Actuarial Science Movie Reviews

This movie had all the appeal of watching my dog pinch a loaf on my lawn, actually that is more entertaining. The high point in the film was the actual construction of the robot, everything before and after was a total waste of money and time. What were Kirk Douglas and Farrah Fawcett getting paid to do other than taking showers and rolling around naked with each other? Surely they were there for a reason but what, they never did any work at all and as far as the special effects I've seen better shadow puppets for an eclipse than the one in this film. Harvey Keitel was a very convincing horn ball that's about it; I think his mission was to get laid by Farrah. The absolute worst was Hector falling into the acid and coming out with what looked like dried Crisco stalactites shouldn't all of his plastic tubing have instantly melted? Anyway I think I'll go watch Cabin Boy now since it now looks like Casablanca compared to this.

AS I HAVE STATED BEFORE:
If you like campy Science Fiction as I do than this film is for you.
There is not a lot to say about film like this because it is not actually any good at all. It is just a "Cult" like bad Sci-Fi movie that is enjoyable to those who well, enjoy this type of fun rubbish. And I am guilty.

To add a bit, this film stars Farrah Faucet that alone gives it potential. This film brings back memories of my childhood bedroom and that famous poster I blew a kiss to each night before going to bed.

This is a bit of a misunderstood sci-fi flick ' not flawless, but worth a second look.

In a floating space station near Saturn, we meet Harvey Keitel's character, Benson, or 'The Captain'. Or is he really somebody else? In the first few minutes, he murders a pilot preparing to leave for a remote colony on Saturn's third moon. Taking the dead pilot's place, mission and cargo, Benson braves the rings of Saturn and arrives on Saturn 3, where Major Adam (Kirk Douglas) and the fetching Alex (Farrah Fawcett) are developing hydroponics-grown food for a struggling Earth. It's not just work for Adam and Alex, and Benson's arrival disrupts the family unit that the two have made for each other. Adam came to space to escape Earth (which we're supposed to assume is made unpleasant perhaps by pollution, war or simply the vast numbers that must be crowding it up by then). Alex has never known Earth, which only highlights their apparent generation gap. Benson begins desiring Alex well before he actually gets around to his purported mission, and he figures that Adam's age gives him the edge (monogomay is frowned upon back on Earth, he tells her). It turns out that Benson has come to construct a robot to replace the team's now obsolescent half - Adam, and in this, he throws himself full steam. Benson is so obsessed to complete the menacing robot which will replace Adam, that you begin to wonder which of his loves really rules his dark soul: Alex or the robot. When completed, the vaguely humanoid machine stands about 8 feet high, moves convincingly and menacingly robot-like and is topped with an incongruous thing that looks like a desk lamp. Called Hector, the robot's CPU is a large clear can containing what looks like human brain matter. Not talkative at the outset, the machine (a model ominously called a 'demigod') picks up fast when linked into Keitel's brain through a remote sensor Keitel implants into the base of his own spine (a striking precursor to the decades-newer "Matrix"). Unfortunately, the neural link also gets the 'bot past the firewall guarding Benson's soul, and we learn through the robot a dark thing or two about Benson - notably that he failed a probably important course, likely one meant to ensure that artificial intelligence would never be tainted by interface with a natural-born psychotic. Unsurprisingly, the machine not only becomes psychotic as well, but decides that Benson is an obstacle to be replaced much as Benson had planned for Adam. Soon, Adam and Alex are on the run from Hector, learning to quickly duck in and out of hydraulic doors and weave through cramped ventilator shafts.

This was a pretty slim flick which gets more mileage than it should out of Farrah Fawcett. Her character is vulnerable and compulsively dependent throughout the movie, never displaying the resourcefulness that Sigourney Weaver had established for a new generation of sci-fi heroines in 'Alien' (which came out the year before). Alex has to be the last female character to faint out of fear in a sci-fi film. We never get an insight into Keitel's character either - obsessed with both Hector and Fawcett. The two can't both be paramount in his mind. You get the idea that to Benson, the robot is just a means to get Alex; but there are scenes when Keitel tries to get into the robot's head, making it a more substantial part of his own psyche. It's incredible to think that Martin Amis had anything to do with this story which, among other things, is strikingly unsurprising. (Case in point: when first demonstrated, Hector crushes a can Benson had ordered the robot to give Adam. There isn't a person on the planet who couldn't guess Kirk Douglas's response: 'I'm glad you didn't tell him to shake my hand.')

