Warchild : Genre : S

Theatrical: 1982

Studio: MGM

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 100

Summary: Based on the true story of the DeFeo case. An Italian-American family move into a house built on an ancient Indian burial ground. The oldest son is possessed by an evil spirit, and is forced to murder his family. The family's priest feels responsible, and tries to save the possessed boy's soul.

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Tokyo Shock

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 95

Summary: So ... given my rather glowing review of "Long Khong" (Art of the Devil 2), was "Kong Len Khong" (Art of the Devil) any good? Nah ... the first Art of the Devil turns out to be just a pedestrian Thai horror movie with little horror, a predictable story, some gore (bleeding gullets and razor blades galore) but not much else. Here's the Cliffs Notes summary: A pretty young woman is introduced to a rich middle aged man, and proceeds to have a torrid affair with him. She gets pregnant and blackmails him into paying her off. He gets upset and arranges for her to be gang-raped by three of his rich friends. She gets more upset and pays an evil shaman to bump him and his family (and his lecherous friends and their families as well) off in nasty ways (picture bloody gullets, razor blades, and rusty nails). Then she gets even MORE upset when the estate of the rich man goes to his common-law wife's family (i.e. "unofficial" second wife i.e. concubine/mistress). And so the evil shaman gets more business, casting a love spell on the eldest (illegitimate) son so that his conniving client can sleep her way into the family and then kill them off one by one with the aim of ultimately inheriting the late rich man's estate. But she did not count on the late rich man's plucky young (illegitimate) daughter and her inquisitive reporter friend. And so both her and her evil shaman get their comeuppance in due course, after a lot of eels, cowhides, bloody gullets, razor blades and rusty nails again (which obviously don't mixed well), and gunshots. End of movie. I did say it was a rather pedestrian Thai horror movie.

Theatrical: 1990

Studio: Anchor Bay

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 82

Summary: A cruel circus owner beats and abuses his pregnant wife. One day the circus receives a leopard newly captured in Africa, but the animal soon dies. However, an evil creature that was inside the leopard bursts out of the animal's body, burrows into the wife's body and takes over her fetus. It soon starts demanding blood, and the woman goes searching for victims for her new "baby."

Theatrical: 1960

Studio: Alta Vista Productions

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 87

Summary: A vengeful witch and her fiendish servant return from the grave and begin a bloody campaign to possess the body of the witch's beautiful look-alike descendant. Only the girl's brother and a handsome doctor stand in her way.

Theatrical: 1971

Studio: Tigon British Film Productions

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 93

Summary:

Theatrical: 1982

Studio:

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 82 Minutes

Summary:

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 121

Summary: The story of irreverent supernatural detective John Constantine, who has literally been to Hell and back. When Constantine teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost.

Theatrical: 2007

Studio:

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 90

Summary:

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Anchor Bay

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 78

Summary: BLADE meets "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" - BILLY DRAGO stars as a half human/half demon who fights to save the world from a vicious demon bent on forcing possessed women to bear its children.

Theatrical: 1974

Studio: St Clair Vision

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 88

Summary: Seven travelers stranded in the Italian countryside accept the hospitality of a kindly castle lord, but what horror awaits them: the family has a curse on it that dooms the eldest daughter of each generation to become an agent of the devil, and guess who's coming home. After a striking opening scene (involving a Nazi officer in 1944 overseeing the birth of his child, which turns out to be... an accursed daughter!), this horror tale drags along at a glacial pace until the visitors settle in enough to take a little time out for sex, which serves as an appetizer to sadistic murders. The guests, ostensibly representative of the Seven Deadly Sins, die in appropriately thematic twists at first, though after gluttony, greed, and lust the point gets stretched. This low-budget example of horrotica has its entertaining moments, an appropriately lurid style (courtesy of Belgian director Jean Brismee), and even an appearance by former French matinee idol Jean Servais ("Beauty and the Beast"). Included are trailers for this and three other Italian exploitation films and an extended introduction by British horror hostess Eileen Daly (which was actually recorded for a different film!), a black-leather Elvira with a whip and a penchant for kink that may not be to the tastes of all audiences. "-Sean Axmaker"

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Asylum Home Entertainment

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 83

Summary: This film reeks of stupidity. Puts me in mind of the "Gingerdead Man". The latter being far superior, in an inferior sort of way, you understand. The acting is silly and forced. The set design, if you'd call it that, is inane and gives the impression that a few kids from the location neighborhood decorated the "room" for a haunted house (take special notice of the bedsheet draped along the window). The fog machine used to simulate cold is ridiculous, especially since there was no "breath" visible when the actors spoke their stupid lines. The psychiatrist friend making house calls? Please. The writing, did I mention the writing? Lord help us from this film, deliver us all. The gore scenes were obviously immature. The two sets of breasts shown were so not needed and only pressed that fact "they" were included to induce young men to rent this film. The CLIMAX was droning and the central character priest was laughable within the context of him trying to be serious. This film was a joke, not even the laughable type. It was horrid and should be avoided at all cost. This film should even be avoided by those who are masochistic. Stupid bull@#$%. Eye rolling, at best.

Theatrical: 1973

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 132

Summary: Director William Friedkin was a hot ticket in Hollywood after the success of "The French Connection", and he turned heads (in more ways than one) when he decided to make "The Exorcist" as his follow-up film. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his controversial bestseller, this shocking 1973 thriller set an intense and often-copied milestone for screen terror with its unflinching depiction of a young girl (Linda Blair) who is possessed by an evil spirit. Jason Miller and Max von Sydow are perfectly cast as the priests who risk their sanity and their lives to administer the rites of demonic exorcism, and Ellen Burstyn plays Blair's mother, who can only stand by in horror as her daughter's body is wracked by satanic disfiguration. One of the most frightening films ever made with a soundtrack that's guaranteed to curl your blood, "The Exorcist" was mysteriously plagued by troubles during production, and the years have not diminished its capacity to disturb even the most stoical viewers. Don't say you weren't warned! "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1991

Studio: Cecchi Gori

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 116

Summary: A spree of grisly murders is perpetrated in Frankfurt by a group of Satan worshippers. A school teacher almost runs over an old man with a box and takes him in. It's no accident that the old man has come into her life, and it quickly becomes apparent that he has plans for her, plans that involve a permanent future with the Satanic cult.

Theatrical: 1991

Studio:

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 93

Summary: Martin is a total loser, who nobody cares for. When he fails to get a position as guitar player in Lindsay's band and loses his job on the way, he makes a deal with a Voodoo priestess. She promises him the fulfillment of all his dreams if he swears obedience to her. He becomes a rock star and has many women - but to stay alive, he has to kill other people.

Theatrical: 2007

Studio: Deacon Entertainment

Genre: Satanism

Duration: 95

Summary: When the ten-year-old son, David, (Blake Woodruff) of a wealthy New England socialite is abducted, his kidnapper Max Harper (Josh Holloway) and his seedy associates assume it will be a routine kidnapping in exchange for a large ransom. Unknown to the kidnappers, the shy and reserved David actually has a hidden agenda of his own, and a mysterious way of tapping into the minds of others. Soon, Max will wish that he had never kidnapped David, much less even heard of him.

Theatrical: 1959

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 85

Summary: He walks through walls of solid steel and stone--into the 4th dimension. Scientific whiz Tony Nelson (James Congdon) has made an amazing discovery. He has developed a method of stimulating the molecular structure of objects so that they can be joined or passed through one another. Stumbling upon this incredible secret is Tony's older brother, Scott (Robert Lansing), a fellow scientist who decides to take the experiment one step further. Soon he is able to pass himself through doors and walls. But his newfound freedom of movement has unforeseen side effects, for each time the power is used, Scott ages a bit and only by touching other living beings, thus taking their lives, can he maintain his age. In addition, this incredible force is driving him quite mad...

Theatrical: 1957

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 82

Summary: The first spaceship to visit Venus crash lands in the sea, freeing a small native Venusian creature called the Ymir. Eventually growing to enormous size, it threatens the city of Rome.

Theatrical: 1956

Studio: Holiday Film Productions Ltd.

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 90

Summary: In a futuristic, state-run society controlled by "Big Brother" in which love is outlawed, employee of the state Winston Smith falls for Julia, and is tortured and brainwashed for his crime.

Theatrical: 1982

Studio: Deaf Internacional Film SrL.

