Space Quest 20-Movie Set

Rating:
Summary: Sci-fi cheapskates, you have found your Mecca
Review: I should have probably rated this 5 stars based on value: I mean 20 movies for the price of one?!? Of course as with all the BCI Eclipse multi-disc sets, the quality of the movies varies greatly, and none of these movies are big-budget. But if that doesn't deter you, read my summary of all 20 from worst to best:

(20) Waiting for the Giants. Sappy, shot-on-video, fairly good idea with a heavy-handed, lame ending.

(19) The Eyes Behind the Stars. Dull Italian attempt to capitalize on the early 80's UFO craze. Abductions, government conspiracies, and they pronounce it "yoofo."

(18) Journey to the Center of Time. Boring 60's time-travel, all shot on one soundstage apparently. Inept use of stock footage.

(17) Neophytes & Neon Lights. Late 90's (?) Australian effort. Talky but decent dialogue and performances. I didn't get the ending.

(14-16) Cosmos: War of the Planets/War of the Robots/Star Odyssey. 1978 Italian Star Wars ripoffs all directed by Al Bradly (Alfonso Brescia). All 3 use the same costumes, sets, props and some of the same actors. A "crap trilogy" if you will, some campy Ed Wood-style fun if you can stand it.

(13) Alien Species. Shot-on-video; humans battle alien invaders. Fast-paced cheesy fun; ends abruptly promising "Alien Species II."

(12) Killers from Space. 1954 B&W starring Peter "Mission Impossible" Graves. MS3K-style fun with ping pong ball-eyed aliens.

(11) Idaho Transfer. 70's acid trip weirdness directed by Peter Fonda. Gets dull at times but the ending will blow you away.

(10) Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet. Color print looks like B&W with some reddish tinting. Scientists explore said planet and bring a robot. Fun rubbery monsters here.

(9) The Day Time Ended. From 1980: family moves into solar-powered desert house, no explanation for the strange occurrences that take place. Fans of stop-motion effects will love it.

(8) Laser Mission. Not sci-fi, but action-packed Brandon Lee vehicle co-starring Ernest Borgnine. "The Crow" it ain't.

(7) Slipstream. The Earth has been wiped clean by powerful winds, forcing people to shelter themselves in small villages and camps. Runs out of steam by the end, but Bill Paxton is always reliable in the redneck-style role, and Mark Hamill hams it up as a bounty hunter.

(6) In the Year 2889. After several nuclear wars, 2889 looks remarkably like the mid-1960's, heh heh. Motley assortment of characters (scientist/virginal daughter, hillbilly, stripper, etc.) hides out from radiation and mutants.

(5) They Came from Beyond Space. 60's British effort, well-paced with a good story. Crashed meteorites control the minds of those who investigate them, bwahahahahaha.

(4) Abraxas: Guardian of the Universe. Jesse Ventura plays an intergalactic cop who comes to Earth pursuing a bad guy who sounds like Ah-nold. Hilariously non-acted, with a brief yet funny scene featuring Jim Belushi.

(3) Creature. Alien rip-off with some excellent gore effects. Klaus Kinski has a supporting role.

(2) Warriors of the Wasteland. Fans of 80's Italian horror will recognize familiar faces in this Road Warrior ripoff. Co-starring blaxploitation icon Fred Williamson who shoots exploding arrows. Lots of action and crazy weapons.

(1) Little Shop of Horrors. Not sci-fi, but classic B&W black comedy directed by Roger Corman, supposedly in three days. Not the best print available, but great dialogue with tons of double meanings. If you've only seen the musical remake, do yourself a favor and check it out.