On the plus side, the visuals are nice. The sets were obviously influenced by Alien at the time, but today look more like a cross between the drab utilitarian interiors of that film and the way-out futurism of visionary artist Chesley Bonestell (the space station, ships and starscapes recall the famous artist's vision) and the thin story will keep you watching - just not that much. But above all, the real attraction is Harvey Keitel - who speaks in a very precise accent. It's Keitel as you've never seen him before (with a cool euro-looking ponytail). You know that the robot will go for him first, and his loss is what kills this film as much as his presence gives it a life that (like the robot) it doesn't really deserve.

OK, so most of the reviews I read for this film said how great it was, well I for one think those opinions are based on the fact that young men and some women who enjoyed it mainly thrived on the sight of seeing Angelina's breasts. The acting was poor, the script was stupid, and the sets were lame. I have seen some pretty bad movies in my time (ie Killer Kondom) but this one took the cake.. I would watch tromavision flicks over this one ANY day. save your money. If you want to see a good sci fi type movie watch ones that have been in the box office for more than a week ;)

... I'm not a big fan of elias koteas- you know the guy who always plays the dopey i kinda look like i could be robert dinero's goofy looking cousin. So watching him being the onscreen love of angelina jolie was torturous!

Angelina jolie put out a great effort in this movie however... and the chinese jacket she just happened to find on the streeet- in the perfect size for her- had part of my chinese name written on the back! lmao...

Billy drago-you don't really see him til the end of the movie- but if you're a fan- it's pretty a classic performance.

there's this one guy- who is also in... like every movie made that requires a ... chinese dude in this movie... i think his name is something lee... but it was pretty surprising to see him in this movie...

Wow! All I can say is that this movie was incredible. I was blown away by Angelina Jolie in another one of her hits. This movie is best watched with a bowl of Classic Trio ice cream.

OK, so most of the reviews I read for this film said how great it was, well I for one think those opinions are based on the fact that young men and some women who enjoyed it mainly thrived on the sight of seeing Angelina's breasts. The acting was poor, the script was stupid, and the sets were lame. I have seen some pretty bad movies in my time (ie Killer Kondom) but this one took the cake.. I would watch tromavision flicks over this one ANY day. save your money. If you want to see a good sci fi type movie watch ones that have been in the box office for more than a week ;)

... I'm not a big fan of elias koteas- you know the guy who always plays the dopey i kinda look like i could be robert dinero's goofy looking cousin. So watching him being the onscreen love of angelina jolie was torturous!

Angelina jolie put out a great effort in this movie however... and the chinese jacket she just happened to find on the streeet- in the perfect size for her- had part of my chinese name written on the back! lmao...

Billy drago-you don't really see him til the end of the movie- but if you're a fan- it's pretty a classic performance.

there's this one guy- who is also in... like every movie made that requires a ... chinese dude in this movie... i think his name is something lee... but it was pretty surprising to see him in this movie...

Wow! All I can say is that this movie was incredible. I was blown away by Angelina Jolie in another one of her hits. This movie is best watched with a bowl of Classic Trio ice cream.

There's nothing unique about this boxed set. If you have the films in their individual format, you've already got this as well. Since Paramount plans on re-releasing all these movies in special editions, you'll end up duplicating what you've already purchased.

ST:TMP Director's Edition is actually an improvement on the original film. Gone are the unfinished special effects sequences (such as the extended space walk with the struts supporting the Enterprise set visible). Gone also are dialog and other sequences were duplicated by other scenes. Director Robert Wise has tightened the film and improved the overall structure.

The special effects sequences have been improved. Some of the scenes that Wise didn't have time to have finished because of the looming release date deadline. The sequence on Vulcan is most notable. The sequence in the shuttle bay landing area at Star Fleet San Francisco has been improved with additional digital effects as well. Unfortunately, the matte lines around the Klingon ship at the beginning are still there. It's a minor flaw.

