Meteor (1979)

I was searching for something to watch earlier today and stumbled onto one of the classic disaster flicks that I grew up with. This was ironic, because just yesterday I mentioned this genre to someone on X. Because the conversation was still fresh in my mind, I decided to sit back and enjoy 1979s Meteor. 

Plot: The U.S. must join forces with the U.S.S.R. in order to destroy a gigantic asteroid heading straight for Earth.

Ahh, the 70s were such a good decade for fear mongering and disaster films. While this one isn’t one of the better entries, it is an interesting throwback to that era and genre. The ensemble cast is deep and they put on solid performances. While some of the storyline seems a bit out of touch, having grown up in that time, I felt at home with the Cold War aspects that were a constant throughout the film. The effects are dated, the soundtrack doesn’t blend, and some of the overall feel was uneven and cheesy, but that is what made those All-Star disaster films so much fun. The story lacks tremendous depth but it is interesting, casting is spot on, and there are moments of suspense that do hold up. In the end, this one didn’t age well because much of the underlying atmosphere was tied to the Soviet Union and the Cold War. If you grew up during that time frame like I did, then this one will be appreciated. It is far from perfect and nowhere near the best disaster movie from the era, but it is a fun trip back to when the world and attitudes were totally different. 

UFO: The Truth About Flying Saucers (1956)

This weather here in Virginia Beach has been miserable with it feeling more like I live in Florida than Virginia. But,  even with the weather,  it has not been a terrible week. I did get to see both The Empire Strikes Back and Asteroid City at the NARO and catch some other movie.  Something weird did happen on my last selection though,  I chose a 2018 movie called UFO and what strange was a 1956 documentary/movie called UFO: The Truth About Flying Saucers.

Plot: Interviews and documentary footage combine with the fictional story of an air-force pilot who encounters aliens.

Considering the age of this docudrama, this is an amazingly informative movie. Using actual Military documents and footage with a somewhat fictional story to help navigate the material was a great way to put forth the matter-of-fact approach to the material is refreshing.  This is especially true when comparing it to the documentaries that have overtaken every streaming service on the subject matter. As a researcher, it is really interesting that there are still many similarities between the different decades when it comes to the subject matter. In fact, in many ways, it may be a more accurate capsule of the UFO topic. Yes, is does move slowly and doesnt have the flair of the modern UFO documentary, but it is likely more realistic acting as a real news piece unlike the feeling and interpretation driven approach that litters every  documentary today. This one definitely presented the material and presented the material in a way that allows the viewer to make their own decision on what they believe instead of attempting to steer a narrative. This may not be for everyone, but any serious UFO buff should love it. I did and totally recommend it.

Magellan (2017)

Our weather has been miserable here in Virginia Beach and it hasn't really shown any signs of letting up. Fortunately, that means I have had time to sort some stuff in the toy shop and watch some movies. The ne t one up here at The Ringmaster's Realm is the 2017 Sci-Fi /Mystery Magellan.

Plot: After NASA picks up a trio of mysterious signals from within our own solar system, astronaut Roger Nelson is dispatched on a multi-year solo mission aboard the Magellan spacecraft to investigate the sources.

This one was a pretty good low-budget film and one that had a interesting (while unbelieve or unrealistic) concept. Having such a low budget definitely limited many of the possible settings and such, but it did not impact the cinematography or overabll feel. Yes, there were some plot holes,  an uneven storyline, a lack of realism within the structure of the mission, and an strange anticlimactic ending,  but again coming from a lower budgeted production, one should expect those. In the end, this one will not appeal to anyone looking for a blockbuster fueled epic, but for those who have some time and enjoy a slower paced scientifically driven film (especially if you can get past the budget constraints), you might enjoy this one. 

Supernova (2000)

After a long and tiring day yesterday,  I decided v to kick back and relax. While I had thought about doing side filming, I just didn't have it in me. My recovery from transplant surgery is definitely still ongoing; something I expected but I often forget about  because I do feel so much better already.  So, what did I watch? The 2000 Sci-Fi flick,  Supernova.

Plot: Supernova is a science fiction thriller that chronicles the high-stakes adventures of a deep space hospital ship and its six member crew. When their vessel, the Nightingale 229, answers an emergency distress signal from a distant galaxy, the crew soon finds itself in danger from the mysterious young man they rescue, the alien artifact he smuggled aboard and the gravitational pull of a giant star about to go supernova -- the most massive explosion in the universe.

