This remake falls actually short of bad. The acting the direction was poor at best; With the point presented in the 51 version missed entirely. The original 1951 version was indeed an anti-nuke film but gave a spark of hope for mankind. This version hating mankind enough to destroy all of human civilization took a rainbow collection of children to a new planet where uneducated as to the sins of mankind on earth could start it all over again on a virgin planet. Remaking a classic is difficult at best but this script and director didn't have a clue as to the point of the original. what finally turned my stomach was the premise that the robot could at the molecular level take anything apart, so why not just disassemble the pollution, the weapons and toxins? then the mega-industries causing the pollution and making the weapons would be negated. Mankind would be reset, and allowed to try again. Instead, with all the power at his disposal the screenwriters main character via the robot took the primitive path of total destruction instead of the benevolent premise of compassion and understanding. Yes the possible destruction of earth was hinted at in the 51' TDTESS, but only as a last resort. Bummer. tho only so-fi film i can recall stinking worse, was 'SIGNS' with water soluble aliens.
Reviews
11 Reviews
a haunting poem a bit disturbing but excellent entertainment.
4 June 2011
I wish I could remember all of the doctor Seussish poem the Groon . The Groon came on the ABC 'Children's Television Workshop' Saturday Mornings. A break from the standard cartoons. I do remember the first time I saw it. I was sitting for my sisters kids around Halloween . My young nephew who was eight years old and my niece a year younger were throwing pillows and jumping around, suddenly stopped and sat down, first lured then mesmerized by the eerie tone of the narration and totally captured by the Chuck Jones visual on our small black and white TV. It reran a few time for a couple years, but them faded into TV history. For months nay years to come when it was dark I could get both of the kids to cringe, by in the deepest voice I could muster, by simply saying, Beware the Groon is coming soon, so keep one eye on the moon and the other on anything moving about the room. What a terrible Uncle I was.
I thought of it from time to time in the following years and yet when asking about it only a few remember. Just the same I have been desperately seeking a copy of this T.V. series or even a printed version of this Ray Bradbury poem for a long time. I think many would enjoy this if it were available on DVD
I thought of it from time to time in the following years and yet when asking about it only a few remember. Just the same I have been desperately seeking a copy of this T.V. series or even a printed version of this Ray Bradbury poem for a long time. I think many would enjoy this if it were available on DVD
From Hell to Texas
(1958)
It was the first western I remember seeing with a complex plot.
3 April 2005
It was a memorable film that i first saw on 'Saturday Night At the Movies" when I was 12 years old, (six years after it was released in 1958). Being raised on a diet of TV and movie westerns, 'From Hell to Texas' stood out from all of them; I identified with the lead and had a crush on Diane Varsi that lasted for years.
I saw this feature only one more time when I was 21, just before shipping out to Nam. This time I identified with the scope of the film and the depth of the characters. Chill Will gave a memorable performance definitely a cut above his typical side-kick comic relief roll, and I thought it interesting for a father to actually help his daughter's suitor in such a unstinting fashion. Opposite Wills was R.G. Armstrong and his son Dennis Hopper, though the heavies one could not really hate them. It was through these characters that it was easy to understand that it is not the person who is evil it is the deed. This film has always been in the back of my head and deep in my heart, for it stood out as having both action and a message. I hope it will be transferred to DVD soon. On memory alone I give it an '8'out of 10.
I saw this feature only one more time when I was 21, just before shipping out to Nam. This time I identified with the scope of the film and the depth of the characters. Chill Will gave a memorable performance definitely a cut above his typical side-kick comic relief roll, and I thought it interesting for a father to actually help his daughter's suitor in such a unstinting fashion. Opposite Wills was R.G. Armstrong and his son Dennis Hopper, though the heavies one could not really hate them. It was through these characters that it was easy to understand that it is not the person who is evil it is the deed. This film has always been in the back of my head and deep in my heart, for it stood out as having both action and a message. I hope it will be transferred to DVD soon. On memory alone I give it an '8'out of 10.