Wrath of Kahn has a number of extended scenes and bits of dialog that actually give greater depth to the relationships of the characters throughout the film. Nicholas Meyer has improved the overall feel of the film by adding these sequences back in. Additionally, the second disc of supplmental material is quite good as well.

Search for Spock isn't a "director's edition" so, perhaps, Leonard Nimoy felt that he got the film right the first time. Instead, it does offer an enhanced widescreen transfer that's beautiful and a second disc of supplemntary material. There's also a running commentary by Nimoy, Harve Bennett and cast members that's quite good (although it is duplicated on the supplementary section of the second disc).

The other films are the previously available discs without any extras. ST: TMP 3 stars: WOK 4 stars: SFS 3 stars: IV 5 stars: V 2 stars: Undiscovered Country 4 1/2 stars.

The Star Trek movies have been a lot based on the way the movie studios used to make movies. In a very hands on way. With the studio (Paramount) doing the actual production. They cast, film, and edit the movies without much help from outside the studio itself. They would pay the production costs themselves. And the only outside partner involved with the movies would the visual effects company itself (Useually ILM).
So there are no rock bands putting music on the soundtrack, just the traditional orchestra. And you never see the characters using products from companies that paid money to have the products featured in the movies themselves. These were all made by Paramount Pictures themselves, and nothing else. This was the way that studios once made their movies. But we see so little of that now. In many ways, it was similar to the hands on approach that George Lucas did the Star Wars movies. It was only him and the dedicated film crew and cast that made it work. So in terms of production, yes, Star Trek and Star Wars are much alike.

Even if there are special editions of the movies 1-6 seperatly available, I recommend this boxset because of the actual quality of the movies inside!

Buy them in this box or seperatly - your joice!

There's nothing unique about this boxed set. If you have the films in their individual format, you've already got this as well. Since Paramount plans on re-releasing all these movies in special editions, you'll end up duplicating what you've already purchased.

ST:TMP Director's Edition is actually an improvement on the original film. Gone are the unfinished special effects sequences (such as the extended space walk with the struts supporting the Enterprise set visible). Gone also are dialog and other sequences were duplicated by other scenes. Director Robert Wise has tightened the film and improved the overall structure.

The special effects sequences have been improved. Some of the scenes that Wise didn't have time to have finished because of the looming release date deadline. The sequence on Vulcan is most notable. The sequence in the shuttle bay landing area at Star Fleet San Francisco has been improved with additional digital effects as well. Unfortunately, the matte lines around the Klingon ship at the beginning are still there. It's a minor flaw.

Wrath of Kahn has a number of extended scenes and bits of dialog that actually give greater depth to the relationships of the characters throughout the film. Nicholas Meyer has improved the overall feel of the film by adding these sequences back in. Additionally, the second disc of supplmental material is quite good as well.

Search for Spock isn't a "director's edition" so, perhaps, Leonard Nimoy felt that he got the film right the first time. Instead, it does offer an enhanced widescreen transfer that's beautiful and a second disc of supplemntary material. There's also a running commentary by Nimoy, Harve Bennett and cast members that's quite good (although it is duplicated on the supplementary section of the second disc).

The other films are the previously available discs without any extras. ST: TMP 3 stars: WOK 4 stars: SFS 3 stars: IV 5 stars: V 2 stars: Undiscovered Country 4 1/2 stars.

The Star Trek movies have been a lot based on the way the movie studios used to make movies. In a very hands on way. With the studio (Paramount) doing the actual production. They cast, film, and edit the movies without much help from outside the studio itself. They would pay the production costs themselves. And the only outside partner involved with the movies would the visual effects company itself (Useually ILM).
So there are no rock bands putting music on the soundtrack, just the traditional orchestra. And you never see the characters using products from companies that paid money to have the products featured in the movies themselves. These were all made by Paramount Pictures themselves, and nothing else. This was the way that studios once made their movies. But we see so little of that now. In many ways, it was similar to the hands on approach that George Lucas did the Star Wars movies. It was only him and the dedicated film crew and cast that made it work. So in terms of production, yes, Star Trek and Star Wars are much alike.