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 100

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic New York City, a policeman infiltrates the Bronx Warriors, which has become a battleground for several murderous street gangs. It's the dead of night, and nobody at all is on the street. On the other side of the bridge, a Manhattan runaway, girl named Young Ann is attacked by a gang of street hockey players! These guys are on roller skates, dressed in fiberglass safety gear, and are wielding hockey sticks as weapons. They chase Young Ann into a dead end and surround her, but then they are themselves surrounded by a much tougher-looking gang who at least have the self-respect to ride motorcycles. In the middle of this chaos, gang leader Trash steps in to take care of her.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Adv Films

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 136

Summary: There are breakpoints in the history, the result of a single event may change the whole course... In 1909, an assassination attempt to a Japanese governor fails - the assassin was shot by a soldier. Now, in 2009, Korea is just another state of the Japan Empire and Seoul has become a major city. A Korean resistance group called Hureisenjin is formed to fight for liberty and independence. Two cops, a Japan and a Korean (who denied his heritage) are investigating the actions of this "terrorist" group. And their work lead them to an artifact of the ancient Korean religion of "Sun and Moon".

Theatrical: 1991

Studio: Simitar Ent.

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 170

Summary: Abraxas, an intergalactic, alien police officer, has just been sent to Earth to track down and apprehend an alien renegade.

Theatrical: 1984

Studio: MGM

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 103

Summary: "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the 8th Dimension" is one of the most agreeably insane movies ever made. Peter Weller stars as Buckaroo, an acclaimed neurosurgeon, particle physicist, and, of course, rock star. He travels with the Hong Kong Cavaliers, a band of hard-rocking scientists who are also really good dressers. Buckaroo's interdimensional experiments with his Operation Overthruster throw him (and the Earth) straight into the middle of an alien war, and before you know it, he's got just a few hours to save the world. Confused? Hang on, we're only 10 minutes into the movie. "Buckaroo Banzai" hurls you right into the middle of its comic-book universe and keeps going at a breakneck pace. It's chock-full of overlapping jokes (even as we're trying to make sense of Dr. Lizardo's hospital room, a voice calmly announces that "lithium is no longer available on credit" over the PA system), hilarious throwaway dialogue ("You're like Jerry Lewis: you give me hope to carry on."), and weirdness just for the sheer joy of it ("Why is there a watermelon there?" "I'll tell you later."). You'll want to watch it at least twice--there's just no way to catch everything the first time around. Ellen Barkin has a terrific time doing a dead-on film noir moll parody as Penny Priddy, and John Lithgow turns in a brilliant manic performance as Dr. Lizardo/John Whorfin. There is no reason not to own this movie unless you are cold and dead inside. Laugh while you can, Monkey Boys. "--Ali Davis"

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 93

Summary: Like the animated series it's based on, "Aeon Flux" is the kind of sci-fi that's best appreciated by the MTV generation. It's a serious attempt at stylized, futuristic action/adventure (the title character, played by Charlize Theron, is essentially a female James Bond for the cyberpunk era) and taken for what it is, it's not all that bad. The action takes place in the year 2415, four centuries after a virus nearly decimated the human race, leaving only five million survivors in a utopian city called Bregna. Aeon belongs to the Monicans, a secret rebel resistance force that is struggling to destroy the Goodchild regime led by its namesake, Trevor Goodchild (Martin Csokas), the ruler of Bregna and a descendant of the man who found a cure for the deadly virus. As instructed by the Handler (Frances McDormand, gamely playing along in ridiculous sci-fi regalia), Aeon is assigned to assassinate Goodchild, but there are deeper secrets to be discovered, and conspiracies to be foiled. This leads director Karyn Kusama (who fared much better with her debut feature "Girlfight") to indulge in all sorts of routine action and fast-paced gunplay, but the elusive pleasures of "Aeon Flux" are mostly found in the sleek athleticism of Theron and costar Sophie Okonedo (as a fellow Monican), who commit themselves 100% to roles that are dramatically flat yet physically dynamic. Other highlights include Aeon's high-tech gadgetry (including an eyeball that doubles as a microsocope) and the amusing sight of Pete Postlethwaite in a costume resembling a construction-site disposal tube, but "Flux" fans may wonder what happened to the surreal, chromium sheen future that gave the MTV series its visionary appeal. As a live-action feature, "Aeon Flux" is a miscalculated exercise in cheesy style and dour tone, but it's entertaining enough to earn a small cadre of admirers. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 2008

Studio: Flame Ventures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 85

Summary: It's the end of yet another night at Hastings Supermarket, an idyllic family grocery store in Buck Lake, Arizona. But the normal monotony of rounding up shopping carts and settling out the cash drawers is broken at 11:07pm, just before closing when a group of masked and armed-to-the-teeth militants invades the store, immediately killing several of the employees and shoppers and holding the rest hostage. Though the hostage-takers at first appear to be robbers or terrorists, they reveal themselves to be a cadre of rogue scientists that has discovered and tracked an alien infestation to THIS STORE on THIS NIGHT, and they are determined to find out which of the survivors are extraterrestrials and end the invasion at any cost.

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 101

Summary: In delivering PG-13-rated excitement, "Alien vs. Predator" is an acceptably average science-fiction action thriller with some noteworthy highlights, even if it squanders its opportunity to intelligently combine two popular and R-rated franchises. Rabid fans can justifiably ask "Is that all there is?" after a decade of development hell and eager anticipation, but we're compensated by reasonably logical connections to the "Alien" legacy and the still-kicking "Predator" franchise (which hinted at "AVP" rivalry at the end of "Predator 2"); some cleverly claustrophobic sets, tense atmosphere and impressive digital effects; and a climactic "AVP" smackdown that's not half bad. This disposable junk should've been better, but nobody who's seen "Mortal Kombat" or "Resident Evil" should be surprised by writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson's lack of imagination. As a brisk, 90-minute exercise in generic thrills, however, Anderson's work is occasionally impressive... right up to his shameless opening for yet another sequel. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1986

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 137

Summary: The only survivor of the Nostromo, Ripley is discovered in deep sleep half a century later by a salvage ship. When she is taken back to Earth, she learns that a human colony was founded on the same planet where the aliens were first found. After contact with the colony is lost, she finds herself sent back to the planet along with a team of warriors bent on destroying the alien menace forever, and saving any survivors -- if any remain.

Theatrical: 2007

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 93

Summary: A little town in the hills of Colorado will become the battleground between two of the deadliest extra-terrestrial lifeforms - the Alien and the Predator. When a Predator scout ship crash-lands in the hills outside the town, Alien facehuggers are released in the crash, and an even more evil creature - a hybrid Alien/Predator - is also released. A man & his son hunting in the forests near the crash site soon become the first victims of the facehuggers, and when a Predator receives data about the crash on his home planet, he comes to Earth. One at a time, the inhabitants of the town become targets of the Aliens and the Predator, including the local sheriff, a young female soldier recently returned from Iraq, and several teens. Though the National Guard is called in, they are unable to stop the deadly creatures, and a plan is set in motion to destroy the town with a nuclear device...

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Suplex

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 119

Summary: Tenshu is imprisoned and sentenced to death for murdering the men who raped his girlfriend. However, he manages to survive his execution and is presented with an option: face another execution attempt or subject himself to their bizarre and dangerous experiments. He choses the latter and is put in a cell with a rapist and a woman who's infected with a taint that transports from person to person during extreme anger. The taint is transferred to Tenshu and he must now deal with the military who has interrupted the experiment to obtain it.

Theatrical: 1959

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 74

Summary: When Jane's husband disembarks from a passenger train immediately after their wedding and disappears without a trace, troubling questions are raised. How could his face, mangled beyond recognition in a plane crash during the war, have healed without any scarring? And what unspeakable acts took place on the alligator-ridden bayou plantation he left as an address? Wonderfully haunted, "The Alligator People" explores the mystery with skillful pacing, generally decent dialogue, and only intermittently laughable special effects. Miscegenation, anxiety over radiation and atomic science, homoeroticism, distrust of doctors and medicine, fear of the American South--all the major cultural obsessions of the late '50s are either tacitly or explicitly represented here; perhaps that's why the far-fetched scientific premise that underlies the plot makes a weird resonance despite its utter implausibility. The ubiquitous Lon Chaney is on hand, and his performance as a drunken swamp rat with a penchant for violence is a hoot; but the real star of the show is Beverly Garland, whose inspired lead, alternately detached and histrionic, decidedly puts to rest the myth of the inelasticity of early sci-fi and horror performers. A winner. "--Miles Bethany"

Theatrical: 1965

Studio: Criterion

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 99

Summary: A cockeyed fusion of science fiction, pulp characters, and surrealist poetry, Godard's irreverent journey to the mysterious "Alphaville" remains one of the least conventional films of all time. Eddie Constantine stars as intergalactic hero Lemmy Caution, on a mission to kill the inventor of fascist computer Alpha 60. Criterion's edition of this seminal film features a new digital transfer.