The Ice Pirates
(1984)
A Campy Gem
24 January 2004
I found a very used copy at a yard sale and boy does it bring back memories. It is funny, romantic, provocative, even sexy. Comedy is hard and the actors in this film make it look easy, and when your willing to put up with a worn out tape; that's when you know it's good. Someday I hope to see it on DVD.
This is one of the best Animation Series ever.
30 January 2003
It has been 16 years since it's original run, I would have hoped by now some "marketing wizard" would have promoted a live actor version of this classic by now, or at least sought to re-release the original 65 episodes. I can't fathom why the sci-fi or cartoon network haven't snapped this up. Galaxy Rangers actually had well thought out plots, and even better scripts.The animation was above average quality for it's time, and excellent when compared to the talking slide show Japanese animation of today. It predated the heavy toon-toy tie in market, this may have sealed it's doom too. I would willingly spend cash on a DVD of GR if available.
1776
(1972)
A human peek, with a tune, at stone American Icons.
13 September 2002
With light humor, mostly limited to witty exchange, the arrival at the proclamation of Independence is presented with 10 musical numbers, that actually are part of the plot not just lyrical support to the story. I first saw this film when first released; It then gave me encouragement to check on some of the points of history presented in the film. I found it to be quite accurate. Now after 30 years I have seen the restored DVD, and its appeal has not diminished, any more than the topic from which it draws. I think it should be presented in high school civic classes today. Not as a replacement for the study of American history, but a catalyst to in-depth study and debate upon the topic of American Independence. July 4, 1776 takes on a more human, and more fragile perspective.
Signs
(2002)
What is that sign ahead? It's got to be a U turn, STOP, or detour!
28 August 2002
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** SIGNS: It has got to be a U turn, STOP, or detour! On the plus side, this film did have several jump-out-and-got-ya scenes, it was in color and the dialogue was in American English. Unfortunately that's all of the plus side. We are introduced to a family still in mourning; where the Mom/Wife/Sister-in-law has been killed in a freak accident some months before. From the trauma of losing his wife Mel Gibson's character resigns his position of a community spiritual leader ( A Priest in some unnamed Faith) We soon understand that he not only doubts God, but he is actually P***ed at him. His brother, son and daughter are suffering not only because they too have lost a parent/sister-in-law, but the head of the family (Mel) has lost his spiritual conviction and love for life. It is apparent that his faith is turning dark, and he is becoming more reclusive.
Enter in the Water-soluble aliens. Crop-Circles, we are lead to believe, all along have been communications for alien invasion plans. The aliens mission, IQ, and combat tactics are all found in a book purchased by Mel's eleven-year-old son, from the small Pennsylvania farm town's local bookstore, which we are informed had ordered it by mistake. (I think it was a hardbound copy of the 'Signs' Script.) From information there in contained, they all survive, the days and nights of terror that follow. For comic relief, all, but Mel, at one point don a hat of aluminum foil, which resemble twenty-pound Hershes kisses (an obvious Pennsylvania product tie in). This is done, so the aliens can't read their thoughts, and maybe control them too. It's in the kids book, and so far it ain't been wrong. With out the poor attempt at a classic science fiction plot, this could have been rewritten as a family drama. Mel had his character down well, but those dam pesky aliens. It seems unlikely that a species of aliens would want anything to do with a planet covered with a liquid (water) that dissolves their tissue. It was tough knowing that the kids super-soaker in this `Signs' invasion, would have been like the yodeling cowboy in the movie `Mars Attacks'. `Signs' however wanted you to believe. It wanted you to believe that the Aliens, who, though super athletic, are adversely affected by light and melt from water, and run around nude for a force recon combat mission, on a hostile planet. Also, the alien's spacecraft now appearing by the thousands over the cities of earth are never met by a military response, Just a lot of looking up in wonder, and panic. While the only offensive gesture offered is the pointing of news cameras. (Anything more violent may cost more to show on screen, and they may not want to come back to earth, for a sequel.) `SIGNS' could have been an `ET' warm fuzzy type of movie, where the aliens crop signs, are made by 'alien' secret agents, living among us. The C-C in Tom's field pointed out that ` The human creatures here need solace, and