kmj-2 Reviews

Fathom (1967)

Who needs a plot?

[20 December 2002]

Let's face it, unless you are a BIG fan of "B"-grade 60's spy flicks, and can't get your hands on a "Matt Helm" copy, the ONLY reason you would watch this film is for the incredible Raquel Welch. For the most fun, turn the sound down and make up your own dialogue as you go along.

The Flying Saucer (1964)

Sexy Saucer Girls

[6/10 · 20 December 2002]

Fairly typical Italian "light" fare from the 1960's, this tale mixes comedy and light sexual farce with some success. The serious and somewhat slow Police Inspector and his bumbling assistant investigate reports of "strange goings-on" in a rural community. A flying saucer with more bells & whistles than Rube Goldberg ever dreamed of dispenses comely female aliens, dressed (barely) in silver "bathing suits" with strategically-placed bubbles who wander about -- mixing in with a "Mardi Gras", and are chased by giddy males to no avail. The highlight of this film is the music, which is haunting. The true shame is that this film is not available on VHS or DVD, and that the soundtrack is not to be found. This film used to be a staple of "late night" "fill-the-time" movie features at local television affiliates.

Cyborg 2087 (1966)

Get the kids back to the theaters!

[30 March 1999]

Often dismissed as a "quickie" movie using a great deal of television elements, "Cyborg 2087" is a prime example of what Hollywood was trying to do between the late fifties and mid-sixties: get people (especially the kids) away from the television set and back into the movie theaters. This film tried (sometimes successfully) to combine two popular genres of t.v. at the time; westerns and science fiction. Half-human robots, having a "shoot out" in a western town using ray guns to rescue the girl (played by a former "Mouseketeer", no less). Listen for the Paul Dunlap soundtrack, which should be familiar -- it was used for several t.v. shows, movies, and even Hanna Barbara cartoons! Also, check out the "hip lingo" used by the teens.The sad part is to see classically-trained actor Michael Rennie trying to make a living wearing a silver spacesuit after being typecast as a "sci-fi guy" in "The Day The Earth Stood Still".