything to help add pace or excitement to this rather non-atmospheric entry. In the end, this one is a snoozer and a movie that could have been left on the shelf.

Jericho Season 3: Civil War

On the Internet there are stories galore published by conspiracy theorists talking about the end of days, or an impending apocalypse. Of course, many of these are deep rooted inside strange interpretations of prophecy and the rise of the antichrist, but there are some stories that are spawned from a deep-rooted fear of the government and the military industrial complex that falls under control of the New World Order.

Incredibly, many similar theories were brought to life in pop culture by the cult television sensation Jericho in 2006. While Jericho was not for everyone and was cancelled due to failed ratings, many of the storylines in this post-apocalyptic series resonated throughout the underworld of conspiracy theorists, especially those who view the military industrial complex and the government as the biggest enemy to the country’s sovereignty. 

Through this remarkable show, viewers were able to see the emotional gambit of surviving a nuclear attack on American soil, and the turmoil that arrives when the country is turned into two nations. As America discovered in the 1800s, two nations is not an optimal situation. Unfortunately, CBS pulled the plug before fans could see the completion of the impending civil war and many were left with too many unanswered questions. 

In 2009, the shows’ creators and writing staff came together with Devil’s Due Publishing to produce Jericho, Season 3: Civil War. This six issue series (and eventual IDW graphic novel) from the minds of Dan Shotz, Jason Burns, Matthew Federman, and Robert Levine and the artwork of Alejandro F. Giraldo, Matt Merhoff, and Michael Stribling gave fans everything they wanted to know about what happened after CBS shut them out. 

This series starts at the exact moment the show ended and transports the reader to the safety of Texas, where antagonists Jake Green and Robert Hawkins present evidence from the initial bombings that destroyed the United States. While there, mastermind John Smith, who needs their help, contacts Jake and Robert and they must decide how to venture into the future. 

There is at least a small flashback for those unfamiliar with the show, which will potentially open their eyes to the layered backstory from the show and the vile depths that a corrupt government would go for power. However, that also shows how comic series and the graphic novels were clearly written for the fans of the original show and filling in the gaps that remained after the cancellation. While the fan base of the classic show continues to grow, because of the material covered inside this series of books, a new reader may not be able to completely relate to what is going on unless they have digested the full backstory of the television series. 

Seeing the storyline evolve from television to comic form is powerful and thought provoking, with each issue acting as an episode of the show, even leaving off as a cliffhanger? From the ease of transitioning between issues, the influence of the shows experienced writing team is apparent. Unfortunately, because of the authentic feel and relationship to the source material, this graphic novel feels like it ended too soon, even if it was not able to truly capture the emotional feel of the show. 

The artwork throughout the series was amazing, and consistently captured the likeness of the characters throughout the season and portrayed the dismal atmosphere of the show surrounding the main antagonists in a believable way. More importantly for fans of the original show, the subtle imagery that was always present inside the town is still present. The only flaw with the artwork surrounds the new cast and characters that were sprinkled in, as they did not have the same detailed feel of the main cast members that came to life on the television. Of course, this could be the fan in me becoming overly critical and those minor elements do not hurt the overall product in any way. 

As a fan and a closet conspiracy theorist, Jericho Season 3: Civil War gave me enough answers to keep me intrigued, and leaving me to find Jericho Season 4 (released as a graphic novel in 2014) to find the answers to the cliffhanger. While this format may not truly capture the full emotional toll and detailed characterizations that helped propel Jericho into the hearts of fans, it is still a great way for the creative team of the landmark show to continue to build a following and keep those like me enthralled by the complex nature of the storyline.

Fiend Without a Face (1958)

Last week was one miserable experience. Between car troubles, a trip to the hospital, and the development of some severe back pain, I was about ready to go insane. Luckily, my back seems to be clearing up and things are returning to normal and I can kick back and focus on the blog. Next up for review is the 1958 classic Fiend Without a Face.

Plot/ Invisible atomic monsters attack a U.S. Armed Forces base and the local residents.

Fiend Without a Face was exactly what the doctor ordered for the weekend, as I wanted to dive into some classic Sci-Fi with an edge. While it may seem a touch dated today, much of the movie stands the test of time considering the era. Honestly, when the invisible creatures came to life it was awesome, and the effects should be considered top tier for the age. The effects are solid, the performances were outstanding, and there were many things in this that made an entertaining watch. In the end, this was an outstanding flick and one that should be seen.

DeepStar Six (1989)

With last weeks, math homework in the rearview and a couple days until my next assignment is due, I decided to just kick back and relax. Of course, it does help that my crusader kicked Diablo’s ass last night and I am now headed to destroy the reaper of souls. With that extra time, I decided to go retro for a couple movies, starting with the 1989 deep-sea flick DeepStar Six.

Plot/ At the bottom of the ocean, the DeepStar Six has just discovered a new and deadly alien menace.