Theatrical: 1960

Studio: MGM

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 57

Summary: Paul Krenner, an ex-major with delusions of grandeur, has forced scientist Peter Ulof to develop a radiation-based technique to turn men invisible, with which process he plans to create an invisible army to sell to the highest bidder. He busts safecracker Joey Faust out of prison and forces him to undergo the invisibility treatment so he can steal more radium to further the experimentation. Plans go awry when Faust discovers there is a side-effect to the invisibility treatments he didn't count on.

Theatrical: 1973

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 99

Summary: When "The Asphyx" was released in 1973, "The Exorcist" was about to change the landscape of horror forever, moving the genre away from subtlety and into the realm of graphic effects and makeup. That's one of the reasons why "The Asphyx" was a box-office flop, fondly remembered by a select few who never forgot this quirky little "thinking man's horror film" (as "Variety" called it), in which a 19th-century British philanthropist and amateur psychic researcher embarks on a fateful quest for immortality. Sir Hugo Cunningham (nicely played by Robert Stephens) has a morbid hobby of taking photographs of dying people, and this leads to his discovery of a nebulous spirit of the dead--known in mythology as the Asphyx--that appears (only visible on photographic plates) at the moment of death. Sir Hugo becomes obsessed with capturing his own Asphyx and thus ensuring that he cannot die, but of course this is an ill-fated ambition that puts Sir Hugo on a ruinous path to destruction and death.
With its talky, literate script, well-drawn characters, and fascinating themes, "The Asphyx" bears closer resemblance to the Hammer horror films that became passé in the early and mid-1970s. The chills are subtle but effective under the direction of Peter Newbrook, and the widescreen cinematography by Freddie Young (whose credits include "Lawrence of Arabia") adds polish and elegance to the proceedings. Filled with foreboding atmosphere, this is an intelligently conceived horror film that relies more on story than shocks, although the screeching Asphyx is eerily haunting. Kudos to Allday Entertainment for producing this DVD--"The Asphyx" has been rescued from obscurity, painstakingly remastered in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio for discerning connoisseurs of high-class horror. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1960

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 73

Summary: In the 21st century Ray Peterson, reporter for the Interplanetary News, is assigned to write a story aboard a space station. Tension mounts between Peterson and the station commander, who believes he is in the way, but has orders to leave him alone. Errant spaceship Alpha Two enters the solar system and its photon generators are radiating enough heat to destroy Earth as it approaches. It falls to Peterson to try to figure out a way to enter the spaceship, disarm the generators, and escape before suffocating.

Theatrical: 1957

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 62

Summary: A pair of crooks (Kenne Duncan and Jeanne Tatum) take over the country house of a geologist (Robert Clarke) and his trusty dog. They have kidnapped an heiress (Marilyn Harvey) where they plan to hold her until the ransom is collected. Soon they hear an explosion in the woods nearby that turns out to be a spaceship containing a sexy blonde alien with a skintight metallic suit, high heels, lipstick, and incredible eyebrows (Shirley Kilpatrick). Don't let her touch you in any way! The plot is advanced by an off-screen narrator.

Theatrical: 1976

Studio: Simitar Ent.

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 85

Summary: A convicted strangler, studying the paranormal in his jail cell, learns to make himself invisible. As an invisible man, he escapes from prison to stalk and strangle the five women who testified against him at his trial. Robert Foxworth plays the police lieutenant assigned to protect them, and to catch the invisible strangler.

Theatrical: 1995

Studio: Buena Vista

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 84

Summary: Among the finalists for "Centerfold Of The Year" are Angel and her spiteful rival Betty. However, no one is aware of Angel's involvement in a secret medical beauty enhancement program headed by Dr. Lindstrom. Desperate to win, Angel overdoses on Lindstrom's formula, with disastrous results. Soon she has grown to monstrous but shapely proportions, causing all sorts of complications, the most dangerous being Betty's jealousy of Angel's new-found attention. Betty discovers Angel's secret and takes the formula herself, causing her to grow into an equally gorgeous giant. As the girls battle it out on Hollywood Blvd., Dr. Lindstrom races to find an antidote.

Theatrical: 1959

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 62

Summary: After local-moonshine swilling trapper Lem Sawyer sees a giant creature, people start disappearing. While searching for illegal traps Steve Benton and Nan Greyson, his girl-friend find Lem dying with giant sucker wounds on his body. One couple Liz Walker and Cal Moulton, forced into the water by her enraged husband Dave Walker, gets taken by the leeches. When police refuse to believe Dave's story, he hangs himself. Soon after this, 2 more trappers disappear, the local Game Warden Steve Benton gets involved. He and Nan's father Dr Greyson realize that the people were taken by the leeches and the leeches live in caves under the swamp. Using dynamite, the 4 missing bodies are discovered and the leeches are destroyed.

Theatrical: 2009

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 162

Summary: When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.

Theatrical: 1968

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 98

Summary: After an in-flight anti-gravity striptease (masked by the film's opening titles), Barbarella (Jane Fonda), a 41st century astronaut, lands on the planet Lythion and sets out to find the evil Durand Durand in the city of Sogo, where a new sin is invented every hour. There, she encounters such objects as the Exessive Machine, a genuine sex organ on which an accomplished artist of the keyboard, in this case, Durand Durand himself, can drive a victim to death by pleasure, a lesbian queen who, in her dream chamber, can make her fantasies take form, and a group of ladies smoking a giant hookah which, via a poor victim struggling in its glass globe, dispenses Essance of Man. You can't help but be impressed by the special effects crew and the various ways that were found to tear off what few clothes our heroine seemed to possess. Based on the popular French comic strip.

Theatrical: 1966

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 110

Summary: Holy camp site, Batman! After a fabulously successful season on TV, the campy comic book adventure hit the big screen, complete with painful puns, outrageous supervillains, and fights punctuated with word balloons sporting such onomatopoeic syllables as "Pow!," "Thud!," and "Blammo!" Adam West's wooden Batman is the cowled vigilante alter ego of straight-arrow millionaire Bruce Wayne and Bruce Ward's Robin (a.k.a. Dick Grayson, Bruce's young collegiate protégé) his overeager sidekick in hot pants. Together they battle an unholy alliance of Gotham City's greatest criminals: the Joker (Cesar Romero, whooping up a storm), the Riddler (giggling Frank Gorshin), the Penguin (cackling Burgess Meredith), and the purr-fectly sexy Catwoman (Lee Meriwether slinking in a skin-tight black bodysuit). The criminals are, naturally, out to conquer the world, but with a little help from their unending supply of utility belt devices (bat shark repellent, anyone?), our dynamic duo thwarts their nefarious plans at every turn. Since the TV show ran under 30 minutes an episode (with commercials), the 105-minute film runs a little thin--a little camp goes a long way--but fans of the small-screen show will enjoy the spoofing tone throughout. Leslie H. Martinson directs Lorenzo Semple's screenplay like a big-budget TV episode minus the cliffhanger endings. "--Sean Axmaker"

Theatrical: 1980

Studio: New Concorde

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 103

Summary: Twenty-first-century science fiction fans accustomed to special-effects orgies like "The Matrix" may snigger at the quaint, "Flash Gordon"-like spaceships in "Battle Beyond the Stars". But executive producer Roger Corman's belated entry into the '70s sci-fi craze surpasses expectations with sharp performances and a witty script by John Sayles (his third for Corman, including 1978's "Piranha"). The story, lifted wholesale from Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" (1954), finds the dictator Sador (John Saxon) threatening the planet of Akira. Its pacifist inhabitants are no match for Sador's devastating weapon, the Stellar Converter, but young Shad (Richard Thomas) decides to fight back. Borrowing the ship of notorious mercenary Zed the Corsair, he recruits a band of mercenaries, each of whom has a personal reason to join the fight. Among them are a lizard-like humanoid (Morgan Woodward), an improbable space cowboy (George Peppard), a zaftig female warrior (Sybil Danning), and brooding killer-for-hire Gelt (Robert Vaughn, reprising his "Magnificent Seven" role). "Battle"'s final showdown is somewhat anticlimatic, but the surprisingly stellar cast (which includes Sam Jaffe and Darlanne Fluegel) and the indie spunk of Sayles' script, with its light meditations on death and honor, will charm newcomers and repeat audiences alike. New Concorde's digitally remastered DVD features commentary by Sayles and "Terminator 2" producer Gale Anne Hurd, "Battle"'s assistant production manager. Oh, and those spaceships? Designed by "Titanic" director James Cameron. Still laughing? "--Paul Gaita"

Theatrical: 1961

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 84

Summary: A stray planet on a collision course with Earth instead takes orbit around our blue marble. What seems like a dead planet suddenly launches a fleet of flying saucers which attack our space fleets.

