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Reviews
La morte viene dallo spazio (1958)
Terrific Italian-French Science Fiction for the era
This movie is very good considering what a low budget it must have had. A combined Italian-French effort this film was the basis for Meteor, Deep Impact, and Armageddon many years later. The special effects are very good for the era. One of the most interesting aspects of the film is that it showed U.S.-Russian cooperation for peaceful means at the hight of the cold war, very different than most movies of the time. The other similar movie of the 1950's about a collision with Earth is When Worlds Collide. However even though When Worlds Collide is in color this is the better and more realistic of the two films. Also there is less damage to the Earth in this movie than in Meteor, Deep Impact, and especially When Worlds Collide where the earth gets completely destroyed. It is interesting to see primitive computers and airplanes of the time. If you like Deep Impact and Armageddon you need to see this film that those two movies were based on.
On the Beach (1959)
One of the best of the nuclear war dramas
On the Beach was quite a dramatic film for its day. It told the story from the point of view of the people in Australia after World War III who face certain death from radiation. Outstanding performances were given by Gregory Peck, Ava Gardener, Anthony Perkins and in a dramatic role Fred Astaire. This was Anthony Perkins biggest film outside of the three Psycho movies which typecast him. Donna Anderson, Stanley Kramer's new discovery was a one movie wonder. The photography by Guisippe Rotunno was outstanding. The auto race scene was dramatic. I first saw this movie on television in April of 1981 when Fred Astaire was being honored with an award for all his outstanding work in cinema. It made quite an impact then with the cold war still raging. One of the things that I liked about the original version vs. the remake in 2000 is how they kept playing Waltzing Matilda throughout the film. The photography during the romantic scene at the lodge is particularly good. Also the scene towards the end where Ava Gardener is running towards Gregory Peck with the sun setting is also good. Stanley Kramer's direction is very effective. The two things I disliked about the movie was the science was flawed about how a nuclear holocaust would play out, also I think it would have been better had it been filmed in color. This movie was nicely updated with the 2000 TV movie remake. Although this film is somewhat dated now it is still worth seeing.
Cold Turkey (1971)
One of the Greatest Comedies of all time, a film ahead of its time
Cold Turkey is my all time favorite comedy and a very underrated film that many people have not seen. Still relevant today it is a classic satire of smoking and American life. Filmed in Iowa in 1969 and released to the theater in 1971 the comedy is timeless. I have the laser disc, it is not available on DVD as of yet but is available on VHS video tape. Barnard Hughes gives the performance of his career as Dr. Proctor, the town surgeon and doctor who is a chain smoker. The best scene in the film is when Dr. Proctor is in the operating room with a cigarette and Dick Van Dyke and friends are trying to convince him not to light up because the town will not get the $25 million dollars for everyone not smoking for thirty days if he does. Then Walter Chronic appears in the operating room under a round light which is made to look like a halo. Pippa Scott is Dick Van Dyke's long suffering wife. Graham Jarvis is President of the Christopher Mott Society, a takeoff on the John Birch Society. Tom Poston has a small but important role as the town drunk Mr. Stopworth. Dick Van Dyke is the preacher at the Eagle Rock Community Church who almost single handedly whips the town into action. Edward Everett Horton in his final screen appearance as Hiram Grayson, head of the Valiant Tobacco Company. Bob Newhart in a somewhat unusual role as the villain from the tobacco company who is trying to win the bet with the town. An early vehicle for Norman Lear, this movie foretold his eventual success later. The old lady who is so cantankerous is priceless. Comedians Bob and Ray play numerous news anchors of the time. Vincent Gardenia plays the towns Mayor. I have seen this film many times. I recommend watching it if it comes on TV or buying the video tape if you come across one.
On the Beach (2000)
A very good remake of the Stanley Kramer Classic Film
Stanley Kramer's 1959 production of On the Beach is a tough act to follow but this movie passes the test. I only bought the tape a few months ago, I had always hoped they would do a remake of On the Beach in modern times, in color, with VCR's, DVD Players and laptop computers and they did. The film is set in 2006 following a nuclear world war caused by China invading Taiwan. Now there are several elements of this movie where you have to stretch your imagination. Since Jimmy Carter abrogated our mutual defense pact with Taiwan in 1979, it is doubtful as to whether we would go to war over an invasion an occupation of Taiwan by Mainland China. Armande Assante does well as Captain Dwight Towers, of the USS Charleston. Bryan Brown gives credence to Fred Astaires role as wisecracking scientist Julian Osborne. Bryan Brown's wife, Rachel Ward, gives a terrific performance in the Ava Gardner role of the alcoholic Moira Davidson. I thought it was interesting how in this film Moira Davidson is supposed to be Mary Holmes sister, which gives it a new dimension unexplored in the original.
