RED PLANET MARS (Blu-ray), KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS (DVD) and STRANGE INVADERS (Blu-ray)
FROM MGM
Available at MovieZyng.com
Review by Mr. Pawsđș
These three oddball obscurities (from different decades) arenât classics - maybe not even cult classics - but chances are one or more of them evoke a few fond memories in sci-fi/horror fans of a certain age. Re-released by MGM, the discs are bereft of bonus material, but at least theyâre once again available at a reasonable price (most previous editions are either out of print, overpriced or unavailable domestically).
On Blu-ray for the first time, Red Planet Mars (1952/87 min) gets this writerâs vote for the weirdest sci-fi movie of the â50s. In a decade of alien invasions and radioactive behemoths, hereâs one with no special effects or monstersâŠjust a pair of married scientists (Peter Graves & Andrea King) making contact with an advanced civilization on Mars, which throws the world into turmoil in ways that must be seen to be believed (and isnât entirely explained). A bizarre mix of social commentary, paranoia, red scare politics and heavy-handed religious dogma, the film is sometimes perplexing and unintentionally humorous, but it certainly thinks outside the box.
Made and released shortly before William Shatner returned to the captainâs chair, Kingdom of the Spiders (1977/94 min) is one of countless nature-strikes-back creature features that followed in Jawsâ wake. But unlike most similarly-themed B-movies of the time, this one manages to get under your skin. Granted, much of that is due to the fact spiders are inherently scary, but considering the budget, the film has a lot of well-executed sequences, creepy arachnid action (with thousands of real tarantulas) and a chilling conclusion. Despite dated aesthetic trappings and a cringeworthy romantic subplot, this is the second best spider movie ever made (after Arachnophobia) and Shatner gives a surprisingly subdued performance. My only beefâŠitâs only being released on DVD.
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Bill sees the light. |
None of these titles are gonna be jewels in anyoneâs collection. However, nostalgia can be a strong motivator in movie buying decisions and Iâm sure some folks reading this are going, âHey, didnât I see that once?â (as I did with Kingdom of the Spiders and Strange Invaders). Revisiting one to see if itâs better or worse than you remember is kinda fun.
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