Week of Friday October 12 thruough Friday October 19, 2007

Friday, October 12, 2007
Robinson Crusoe on Mars - 1964


This classic is finally available on DVD. Written by Ib Melchior, this movie "stars" Adam West (I think this was BEFORE Batman), and no one else you've ever heard of. However, it is surprisingly good, considering how poorly most "hard" SF stands up to time. It reminded me a lot of Enemy Mine. It's long by 1964 standards, however. I was surprised that it was almost 2 hours, and could have gone on, as it ends really abruptly.


There's a commentary recorded in 1994 (I'm assuming it was for a Laserdisc release). It's not a true commentary in the sense we think of them. It jumps between Ib, and the two main actors (Paul Mantee and Victor Lundin). Also Production designers Al Nozaki and director Byron Haskin . It's just a collection of audio interviews, so it doesn't always deal with the movie on screen. That said, it held my attention for the whole two hours.


Other extras include Survival Kit, a documentary about Mars and the science of RCOM. This was very good. Also, Under the Surface, which was just Production skills.


Saturday October 13 through Tuesday October 16, 2007
Eureka, Season One - 2006


This quirky series from the SciFi channel was a LOT better than I expected. It has an interesting vibe. Our hero, Jack Carter, is a little like Dr. House, only with a sense of humor. And there's Matt Ferher (Max Headroom!).


There is a very good commentary of the Pilot featuring creators Andrew Cosby, Jaime Paglia and actor Colin Ferguson. They talk about the balance between witty and wacky. They wanted witty, but wacky drives people away. AMEN! They say they're going for an intersection of Twin Peaks and Northern Exposure. And I'd say, for my part, they succeed very well.

Other Extras include Deleted scenes from Pilot (which ends up spoiling later episodes, so beware!). And outtakes, which had an excellent commentary.

All episodes have "podcast" commentaries, like Battlestar Galactica. No other extras on any of the other discs. I really enjoy'd this show. I'm looking forward to season two.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Mystics in Bali - 1981

What a gorgeous transfer! But the evil witch sounds like Witchy-Poo on H.R. Puffinstuff. Cross between that and Yoda. And the eyes moving on the floating head (yes, this is the movie with the flying head with the guts and lungs hanging off you've heard about). Now THAT'S Psychotropic!

I like the sign "It is prohibited to destroy the cemetery". You mean, there are cemeteries it's okay to destroy?

Other Extras include Essay on Indonesian Exploitation & Horror, and an Essay: How to Become a Leyak.

Thursday, October 18, 2007
Flight of the Living Dead - 2006

Hey, its Erick Avari (Stargate, The Mummy). I like him. Most of the other people, especially all the young people, are assholes. I can't wait for them get eaten!

Some really excellent special effects here, though. Not just blood, but several good "gags". The umbrella and the bullet hole in the head you can see thru were both especially good.

Commentary #1 features director Scott Thomas and Producer David Shoshan. Lots of technical details. Set built out of airplane parts fram an airplane graveyard.

Commentary #2 features IGN.com's editors Steve Horn Eric Moro, and Chris Monfette. Weak. Would have been better if they hadn't tried so hard.

Outtake reel is way too short. What there was was very funny.