Theatrical: 2000

Studio: Toei

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 122

Summary: With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence, it's only fitting that Kinji Fukasaku's "Battle Royale" is being touted as a "Clockwork Orange" for the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a series of fleeting images of unruly Japanese schoolchildren, whose bad behavior provides a justification for the "punishments" that will ensue. Once the prequel has been dispensed with, the classmates are drugged and awaken on an island where they find they have been fitted with dog collars that monitor their every move. Instructed by their old teacher ("Beat" Takeshi) with the aid of an upbeat MTV-style video, they are told of their fate: after an impartial lottery they have been chosen to fight each other in a three-day, no-rules contest, the "Battle Royale." Their only chance of survival is through the death of all their classmates.
Some pupils embrace their mission with zeal, while others simply give up or try to become peacemakers and revolutionaries. However, the ultimate drive for survival comes from the desire to protect the one you love. "Battle Royale" works on many different levels, highlighting the authorities' desperation to enforce law and order and the alienation caused by the generation gap. Whether you consider the film an important social commentary or simply watch it for the adrenaline-fueled violence, this is set to become cult viewing for the computer game generation and beyond. "--Nikki Disney"

Theatrical: 2003

Studio: Toei

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 133

Summary: Few Japanese films in recent memory have caused such controversy and commotion as Battle Royale. Directed by the late great Kinji Fukasaku, the brilliant heart-stopping thriller portrayed a junior high school class lucky enough to be chosen and taken to an island where the 42 students are forced to kill one another until the last boy or girl is left standing. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, Fukasaku worked on the script with his son Kenta. Now comes the much anticipated sequel, Battle Royale II, based on an original story by the Fukasakus. Like James Cameron's 'Aliens,' its tagline reads "This time it's war" ...And it is! It's been a few years since Shuya and Noriko survived their BR bloodbath. They're now known as the head of a terrorist group known as the Wild Seven who blew up a series of skyscrapers. This time, the government decides to send the latest bunch of BR candidates to eliminate them. The group includes Shiori Kitano, the daughter of Kitano (Takeshi 'Beat' Kitano), the teacher and the director of the BR program who was killed by Shuya and Noriko. The group has only three days to finish the job, and again, they must wear dog collars that explode. This time round however, the same numbered students are connected through the collars, and if one dies, the other's dog collar explodes. With even bigger actions than the first movie, BRII racks up a body count that would make Freddy and Jason envious.

Theatrical: 1955

Studio: MGM

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 155

Summary: Thanks again to MGM and Fox for resurrecting this DVD line. Here we have a couple of extremely low budget American International Pictures films (back when they were still known as American Releasing Corporation - in fact, I think these were the first two sci-fi/horror films put out by the legendary studio) that go perfectly together. Is either film great, even good? Not by a long shot in conventional terms, but these should be judged on a different standard than your average A movie. The point is, they're both a lot of fun in that way only drive-in movies from the era could be, and these two are an inspired pairing, rightly aimed directly at those of us who either saw the movies at drive-ins back in the 50s, who (more likely) saw them Saturday creature features matinees on TV, or who have recently discovered the wonders of cheap 1950s horror and science fiction and are rabid for the opportunity to finally see them. Fox and MGM, great work and please keep these Midnight Movies coming until you've exhausted your libraries. Two that you might consider (both available elsewhere on DVD, but they need the quality treatment): Dementia 13 and The Terror.

Theatrical: 1968

Studio: Blue Underground

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 92

Summary:

Theatrical: 1990

Studio: Lions Gate

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 91

Summary: This is one of those little pictures you never expected to like, and yet 17 years after first seeing it, it is still a favorite of mine. A low budget affair, it really gets a lot for it's money. The story is fairly simple, a team of juggers go from town to town playing other teams to then possibly challenge one of the great league teams that play in one of the nine cities that remain in this post apocolyptic world. The game is straight forward. You must get your runner with a dog skull through the enemy lines to place it on a stake. It is very brutal however, with lots of action and blood. The stories two main characters are a disgraced former league player who leads his team to challenge again. Also, the girl runner or quick who wants more from her life that her squalid village can offer. This is a great underdog movie, and you will find yourself caught up in the action. The problem with the movie however is the dvd. It is presented only in full screen. It shows only one version of the movie. There is a slightly longer cut with a differant ending out there. Also the picture quality is very muddy. In the daylight scenes it will get by, but when they go underground, it is very hard to see anything. This is one film that needs a special edition. Sadly, though it is a cult classic, I don't know if it gets enough buys to warrant the studio to take the time and money to clean the print, and add some decent extras.

Theatrical: 1982

Studio: Unicorn Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 80

Summary:

Theatrical: 1993

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 87

Summary: Family moves to military base for the summer, but the soldiers are behaving even more strangely than usual. Is it a toxic spill as suggested or is it something more sinister?

Theatrical: 1975

Studio: First Run Features

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 90

Summary: Closely adapted from the acclaimed novella by Harlan Ellison, this postapocalyptic black comedy has emerged as a cult favorite since its release in 1975, when Don Johnson was a relative unknown and still years away from TV stardom on "Miami Vice." Here Johnson plays a young, libidinous loner named Vic who roams the postnuclear wasteland with his loyal dog, Blood, a remarkable hound with keen intelligence and the ability to telepathically communicate with his less-intelligent master. It's survival of the fittest, so food and sex are Vic's highest priorities, and he gets plenty of both when recruited into a mysterious underground society in desperate need of young fertile males. While Blood must fend for himself on the unfriendly surface, Vic realizes that he's an exploited prisoner and must escape to return to the canine friend he left behind. Thanks in large part to the sly wit of Blood (whose sarcastic voice is splendidly provided by Tim McIntire), this clever and disturbing film readily earns its lasting reputation as a low-budget classic, and features a funny yet chilling supporting role for Jason Robards Jr. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1957

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 71

Summary: A strange alien ship crash lands in the California desert, bringing a terrifying evil intelligence from another planet whose mission is to conquer the world using subversive mind control. Wonderful Atomic Age entertainment with floating brains, telepathic possession, atom bombs and a scientist whose eyes can destroy planes in mid-flight, plus a sex-starved alien brain monster with lustful desires for beautiful leading lady Joyce Meadows, who delicately refuses its advances with a meat ax. Not to be missed!

Theatrical: 1977

Studio: Trinity

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 85

Summary:

Theatrical: 1962

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 70

Summary: After a car crash, a man keeps his wife's head alive in his laboratory. As if this weren't enough, an evil beast pounds and screams from a locked room adjacent to the lab.

Theatrical: 1985

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 131

Summary: If Franz Kafka had been an animator and film director--oh, and a member of Monty Python's Flying Circus--this is the sort of outrageously dystopian satire one could easily imagine him making. However, "Brazil" was made by Terry Gilliam, who is all of the above except, of course, Franz Kafka. Be that as it may, Gilliam sure captures the paranoid-subversive spirit of Kafka's "The Trial" (along with his own Python animation) in this bureaucratic nightmare-comedy about a meek governmental clerk named Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) whose life is destroyed by a simple bug. Not a software bug, a real bug (no doubt related to Kafka's famous "Metamorphosis" insect) that gets smooshed in a printer and causes a typographical error unjustly branding poor Sam as a miscreant.
The movie presents such an unrelentingly imaginative and savage vision of 20th-century bureaucracy that it almost became a victim of small-minded studio management itself--until Gilliam surreptitiously screened his cut for the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, who named it the best movie of 1985 and virtually embarrassed Universal into releasing it. This DVD version of "Brazil" is the special director's cut that first appeared in Criterion's comprehensive (and expensive) six-disc laser package in 1996. Although the DVD (at a fraction of the price) doesn't include that set's many extras, it's still a bargain. "--Jim Emerson"

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 91

Summary:

Theatrical: 1951

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 66

Summary: Excitement and suspense abound in this rousing jungle thriller starring legendary Lon Chaney, Jr. (The Wolf Man), Raymond Burr (TV's "Perry Mason"), and tabloid sex goddess Barbara Payton as a seductive blonde bombshell. She marries a wealthy plantation owner in the South American jungle, where strange, hideous experiments are underway using ancient jungle curses and supernatural forces summoned from beyond!