During my recovery,  I have really been watching a lot of Sci-Fi. This movie was one that I couldn't believe that I hadn't seen or remembered. As a big James Spader fan,  I didn't remember seeing it when it came out, although I was on active duty back then and was in and out of the US quite a bit. Now, after watching it, I can understand why. Honestly, there is nothing remarkable or memorable inside this one. Yes, it is not all bad, as the storyline had promise, the performances were solid, and there was a touch of atmospheric tension throughout. Unfortunately, it was riddled with clichéd moments (I could almost see four different films as main influences), the scripting is all over with uneven dialog, and the visuals were flat and uninspiring. In the end, this was not a terrible movie, but unless you are a huge Sci-Fi fan, you will get nothing from watching it. Its up to you, but I think you could find something more entertaining.

They Came From Beyond Space (1967)

Low budget Sci-Fi movies are often hard to judge by their cases, and this one we exception. Full of the typical schlock expected in the genre, this one does feature some interesting aspects. What is it? It is the 1967 Sci-Fi flick They Came from Beyond Space. 

Plot/ Scientists investigating an unusual meteor shower in a rural field are possessed by an alien force bent on an ulterior purpose.

From Amicus Productions, this Sci-Fi gem spans the spectrum, from good to bad. Known mostly for their horror anthologies, this entry shows that the company was more than that. While it is not a great movie by any means, it is also nowhere near as bad as it could have been. This one has an entertaining and interesting storyline, some outstanding cinematography (as usual) and some decent performances (not great) and effects. Yes, the score is a touch annoying and the costuming is laughable, but those add to the schlock value after all these years. In the end, this may not be the best movie of the genre produced during this era, but it is also not the worst. If you are in the mood for some low budget Sci-Fi, find this one on Amazon and enjoy it, I am decently sure that it will be well worth your time.

Alien: Covenant (2017)

I decided to take a couple days away from the blog to relax and to spend some time helping out a good cause by entering the dunk tank dressed as my favorite character Bert the Bird. That did not stop me from watching a couple movies. The first one that I am going to review from that group is the 2017 sci-fi entry Alien: Covenant.

Plot/ The crew of a colony ship, bound for a remote planet, discover an uncharted paradise with a threat beyond their imagination and must attempt a harrowing escape.

I have always been a fan of the Alien universe and was looking forward to this installment. Unfortunately, for me, this one did not leave me wanting more as it felt extremely forced and less organic than some of the earlier films that made the franchise great. While it was not terrible, it just lacked the dark and foreboding atmosphere that saturated the earlier entries. Plus, the characters left nothing to be desired and were flat and predictable throughout. Even the Xenomorph and the effects lacked the feel and intensity of the source materials and the ending was expected. The cinematography and scenery worked, the performances were not terrible, and there was potential within the storyline to create something interesting, this one just missed the mark. Overall, it just did not hit home like the originals. In the end, I really wanted to like this film, but I couldn’t. Sure, it was not completely terrible or the worst sci-fi flick out there, but it just did not resonate in the same way that the original Alien films did.

Lost in Space (1998)

After a mixture of serial killers and creature features, I decided to venture into something with more of a sci-fi edge. After some thought, I decided on the 1998 reboot, Lost in Space.

Plot/ The Robinson family was going into space to fight for a chance for humanity. Now they are fighting to live long enough to find a way home.

I remember when this one came out and like many fans of the original series; I found it a bit disappointing. After re-watching this earlier in the week, I think my first impression was way off. While this is not a perfect film, it does have more positives than flaws and the storyline is closer in tone and depth to some of the initial episodes of the series than it is given credit for. The effects were solid, the cast was fun and their performances were decent, and the cinematography was spot on and created an entertaining feel. Unfortunately, the scripting felt forced and the dialog was choppy with too much focus put on trying to be clever and there were more than a few clichéd moments. In the end, this was an entertaining science fiction adventure suitable for the entire family, and a movie that is better than it has been given credit for. If you have a chance, give it a shot, you could do much worse.

Life (2017)

After surviving the crazy storm that hit town last night and spending some time at the mall with the Re-Create fundraising event for the Phoenix Art Center, it was time to relax. Now that I am back awake, it is time to catch up on the next flick from last night, 2017s sci-fi entry Life.

Plot/ A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form, that caused extinction on Mars, and now threatens the crew and all life on Earth.

This is a hard movie for me to review, not because of the subject matter or anything like that, it is because I swear I watched the same film previously only this time there were some minor differences. I know that might sound a bit crazy since it was just released in March 2017, but I felt like I knew every point spot on, except for the ending, which was similar in visuals, but different with where the characters (and creature) end up. Who knows, maybe I saw it in some parallel dimension. I did like a lot about the movie, with some of the great cinematography, awesome special effects, and an interesting storyline that was actually rather believable considering the subject matter. Even the atmosphere was dark and claustrophobic enough to make me want to see more. Yes, the characters were a touch flat, the tension level was lacking, and the performances were uneven with what was taking place inside the story. In the end, I did like this one, although it did feel predictable and at times, somewhat forced. It may not be for everyone, but it can be a fun flick to watch if you aren’t looking for the next Alien film.

Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957)

This has been another long weekend between traveling to softball and taking Jill for her time in Virginia. Although I have been busy, I did find some time to relax and watch a few flicks as I countdown to the next episode of Twin Peaks: The Return. My latest entry was Invasion of the Saucer Men from 1957.

Plot/ A teenage couple accidentally awakens an alien after inadvertently hitting it with their car.

I decided to go back into the 1950s creature features with this one and I am glad I did. While this one is not the best of that era, it is an interesting entry that fits perfectly into the genre. If you love 1950s schlock cinema, this one is something that you should check out. Yes, the storyline is cliché and predictable, the special effects are laughable at best, and the combination of comedy, horror, and sci-fi do work well together within the landscape of the film. It is a fun flick to watch and a movie that does have some entertainment value. In the end, this movie should be seen once. While some viewers will hate it, if you love C-grade cinema and classic schlock, give it a shot.

Passengers (2016)

I have one more movie to review until I get to the two flicks from last night. Like with Stake Land II, I almost forgot this one as well. This film is the 2016 sci-fi/romance Passengers.

Plot/ A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early.

I had not actually paid attention to any of the reviews or trailers for this one and definitely went into with something else altogether in mind. While this is not a terrible movie, it is definitely more of a drama/romance than adventure/sci-fi entry, and I could see how that could turn some viewers off. All in all, it was not a bad film offering some fantastic performances, stunning visuals with some outstanding cinematography, and an interesting concept is woven into the storyline. Unfortunately, the scripting did leave a ton of plot holes that could have helped fill in some of the voids, and there were very few moments that helped build tension. In the end, this was a beautiful movie, although it lacked the sci-fi feel that drew me in. Yes, it was entertaining, but it doesn’t deliver the impact that it could have.

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Finally, it is 2017. In some ways, I hate to see 2016 go away. I graduated Valedictorian in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University; I had a fun trip to Universal Studios with Brenda and the girls, and dove into a ton of conspiracy theories that were proven true thanks to WikiLeaks. What more could anyone ask for (maybe the PowerBall or something). Here is hoping that 2017 will be just as fun. For my first review of 2017, I decided to finish the Alien franchise with 1997s Alien: Resurrection.

Plot/ Two centuries after her death, Ellen Ripley is revived as a powerful human/alien hybrid clone that must continue her war against the aliens.

In finishing off the sequels to the Alien franchise, Alien: Resurrection is definitely an improvement over Alien 3. While it is far from a perfect movie, featuring many different plot holes and a soundtrack that did not seem to create the same atmospheric elements as the earlier entries, there are some moments that make it an interesting entry in the series. Of course, some of the love/hate attitudes that exist with this entry could be because it is quite different than its predecessors. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet definitely created something more surreal and dreamlike than the others, plus there were a lot more images of blood, gore, and violence than what was featured earlier in the franchise. The storyline was interesting (even with the plot holes), and the cast and performances were solid (plus the alien hybrid was a nice twist). In the end, this one does not rise to the quality of the sources, but it is more memorable than Alien 3. If you love the Alien franchise, give it shot. There are a lot worse out there.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

After diving into a documentary last night, I wanted to finish off 2016 with one of my favorite movies of the year and a movie that everyone should see. What is that movie? It is arguably one of the best movies to be released all year, Rogue One!

Plot/ All looks lost for the Rebellion against the Empire as they learn of the existence of a new super weapon, the Death Star. Once a possible weakness in its construction is uncovered, the Rebel Alliance must set out on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. The future of the entire galaxy now rests upon its success.

Being the first Star Wars movie to take place outside the existing familial storyline, it was interesting to see what Gareth Edwards would create to fall into this important canonical spot. What I found was an amazing entry that fit perfectly into the given timeframe and created the prequel that many of us have longed for. Rogue One has so many elements that are impressive and more importantly creates an adult oriented film that is darker and shows the harshness of the Empire and the horrors of what a true rebellion would be. The performances are outstanding, the action and pacing flowed in a way that was on par with the classic Star War entries (especially Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope), and the storyline was perfectly placed within the confines given as a direct lead-in to A New Hope (plus seeing Grand Moff Tarkin was a great surprise). While some of the CGI was a touch shaky and the addition of some of the fighter footage, as homage to A New Hope was not needed to complete the project, they were but minor flaws. In the end, Rogue One is one of my favorite entries in the saga falling second only to the best in the series Empire Strikes Back and is a movie that must be seen by everyone (not just Star Wars fans).  