Even if there are special editions of the movies 1-6 seperatly available, I recommend this boxset because of the actual quality of the movies inside!

Buy them in this box or seperatly - your joice!

THE PUPPET MASTERS actually does start out intriguingly enough; two Midwestern boys, playing in the farm fields of Iowa, witness a spaceship landing in the distance. Naturally, they run to check it out. What happens next is strange and not easily explainable--at first.

After the opening titles, we are introduced to the main characters, a field of government agents headed by Donald Sutherland (who has mastered the art of subtle earnestness in his career), and populated by Eric Thal (remember him as the young Hasidic scholar who becomes involved with Melanie Griffith in A STRANGER AMONG US?) and Julie Warner (who exudes both passion and intelligence in this role). After some portentious signs, there are two or three truly exciting action sequences, one right after another. The problem is, after all of this, I looked at my watch and found that there was still over an hour of movie to go. That's when the film becomes, as my title says, dull as dishwater.

In the last hour, which seems more like two, this film endlessly repeats itself, in scene after scene. Plans of attack are presented to us, and then played out of us in the same exact way, so that there is no suspense. After three or four such consecutive scenes, there begins to be no interest, either. Then, there are the agonizingly long scenes involving Eric Thal and Julie Warner alone together, played out slowly and without soundtrack as if suddenly turning into Steven Soderburgh's sex, lies and videotape (truly a great film; however, that same style does NOT fit into this "thriller" well at all). What we end up with is a very ungainly, uneven film that alternates between high-charged action/sci-fi scenes and those containing long stretches of dull-as-dishwater dialogue. By the end, I was very happy--that it was over, as I nearly fell asleep ten times in the last half-hour alone!

Now I know why this film received largely negative reviews when it was initially released in theaters in late-1994. It's too bad, as it is from the classic novel by Robert A. Heinlein; unread by me, the basic concept is fascinating and reminds me of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (both 1962 and 1978)--except both of these classic sci-fi/horror films are more exciting than this one. Come to think of it, Donald Sutherland was in the latter BODY SNATCHERS film, and did much better in that much better film. Thank God I spent less than the Amazon price for THE PUPPET MASTERS DVD!

RECOMMENDED FOR DONALD SUTHERLAND FANS AND/OR DIE-HARD SCI-FI FANS ONLY; ALL OTHERS AVOID

This movie was okay -- the only way it could have been better would have involved a lot of computerized effects to produce the future-world (flying vehicles etc) of the future as presented in the book. The book is extremely good, and should be read before you watch the film, for comparision.

Questions: The people in the film (and the book) determined simply to kill these alien slugs. Shouldn't they have asked themselves, "Why do the slugs hate us?" Rather than attacking the slugs unilaterally, shouldn't they have formed a coalition, consulted the United Nations and allowed more time for inspections to work? Shouldn't people have been more tolerant, inclusive, compassionate and diverse regarding these slugs, rather than merely wanting to wipe them out? All these people in the film seemed to want to do was kill the slugs and completely eliminate the threat to humanity. The people weren't very sensitive at all, and it's obvious they certainly weren't Democrats.

If your only cinematic experience with Heinlein stories is starship troopers then you are in for a treat. Where starship troopers was possibly the worst movie ever made (not excluding plan 9 from outer space), this film is actually quite good.
The cast is good, if not extraordinary. The big name talent of the film was Donald Sutherland, who did an excellent job of capturing the character found in the book. I was pleased with Julie Warner's perfomance as Mary, and both pleased and surprised by Eric Thal's perfomance as Sam. Granted he did have a disturbing habit of exhibiting emotion with his mouth, but he was a pleasant character.
If you haven't read the book, I highly suggest that you do, it is better. At the same time, I felt that the changes that were made were good ones. It modernized the concept to fit with our current culture and technological level, as opposed to Heinlein's hypothetical, and unrealistic future depiction. The movie flowed fairly well with the exception of the end.
The problem with the end was primarily during the whole encephalitis/cure thread. There was a somewhat abrupt and unpolished feel to this. Perhaps a slight rewrite could have helped.
Whatever its problems, it is an enjoyable piece of science fiction cinema, that I highly recommend to you.

