Movie Night: It Came from Beneath the Sea.

Review #374: It Came from Beneath the Sea.

Cast
Kenneth Tobey (Commander Pete Mathews), Faith Domergue (Professor Lesley Joyce), Donald Curtis (Dr. John Carter), Ian Keith (Admiral Burns), Dean Maddox Jr. (Admiral Norman), Chuck Griffiths (Lieutenant Griff), Harry Lauter (Deputy Bill Nash), and Richard W. Peterson (Capt. Stacy) Directed by Robert Gordon.

Review
In light of Ray Harryhausen's death, I decided to review something of his work. His effects work, which has been covered before in my reviews (#064 - Clash of the Titans, #111 - Jason and the Argonauts, #265 - Earth vs. the Flying Saucers), and I liked them. I liked the originality of them and the way it helped the story go far, and those skeletons. Oh those skeletons. This film is sort of creative with its premise and the effects by Harryhausen do a good job once again. The characters, while 1950's like, aren't terrible, and the fact the cast isn't that stocked up in amounts, surprised me. The film has its moments, and it has a decent run time that doesn't over-run or under-run. It may sound like 50's horror, but...Harryhausen's magic bag of effects make it worthwhile. Rest in Peace, Ray. We'll keep watching forever and ever.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

Review #265: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers.

Cast
Hugh Marlowe (Russell A. Marvin), Joan Taylor (Carol Marvin), Donald Curtis (Major Huglin), Morris Ankrum (John Hanley), John Zaremba (Professor Kanter), and Paul Frees (Voice of the Aliens) Directed by Fred F. Sears (#255 - The Giant Claw)

Review
This film is noted for its special effects done by Ray Harryhausen, who I have covered before in Clash of the Titans (#064) and Jason and the Argonauts (#111). And like those films, the effects here are excellent. The flying saucer design made by Harryhausen works so well because they move in a way not seen before. This film is compared to another saucer-ish film reviewed here, Independence Day (#193. Then again any movie that involves invaders with saucers coming from an alien planet to Earth could be a comparison.) But the film is different and better than the other because it uses its premise to make a better than expected film combined with excellent effects once again by Harryhausen. Truly a good "B-movie"

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

Review #111: Jason and the Argonauts.

Cast
Todd Armstrong (Jason), Nancy Kovack (Medea), Gary Raymond (Acastus), Laurence Naismith (Argos), Niall MacGinnis (Zeus), Michael Gwynn (Hermes), Douglas Wilmer (Pelias), Jack Gwillim (King Aeetes), Honor Blackman (Hera), John Cairney (Hylas), and Patrick Troughton (Phineas). Directed by Don Chaffey with stop motion by Ray Harryhausen.

Review
This is a classic, pure and simple to the point. The film has star power, effects, story, and just plain usefulness. The acting is allright, with a decent story, considering the fact the mythology is slightly changed from the myth and all (Because none of them is expected to be perfect) But I think the most breakout thing is Ray Harryhausen's special effects, especially the skeletons. It is truly beautiful looking, still looking real compared to today's, but then again it's not exactly a fair comparison. But either way, it helps the film in little ways, not too much, making this film a must see.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Clash of the Titans (1981).

Review #064: Clash of the Titans.

Cast
Harry Hamlin (Perseus), Judi Bowker (Andromeda), Burgess Meredith (Ammon), Maggie Smith (Thetis), Siân Phillips (Cassiopeia), Claire Bloom (Hera), Ursula Andress (Aphrodite), Laurence Olivier (Zeus), Pat Roach (Hephaestus), Susan Fleetwood (Athena), Tim Pigott-Smith (Thallo), and Jack Gwillim (Poseidon). Directed by Desmond Davis.

Review
This film is...actually a classic in its own mind. I think the film is good, for the most part. The special effects are still good for their time, actually this is the first time I've seen Harryhausen's special effects (Ironically this would be the last film he'd do in producing or animating) The story is balenced for the most part, having a three act feature, the rise of Perseus, the journey to the Kraken, and the completion of Perseus arc and the end. The acting is great from all, especially Lawrence Oliver. I actually kinda like Bubo, that little Owl that reminds me of R2-D2. Nevertheless, it's an adventure that still is a classic that doesn't age much. No matter how Hollywood tries.......

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.