This science fiction-comedy stars Jim Varney, initially as his character Ernest P. Worrell, but then as the evil mad scientist Dr. Otto, as well as an assortment of other characters across a variety of places and times, as hero Lance Sterling (Myke R. Mueller) and his much-smarter assistant Doris (Jackie Welch) attempt to foil the …
Read the full post →“<em>Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam</em> (1985)”
Three guys who sneak aboard a yacht end up traveling with a criminal on the run and shipwrecked on a remote island after the vessel is attacked by a giant crustacean. One young man is searching for his brother, and the presence of crooks on the island, as well as Godzilla asleep in a cave, …
Read the full post →“<em>Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster</em> (1966)”
Apparently friendly aliens arrive, seeking a small area of land for their use; at the same time, cities on Earth are suffering from giant robot attacks. Are the two connected? And how will Earth’s nations respond as they learn more about the mysterious visitors and their true goals? Well-crafted science fiction, originally titled Chikyû Bôeigun. …
There’s over-the-top action as superhero Argoman, who is in reality Sir Reginald Hoover (Roger Brown), battles and romances the archvillain Jenabell, aka Regina Sullivan (Dominique Boschero), after she has stolen the crown of King Edward. Sir Reginald has a far-out seaside home, and Regina drops in via her personal hovercraft, and then the sparks fly. …
Read the full post →“<em>Argoman the Fantastic Superman</em> (1967)”
Alien women invade Earth, kidnapping some Earthlings and bringing them back to their home planet, ruled by an evil queen (Lorena Velázquez). There they must try to effect an escape, aided by a scientist back on Earth, who is the boss of one of those abducted, as well as the queen’s good-hearted twin sister, but …
Read the full post →“<em>El planeta de las mujeres invasoras</em> (1966)”
A fungus brought back to Earth by a space probe becomes an ever-growing menace after a scientist brings it home to his lab for examination. The ensuing movie is rather more a procedural investigation (it reminded me a bit of Highway Patrol and Dragnet) than interesting science fiction, and it was weakened by some flaws …
Read the full post →“<em>Space Master X-7</em> (Twentieth Century Fox, 1958)”
Two inept reporters get mixed up with an invasion from space, as alien women land their flying saucer in the environs of Istanbul and use their technology, including a robot, to pursue their goal of finding Earthmen to take back with them. Part of the plot involves the reporters trying to sell the aliens’ elixir …
Read the full post →“<em>Uçan daireler Istanbul’da</em> (1955)”
Darna, the Philippine equivalent of Wonder Woman, battles the alien Planet Women, who have come to Earth to figure out a way to bring the whole planet across the galaxy to use it to house their excess population, coincidentally killing all people on Earth along the way. The colorful Planet Women (each is a different …
Read the full post →“<em>Darna vs. the Planet Women</em> (1975)”
Santo is pretty much all that stands between Martian invaders who wish to compel all of Earth’s people to join together in a subservient peace, failing which, they plan to kill everyone. The invaders make a start by vaporizing folks at a baseball game, but they also clash with Santo, who they quickly decide will …
Space Chief (Shin’ichi Chiba), a superhero with a rocket car, aided (in part) by some Japanese youths, battles invaders from the planet Neptune in this simplistic, kiddie-friendly picture. Original title: Uchû Kaisokusen. Mildly recommended at best. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great. Movie 400 for 2021.
