The Blob

Rating:
Summary: A REVIEW THAT IS NOT POLIBLOBALLY CORRECT
Review: Of course, Steve McQueen's blue car will never be so shiny on your screen thanks to the most praised Criterion treatment. Of course, the blob has never been so ugly red. I admit it, this DVD is gorgeous and I'm glad to have it in my library. But, believe me, I won't watch this movie again before long. Because, it's not a good movie. Even if I'm aware that it's a B movie and that I must only see the second degree of director Irvin S. Yeaworth's film.

Christian Nyby and Howard Hawks's THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD was also a B movie, shot 7 years earlier in black & white, but was way better than the 1958 BLOB. Unless you consider THE BLOB as a comic movie with its dialogs so politically correct and stupid. In short, if you're a fan of american sci-fi movies of the 50's, I'm sure that you already have this Criterion presentation in your library. If you're looking for a good rental or if you're only curious, try it but if you think that the Criterion stamp is enough to assure the DVD eternity to any movies, you shall be disappointed.

A DVD zone blob fans only.

Rating:
Summary: STUCK TO THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SHOE
Review: When I saw that the CRITERION COLLECTION was bringing THE BLOB to DVD - I have to admit I was shocked. This effective and classy little 1950's monster flick was getting the kind of star treatment that most films released on DVD are begging for. And for good reason... THE BLOB is an excellent movie. It hits all the marks, it stands it grounds, it never bores you and it provides you with a original (and even credible) monster that to this day is still more sinister than most that cross the screen (and yet remains the most fun - really, if gum chewed back, it would look like the BLOB). CRITERION again shines here... period style box art (including in the lower left corner a warning that the producers of THE BLOB can not be held libal for heart attacks or faninting from watching the film), a fact based booklet featuring the orginal poster art from the release for it's cover, plus a half sheet poster of the box art that is high quality and all glossy... a beautiful touch. The disc features an excellent transfer of the film. The colors are crisp and the sound is still effective and well balanced. Two audio commentaries are included with the disc, and each are insightful and entertaining. Both remain pretty much screen specific, but do branch out from time to time to explain a host of inside details (like why McQueen wished had had taken a percentage of THE BLOB, and how the leading lady wasn't cast until the very last second... which was the very first day of shooting). Trailer is included, as well as what is really a excellent addition... a photo collection of behind the scene stills, effects (even what the real BLOB looked like off camera and just how big it really was... little hint: not very), and rare BLOB props and BLOB memorabilia - overall CRITERION has given us yet another must have for DVD owners. If you're a fan of the period and the genre, then THE BLOB is a must, I can not recommend it enough... it's pure fun. And if you know someone this holiday season that is getting a DVD and into 50's shockers... start them off right and pick up the BLOB.

Rating:
Summary: Explosive!!
Review: My rating may be a bit biased. The four stars were given to the film itself and not on the quality of its DVD, which is due to the fact that I'm writing this review on Oct. 18th and not after the mentioned street date of Oct. 31st. But all blunders aside, I can't wait for this disc to be released just so I can hear the commentary of Bruce Eder. For those who dare to stand up and champion this current innovation in entertainment know that the name Bruce Eder is synonymous with quality. All sarcasm aside, Mr. Eder, who current occupation is listed as film historian, never fails as a fascinating listen. Just hearing his commentary on other Criterion films such as Brief Encounter and The Lady Vanishes, you are installed with a new appreciation for the film. Mr. Eder injects a myriad of information such as the background of the involved artists and the current social climate at the time the film was released. Anyone who has the slightest interest in films, beyond its current intention as an ice-breaker for young heterosexual couples out on a night of romance, will hopefully see this film not only as campy entertainment but as a possible learning tool as well.

Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: So this is it, Steve McQueen is introduced to the DVD criterion collection. Why does it have to be the blob? Of course this movie is not so bad but being a true mcqueen fan I must admit that I'm very disapointed by Criterion. They're putting out the blob but they could have put great mcqueens like The Sand Pebbles of An enemy of the people but no they put out the thrash and they don't even include extra goodies with it. That's a shame!

Rating:
Summary: Attack of the Strawberry Jam
Review: Irwin S. Yeaworth, Jr., the director provides us with a classic teenage schlocker with youth in rebellion versus a monster which resembles strawberry jam. Owlin Howlin is classic as the suffering old man who first encounters the meteor and is taken to the doctor by Steven (that was how he was billed) McQueen and girlfriend. The meteor contained the strawberry gook and it ate the man up while the doctor wasn't looking. It then ate a nurse who had to come back to the office to help with lil ole man. The doctor was then eaten (surprise!) but only Steven McQueen saw this so no one believes him, especially a cynical deputy sheriff whose wife and kids had been hit in a car accident by teenagers some years ago (therefore, he hates them all). But the sheriff is kind and gentle and after a theater projectionist is eaten (glomp!) by strawberry jam, the ensuing panic in the theater causes the sheriff to go to the scene and now the teenagers are believed. I won't reveal the gruesome, too horrible to behold ending (shiver) but I will state that this is one of the finest bad movies ever made (its even in color). It is a classic in its day and was remade in 1986 with the Steven McQueen type character killed off. Excellent movie and one that does not lose its zip over the years.

Rating:
Summary: And Now.....
Review: Strawberry jam on the loose! JDs drag-racing backwards! A house that sounds like a dog! Dumb cops taking up chess!

It's all here, from Janie Girl to gelatin, post-modernist angst, and the most indelible line ever uttered in the annals of Fifties sci-fi: "It didn't work."

Coming soon to a DVD near you! ......

Rating:
Summary: REAL COOL!
Review: An excellent film that is much better than a lot of other reviews would suggest. The special effects aren't bad and its just a lot of fun. I have the video gems release and the goodtimes release, both of which are out-of-print.

Rating:
Summary: Phoenixville Rocks!
Review: It was filmed in Phoenixville, so it has to be great. Ya gotta love that Blob comin thru the vents in the Colonial Theater. It ate the Doctor alive in the house at 3rd and Main. Phoenixville rocks. ...and oh, the movie's pretty funky, too.

Rating:
Summary: Classic Science-Fiction from the 50s.
Review: The Blob is classic 50s Science-Fiction with a pretty good performance from a young Steve McQueen. Good special effects for the period and a decent plot that holds interest. Overall, a good classic sci-fi flick.

Rating:
Summary: I thought it was pretty good. It had a lot of action in it.
Review: I thought Steve McQueen was a talented actor.My favorite part was when the blob was about to eat the nurse and that cowardly Doctor. The special effects were goofball like, but still scary. There now I said it, so beware THE BLOB!