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 141

Summary: In a world with an alternate history, a great war finally comes to an end leaving the earth diseased and polluted. The geneticist Dr. Azuma vies for support from the government for his neo-cell treatment that he claims can rejuvenate the body and regenerate humankind. The government leaders, guarding their own deeply entrenched powers, turn down the professor. Driven to complete his work, Dr. Azuma accepts a secret offer from a sinister faction of the powerful military. After an incident occurs in Dr. Azuma's lab, a race of mutant humans known as the Shinzo Ningen are unleashed upon the world. Now only the warrior known as Casshern, reincarnated with an invincible body, stands between the Shinzo Ningen and a world on the brink of annihilation.

Theatrical: 1953

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 64

Summary: Five astronauts travel to the dark side of the moon on a scientific expedition. There they discover a cave which somehow retains a breathable atmosphere. They remove their space suits and venture on, soon finding a buried city where the last members of a 2 million year old civilization greet them with food and drink. Little do they know that these eight lovely leotard-clad women are planning to steal their ship.

Theatrical: 2008

Studio: Geneon

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 98

Summary: Teenager is transported to a parallel world where everyone who shares his family name is being hunted down by the dictatorial government

Theatrical: 1960

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 166

Summary: What's scarier than scary kids? "Village of the Damned" is the definitive scary-kid classic, a truly unsettling film drawn from John Wyndham's novel "The Midwich Cuckoos". The brilliant opening sequence depicts the sudden and temporary paralysis of a small English hamlet, which is followed by the town's women becoming mysteriously pregnant. The spawn of this occurrence are a dozen eerie, blond-headed children, who are either gifted, evil, or "the world's new people." A splendid outing, not least in the way it catches parental anxiety about this small new stranger in one's home. (It was remade by John Carpenter in 1995.)
"Children of the Damned" follows up with a story about six more creepy kids, brought from all over the globe to huddle in a old church in London. An excellent opening half-hour gets bogged down in the movie's global-political ambitions (it's very much a cold war offering), but it has its share of shivery moments--the sight of the six youngsters striding down a London street as though they controlled the world is a chiller. But where's the blond hair? The two films are different in tone; "Village" feels like a fifties sci-fi offering, with an old-school star (George Sanders) and classical style; "Children" is a film of the sixties, with hipper techniques, urban setting, and young actors Ian Hendry and Alan Badel. But both have those damned kids. "--Robert Horton"

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 119

Summary: Riddick, now a hunted man, finds himself in the middle of two opposing forces in a major crusade.

Theatrical: 1972

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 137

Summary: Stanley Kubrick's striking visual interpretation of Anthony Burgess's famous novel is a masterpiece. Malcolm McDowell delivers a clever, tongue-in-cheek performance as Alex, the leader of a quartet of droogs, a vicious group of young hoodlums who spend their nights stealing cars, fighting rival gangs, breaking into people's homes, and raping women. While other directors would simply exploit the violent elements of such a film without subtext, Kubrick maintains Burgess's dark, satirical social commentary. We watch Alex transform from a free-roaming miscreant into a convict used in a government experiment that attempts to reform criminals through an unorthodox new medical treatment. The catch, of course, is that this therapy may be nothing better than a quick cure-all for a society plagued by rampant crime. "A Clockwork Orange" works on many levels--visual, social, political, and sexual--and is one of the few films that hold up under repeated viewings. Kubrick not only presents colorfully arresting images, he also stylizes the film by utilizing classical music (and Wendy Carlos's electronic classical work) to underscore the violent scenes, which even today are disturbing in their display of sheer nihilism. Ironically, many fans of the film have missed that point, sadly being entertained by its brutality rather than being repulsed by it. "--Bryan Reesman"

Theatrical: 1970

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 100

Summary: Forbin is the designer of an incredibly sophisticated computer that will run all of America's nuclear defenses. Shortly after being turned on, it detects the existence of Guardian, the Soviet counterpart, previously unknown to US Planners. Both computers insist that they be linked, and after taking safeguards to preserve confidential material, each side agrees to allow it. As soon as the link is established the two become a new Super computer and threaten the world with the immediate launch of nuclear weapons if they are detached. Colossus begins to give it's plans for the management of the world under it's guidance. Forbin and the other scientists form a technological resistance to Colossus which must operate underground.

Theatrical: 1980

Studio: Blue Underground

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 95

Summary: A ship pulls into New York Harbor with no one on board. The police find a cargo full of green pulsating eggs. Upon contact, the eggs explode spreading a green acid like substance that seeps into the skin and explodes. It is later discovered that the eggs are being manufactured in South America by a one-eyed Martian that grew from a tiny seed a former astronaut brought back from a expedition o Mars.

Theatrical: 1942

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 64

Summary: Dr. Lorenz, a mad scientist, wants to keep his elderly wife young. He does this by kidnapping young females and extracting fluid from them. He then injects this fluid into his wife. What a diabolical guy!

Theatrical: 1977

Studio:

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 89

Summary: A strange signal arrives on the Earth disturbing all communications, while an ufo appears above the Antarctic sea. Captain Alex Hamilton is sent with his spaceship and crew to the space outside the Solar System to find the origin of that signal. They reach an unknow planet where a giant robot enslaved a whole population of humanoids by taking their psychic energies. The robot's got his eyes on the Earth, too...

Theatrical: 1954

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 78

Summary:

Theatrical: 1973

Studio: Blue Underground

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 103

Summary: During the 10 years between "Night of the Living Dead" and "Dawn of the Dead", director George Romero had a string of box-office flops--some of which were actually quite good. For example,there's "The Crazies", in which a military plane carrying biological-warfare agents crashes near Evans City, Pennsylvania. The virus gets into the town's water supply and has two effects on the infected: death or irreversible insanity. The military moves in to contain the situation, but the local populace regards the army as a menacing force and things rapidly spin out of control. Soon the highly contagious virus infects the whole town and the soldiers as well, while a government scientist races to find an antidote. "The Crazies" features some great set pieces as the virus spreads: a little old lady smiles sweetly and stabs a soldier to death with a knitting needle; a young woman placidly sweeps with a broom while soldiers and locals have a bloody firefight around her; a soldier swings his rifle wildly at his comrades until they shoot him.
Made in the shadow of both Vietnam and Watergate, "The Crazies" contains plenty of allegory: an invasion by military force, government cover-up and duplicity, madness and eventually genocide (all set, of course, in Romero's beloved Pennsylvania). The President only appears on television, and then only the back of his head is shown as he speaks in detached, almost bored tones. Like "Night of the Living Dead", this film offers no hope, no comfort, and sure as hell no happy ending. Keep an eye out for Romero in a somewhat gassy role as Evans City's mayor. "--Jerry Renshaw"

Theatrical: 1997

Studio: Lions Gate

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 90

Summary: If Clive Barker had written an episode of "The Twilight Zone", it might have looked something like "Cube". A handful of strangers wake up inside a bizarre maze, having been spirited there during the night. They quickly learn that they have to navigate their way through a series of chambers if they have any hope of escape, but the problem is that there are lethal traps awaiting if they choose their route unwisely. Having established some imaginative and grisly punishments in store for the hostages, cowriter and director Vincenzo Natali turns his attention to the characters, for whom being trapped amplifies their best and worst qualities. The film is, in fact, similar to a famous episode of Rod Serling's old television series, though Natali's explanation for why these poor people are being put through hell is a lot closer to the spirit of "The X-Files". "Cube" has some solid moments of suspense and drama, and the sets are appropriately striking: one is tempted to believe at first the characters are lost inside a computer chip. "--Tom Keogh"

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Lions Gate

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 97

Summary:

Theatrical: 1989

Studio: Cannon

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 86

Summary: Gibson Rickenbacker is a hired fighter living in a plague-ravaged apocalyptic America where a plague has infested most of the United States and the rest of the world. In New York City, Gibson encounters a woman named Pearl Prophet. Pearl reveals to Gibson that she is a cyborg who is carrying vital-information for a group of scientists in Atlanta who are working on a cure to the plague and Pearl hires Gibson to escort her back to Atlanta. But Pearl is kidnapped by "Pirates" a murderous gang led by Fender Tremolo, who wants the cure for themselves and they decide to take Pearl to Atlanta themselves. Gibson, joined by a young woman named Nady Simmons, goes in pursuit of Fender and his gang, as Gibson sets out to rescue Pearl, stop Fender and his gang from reaching Atlanta and defeat Fender who slaughtered Gibson's family.

