Aliens use cyborgs made to resemble a scientist’s son, whom the aliens killed, as part of their plan to conquer the Earth. The film, originally titled I pianeti contro di noi, is rather slow-moving, with too many scenes that don’t develop the plot, and also often confusing, in part because multiple cyborgs look the same. …
Month: July 2021
Forced Landing (Paramount, 1941)
Eva Gabor had her film debut in this Richard Arlen actioner. Arlen plays a hotheaded pilot who comes to the country of Mosaque for work but clashes with a local military official (Nils Asther), particularly over the officer’s fiancée (Gabor). When the young woman’s father is ill and in trouble — workers on the vital …
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The Throne of Fire (1983)
This tedious sword-and-sorcery flick, originally titled Il trono di fuoco, stars Pietro Torrisi as Siegfried, who must battle the evil Morak (Harrison Muller), son of Satan, and keep the Princess Valkari (Sabrina Siani) from his clutches. There’s little fresh on offer here; Torrisi has little charisma, and the other leads don’t offer much either. Not …
Riders of the Lone Star (Columbia, 1947)
Famed outlaw Dusty Morton has apparently resurfaced after a decade, and crooks in the area are eager to find where Morton hid his loot. Morton’s son, now 13, does not believe his father was such a bad man, though he has little support for such a positive view, save for the opinion of the town …
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Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (American International, 1965)
An expedition to explore Venus encounters an array of problems — beginning with the destruction of one of the three spaceships — in this visually interesting but rather static science fiction film re-edited from a Russian picture with added scenes of Basil Rathbone and Faith Domergue. Not really recommended. Otto thinks you should avoid this …
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Sunday Fun: Going Where the Fish Are
Dark Rendezvous (Shaw Brothers, 1969)
Fast-paced detective thriller, original titled Ren tou ma, has plenty of complications, unusual scenes, and enough action to keep the viewer interested, albeit sometimes it’s a bit hard to follow. Still, well worth a look for fans of 1960s crime films. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 248 …
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Funny Friday: Home Remodeling Results
Diamond Trail (Monogram, 1933)
Modern-day western with reporter Speed Morgan (Rex Bell) after gangsters who’ve headed west after a diamond shipment. Serviceable but unmemorable. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 247 for 2021.
Mr. Moto’s Last Warning (Twentieth Century Fox, 1939)
Saboteurs working on behalf of a hostile government seek to foment an international incident and drive a wedge between allies by blowing up the French fleet when it visits the British in Alexandria. The clever and ruthless leader of the gang (Ricardo Cortez), who performs as a ventriloquist as a cover, outwits a secret agent …
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