February 24, 2008 - 10:28 pm - Posted by Administrator
The sequel to 1985’s Cocoon, Cocoon: The Return is a worthy–if somewhat thin–continuation to the story. To recap, our geriatrics from the original film discover the fountain of youth. They decide to accompany some aliens to their home planet of Antares where they’re promised eternal life. And in Cocoon: The Return… well, you know, they return. Damn, now that I’ve written that, it sounds ridiculous. Did I give this movie three stars?
Jack Gilford brings his supporting role of Bernie Lefkowitz two steps forward into a starring role, now a widower after the passing of his beloved Rose. Not surprisingly, he is still reluctant to embrace the fountain-of-youth lifestyle of his friends.
The primary story arc of Cocoon: The Return involves the rescue of a cocoon which has been recovered from the ocean by the St. Petersburg Oceanographic Institute. In reality this movie is more about the fragility of life, the importance of family, and having a healthy sense of adventure, all as experienced by Art [Don Ameche], Ben [Wilford Brimley], and Joe [Hume Cronyn] and their wives. Eventually when they begin to experience the aches and pains of being back on Earth, they are forced to make hard decisions–whether to return to Antares and live forever, or stay home on Earth and let nature run it’s course.
Steve Guttenberg and Tahnee Welch (daughter of Raquel) reprise their roles from the first movie, and a young Courteney Cox makes an appearance as Sara, a scientist. Overall, I would say it’s better than most sequels but not exactly must-watch material.
December 13, 2007 - 11:32 pm - Posted by Administrator
Alien Nation is a cops-and-drug-dealers tale masquerading as a science fiction movie. Don’t get me wrong, I think there’s a place for that story in the realm. I just remember feeling deceived once I saw it in the theatre… the marketing campaign had left me to expect a hardcore alien contact movie, and instead I got a buddy cop movie where one of the cops was an alien. I don’t know… I didn’t dig it.
Aliens arrive on Earth, refugees looking for a new home. Of course we allow the “Newcomers” to settle among us. Everything will be cool, right?
Alien Nation stars James Caan as Detective Matthew Sykes, forced to partner with a “Newcomer” cop named Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin). Together they investigate “Newcomer” crimes influenced by a powerful alien psychotic drug.
The script isn’t entirely without sci-fi merit. The idea that the Newcomers were deathly afraid of water was interesting. It seems water to an alien is the same as battery acid to a human. And the concept of aliens arriving on Earth in spaceships will always be a sci-fi staple. I just wish I hadn’t wasted my $6.50 to see this one.
Alien Nation was also the basis for a semi-successful TV Series of the same name.
I give Alien Nation the lowest rating available:
The Anal Probe: It’s two hours of discomfort, and you won’t remember it tomorrow.
December 13, 2007 - 7:19 pm - Posted by Administrator
Other than John Carpenter’s remake of The Thing, I’ve never been a huge fan of his sci-fi movies… primarily his horror endeavours; but They Live is one of his cult classics.
Former pro-wrestler Roddy Piper stars as a drifter who discovers a box of sunglasses which allow the wearer to see the aliens who roam the planet disguised as ordinary humans. Keith David co-stars as a construction worker content in the world he knows, uninterested in Piper’s magic sunglasses. Indeed, one of the greatest fist fight sequences ever filmed results when Nada (Piper) tries to get Frank (David) to try on the glasses. When he finally does, he can see the aliens, and the obedience messages which have been subliminally embedded in billboards, tv commercials, newspapers, and more.
We soon find out an undergound rebellion of those who know the truth is growing.
They Live is John Carpenter’s vehicle for a cautionary tale about consumer culture, cold war paranoia, and Orwellian society. The special effects leave something to be desired and the movie overall is a little anti-climactic, both of which are probably due to budget. At any rate, I highly recommend it to any sci-fi fan.
I must admit, I hope they make a big budget remake of this movie someday.
The sequel to 1985’s Cocoon, Cocoon: The Return is a worthy–if somewhat thin–continuation to the story. To recap, our geriatrics from the original film discover the fountain of youth. They decide to accompany some aliens to their home planet of Antares where they’re promised eternal life. And in Cocoon: The Return… well, you know, they return. Damn, now that I’ve written that, it sounds ridiculous. Did I give this movie three stars?
Alien Nation