Watch and enjoy

Cool title, neat cover, Tor, looks like a winner, right? Don't be fooled. I love Robot Monster, Kronos, Colossal Man (BTW, why is this not on DVD?), etc., and truly believe that Ed Wood Jr. is a far superior filmmaker to Lucas, Speilberg, et al., but even for a fan of this kind of thing, this one is excruciating. By all means buy it for the cover so friends will think you're outre hip or whatever, but do not actually watch it or you will hate yourself. I'm writing this to help people. Ignore at your own risk!

Cool title, Tor, looks like a winner, right? Don't be fooled. I love Robot Monster, etc., and truly believe that Ed Wood Jr. is a far superior filmmaker to Lucas, Speilberg, et al., but even for a fan of this kind of thing, this one is excruciating. By all means buy it for the cover so friends will think you're outre hip or whatever, but do not actually watch it or you will hate yourself.

This is a 54 minute movie. I mean, that's about how long it took to make. This movie is so bad ("HOW BAD IS IT?")to refer it to Ed Wood is an insult to Ed. It's that bad. It is also hilarious. One of my fellow reviewers said to imagine it had been made by a 10 yr old. I don't think he's giving 10 yr olds enough credit. I collect Ed Wood and various other really awful movies. This is probably the worst made of the entire bunch, and honey, that is saying something! There are so many obvious mistakes that it is unsporting to even try pointing them out. The movie is a total hoot and well worth showing to a bunch of friends. However, if you have even a hint of compassion you might consider getting them thoroughly drunk first. And even then I doubt any of them could figure out what the deal was with the rabbit!

This is one of the three underwater sea critter flicks from 1989 with " Leviathan" and " The Abyss", it's about these underwater explorers who are in a research sea station under the water, exploring underwater caves then unleashing prehistoric gastropod monsters.

Actually a fair little Sci-fi movie with cool looking Crab monsters and Miguel Ferrer from " Robocop" in a little role.

Crew of an ocean floor naval base blasts open an underwater cavern and unwittingly releases an ugly, vicious sea monster. One by one, they are decimated until only a couple manage to kill the beast and escape.

Although LEVIATHAN has a higher production value and more involved plot, DEEP STAR SIX has the edge because of its likable and sympathetic cast. Each one of these folks are people that I could run into on the street any day. They are all believable and very human. LEVIATHAN, on the other hand, has virtually no interesting characters. Instead, we have a bunch of posturing actors pretending to be blue-collar grunts. Not for a minute do you forget that they are acting.

DEEP STAR SIX has my vote. Another plus: unlike LEVIATHAN, this film isn't as determined to rip off ALIEN at every turn. Check DSS out. It's severely underrated.

OK, read the other reviews for the story synopsis and get the real rating here. I did give this movie 3 stars for effort. It just did not cut it. Basically a copy of 'Leviathan' without the suspense and budget. I thought the special effects were cheesy at best, The 'Bad Guy' a sorry excuse for a giant crustacean(lobster with big teeth) could have saved this had they used it a little more often. I don't know if Greg Evigan made this before or after 'BJ and the Bear' but he should have stuck with the monkey.
If you are a diehard Sci-fi nut like me, this is one you should see just once to say you have seen it...........................Happy Viewing

This is one of the three underwater sea critter flicks from 1989 with " Leviathan" and " The Abyss", it's about these underwater explorers who are in a research sea station under the water, exploring underwater caves then unleashing prehistoric gastropod monsters.

Actually a fair little Sci-fi movie with cool looking Crab monsters and Miguel Ferrer from " Robocop" in a little role.

Crew of an ocean floor naval base blasts open an underwater cavern and unwittingly releases an ugly, vicious sea monster. One by one, they are decimated until only a couple manage to kill the beast and escape.

Although LEVIATHAN has a higher production value and more involved plot, DEEP STAR SIX has the edge because of its likable and sympathetic cast. Each one of these folks are people that I could run into on the street any day. They are all believable and very human. LEVIATHAN, on the other hand, has virtually no interesting characters. Instead, we have a bunch of posturing actors pretending to be blue-collar grunts. Not for a minute do you forget that they are acting.