I thought the trip to the United States is much more interesting in this film because Captain Towers and another officer go ashore in Seattle. It was so interesting to see the film updated with the Internet and e-mail and the television transmission that keeps repeating from Seattle. Showing the Golden Gate bridge and San Francisco a wreck is much more compelling than abandoned but intact in the original film. The ending is one of the worst ways a film can end, but it is well done and essential for the storyline and the message the film is trying to convey. Fail Safe had a TV movie remake but I think it was a mistake to set in in the same time as the original in 1964. Updating everything, and making it in color, make this a good film. It is true that Armand Assante is no Gregory Peck, Rachel Ward is no Ava Gardener, and Bryan Brown is no Fred Astaire. The topic does not seem as timely as it was in 1959, but it was a very good movie which I highly recommend as an acceptable update of the Stanley Kramer classic.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
Pia Zadora-In her Screen Debut
This 1964 film is underrated. Although it is very campy it is a lot of fun. It shows Pia Zadora in her screen debut as a Martian child in green make up. Jaime Farr is in the movie in an early bit part. The toys were provided by Marx Toy Company which is now out of business. The premise is silly, but very good for a children's film of that era. The Martians decide to kidnap Santa Claus from Earth because their own children are bored and she how happy the Earth children are on television stations from earth that are picked up on Mars. The Martians go to Earth and kidnap two Earth children and make them tell them where Santa Claus lives. The fight up at Santa's work shop is classic with the polar bear who is obviously someone in a costume. The Martians kidnap Santa Claus and the two children and take them back to Mars. On the journey back one of the Martians tries to eliminate Santa Claus and the two children, but he underestimates Santa's power of escape and wisdom. The Martian leader tries to make the Earth children feel at home but they miss the earth and their parents. The final confrontation scene in the toy workshop on Mars is laughable, but still good fun. A good film for children at Christmas Time.
The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)
British Science Fiction at It's Finest-Must see for SF fans
This is the British Science Fiction Film all other films are judged by. At the other end of the spectrum you have "These Are the Damned" which is British Science Fiction at it worst. This film has never been equaled in British Science Fiction Cinema. Terrific performances by Edward Judd, in his screen debut, Leo McKern, and the late Janet Munro. The plot concerns simultaneous nuclear tests in Siberia and the South Pole which knock the earth off its orbit and send it hurtling towards the sun. This movie was made before the nuclear test ban treaty was ratified in 1964. Some critics have compared this film to "On the Beach". However I think this is the better of the two films. Showing a newspaper room in all it's glory before we had cable news and the Internet and was not equaled until "All the President's Men". I first saw this film on television in 1970 and it made quite an impact on an 8 year old at the time. The ending is very unusual for it's day. The romantic interludes between Edward Judd and Janet Munro are not distracting as were the Gregory Peck-Ava Gardner interludes in "On the Beach". I do not think the film seems that dated today even though we no longer have above ground nuclear tests. My only complaint is that it is in black and white rather than color. Edward Judd does particularly well as the alcoholic reporter, fleeing from a troubled marriage, trying to get the facts of the story as well as carry on a romance with Janet Munro. A must see for all Science Fiction fans and Leo McKern fans. A 10 out of 10.
Deep Impact (1998)
The Best of the Comet Hits Earth Movies
There have been a series of a comet hits the earth movies over the years. In 1958 we had the Italian-French "The Day the Sky Exploded". In 1978 there was an NBC-TV movie with Richard Crenna which took place in Phoenix, Arizona. The year 1979 gave us Meteor which was not all that great. Then in 1998 we had Deep Impact and Armageddon. However Deep Impact is the best of all the movies about a comet or asteroid hitting the earth. Outstanding performances by Robert Duvall, Morgan Freeman, Vanessa Redgrave, Tia Leoni, Maximillian Schell and especially Elijah Wood and LeeLee Sobieski make this a special film. Some of the other films did not have the personal relationships like the romance of LeeLee Sobieski by Elijah Wood in the film. and their getting married at 16 in the face of the comet striking the earth is especially poignant. The triangle between Maximillian Schell and his estranged daughter, Tia Leoni, the reporter/anchorwoman and Maximillian Schell's estranged wife Vanessa Redgrave. The characters on the spaceship in Deep Impact were much more realistic and sympathetic than the characters in Armageddon. The underrated Elijah Wood in one of his earlier roles gives an especially good performance. The characters in Armageddon were caricatures and wooden where as these characters you grow to care about. A good film to see or buy on video or watch on television.
The Damned (1962)
British Science Fiction At It's Worst
This movie, filmed in May of 1961 in Weymouth, England is an embarrassment to all involved. Directed by blacklisted American Director Joseph Losey it concerns a genetic engineering experiment gone wrong involving radioactive children. Very violent and controversial in its day, it is very dated now. It has not been released to video or shown on television for the past 25 years, and for good reason. I rank this movie as my all time worst film. A very unpleasant viewing experience. I saw it once on television in 1973 and it left a lasting negative impression. Four of the stars who made it big after this film, Macdonald Carey, Viveca Lindfors, and Nicholas Clay(who played one of the children), never talked about the film in interviews. It was almost as though they wanted to forget the film was ever made. Oliver Reed, when asked once in an interview about a rather unusual British Science Fiction movie he made early in his career, changed the subject. If it ever does get shown on television again, or released to video, it is definitely a film to avoid.
The High and the Mighty (1954)
John Wayne's Finest Film-The Best of the Disaster Films
John Wayne many talents are captured in this 1954 film. Considered by some to be the granddaddy of all disaster films, this film paved the way for the Airport movies and the Irwin Allen disaster movies of the 1970's. The film was a showcase of Hollywood's leading stars of the day. Last shown on network television in Sept. of 1979, HBO in August of 1981 and it's final telecast was on WTBS in Feb. of 1982. President of the Screen Actors Guild in 1980 William Schallert has a small role in the film. Also William Hopper of Perry Mason fame has a small role. This was an important movie in John Wayne's career because not only did he act in it, but he produced as well. A must for all John Wayne fans.