a renewed faith in the Creator'. The characters would eventually discover that different signs, in various fields around the planet mean different things like; 'Help this person', `Take this one back home', `These idiots still think Crop Circles are hoaxes', you get the idea. Maybe the priest, or one of his children, would be the only human that could read the messages, etc. The version we got was pretty worthless. Thinking they were in the 'The Birds' Tom and his brother board up windows and doors, they should have at least recalled that this was only marginally effective on five pound birds. Moreover, it doesn't even make a good waste of time here, for soon after the last nail is hammered, the family is forced in retreat to the basement shuddering in terror. The Aliens have no tools or weapons, other than a poison gas they secrete from their bodies though a tube protruding from their hand, and can use it only if they hold you down, and squirt up your nose. These space wimps attempt to get in by using the basement doorknob, or the old forgotten coal chute. They have all night, but fail to breach the inch thick basement door or the franticly stacked sacks of dog food. The next morning after surviving the night of terror, they all emerge to learn that the aliens have departed, leaving behind their injured. Mel's son is having a seizure for lack of medicine, and is grabbed up by one of the stranded invaders, and gassed. He must have been hiding in one of the many Hitchcock shadows. Gibson, a veteran of many military films, should have pointed out the flaw in any global invasion strategy which includes giving the enemy (us humans in this case), samples of it's army to study alive, or dead. The aliens are tall and skinny, at least eight feet tall; at no more than a hundred twenty pounds, and as aliens go, not that bad looking. Enter Batman. A one time local baseball hero, the 20 year old brother of Mel's character takes an enshrined Louisville slugger from the wall and kills this stranded alienated alien. Mel's character, finds faith anew when he discovers that his sons chronic asthma didn't allow him to breath the poison gas used on him, so the boy lives, and the movie concludes showing the passage of time with a winter shot of the house. All religious Icons back on the walls, Mel is once again `Father Thomas', and God is spelled once again with a capital `G'. The aliens are gone with no further mention. (and they all lived happily ever after) To me this film is a big stinker, because I could see within it, no less than three good movie ideas slamming into one another and the mutant result was what we were forced to swallow with our popcorn.
Enter in the Water-soluble aliens. Crop-Circles, we are lead to believe, all along have been communications for alien invasion plans. The aliens mission, IQ, and combat tactics are all found in a book purchased by Mel's eleven-year-old son, from the small Pennsylvania farm town's local bookstore, which we are informed had ordered it by mistake. (I think it was a hardbound copy of the 'Signs' Script.) From information there in contained, they all survive, the days and nights of terror that follow. For comic relief, all, but Mel, at one point don a hat of aluminum foil, which resemble twenty-pound Hershes kisses (an obvious Pennsylvania product tie in). This is done, so the aliens can't read their thoughts, and maybe control them too. It's in the kids book, and so far it ain't been wrong. With out the poor attempt at a classic science fiction plot, this could have been rewritten as a family drama. Mel had his character down well, but those dam pesky aliens. It seems unlikely that a species of aliens would want anything to do with a planet covered with a liquid (water) that dissolves their tissue. It was tough knowing that the kids super-soaker in this `Signs' invasion, would have been like the yodeling cowboy in the movie `Mars Attacks'. `Signs' however wanted you to believe. It wanted you to believe that the Aliens, who, though super athletic, are adversely affected by light and melt from water, and run around nude for a force recon combat mission, on a hostile planet. Also, the alien's spacecraft now appearing by the thousands over the cities of earth are never met by a military response, Just a lot of looking up in wonder, and panic. While the only offensive gesture offered is the pointing of news cameras. (Anything more violent may cost more to show on screen, and they may not want to come back to earth, for a sequel.) `SIGNS' could have been an `ET' warm fuzzy type of movie, where the aliens crop signs, are made by 'alien' secret agents, living among us. The C-C in Tom's field pointed out that ` The human creatures here need solace, and a renewed faith in the Creator'. The characters would eventually discover that different signs, in various fields around the planet mean different things like; 'Help this person', `Take this one back home', `These idiots still think Crop Circles are hoaxes', you