The Invisible Man: Special Edition (1933)

Featuring: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, Henry Travers. Director: James Whale.

The Invisible Man is probably my favorite of the old school Universal monster movies. The reason is definitely Claude Rains incredible performance. Rains plays a scientist who discovers a serum that turns whoever injects it completely invisible. As with most drugs, there are side effects. In this case... madness.

It's hard to pull off madness without it coming across as campy. Watching this movie now, as opposed to as a kid, I can really appreciate how good of a job Rains did. It's really unbelievable to me that an actor you can't even see can completely command all of your attention on screen. The most comparable performance I can think of to this one is Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. Rains and Ledger created characters that were both supremely creepy, insane, and completely unpredictable. The chaos caused by the Joker and The Invisible Man is some of the most random, and wild anarchy you'll see on screen.

This is one of my favorite movies. It's a technical marvel in old school filmmaking with wonderful acting. If you've never seen it and you like sci-fi type horror you really owe it to yourself to queue this one up. You won't be disappointed, The Invisible Man is way ahead of it's time.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/14. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's a classic, it should be in everyone's queue.

Is it artsy? No, but Rains is an evil genius.

What stood out the most to you? Rains performance and spotting Clarence from It's a Wonderful Life.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to witness sci-fi horror madness.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 5 Stars!
 

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Doctor Who: Seasons 1-5 (2005-2010)

Featuring: Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, Karen Gillan.

Despite my sometimes nerdish tendencies, I've never really been that into science fiction. When I was a kid I fell asleep during the Star Wars movies (still do) and made fun of my sister for being in love with some guy on Star Trek: The Next Generation. For about a year now people have been telling me about this completely ridiculous sounding British Sci-Fi series that they thought I'd really like. Naturally, I rolled my eyes at them and told them where they could shove their TARDIS.

Towards the end of September one of my enablers, err friends, was watching Doctor Who at her house and it seemed to have a good sense of humor so I thought I'd queue it up on Netflix and give it a shot. Now, if any of you are readers of my other blog, Notes From Underground, then you may be aware of my addictive personality. For those that didn't know that little tidbit of information I'll just say that I watched all 69 episodes (plus the two specials) over the last 5 weeks. And it was fantastic!

I had such a good time blazing through the series that it feels like there is a giant hole inside me now that it is all over. I have no idea what to do with my life. That is how awesome I thought this show was and I was quite the skeptic. I think the reason I enjoy the world of The Doctor, as opposed to other Sci-Fi programs, is that the show doesn't really take itself seriously. The idea of a man traveling through space and time in a police call-box from the 1950's is completely ridiculous just like Star Trek is completely ridiculous. The difference is the writers of Doctor Who embrace the ridiculousness while other Sci-Fi series are focused too much on creating tense drama that, to me, comes across as being rather silly. 

That, and the sense of humor on display in this series is incredibly sharp and really funny. Really, really funny. Oh, and David Tennant is so damned charming. Seriously, he's so charming I'd probably not only let him date my little sister, but be happy he is (still not sold on Matt Smith though). If you've never seen Doctor Who, I can't recommend it enough. Even for people who aren't hardcore Sci-Fi fans (which I am not), this series is a viewing pleasure. Escapist entertainment at it's finest.

Click here to add this television series to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/9/12. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? People kept telling me I would really like it and peer pressure is a mother f*****.

Is it artsy? No, just a lot of fun.

What stood out the most to you? David Tennant is just so damn charming.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to sacrifice the next 70 hours of your life to the Netflix gods.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 5 Stars!

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Them! (1954)

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat because you were worried about giant radioactive ants attacking you and your family? Who hasn't, right? Well this sci-fi classic shows you just might what happen if that nightmare came to life. In Them! fallout from the nuclear tests in White Sands Nevada cause a bunch of ants in the desert to mutate into massive beasts. Because they have little vegetation for sustenance they turn carnivorous and start attacking the locals. A hush-hush operation is then undertaken to get rid of them before the country is thrown into a panic.

Based on the cover I assumed this was going to be a B-Movie cheese-fest. Isn't that an awesome cover by the way? I'd put that on my wall. I digress, this was actually a really well plotted and acted movie. It feels a lot like a crime drama at parts because the first bit of the movie is the investigation. Warner Brothers didn't hold back on this one they actually made sure it had a budget to be well done for it's time. If you like old school monster/sci-fi movies you'll probably enjoy this movie.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? The cover, look at it!

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? Obviously the giant ants.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? A well done old school monster movie.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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Blade Runner: Theatrical Cut (1982)

Now, before I get jumped on by any Blade Runner fanboys with my review I want to make it clear that I am reviewing the theatrical cut of the movie. Apparently the directors cut does away with Harrison Ford's awful narration and includes a different ending that isn't quite as cheesy. I'm not reviewing the directors cut because I haven't seen the directors cut and it isn't streaming on Netflix. Now onto the review...

Blade Runner is a dystopian sci-fi movie set in 2019 Los Angeles. Geneticists have found a way to make 'replicants' that are essentially the same as human beings with a much shorter lifespan. The replicants are used as slave labor on other planets but some have escaped and are looking for revenge. Harrison Ford is a "blade runner" who specializes in killing these genetically perfect replicants.

The story is pretty cool and I love the setting and the ambiance. The supporting cast was really good. I thought the replicants were the perfect combination of creepy and sympathetic. My biggest beef with the movie? Harrison Ford sucked. Yea, I said it. Harrison Ford's performance blew chunks. Maybe at this stage in his career he didn't have the chops to play a grizzled cop but his performance was way below par. I love Harrison Ford so I found this really disappointing. The awful narration was part of it but even without it I'm pretty sure he still would have sucked. He was just really boring in this movie even though everyone else was pretty interesting. Maybe I'd change my mind if I saw the director's cut but as it stands I think this was just a pretty average sci-fi movie and a low point in Harrison Ford's awesome career.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I like sci-fi and Harrison Ford so I thought it'd be a no-brainer.