Alien 3 (1992)

I have taken the past few weeks to revisit some horror/sci-fi franchises and complete reviews on them before the end of the year. That started with Phantasm, and now I am putting the Alien franchise to bed as I prepare for the new entry in May. The next review is my least favorite of the series, Alien 3 from 1992.

Plot/ After her last encounter, Ripley crash-lands on Fiorina Fury 161, a maximum-security prison. When a series of strange and deadly events occur shortly after her arrival, Ripley realizes that she brought along an unwelcome visitor.

As I have said, sequels are always a hit or miss proposition. In the case of the Alien franchise, the first sequel Aliens is a masterpiece, a movie that expands the universe in a positive way and allows the story to grow. Unfortunately, Alien 3 does not have the same effect or quality that the first two films offered to the viewers. In this one, the story left to build upon was totally disregarded, and something new and unpolished was placed in its path. The entire storyline feels forced and with that contrived outcome, the atmosphere that made the first two films memorable is gone. Yes, an attempt was made to reach that heavy almost brooding atmosphere from the source material, but it was almost too much and never found the balance of the first films. Sure, the cast is decent and the performances solid, but even that cannot overcome the uneven storyline, contrived plot, and shaky effects. In the end, this is definitely my least favorite entry in the series and a movie that could be skipped. Unless you are a true fan preparing for the fifth installment due in May, stay away!

Aliens (1986)

The holiday season is always a great time to catch up with friends and family, but also a great time to revisit some of the classic horror/sci-fi flicks of the past decades. Last night, I finished reviews of the Phantasm franchise, now my plan is to continue with the Alien franchise, with the 1986 sequel Aliens.

Plot/ Fifty-seven years after Ripley survived the moon LV-426, all communications with the terraforming colony on the outpost have been lost. The Company enlists Ripley to aid a team of space marines on a rescue mission to the moon to find out if there are aliens or survivors.

It isn’t often when a sequel may be more satisfying than the source material, but that may indeed be the case with the classic franchise. Aliens is both more entertaining and more diverse than the original Alien. While this may not be by a gigantic amount, it is still the case. This one has all of the elements that made the made the original fun with an awesome soundtrack, a claustrophobic atmosphere, a tremendous cast with outstanding performances, and of course the tension that continued to build throughout. Really, every part of this movie was just as good (if not better) than the original including the action and scripting. If there were a downside, it would be the fact that the computer technology presented in both the facility on the ground and in the ship did not really seem to develop as much as it should considering the timeframes that were being used  (57 years in a long time), but that would be nitpicking. In the end, this film is one of the best Sci-Fi movies ever made and one of the most memorable. With another sequel on the horizon, it is a great time to revisit all of these to get primed. Check it out!

Alien (1979)

Being back into the swing of some horror flicks this weekend; I figured that it was time for me to revisit a classic. While at Family Video, I saw the perfect film to fill that void. That movie is the 1979 classic Alien.

Plot/ After a space merchant vessel perceives an unknown transmission as distress call; their landing on the source moon finds one of the crew attacked by a mysterious life form. Continuing their journey back to Earth with the attacked crew having recovered and the critter deceased, they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun.

I know that there are movies that need no introduction or lasting homage, and this is one of those films. Really, there is nothing more that I could add about this classic, except maybe the fact that it holds up tremendously well even after all of these years. Honestly, it is incredible that this movie came out in 1979 and remains one of the greatest and most influential Sci-Fi/Horror films ever made. The cinematography and direction is perfectly done and helps develop the dense and claustrophobic atmosphere that saturates the entire movie. The performances are outstanding and take the script to a very memorable level with actions and dialog that also stand the test of time. On top of that, the special effects are amazing and the soundtrack blends in with the darkness and creates something that may never be duplicated. In the end, this is a movie that will definitely outlive many films that have been considered classics and should always find a new fan base to entertain. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?

Starship Troopers (1997)

As I took a day of quiet from the park, it was nice to be able to sit back and relax. To help pass that time, I was able to find an entertaining flick from the past to help maintain focus. That movie is the 1997 entry Starship Troopers.

Plot/ In the distant future high school kids are encouraged to become citizens by joining the military. What they do not know is that they will soon be engaged in a full-scale war against a planet of alien insects. The fight is on to ensure the safety of humanity.

I know that this one came out some time ago and has had mixed reviews that range for horrendous or magnificent. Personally, I love this film adaptation of the Robert A. Heinlein novel. While it is not a perfect film, suffering from cardboard characterizations and performances, and a combination of genres that will definitely turn off some viewers, there are enough positives that will offset any of these issues. The effects are decent and the alien bugs are awesome. Plus, the social context of the film features some deep-rooted insights into the cultural differences that plague society as a whole. In the end, this Sci-Fi/Horror blend is a movie that continues to get better with age and a movie that should be seen. Yes, it is not for everyone, but it is a film that is worth watching.