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Reviews
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
The Day The Earth Went Nowhere
If you are a long time SF fan as I am, you will feel let down by this movie. As others have stated it's not bad--it just does not quite get there. All they had to do was to keep to the same simple story and update the special effects. In the original the religious references were very subtle--not so in this version. Advanced technology can appear to be mystical while still being scientific and not supernatural--this film goes too far in the supernatural direction. They do explain how Klaatu appears to be human (which was never done in the original) so at least they did some things right. The famous blackboard scene is included, but SF fans will be let down by elimination of the "Klaatu borada nikto" line and Klaatu's final speech.
Post Impact (2004)
"Damnation Alley" in the Snow
Did you ever read "Time of the Great Freeze" by Robert Silverberg or go see "Damnation Alley?"
If so, then you've seen this film before--only this time, it's a post Tunguska-like comet impact instead of World War III and no giant cockroaches this time. Dean Cain and a husky named "Sasquatch" lead a team through Ice Age Europe to rescue lost scientists trapped in Berlin in Landmaster-like vehicles. A B-movie science fiction film with all of the associated trappings. Not too bad digital special effects.
Turn off your brain and enjoy, then go get "Damnation Alley" for a (slightly) better performance.
Pterodactyl (2005)
EEEK! Shades of Rodan!
Long dormant pterodactyl eggs hatch and you can guess the rest.
It seems that the directors actually paid attention to basic biology and physics this time. Coolio gives a good performance as a no-nonsense hardcore special forces officer. This movie is a lot closer to the 1950's and 1960's era classics such as "Them!," "One Million Years B.C.," "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth," and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" than most of this type. Good digital effects--not bad for made-for-cable.
Trivia: The characters Lovecraft, Serling, Zelazny, and Burroughs are all named after famous science fiction authors.