Theatrical: 1996

Studio: Madacy Records

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 100

Summary: Captain Saxon, and agent for the top secret Omega agency, has been given the assignment of tracking down and either capturing or killing the crew members of a secret space mission who returned to Earth against orders. It seems that they were all infected with an alien parasite, and they were trying to bring its eggs back to Earth. The eggs were lost in an accident, and both Saxon and the astronauts are trying to locate them. What could the government want them for?

Theatrical: 1998

Studio: New Line

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 96

Summary: If you're a fan of brooding comic-book antiheroes, got a nihilistic jolt from "The Crow" (1994), and share director Alex Proyas's highly developed preoccupation for style over substance, you might be tempted to call "Dark City" an instant classic of visual imagination. It's one of those films that exists in a world purely of its own making, setting its own rules and playing by them fairly, so that even its derivative elements (and there are quite a few) acquire their own specific uniqueness. Before long, however, the film becomes interesting only as a triumph of production design. And while that's certainly enough to grab your attention ("Blade Runner" is considered a classic, after all), it's painfully clear that "Dark City" has precious little heart and soul. One-dimensional characters are no match for the film's abundance of retro-futuristic style, so it's best to admire the latter on its own splendidly cinematic terms. Trivia buffs will be interested to know that the film's 50-plus sets (partially inspired by German expressionism) were built at the Fox Film Studios in Sydney, Australia, home base of director Alex Proyas and producer Andrew Mason. The underground world depicted in the film required the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. Befitting a film of such ambition, the DVD includes a feast of bonus features, including audio commentaries by the director, producer, writers, and cinematographer, and also by film critic Roger Ebert, who named "Dark City" one of the best films of 1998. Also included is an isolated music track, an interactive game, and a photo gallery of production stills and set design sketches. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: Bandai

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 90

Summary: From the darkest reaches of space comes an evil powerful enough to destroy all of mankind. Armed with a state-of-the-art military combat suit - a lone vigilante must wield its destructive firepower if humanity is to survive. With relentless resolve, Kawamata must choose between innocence and survival if he is to wage war. Nobuya Okabe presents one of Japan's most chilling sci-fi thrillers. Dark Soldier D - Hunting Season Has Begun.

Theatrical: 1974

Studio: Vci Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 83

Summary: The "Dark Star"'s crew is on a 20-year mission to destroy unstable planets and make way for future colonization. The smart bombs they use to effect this zoom off cheerfully to do their duty. But unlike "Star Trek", in which order prevails, the nerves of this crew are becoming increasingly frayed to the point of psychosis. Their captain has been killed by a radiation leak that also destroyed their toilet paper. "Don't give me any of that 'Intelligent Life' stuff," says Commander Doolittle when presented with the possibility of alien life. "Find me something I can blow up." When an asteroid storm causes a malfunction, Bomb Number 20 (the most cheerful character in the film) has to be repeatedly talked out of exploding prematurely, each time becoming more and more peevish, until they have to teach him phenomenology to make him doubt his existence. And the film's apocalyptic ending, lifted almost wholly from Ray Bradbury's story "Kaleidoscope," has the remaining crew drifting away from each other in space, each to a suitably absurd end. Absurd, surreal, and very funny. John Carpenter once described "Dark Star" as ""Waiting for Godot" in space." Made at a cost of practically nothing, the film's effects are nevertheless impressive and, along with the number of ideas crammed into its 83 minutes, ought to shame makers of science fiction films costing hundreds of times more. The DVD contains both the original 68-minute release and the director's full version. "--Jim Gay"

Theatrical: 1990

Studio: Renaissance Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 96

Summary: Peyton Westlake is a scientist who has discovered a way to produce synthetic skin. This could revolutionise skin grafting, except for one minor glitch; the synthetic skin degrades after 100 minutes of exposure to light. When gangsters attack Peyton, he is horrifically burnt, and assumed dead. In his quest for revenge, Peyton, aka the Darkman, is able to take on the appearance of anyone (using the synthetic skin,) but he's only got 100 minutes per disguise.

Theatrical: 1995

Studio: Renaissance Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 93

Summary: Darkman and Durant return and they hate each other as much as ever. This time, Durant has plans to take over the city's drug trade using high-tech weaponry. Darkman must step in and try to stop Durant once and for all.

Theatrical: 1996

Studio: Renaissance Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 87

Summary: I wont take too much time here, just wanted to state that Darkman 3 is awesome. I have all 3 on DVD, added these to my collection of DVD movie sets. Darkman ranks up there with the best, like Indiana Jones, Aliens, Star Wars, Die hard, you get the point. There isnt too many good horror, thriller, sets out there. Many thanks to the whole crew, and set for giving us the Darkman trillogy. By the way if your wondering how I came across this one on DVD. I purchased it through the internet, it is however region 4, as you know most US DVD players are region 1. If you own a Sony Playstation 2, you have the best DVD player since it is an all region player. Just go to set up then choose witch region setting you want ( 1-9 ). Hope this helps

Theatrical: 1973

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 104

Summary: A nostalgic favorite of those who grew up in the '70's, The Day of the Dolphin stars George C Scott as a scientist who trains dolphins to speak, only to find them enmeshed in a government assassination plot. The successful directing and writing duo of Mike Nichols and Buck Henry (The Graduate, Catch-22) team-up again to adapt this adventure fantasy from the popular novel by Roger Merle. Featuring an Academy Award-nominated score by Georges Delerue (Day for Night, Contempt).

Theatrical: 1963

Studio: Westlake

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 95

Summary: This 1962 version of "The Day of the Triffids" has been a TV staple for many years, more probably because of a lasting affection for John Wyndham's original novel than any high regard for the film itself. The premise--a meteor shower blinds almost all of humanity, just as a space-borne strain of ambulatory killer plants begins to proliferate--is so strong that it's easy to overlook the frankly messy realization of it. The film opens well, sticking close to the book, as Howard Keel awakens in a London hospital after an eye operation and takes off the bandages to discover that he can see but most of the rest of the population can't. There are unsettling, effective bits with a plane literally flying blind and the beginnings of panic among the fumbling survivors, and one good Triffid encounter in a fog.
Then the film is strangely compelled to stray all over the map, with trips to France and Spain that have no discernible purpose. Director Steve Sekely's original cut was adjudged so disastrous that an uncredited Freddie Francis was brought in to shoot a whole new subplot, featuring Keiron Moore and Janette Scott in a vine-besieged lighthouse, to thread through the old footage. The results are less satisfying than the later BBC serial adaptation, but it still has some irresistible end-of-the-world and killer-plant material. "--Kim Newman"

Theatrical: 1951

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 92

Summary: A hallmark of the science fiction genre as well as a wry commentary on the political climate of the 1950s, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a sci-fi movie less concerned with special effects than with a social parable. A spacecraft lands in Washington, D.C., carrying a humanoid messenger from another world (Michael Rennie) imparting a warning to the people of Earth to cease their violent behavior. But panic ensues as the messenger lands and is shot by a nervous soldier. His large robot companion destroys the Capitol as the messenger escapes the confines of the hospital. He moves in with a family as a boarder and blends into society to observe the full range of the human experience. Director Robert Wise ("West Side Story") not only provides one of the most recognizable icons of the science fiction world in his depiction of the massive robot loyal to his master, but he avoids the obvious camp elements of the story to create a quiet and observant story highlighting both the good and the bad in human nature. "--Robert Lane"

Theatrical: 1955

Studio: Golden State Productions

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 79

Summary: After a nuclear war, an unlikely group of people, including a rancher, a geologist, a crook and his girlfriend, find themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere while battling an ugly mutant created by Paul Blaisdell. The geologist and the crook also find the time to fight over the rancher's daughter, while the moll fumes.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Kino Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 88

Summary: Well Dead or alive 3 is the final chapter of the 3 movies long series. Now we are in some distant future land where an evil governor force people not to reproduce under his strict rule.
Riki Takeuchi the head of police department special group works for governor and lives with beautiful wife and kid. When he hears that his kid is captured by the rebels, he is set to find his son.Later issues makes it cear that everything is not actually what they seem to be. Sho aikawa at the other hand is a replicant who joins rebels to help them the overthrow the governor. But things do not go according to plan all the time and so the plot since it is a miike work .Place is like a city not too far away from Hong Kong and cantonese will be heard through out the film.
Movie is a direct take on to the blade runner. From the way takeuchi dresses to the sax player mistress of governer, miike once again manages to create such hilarious atmosphere.
Fight sequences, especially between takeuchi and aikawa is excellent as well as ironic. Among the other films of the Death or alive saga, this may seem a bit weaker since it is not a yakuza movie , rather a sci fi movie or better, its absurd parody.
But that doesnot mean it is bad, it is very strange, very controversial and very very odd. Ending is once again out of this world. So this movie is much more different than the first two but nevertheless deserves to be watched. After all, its a miike film.

