Sci-Fi Malady

We start Monster May with a review of the granddaddy of all monster films, the 1933 original King Kong. It is easy to see why this film became a classic and spawned a franchise running until today. It is an innovative, fun, action filled romp that some 88 years later is still thoroughly enjoyable, if full of some problematic elements that simply do not hold up and serve as reminders of the deep social problems in America’s past. Regardless though, this remains a fun film.

Well, kind of Monster May, abduction April ran over and late, but part of May at least, and maybe some of June, is going to be spent reviewing classic monster films. We kick off with King Kong, but Godzilla will be reviewed and Mark maybe a surprise or two. We also have at least one of recurring guests, friends of the show lined up at least one episode.

Ignore the intro, it is symptom 193, even though I say symptom 192. Dark Skies - it’s an alien abduction movie kind of, if you ignore that it was really a ghost/demonic possession haunting story first. If you just shut your brain off the movie is ok enough, but upon multiple watching’s the flaws will show. However compared to the previous two films we watched this is gold. We also joined by our friend Ruk, who is promoting his awesome crime podcast, Cold Case Chase. It’s always a good show when our friends show up.

This weeks movie, unlike last weeks movie, is just bad, but not an offense to human sensibilities. It also has Christopher Walken, which is about the only redeeming aspect of the film. Communion is in many ways a by the numbers alien abduction film, which follows a man who has been abducted by aliens since he was young, experimented on, marked, and now the aliens have decided to do the same to his son. The film explores many tropes of alien abduction, and is largely boring and poorly acted. It does however let you see Walken in a mindscape scene, allowing him to ratchet the Walken factor up to 11, so there is that.

Communion, its just bad, unlike last movie, which was an abomination.

This week Mark decided to punish us and had us review a horrible film that never should have been made. A film so bad no major streaming service carries it, and after watching it we see why. Progeny is a movie that is poorly acted, but the basics are that a woman is impregnated by aliens, and her husband performs a forced abortion which results in his wife dying, but not before aliens steal the baby back. Also, this description leaves out the worst and most disturbing parts of this film.

This film is horrible and honesty, we recommend you never watch it.

We kick off alien abduction April by reviewing a film whose trailer creeped me (Scott) out so much I didn’t watch this movie until - last week. Fire in the Sky is superb example of the proper use of atmosphere. Everything in this movie is calculated to convey an emotion, fear, hope, terror, despair, anguish, curiosity, and the music, lighting, camera work, all work together to create the atmosphere called for. This one isn’t an action packed romp, and its probably a crock of crap when it comes to being a true story, but as a film, it checks all the boxes a sci-fi horror/drama should.

Side note - the editing of this was a disaster. I apologize in advance for any echo or ghosting effects. Something went wrong and after three days of trying to manually correct it, I had to simply go with what we had.

Dear God, Why.

This month is alien abduction April. We are discussing visitors, travelers, grays, whatever, aliens, kidnapping humans and performing experiments on them. Get ready, because the truth is out there and Sci-Fi Malady will find it. Or something.

We wrap up Malady March with a review of Stephen King’s The Stand. Somehow, I remembered this mini series being better, but maybe that was also my memories of the novel butting in. All in all though, aside from some pacing issues this four part marathon mini series is a faithful retelling of the novel, is well acted and the scenes hold up. Whatever the actual plot was, and why things that happened had to happen are as confusing in this mini series as they are in the book, but hey, its a Stephen King story it isn’t supposed to make sense.

This week we discuss The Andromeda Strain. It’s slow, plodding, and awesome. It is a tribute to old school story telling where you, the viewer, get the story at the same time the main characters do. The film may lack action, of any kind, with the most exciting thing, a plane crash, happening off screen. But it doesn’t matter, because the film tells a coherent, interesting and intriguing story.

I Am Legend is Will Smith at this best. It allows him to show a great deal of his range, action hero, caring father, grieving widow, a man making the best of a rough life, man sliding into insanity, professional military doctor and more. At times witty, at times introspective, shy or outgoing, Will Smith carries this film largely by himself, with only a dog as a costar. It is a testament to his formidable talent as an actor.

The film itself, unlike others we have reviewed recently, is worthy of the performance. I Am Legend is entertaining, thrilling, tear jerking and above all invites to examine the nature of the human soul and what makes life worth living, and what makes a person struggle on when all, literally all that makes a life worth living, is gone.

I Am Legend is simply a good film that entertains, despite some flaws.