(1967)**
I’m sure JPX has already given a fabulous synopsis (and review) of this movie, so I’ll be brief.
A group of scientists set out to explore some meteors that landed on a farm. All participate with the exception of the film’s dashing hero Dr. Curtis Temple, who according to his doctor, is still recovering from a car accident that required a silver plate be inserted into his head (though Temple appears to move around quite well). In his place he sends his red-headed assistant and girlfriend Lee Mason. Shortly after the scientists arrive, the aliens take possession of their bodies, leaving only the dashing Dr. Temple, who can’t be possessed because of his silver scull plate. Will Temple be able to save the world? Doing so involves accessing the farm, discovering that his colleagues are possesed by aliens, learning that the aliens are constructing a rocket to send to the moon, and finding out that all the humans who supposively died from the “Crimson Plague”have really been eslaved by the aliens in order to repair their damaged spaceship so they can return to their home planet to die in peace. Yes he will. Because JPX has already disccused this film I’ll just add a few additional obersvations.
I will say this, lucky for Temple the guards make it pretty easy for him to access the farm, which is surrounded by 10 voltage electrical fencing, (something we are reminded of several times during the movie just in case we forgot). Anyway, I think he would’ve been in some trouble had there been competently trained guards securing this mission, rather than these poorly aimed dingbats that couldn’t hit their target if it was three feet in front of them, bright yellow, and the size of the Empire State building. They were actually one of my favorite parts of the movie. I loved that every time they heard a sound they would just start blinding shooting their machine guns at nothing, never hitting anything of course.
My other favorite moment (see JPX’s post for picture) was the colander helmet. Temple figures out that the silver plate in his head has been prventing him from succumbing to the effects of the alien mind-control ray. Enlisting the aid of “The only man I can trust”, Temple forces his friend to melt all his silver horse racing trophies in order to create his own make-shift anti-alien helmet, possibly the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
Another character left quite vague was the sensual blond woman at the local gas station that attempted to invite Temple to come in for “a cup of tea with some sugar”, stating “sugar” with just the right amount of pause, and a “you know what I mean by ‘sugar’ look in her eye.” I wasn’t quite clear on her role in the film. She tries to seduce Temple, she follows him around a couple of times, she nurses him back to health after finding him unconscious in the street, and eventually she picks up the phone to make a mysterious call, which seemed to imply that something was afoul. She then disappears from the script. She is and last seen in an unconscious state from the “Crimson Plague.” Huh?
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Temple carries around a picture of the moon that looks like it was drawn by a kindergartener, but I’m sure the handiwork is his. The film was good for a few funny moments, but nothing that made me do jumping jacks in my seat…but the popcorn was good. In case anyone is curious, this film is based on Joseph Millard’s book The God’s Hate Kansas.
A group of scientists set out to explore some meteors that landed on a farm. All participate with the exception of the film’s dashing hero Dr. Curtis Temple, who according to his doctor, is still recovering from a car accident that required a silver plate be inserted into his head (though Temple appears to move around quite well). In his place he sends his red-headed assistant and girlfriend Lee Mason. Shortly after the scientists arrive, the aliens take possession of their bodies, leaving only the dashing Dr. Temple, who can’t be possessed because of his silver scull plate. Will Temple be able to save the world? Doing so involves accessing the farm, discovering that his colleagues are possesed by aliens, learning that the aliens are constructing a rocket to send to the moon, and finding out that all the humans who supposively died from the “Crimson Plague”have really been eslaved by the aliens in order to repair their damaged spaceship so they can return to their home planet to die in peace. Yes he will. Because JPX has already disccused this film I’ll just add a few additional obersvations.
I will say this, lucky for Temple the guards make it pretty easy for him to access the farm, which is surrounded by 10 voltage electrical fencing, (something we are reminded of several times during the movie just in case we forgot). Anyway, I think he would’ve been in some trouble had there been competently trained guards securing this mission, rather than these poorly aimed dingbats that couldn’t hit their target if it was three feet in front of them, bright yellow, and the size of the Empire State building. They were actually one of my favorite parts of the movie. I loved that every time they heard a sound they would just start blinding shooting their machine guns at nothing, never hitting anything of course.
My other favorite moment (see JPX’s post for picture) was the colander helmet. Temple figures out that the silver plate in his head has been prventing him from succumbing to the effects of the alien mind-control ray. Enlisting the aid of “The only man I can trust”, Temple forces his friend to melt all his silver horse racing trophies in order to create his own make-shift anti-alien helmet, possibly the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
Another character left quite vague was the sensual blond woman at the local gas station that attempted to invite Temple to come in for “a cup of tea with some sugar”, stating “sugar” with just the right amount of pause, and a “you know what I mean by ‘sugar’ look in her eye.” I wasn’t quite clear on her role in the film. She tries to seduce Temple, she follows him around a couple of times, she nurses him back to health after finding him unconscious in the street, and eventually she picks up the phone to make a mysterious call, which seemed to imply that something was afoul. She then disappears from the script. She is and last seen in an unconscious state from the “Crimson Plague.” Huh?
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Temple carries around a picture of the moon that looks like it was drawn by a kindergartener, but I’m sure the handiwork is his. The film was good for a few funny moments, but nothing that made me do jumping jacks in my seat…but the popcorn was good. In case anyone is curious, this film is based on Joseph Millard’s book The God’s Hate Kansas.
6 comments:
Hooray, Whirlygirl finally posts! By my calculation you've watched 3 or 4 movies so far, I'm happy you wrote one up. You brought up some of he funnier aspects of the film that I had forgotten. God, that stupid silver hat!
I also love that someone wrote a book called Ther God's Hate Kansas.
I can't get over this movie. I really have to see it. The plate in the dude's head especially cracks me up; I'm not sure why. And the boogly eyes out the window.
Jordan, you must check it out, it's a hoot! I think you'll get a kick out it.
Does it really come from "beyond space" or is that hyperbole?
What's "beyond space," anyway? Lots of creamy nougat? A brick backstage wall with ropes and a metal door reading "KEEP THIS DOOR CLOSED AT ALL TIMES"? Donald Sutherland's fingernail?
Animal House drug reference! Hee hee hee! That one cracked me up, Jordan.
Yay, Whirlygirl! Nice to have you aboard. I like the bit about the moon picture. What does he do with it, ask around if people have seen it and show them the picture?
Post a Comment