Theatrical: 1983

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 103

Summary: "The Dead Zone" is based on a novel by Stephen King, directed by David Cronenberg ("Scanners", "The Fly") and produced by Debra Hill ("Halloween", "The Fog"). Such a trio of horror vets would be expected to come up with an evening of shocks and gore, but "The Dead Zone" is a surprise. While it has great atmospheric eeriness and undeniably scary moments, "The Dead Zone" is at heart a sensitive and thoughtful portrayal of main character Johnny Smith's dilemma. Christopher Walken, king of the vaguely creepy, plays Smith, a man who awakens from a five-year coma with the very mixed blessing of second sight. At the mere touch of a hand, Smith is unwillingly launched into scenes of past and future terror. (Director Cronenberg is said to have fired blanks from a .357 Magnum just out of camera range to keep Walken's flinching spontaneous.) "The Dead Zone" wisely takes its time telling the story, and thus allows for some great performances. Walken gives a rich portrayal of the conflicted Smith, and Colleen Dewhurst and Tom Skerritt both do welcome turns in smaller roles. The most fun of all, though, is clearly being had by Martin Sheen, who gives a spirited performance as a complete sleazebag. "--Ali Davis"

Theatrical: 1986

Studio: Anchor Bay

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 88

Summary: In the near future (that is, 1994) the world is brought to the brink of anarchy by, for some reason, inflation. This has apparently caused millions of rusted car frames to be scattered around Australia, and forced everyone to dress like hepped up punk rockers and fight with tire irons. Thusly, the government tricks the unemployed people into drive ins and locks them up. This clever ruse works despite the fact that no one in Australia ever returns from the movies. If you like movies which are both painfully bad and jaw-droppingly amazing, this is the film for you. What doesn't it have? There is pointless nudity, vast continuity problems, tire fires, dozens of Mad Max meets the Sex Pistols montages, a fight with cricket bats,a timeless lesson about racism/relationships/junk food, a fight with car parts, amazing hairstyles, a monkey smoking pot, vigilante tow truck squads, and plot holes you could drive one of their combat ready tonka's through. This is an excellent cultural artifact shedding light on the eighties, sub-cultures, and Australian psychoses. Don't expect it to be good, but prepare for it to be amazing.

Theatrical: 1975

Studio: Buena Vista

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 78

Summary: No doubt about it, "Death Race 2000" is one of the greatest B-movies ever made. A crown jewel in the career of B-movie king Roger Corman, it's a sublime example of exploitative filmmaking from a time when Corman's low-budget quickies were about to be swept aside by the blockbuster success of "Jaws" and "Star Wars", and all of its outrageous ingredients combined to create a schlock-movie masterpiece. Liberally infused with director Paul Bartel's macabre sense of humor, Corman's mandatory formula for success (R-rated violence and nudity, served up at least once every 15 minutes) is zanily applied to a near-future scenario (similar to "Rollerball", also released in 1975) in which a fascist empire appeases its oppressed citizens with "Death Race 2000," an automotive spectacle in which five costumed racers drive wacky race cars cross-country from New York to "New Los Angeles," scoring points with hit-and-run killings awarded on a sliding scale, with highest points for hitting children and the elderly! In addition to "Calamity Jane" (played by former Andy Warhol acolyte Mary Woronov), "Matilda the Hun" (Roberta Collins), and "Nero the Hero" (Martin Kove), the hottest contestants are "Machine Gun" Joe Viturbo (Sylvester Stallone, on the verge of "Rocky" stardom) and the reigning champion "Frankenstein" (David Carradine), whose "Death Race" prowess has reached near-mythic proportions.
Filmed for $300,000 on desert-road and freeway locations throughout California's San Fernando Valley, "Death Race 2000" packs more entertainment into 78 minutes than most movies can muster in two hours or more. Although it originated as a serious short story by Ib Melchior (best known as the writer-director of "The Angry Red Planet"), Corman took a cue from "Dr. Strangelove" and gave the material a satirical spin, resulting in non-graphic road-kills that are more hilarious than horrific, especially with the play-by-play race commentary by legendary disc jockey "The Real Don Steele," whose priceless performance (along with Carradine's deadpan drollery) turns "Death Race 2000" into a low-comedy classic. The deadly car bodies were designed by Dean Jeffries (who also customized the "Monkeemobile") and fitted onto Volkswagen chassis, and Bartel's ingenious use of a meager budget epitomized the Corman aesthetic, reaping impressive box-office profits on its way to becoming one of the most beloved cult classics of all time. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1954

Studio: Image

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 77

Summary: Women of Earth, beware! This cosmic vixen has come for your husbands, boyfriends and brothers. Her mission is to bring men back to Mars to mate with a planetful of sex-starved she-devils who need fresh breeding stock to repopulate the red planet. And men, if you don't perform, you might just be incinerated by Chani the Robot or heaved into the atomic pile that powers their ship. A beautifully crafted production, unique special effects, inspired production design, and classy international beauty Hazel Court make this
a true gem of Atomic Age entertainment. Hugh McDermott, Patricia Laffan, Peter Reynolds, Joseph Tomelty, Adrienne Corri, Hazel Court.

Theatrical: 2009

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 98

Summary: In 1982, a massive star ship bearing a bedraggled alien population, nicknamed "The Prawns," appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty-eight years later, the initial welcome by the human population has faded. The refugee camp where the aliens were located has deteriorated into a militarized ghetto called District 9, where they are confined and exploited in squalor. In 2010, the munitions corporation, Multi-National United, is contracted to forcibly evict the population with operative Wikus van der Merwe in charge. In this operation, Wikus is exposed to a strange alien chemical and must rely on the help of his only two new 'Prawn' friends.

Theatrical: 1975

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 112

Summary: In the Fabulous Thirties, Doc Savage and his five Amazing Adventurers are sucked into the mystery of Doc's father disappearing in the wilds of South America. The maniacal Captain Seas tries to thwart them at every turn as they travel to the country of Hidalgo to investigate Doc's father's death and uncover a vast horde of Incan gold.

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 100

Summary: Something has gone wrong in a research facility on Mars, and the staff are becoming something unimaginable. All research has ceased and the facility has been placed in quarantine. Dr. Samantha Grimm (Pike) have called in an elite squad of soldiers led by Sarge (The Rock) and includes Samantha's twin brother, John Grimm (Urban). No one is safe inside. As the team advance through the facility, and as they are picked off one-by-one, Dr. Grimm has one question: What exactly has caused this?

Theatrical: 1940

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 77

Summary: Four explorers are summoned to Peru by the brilliant physicist Dr Thorkel. They discover a rich source of radium and a half-mad Thorkel who shrinks them down to one-fifth their normal size when they threaten to stop his unorthodox experimentation.

Theatrical: 1956

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 83

Summary: A textbook example of '50s-era science fiction, "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" boasts not only a solid script and competent performances, but some genuinely impressive stop-motion effects courtesy of one of the industry's uncontested masters, Ray Harryhausen. Scientist Hugh Marlowe (who faced a more benevolent invader from space five years earlier in "The Day the Earth Stood Still") discovers that UFOs are responsible for the destruction of a series of exploratory space rockets launched by his space exploration project. The saucers' helmeted pilots land on Earth and deliver an ultimatum to humanity via Marlowe: fealty or complete annihilation.
Harryhausen's painstakingly intricate saucers and the destruction they wreak (particularly during an assault on Washington, D.C.) are the film's unquestionable highlights, but Marlowe and Joan Taylor (as his wife/partner) are capable leads, and veteran B director Fred F. Sears doesn't let the dialogue and expositional scenes fall apart in between the barrage of effects. "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" is a fun and effective slice of sci-fi that should please younger audiences as well as nostalgic return viewers. Sears later reused some of the effects footage for his jaw-droppingly awful 1957 effort, "The Giant Claw". "--Paul Gaita"

Theatrical: 1962

Studio: Alpha Video

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 90

Summary: While driving through the desert, a teenage girl is frightened by a seven-foot giant which appears in her path. After escaping, she returns to the site with her boyfriend and her father in an attempt to find the giant. They do, and it proceeds to terrorize them and the rest of Palm Springs, California.