get the idea. Maybe the priest, or one of his children, would be the only human that could read the messages, etc. The version we got was pretty worthless. Thinking they were in the 'The Birds' Tom and his brother board up windows and doors, they should have at least recalled that this was only marginally effective on five pound birds. Moreover, it doesn't even make a good waste of time here, for soon after the last nail is hammered, the family is forced in retreat to the basement shuddering in terror. The Aliens have no tools or weapons, other than a poison gas they secrete from their bodies though a tube protruding from their hand, and can use it only if they hold you down, and squirt up your nose. These space wimps attempt to get in by using the basement doorknob, or the old forgotten coal chute. They have all night, but fail to breach the inch thick basement door or the franticly stacked sacks of dog food. The next morning after surviving the night of terror, they all emerge to learn that the aliens have departed, leaving behind their injured. Mel's son is having a seizure for lack of medicine, and is grabbed up by one of the stranded invaders, and gassed. He must have been hiding in one of the many Hitchcock shadows. Gibson, a veteran of many military films, should have pointed out the flaw in any global invasion strategy which includes giving the enemy (us humans in this case), samples of it's army to study alive, or dead. The aliens are tall and skinny, at least eight feet tall; at no more than a hundred twenty pounds, and as aliens go, not that bad looking. Enter Batman. A one time local baseball hero, the 20 year old brother of Mel's character takes an enshrined Louisville slugger from the wall and kills this stranded alienated alien. Mel's character, finds faith anew when he discovers that his sons chronic asthma didn't allow him to breath the poison gas used on him, so the boy lives, and the movie concludes showing the passage of time with a winter shot of the house. All religious Icons back on the walls, Mel is once again `Father Thomas', and God is spelled once again with a capital `G'. The aliens are gone with no further mention. (and they all lived happily ever after) To me this film is a big stinker, because I could see within it, no less than three good movie ideas slamming into one another and the mutant result was what we were forced to swallow with our popcorn.
The Truth About Spring
(1965)
A feelgood "Growing up"film. Light, amusing and entertaining
29 June 2002
I saw this film when I still had a crush on Halley Mills (I was 14,in 1964) So what if I'm a romantic? It was a nice Feel good Movie, set it the Caribbean when even pirates seemed a little less lethal. It was a clean right of passage / Baby leaves the nest film. Cleverly written not overdone, while showing the acting talents of Halley and her father John. When I finaly made my way to the Caribbean where this film was shot ten years later,I found I wasn't alone in my love for this film. Now I which I had this film on DVD.
The Long Ships
(1964)
It's a good Viking Movie.
20 May 2002
It came along 30 years before "13th Warrior" and in the same vain, it carried adventure, excitement, comedy and drama seldom found in todays action films with out High Tech CGI. It was one of the few movies I spent money on to see more than one time, when I was eleven years old. (Keep in mind that the nearest theater was 14 miles from home.) It also gave as a side bar, somewhat of a history lesson. As a result I checked out quite a few books on "Vikings" "Moors" and Islam. This is a Good Viking movie and I rate it even above " The Vikings" (Tony Curtus, Kirk Douglas)from about the same time.
Miss Tatlock's Millions
(1948)
I remember it's dialog was fast and funny.
20 May 2002
This movie I saw on the late show when I was a boy. It was quite late and I snuck into the living room and joined my father to watch TV. How ever I was laughing so hard at this movie it woke my mother, who thought I was in bed. So I missed the ending. I still remember it and that has been almost 40 years. The dialog was fast and funny anchored on an unusual plot. I only wish that It was available now so I could see how it ended.
The Time Machine
(2002)
In time this stinker may be forgoten.
29 March 2002
Collect all the copies of this cinama travesty, and burn'em. Never was so little accomplished by so many, at such great of cost. I can only presume that somehow the U.S. Congress was involved in the making of this er-movie. The intention was good and that's about all. I waited with great expectations for the release of this film. Alas great dissapointment resulted. The script missed the essence of the authors original work. I'm so sorry to all those who worked so hard on this stinker, and also to those who spent hard earned cash, like myself, to endure it. Time, as they say, heals all wounds. Maybe in 800,000 years it will be true in this case too.
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