Is it artsy? Nope.

Best thing about the movie? The replicants were pretty interesting characters.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for a decent sci-fi flick.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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The Omega Man (1971)

The novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson has got to be the greatest book I've never read. It was the inspiration for The Omega Man, the recent Will Smith movie I Am Legend, and the awesome Vincent Price classic The Last Man on Earth. For any other sci-fi novel being the inspiration for three films that range from very decent to great would be a testament to the power and timelessness of your story. This book however was also the inspiration for George Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead and all of the zombie madness that has since followed. I have watched zombies get murdered in countless films, on hit TV shows, prepared for the zombie apocalypse and personally killed thousands of zombies (in video games) and all of it was inspired by Richard Matheson. Now that I'm done man-crushing I'll get back to the regularly scheduled review.

In this incarnation of Matheson's story, Charlton Heston is the last man on earth not affected by the biological war that ravaged America. By day he is free to roam the abandoned streets of L.A. but when night rolls around a group of albino freaks called The Brotherhood come out and try to kill him. Overall, I thought it was a pretty damn entertaining movie but like most films made in the 70's you can tell that they were trying way to hard to be hip. Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool that back then Heston's character had a strong, foxey black woman for a girlfriend but was all the jive talk really necessary? It took something away from it to me and the exchanges between the two characters was mostly awkward and at best corny. I guess they just didn't know how to write for interracial couples back then but they get kudos for trying.

Despite being a little slow in the beginning I will recommend this movie because even if I didn't think it was well done at certain parts it at least kept me entertained.

Click here to add this to your queue.

This movie is scheduled to stop streaming on 1/1/2011.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Cool cover plus I saw it was based off of I Am Legend.

Is it artsy? No.

Best thing about the movie? The awkward birth control joke, you'll know what I'm talking about.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for some classic sci-fi/horror with a touch of 70's corniness.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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The Fly (1958)

Featuring: Vincent Price. Director: Kurt Neumann.

Once it was human -- even as you and I! The Fly!

I just saw that when I was looking at the cover. You just don't get phrases like that on the posters for the sci-fi movies of today. They're all sophisticated and s***. The way this movie looks, feels, and plays isn't at all sophisticated - but the story is. The Fly was a magnificent sci-fi tale for it's time. Showing that gross puppets or CGI aren't necessary to spin a good yarn. And, this is a good story, hell it's the second version of the movie I've reviewed in as many weeks (click here to read the review for the 1986 version of The Fly) so it must be a good story. I will admit though, I enjoyed the Jeff Goldblum version a little more, it was just scarier.

This movie is also special because it marks the final day of our week long Vincent Price marathon. Although he is only a co-star in this movie he again knocks his role out of the park. Damn I love that guy (no homo). Definitely check this flick out because it'll be a while yet before we get any more Vincent Price around here.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Classic sci-fi tale, Vincent Price, awesome tag-line!

Is it artsy? No, although it does have some deeper undertones.

Best thing about the movie? The fly mask.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood for a classic treat.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 stars.  

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The Fly (1986)

Featuring: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis. Director: David Cronenberg.

There is a reason people don't believe in evolution and think stem cell research will send you to hell. Is it because of the bible? No, it's because of movies like this scare the pants off of them. Science gone terribly wrong isn't a new fear by any stretch of the imagination (ask Dr. Frankenstein) but nowadays there are breakthroughs like cloning in the news making the stuff of horror legends seem possible.

This is a remake but a very well done remake. Jeff Goldblum plays a scientist (big surprise) whom through all sorts of sciencey stuff ends up turning himself into a fly. Does it sound really corny? Yes, but believe me it works. The special effects in this movie are really good and have that feel that only an 80's horror/sci-fi flick has. None of that CGI crap here, just a dude in a costume wearing lots of makeup and it really works. If you're looking for a good movie to watch during Halloween week I recommend checking out this one.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue. 

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? I saw some article about the 10 best movies for a horror marathon and added it.

Is it artsy? No, it's 80's horror, c'mon, artsy?.

Best thing about the movie? Jeff Goldblum doing some of his best sciencing.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Curled up on the couch with your significant other.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 stars.  

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Metropolis (1927)

Director: Fritz Lang

Metropolis is the first full feature sci-fi movie. It is a silent film from German director Fritz Lang and I was amazed at how well it hit on all the sci-fi movie staples we've come to expect. Set in a future dystopia where the  poor slave away so that the rich can play all day? Check. An idealist steps in to save the world? Yes. Futuristic sets and intricate fantasy world? Absolutely. Robot strippers? You better believe it!

I was amazed with how good the movie looked despite being made in 1927 and the director not having any precedent to work with. If you're interested in how movies evolved you should definitely check this out. The sets were amazing for their time and I wish there was a way they could clean it up so the intricacy could still shine through. Should you watch this though? If you're interested in film history, you're a real sci-fi buff or like silent films you'll really enjoy this. If not, well that's up to you.

This review was written for the un-restored version  of Metropolis. Click here to add the restored version of Metropolis to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's the first sci-fi film made and one of the classic silent films ever made, I had to check it out.

Is it artsy? It's old, I wouldn't call it artsy although your reasons for watching it might be.

Best thing about the movie? The sets and the history.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood to watch a silent movie, possibly while stoned and listening to Pink Floyd.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 stars.

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