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: Discotek Media

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 55

Summary: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS audio tracks 16 x 9 Anamorphic Widescreen Original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio Theatrical Trailer Title designs Filming snapshots About the tattoo illustrations Synthesized images with commentary Formal Press Conference Tadanobu Asano Day Masatoshi Nagase Day Press conference with Sogo Ishii Final Showdown Staff profiles Cast Profiles Insert written by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes Limited Edition packaging with Original Soundtrack CD included!
Reptile investigator Dragon Eye Morrison has possessed high-voltage superpowers ever since a childhood accident at a power station. With megawatts of power coursing through his body, he discharges his surplus energy by playing high voltage rock 'n' roll with his electric guitar. He spends his days looking for lost lizards in the alleyways of Tokyo, and his nights fighting the reptilian part of his brain that is making him increasingly violent. A shadowy figure named Thunderbolt Buddha soon surfaces and begins following Dragon Eye about town. A former TV repairman turned super-villain, Thunderbolt Buddha uses his high-powered love of technological devices to aid in his evil plans. Powered-up to the max in his electrical body suit, the two finally come face to face in an all out electricfied rock 'n' roll battle for the supremacy of Tokyo!
Starring Japanese megastar Tadanobu Asano (Ichi the Killer, Last Life in the Universe, Zatoichi) as Dragon Eye Morrison, and directed by cult icon Sogo Ishii (Burst City, Gojoe, Angel Dust), also starring Masatoshi Nagase (Suicide Circle, Hidden Blade, Stereo Future) as Thunderbolt Buddah. A hyperkinetic descent into electro-charged punk madness, set to an eardrum-shattering industrial punk/noise soundtrack by Mach 1.67, Electric Dragon 80,000 V transcends film to become an overwhelming, all-immersing experience. Nothing will prepare you for the assault on the senses that is Electric Dragon 80,000V!

Theatrical: 1980

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 127

Summary: For the first time ever and for a limited time only, the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus, these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes, for the first time ever on DVD, the original films as seen in theaters in 1977, 1980 and 1983.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Highlight

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 107

Summary: In a futuristic world, a strict regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable by death. Cleric John Preston (Bale) is a top ranking government agent responsible for destroying those who resist the rules. Whe he misses a dose of Prozium, a mind-altering drug that hinders emotion, Preston, who has been trained to enforce the strict laws of the new regime, suddenly becomes the only person capable of overthrowing it.

Theatrical: 2005

Studio:

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 117

Summary: A.D. 2015: A virus has been spreading in many cities worldwide. It is a suicidal disease and the virus is infected by pictures. People, once infected, come down with the disease, which leads to death. They have no way of fighting against this infection filled with fear and despair. The media calls the disease "the Lemming Syndrome".

Theatrical: 1996

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 101

Summary: The year is 2013 and Snake Plissken is back from Escape From New York. An earthquake has separated Los Angeles from the mainland. In the New Moral America, all citizens not conforming to the new laws (no smoking, no red meat, no Muslims in South Dakota) are deported to L.A., now a penal colony. The President's daughter has stolen a doomsday device and has fled to L.A. It's up to Snake Plissken to find the President's daughter and retrieve the doomsday device before its too late.

Theatrical: 1981

Studio: MGM

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 99

Summary: In the future, crime is out of control and New York City is a maximum security prison. Grabbing a bargaining chip right out of the air, convicts bring down the President's plane in bad old Gotham. Gruff Snake Plissken, a one-eyed warrior new to prison life, is coerced into bringing the President, and his cargo, out of this land of undesirables. Kurt Russell put his Disney days behind him as the nicest bad guy in the picture. All comic-book sensibilities and macho posturing, this is one of writer-director John Carpenter's better brainless escapes. There are snappy one-liners and explosive action scenes. However, the film lacks tension and some believability even within the realm of SF fantasy. Even when it fails to gel, though, it always manages to amuse, thanks in great part to a varied and unusual supporting cast (watch for Ernest Borgnine as a cabdriver). Followed in 1996 by Carpenter's overdone and campy "Escape from L.A." "--Rochelle O'Gorman"

Theatrical: 1999

Studio: Dimension

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 97

Summary: Allegra Geller, the leading game designer in the world, is testing her new virtual reality game, eXistenZ with a focus group. As they begin, she is attacked by a fanatic assassin employing a bizarre organic gun. She flees with a young marketing trainee, Ted Pikul, who is suddenly assigned as her bodyguard. Unfortunately, her pod, an organic gaming device that contains the only copy of the eXistenZ game program, is damaged. To inspect it, she talks Ted into accepting a gameport in his own body so he can play the game with her. The events leading up to this, and the resulting game lead the pair on a strange adventure where reality and their actions are impossible to determine from either their own or the game's perspective.

Theatrical: 1965

Studio:

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 89

Summary: Grisly strangulations in London alert Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard to the possibility that fiendish Fu Manchu may not after all be dead, even though Smith witnessed his execution. A killer spray made from Tibetan berries seems to be involved and clues keep leading back to the Thames.

Theatrical: 1998

Studio: Dimension

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 117

Summary: This hip and edgy thriller from the director of FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and the writer of SCREAM and SCREAM 2 sizzles with a hot young cast including Elijah Wood (THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy), Josh Hartnett (PEARL HARBOR), and R&B superstar Usher Raymond! When some very creepy things start happening around school, the kids at Herrington High make a chilling discovery that confirms their worst suspicions: their teachers really are from another planet! As mind-controlling parasites rapidly begin spreading from the faculty to the students' bodies, it's ultimately up to the few who are left -- an unlikely collection of loners, leaders, nerds, and jocks -- to save the world from alien domination! Also starring Robert Patrick (TERMINATOR 2), Famke Janssen (X-MEN), and Jon Stewart (TV's THE DAILY SHOW) in a great cast -- don't miss the unstoppable excitement of this unpredictably smart and scary hit!

Theatrical: 1966

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 111

Summary: The classic science fiction novel by Ray Bradbury was a curious choice for one of the leading directors of the French New Wave, François Truffaut. But from the opening credits onward (spoken, not written on screen), Truffaut takes Bradbury's fascinating premise and makes it his own. The futuristic society depicted in "Fahrenheit 451" is a culture without books. Firemen still race around in red trucks and wear helmets, but their job is to start fires: they ferret out forbidden stashes of books, douse them with gasoline, and make public bonfires. Oskar Werner, the star of Truffaut's "Jules and Jim", plays a fireman named Montag, whose exposure to "David Copperfield" wakens an instinct toward reading and individual thought. (That's why books are banned--they give people too many ideas.) In an intriguing casting flourish, Julie Christie plays two roles: Montag's bored, drugged-up wife and the woman who helps kindle the spark of rebellion. The great Bernard Herrmann wrote the hard-driving music; Nicolas Roeg provided the cinematography. "Fahrenheit 451" received a cool critical reception and has never quite been accepted by Truffaut fans or sci-fi buffs. Its deliberately listless manner has always been a problem, although that is part of its point; the lack of reading has made people dry and empty. If the movie is a bit stiff (Truffaut did not speak English well and never tried another project in English), it nevertheless is full of intriguing touches, and the ending is lyrical and haunting. "--Robert Horton"

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Science Fiction

Duration: 106

Summary: When an experimental space voyage goes awry, four people are changed by cosmic rays. Reed Richards, inventor and leader of the group gains the ability to stretch his body, and takes the name, Mr. Fantastic. His girlfriend, Sue Storm, gains the ability to turn invisible and create force fields, calling herself the Invisible Woman. Her younger brother Johnny Storm gains the ability to control fire, including covering his own body with flame, becoming the Human Torch. Pilot Ben Grimm is turned into a super-strong rock creature calling himself Thing. Together, they use their unique powers to explore the strange aspects of the world, and to foil the evil plans of Doctor Doom.