So, I have been in a retro mood this weekend and decided to give this one another shot after quite some time. Honestly, what I found surprised me, as the movie was actually a lot better than I remembered. The acting is solid, the storyline clichéd but interesting, and the mixture of story and action was pretty good. Sure, there were some characterization issues, the creature was absolutely horrid, and some of it felt dated, but it definitely held up better than some of the creature features from the past. In the end, this one is definitely worth revisiting if you have not seen it in some time; it is an entertaining and dark trip to the bottom of the sea that should be seen.

Aftermath (2012)

With many people talking about end times prophecies, or thinking that Ebola will kill us all off in the name of the United Nations or Agenda 21, I thought that it would be nice to venture into a more traditional view of the apocalypse: nuclear war. Of course, I already know that nothing I choose will live up to Jericho, but I did prepare myself for that. My next selection for the blog is 2012s Aftermath (AKA Remnants). 

Plot/ Searching for a happy ending to a tale of unimaginable disaster and horror, nine strangers find themselves holed up together in a farmhouse cellar in rural Texas. The United States has hastily become embroiled in World War 3.

I am sure that people will have mixed feelings about this movie, and it is easy to see why. The slowly paced post-apocalyptic set entry does have some head scratching moments, but to me, that was fine. There was something about the storyline that lent a touch of believability inside that balanced out the depressing overtones. The scripting works, the visuals are solid, and the soundtrack helps set a dark atmosphere. Yes, some of the performances were uneven, and as I mentioned there were some parts of the overall story that made little sense, but that does little to bring it down. In the end, this brooding look at the human reaction to strife is entertaining and interesting. Sure, some will not like it, but to me, it is one of the better post apocalyptic entries to come out in some time and one that should be seen.

After the Dark (2013)

After last night’s late adventure to see Rocky Horror, I spent the day recovering. It has been a long time since I was pulling into the house at 4 A.M., but it was well worth it. While I am watching some flicks tonight, I do have a couple to finish reviews on. The next one from that category is 2013s After the Dark (AKA The Philosophers).

Plot/ At an international school in Jakarta, a philosophy teacher challenges his class of twenty graduating seniors to choose which ten of them would take shelter underground and reboot the human race in the event of a nuclear apocalypse.

When I saw this movie on Netflix, it actually seemed like an interesting premise that could make for an entertaining watch. Unfortunately, it never builds upon that potential to become anything that could be considered entertaining. Yes, the visuals created an intriguing world and it is somewhat believable (this is exactly the students common core is creating by focusing on the aesthetics more than the reasoning), but there are no other redeeming qualities to be found. The characters are flat and unlikable, the scripting is poor and has absolutely no understanding of philosophical concepts, and the characters create no sense of connection to the situations put forth. In the end, this was a complete waste of potential and time. Stay away!

Godzilla (2014)

Over the weekend, when I was not at the Pennsylvania Literary Festival or the softball field, I found time to squeeze the drive-in into the plans. I love the drive-in, especially when I can check out some type of horror or Sci-Fi flick to make it worthwhile. This was just the weekend, as I was able to check out the new X-Men flick, along with the new incarnation of Godzilla.

Plot/ The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

It is hard to believe that Godzilla has been on the screen on and off for 60 years. During that time, it has been an entertaining and interesting journey. Unfortunately, I believe many have forgot the original movie and are living on the cheese fests of 1970s. If those schlock filled Sci-Fi comedies are what you are searching for, stay away from this version. This interpretation goes back to the original formula, and presents Godzilla in a modern light. This CGI driven film is much better than Pacific Rim, and is an entertaining two hours. Yes, some of the scripting is a touch cliché and many characters are flat, but those minor flaws are easily overlooked within a dark and atmospheric monster movie. More importantly, this film should erase the 1999 entry from the mind of Godzilla fans everywhere. In the end, this is a creature feature that embraced its own storied history and built upon it. Is this a perfect movie? No, but it is an entertaining monster movie that should be seen.

Chariot (2013)

After a long weekend, it was nice to get back to work. Unfortunately, my knee started to hurt some before the end of the day. Hopefully, it lasts a little longer tomorrow as I have to pull the late night. Next up on the review docket is the 2013 thriller Chariot. 

Plot/ Seven strangers find themselves unwitting participants in a U.S. government evacuation program gone horribly wrong. 

This was a movie that really surprised me, especially considering the low budget used. While not perfect, the majority of the acting, the claustrophobic atmosphere and an interesting storyline kept me entertained throughout. I love the conspiracy theories being thrown about, it was definitely a high point. Sure, there are some pacing issues and some uneven moments, but those were expected with the low budget. In the end, this was an entertaining thriller that was a lot better than I expected going into it. Revolution is coming and it is not out of the realm of possibilities that a program like this could exist. Give it a shot, it was an interesting 90 minutes.

Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)

As Thanksgiving draws near, I will finally have a chance to spend some extra time with the family relaxing a bit (and a couple extra days away from PIA). I will also have some extra time to finish up the first week of my Digital Literacy class. Going back to school into a creative writing program is going to be a challenge, but it is one I am looking forward to. However, talking about the digital world this week has made me more appreciative of the Sci-Fi / Horror classics of past generations, like my next selection the Roger Corman flick Attack of the Crab Monsters.  

Plot/ A group of scientists travel to a remote island to study the effects of nuclear weapons tests, only to get stranded when their airplane explodes. The team soon discovers that the island has been taken over by crabs that have mutated into enormous, intelligent monsters.

There is nothing like the cheesy schlockfest of the 1950s. Those Sci-Fi creature features must have been perfect to watch in a dark theatre. To me, this flick would be a perfect for that setting. Yes, the storyline is campy, the scripting uneven, and the acting all over the place, but it does not matter. The most impressive part is that even with a low budget and some laughable creations, this one is entertaining, bizarre, strange, and everything that you could ask for in this genre. In the end, the is one of Corman’s most memorable early flicks and one of the weirdest horror flicks of that era. If you have not seen it, check it out!

Iron Sky (2012)

Having finished Jericho, I decided I need something with a lighter mood to close out my weekend and I found just the movie. Yet, it honestly reminded me of the veterans of our past and the sacrifices they made. Of course, with Monday being Veterans Day, it is hard not to think of all those who served our great nation and all of the great people I served with during my career in the Navy. For all veterans new and old, Happy Veterans Day! Oh, what movie did I choose? I decided upon the 2012 action/comedy Iron Sky. 

Plot/ The Nazis set up a secret base on the dark side of the moon in 1945 where they hide out and plan to return to power in 2018.

This is a flick that I have debated about for some time. Now that I have watched it, I can see why there was debate in my head. This cheesy schlock-fest is one of the most unrealistic and strange flicks I have seen in some time. Yet, because it is so cheesy and unrealistic, it creates a fun and entertaining vibe throughout the movie. Honestly, it is one that is so stupid it is funny. Yes, the performances are uneven at best; there is some solid visual effects and decent action. In the end, this is one of the entertaining flicks the will be polarizing, loved and hated. Personally, I could not stop laughing, as it was one of the most ridiculous movies I have seen in some time. Check it out and decide for yourself. 

Jericho (2006 - 2008)

Everywhere you look, it seems as though the United States as you remember is disappearing. The economy is in the dirt, unemployment at an all-time high, a president more intent on pushing his radical progressive agenda that doing what is right for the country and lawlessness in the government that has left a bad taste in the mouth of many Americans. Government approval is tanking, as even the most hypnotized sheep are starting to wake. Ironically, these same overtones existed on the State Run Media in the form of Jericho, which ran from 2006 to 2008 on CBS.

Plot/ When Jake Green returns to his Kansas small-town home Jericho, where his dad Johnston is mayor, everyone is preoccupied with petty private business and family matters, but that changes drastically after a completely unexpected explosion. It soon becomes clear there has been a nuclear attack, but neither by whom nor on which scale. Suddenly life in Jericho, and as the inhabitants gradually discover all over the disintegrating USA, becomes a more primordial struggle for survival, where unexperienced dangers, primitive as well as technological, have to be weighed against pressing primal needs, such as food, fuel and self-defense against plunderers, invaders and even each-other.

While I do not usually review television series as a whole, in this case, I feel it is my continuing duties. As Veterans Day nears, I have been drawn into this series and could not get enough of it. Over this past week, I have been able to watch all 29 episodes on Netflix, and I can see exactly why it was removed from the air, as it digs into the hearts of Patriots and shows how the United States is being destroyed by rogue elements within the government and military industrial complex. It is so well done, that it addresses reality in a fictional setting better than any documentary can.

Yes, there are some unbelievable moments that take away from the story, and some of the characterizations leave a bit to be desired, but those are not many. If anything, the biggest negative was the fact that many storyline were never able to be fully developed and a lot of loose ends were left dangling. However, what was accomplished in this series is amazing and should be seen, thought about, discussed and appreciated.

The story is thought provoking, the main characters draw you in and the parallels to our society cannot be ignored. Sure, some sheeple will not ever agree that this series is anywhere near reality, and they would be wrong. The rise of the military industrial complex and their influence on America is truly devastating in reality, and they sit at the heart of all of the programs that are destroying the fabric of America. They talk a good game, taxing the rich, redistributing wealth, unified health care, but those are the hallmarks of Communism, ideologies that we military veterans fought against for generations.

Jericho has a huge following and has been transformed into a comic book series, but it deserves even more attention. There has been a push to bring Jericho back, either on CBS or on Netflix and you can count me in the group. This show must be seen, it must be thought about!