kibeteen
Lifetime Total
5+
IMDb Member
24 years
Reviews
The Disappearance of Flight 412 (1974)
UFO Cover-ups are old hat.
Long before flying saucer buffs were accusing the government of hiding the facts behind the Roswell UFO crash, this movie explored the possibility that military sightings were handled in a covert and serious way.
Presented in a straightforward, semi-documentary style, The Disappearance of Flight 412 is directed with economy and tight pacing. This is an absorbing and convincing TV movie [a rarity] that could be classified as science fiction or straight drama.
If you can find it playing somewhere on cable, don't miss it.
Presented in a straightforward, semi-documentary style, The Disappearance of Flight 412 is directed with economy and tight pacing. This is an absorbing and convincing TV movie [a rarity] that could be classified as science fiction or straight drama.
If you can find it playing somewhere on cable, don't miss it.
The Innocents (1961)
Subtle scares better than blatant.
This is a remarkable adaptation of Henry James' Turn of the Screw. What makes this film effective isn't what you see or don't see, but what you almost see. The overall creepy tone of this psychological thriller is enhanced by outstanding performances by all the primary actors.
The Angry Red Planet (1959)
Bad Sci Fi is always great comedy.
A bad historical romance movie, over time, is a bad historical romance movie. A bad mystery film, over time, is a bad mystery film. However, a bad science fiction film, over time, is a great comedy. The Angry Red Planet is one of the funniest.
The mood is set by the awkward cinematography and slam-bang editing. Character close-ups within a scene appear to have been filmed in different sets from the main action. This is best illustrated in some opening sequences in the conference room. Watch as the conference table appears to grow and shrink, relative to the actors, from close up to wide angle. Also, reaction shots linger a bit too long to be taken seriously.
On the plus side, stock footage of rocket launch facilities is handled quite well and lends, although briefly, a large budget feel to the film. Similarly, the unique magenta-biased film processing for scenes on the surface of Mars evokes a suitably eerie atmosphere.
But the acting and script is pure corn and good for lots of laughs.
The mood is set by the awkward cinematography and slam-bang editing. Character close-ups within a scene appear to have been filmed in different sets from the main action. This is best illustrated in some opening sequences in the conference room. Watch as the conference table appears to grow and shrink, relative to the actors, from close up to wide angle. Also, reaction shots linger a bit too long to be taken seriously.
On the plus side, stock footage of rocket launch facilities is handled quite well and lends, although briefly, a large budget feel to the film. Similarly, the unique magenta-biased film processing for scenes on the surface of Mars evokes a suitably eerie atmosphere.
But the acting and script is pure corn and good for lots of laughs.
Kronos (1957)
Close encounter of a colossal kind
As must always be kept in mind while viewing classic SF cinema, one cannot and should not extricate a film from its historical context. Kronos is no exception. This is 1950's SF movie making at its marginal budgetary best.
Certainly the storyline taxes credibility, involving alien possession of humans, but the ETs at least have a practical purpose for invading than just doing it out of spite. Plus, the dirty work isn't accomplished with sundry flying saucers and blaster rays, but by a huge robot.
The acting is an uneven mixture of serious and melodramatic that oddly adds to the dark overtones of the fims early scenes. The dialogue, littered with quasi-scientific jargon, flows at near poetic tempo.
Ultimately, it is the clever resourcefulness of our nuclear-scientist heroes that wins the day. Now that has to be worth watching!
Certainly the storyline taxes credibility, involving alien possession of humans, but the ETs at least have a practical purpose for invading than just doing it out of spite. Plus, the dirty work isn't accomplished with sundry flying saucers and blaster rays, but by a huge robot.
The acting is an uneven mixture of serious and melodramatic that oddly adds to the dark overtones of the fims early scenes. The dialogue, littered with quasi-scientific jargon, flows at near poetic tempo.
Ultimately, it is the clever resourcefulness of our nuclear-scientist heroes that wins the day. Now that has to be worth watching!
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964)
Robinson Crusoe has the right stuff on Mars.
This is one of the few '60s science fiction films to capture the adventurous spirit of the early space programs. Years before Tom Wolfe put pen to paper, Robinson Crusoe on Mars showed what kind of stuff makes an astronaut.
Although the film's depicted technology has clearly been outstripped by reality [take note of the continuous loop tape cartridge -- 8 track -- for the audio/video recorder] Byron Haskin's efforts at technical realism get high marks.
In general, the special effects are exciting. Alien spaceships, which resemble the fighting machines from War of the Worlds [also directed by Haskin], race through Martian skies at incredible speeds. The color scheme of Mars' surface is also dead on: rust red sand and jet black volcanic rocks. A wonderfully eerie musical score underlies every scene.
On the down side, the aliens are a bit disappointing. Something a bit more original would have better suited the impressive visual scope of the film.
Overall, this is a highly satisfying film that recreates the sense of wonder that children of all space ages can fully appreciate.
Although the film's depicted technology has clearly been outstripped by reality [take note of the continuous loop tape cartridge -- 8 track -- for the audio/video recorder] Byron Haskin's efforts at technical realism get high marks.
In general, the special effects are exciting. Alien spaceships, which resemble the fighting machines from War of the Worlds [also directed by Haskin], race through Martian skies at incredible speeds. The color scheme of Mars' surface is also dead on: rust red sand and jet black volcanic rocks. A wonderfully eerie musical score underlies every scene.
On the down side, the aliens are a bit disappointing. Something a bit more original would have better suited the impressive visual scope of the film.
Overall, this is a highly satisfying film that recreates the sense of wonder that children of all space ages can fully appreciate.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
The Day the Earth Stood Still rings true on all accounts.
The Day the Earth Stood Still [DESS] isn't just a great science fiction movie, it's a great movie of any sort.
Although made during the early years of the Cold War, DESS is timeless in its scope and theme. Every aspect of the film rings true from script to acting to musical scoring.
Perhaps modern science fiction film makers could learn by watching DESS that it's not special effects that make a movie work, but a special story.
This wonderful movie, thoughtfully directed by Robert Wise and brilliantly scored by Bernard Hermann, is a joy to behold.
Although made during the early years of the Cold War, DESS is timeless in its scope and theme. Every aspect of the film rings true from script to acting to musical scoring.
Perhaps modern science fiction film makers could learn by watching DESS that it's not special effects that make a movie work, but a special story.
This wonderful movie, thoughtfully directed by Robert Wise and brilliantly scored by Bernard Hermann, is a joy to behold.