DEEP STAR SIX has my vote. Another plus: unlike LEVIATHAN, this film isn't as determined to rip off ALIEN at every turn. Check DSS out. It's severely underrated.

OK, read the other reviews for the story synopsis and get the real rating here. I did give this movie 3 stars for effort. It just did not cut it. Basically a copy of 'Leviathan' without the suspense and budget. I thought the special effects were cheesy at best, The 'Bad Guy' a sorry excuse for a giant crustacean(lobster with big teeth) could have saved this had they used it a little more often. I don't know if Greg Evigan made this before or after 'BJ and the Bear' but he should have stuck with the monkey.
If you are a diehard Sci-fi nut like me, this is one you should see just once to say you have seen it...........................Happy Viewing

THE ASTOUNDING SHE-MONSTER is Produced & Directed by Ronnie Ashcroft, friend and mentor of the immortal Ed Wood. This quickie sci-fi movie co-stars Kenne Duncan; who appeared in Wood's "superior" film NIGHT OF THE GHOULS.
The Astounding She-Monster of the title is a good looking young woman in skintight spandex (Shirley Kilpatrick) with a bad make-up job which even The Cure's Robert Smith would disapprove of- & which would cause Mr. Spock's pulse to race at an illogical rate resulting in a rush of blood to his uh, human half.
The plot involves the kidnapping of a socialite by gangsters who also run afoul of the alien in the woods. Guess what happens next?
Of course no movie with Wood-esque aspirations would be the same without some laughably bad dialogue. A good example here would be the following line spoken by a cop: "The way you keep putting your foot in your kisser, it's a wonder you don't get athlete's mouth!" Other than that, this movie isn't even fun on a "so bad, it's good" plateau. Even if you watch it when half drunk (as I did)it remains a tedious exercise in cinematic ineptitude. And this is coming from a guy who loves bad horror movies. On the plus side if you want to see one of THE most unconvincing climactic death scenes in cinematic history you may want to waste an hour of your life on this.
However if on the off chance you actually happen to derive some entertainment from this almost indescribably dull Z grader; I also recommend the 1954 film KILLERS FROM SPACE- notable for starring a pre-MISSION IMPOSSIBLE Peter Graves. This was remade in 1989 as ALIENATOR, which I haven't seen but which surely can't be any worse. Can it?

In 1958, I was a seven-year old boy, scared as I munched popcorn and watched this movie at the local moviehouse. When you're that age, it seems like an eternity between appearances of the monster on screen and this flick really makes you wait for interminably long stretches, probably to heighten the suspense. Unbelievably, the whole film is only 62 minutes long! I was elated when I found out that this was available on DVD and wasted no time in buying it.
As an adult, I noticed other things I missed the first time around: the endless and funny narration, the day/night montages, the way that one gal really blows down the booze, and the constant overacting of the kidnapped woman. So many bad things to enjoy!
The people go endlessly out of the cabin and come back into it, evading the shapely babe with the jet-propelled eyebrows. During all of this, the music track just goes bananas, in a sort of negative-counterpoint with the often-boring visuals. If you've ever wondered what they mean when they say "it's so bad it's good", then by all means, get this movie. It's entertainly inept.
I am greatly satisfied with the DVD picture quality. The sound level is awfully low at times and super-loud at others, but I suspect that it's the sound editor's fault, and not that of the DVD engineers.

THE ASTOUNDING SHE-MONSTER is a fun little number that is a real cure...for insomnia! If you find yourself tossing and turning in the night, pop this little number in the player and you'll find yourself nodding off before the opening credits finish.

The story concerns a rich society woman who is kidnapped by a group of crooks led by Kenne Duncan (NIGHT OF THE GHOULS). Down from the sky comes a slinky alien woman who looks like she's wrapped in sandwich foil. Before you know it, the crooks are being terrorised by the alien girl, who has taken a shying to handsome Robert Clarke (the owner of the house the crooks have taken over). But is the girl dangerous or does she have another agenda?

Director Ronnie Ashcroft was apparently helped through the film by his mentor, the one and only Edward D. Wood Jr! We should have guessed.....the long-winded commentary, the sexy alien girl, the obvious rubber snake.....the film reeks with Wood touches!

Also starring Shirley Kilpatrick. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).