DVD Collectors Online

Invasion of the Star Creatures, a review by Danae Cassandra

Invasion of the Star Creatures
Year of Release: 1962
Directed By: Bruno VeSota
Starring: Bob Ball, Frankie Ray, Gloria Victor, Dolores Reed
Genre: Science-Fiction, Comedy
Rating: NR

Overview:
On an assignment to investigate a crater, two dimwitted soldiers (Bob Ball and Frankie Ray) stumble upon a scary plant-like creature. Upon following the VegeMonster into a cave, the bumbling buddies are taken prisoner by two beautiful women who have come from outer space to take over Earth. Soon, the not-so-dynamic duo discover the alien vixens lacking in the love department...and think they might've found a way to save the planet!

My Thoughts:
This is a no-budget comedy spoof of 50's sci-fi cheapies.  I didn't know that going into it, but it's obvious from the get go.  The VegeMen are costumes are the cheapest monster suits I've ever seen.  The dialog is absurd, the men are all complete idiots, the jokes are flat ... yet the film kept me laughing.  Normally I'd be offended by the sexism, and the racial stereotyping of the Indians, but the film doesn't take any of that seriously (or take any part of the film serious, for that matter) and I didn't either.  It's a pretty bad film, but they obviously intended to make a bad film so I'm giving it a better rating than something that had other intentions.  It's funny, mindless, and recommended for fans of schlock.  I had a good time.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall:  2/5

(From B-Movie mini-marathon on March 14th, 2013)

20 years after, a review by Rich

2nd November

20 years after



War, terrorism, and natural disasters have taken their toll on Earth in rapid succession, leaving a planet devoid of newborn children for almost two decades. As a miraculously pregnant survivor approaches her due date, she faces a harsh struggle for survival that brings her into contact with a radio DJ who broadcasts dim and distant messages of hope mixed with the music he scavenges from the dead

Low budget, low entertainment, lowly acting. I have seen better production in a nativity play, higher standard performances on a xmas home video, and more gripping material on the back of a cereal packet.
Avoid this and don't get suckered in by a fancy front cover.
 

(From November Alphabet Marathon - Discussion/Review Thread on November 3rd, 2008)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

The Incredible Hulk: How the Legend Began (1977/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 193 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

---

Plot:
The Incredible Hulk: Pilot Episode
Discover the origin of "The Incredible Hulk" with the TV series pilot that helped to inspire the "Hulk" phenomenon. While conducting a research project about superhuman strength, Dr. David Banner bombards his own system with gamma radiation, unexpectedly transforming himself into the powerful beast, "The Incredible Hulk."


The Incredible Hulk
1.01 Pilot (1977-11-04)
Writer: Kenneth Johnson (Writer)
Director: Kenneth Johnson
Cast: Bill Bixby (David Banner), Susan Sullivan (Elaina Marks), Jack Colvin (Jack McGee), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk), Susan Batson (Mrs. Maier), Mario Gallo (Mr. Bram), Eric Server (Policeman), Charles Siebert (Ben), Terrence Locke (Young Man), June Whitley Taylor (Woman), George Brenlin (Man at Lake), Jake Mitchell (Jerry), William Larson (Minister), Olivia Barash (Girl at Lake), Eric Deon (B.J.)

This pilot TV movie is a good, but maybe sometimes overly drawn-out introduction to the series. Bill Bixby is a great Bruce Banner (here called David). And with Lou Ferrigno they found just the right person for Hulk. I had read that Arnold Schwarzenegger had auditioned for this role, but he was rejected because of his smaller height. Another one who got the role and filmed some scenes, but was replaced early on in the production was Richard Kiel (Jaws from the Bond movies).

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 3rd, 2012)