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The American Astronaut, a review by goodguy

The American Astronaut (2001) Written & Directed by: Cory McAbee Starring: Cory McAbee, Rocco Sisto, Greg Russell Cook, Annie Golden, James Ransone DVD: R0-US Facets (2005) My rating:

Cover Blurb: SPACE TRAVEL HAS BECOME A DIRTY WAY OF LIFE dominated by derelicts, grease monkeys, and hard-boiled interplanetary traders such as Samuel Curtis. Written, directed, and starring Cory McAbee of the legendary cult band The Billy Nayer Show, this sci-fi, musical western uses flinty black and white photography, rugged Lo-Fi sets and the spirit of the final frontier. We follow Curtis on his Homeric journey to provide the all-female planet of Venus with a suitable male, while pursued by an enigmatic killer, Professor Hess. The film features music by The Billy Nayer Show and some of the most original rock 'n' roll scenes ever committed to film.

When I said Star Trek it is not in the What'ya-got-thread, I didn't know the half of it. Described as a black & white sci-fi/western musical, I guess I expected something like "Firefly: The Musical", but even if you can picture that, it would still be way too conventional. And just to make note of it, the movie premiered in early 2001, nearly two years before Firefly.

Anyway. Words like eccentric, absurd, eclectic don't even begin to describe this oddity. The plot has Sam Curtis (played by Cory McAbee), a smuggler and the titular hero, do a complicated series of tradings in the hope to get rich. A black cat, a real-life-girl in a music box, and the-boy-who-saw-a-woman's-breast are the goods that are exchanged on a journey from Ceres to Jupiter to Venus, with a side-stop in an actual barn floating in space.

Still with me? The villain of the piece is Professor Hess (Rocco Sisto), who is also the narrator and has an unexplained history with our hero. Hess is a guy who kills without reason, which means, he can't kill you if he has one. Oh, and it's his birthday, as he likes to tell everyone.

The black & white visuals are as simple as they are stunning, with a strong expressionist touch. The special effects are decidedly lo-tech (a disintegrator pistol turns bodies into heaps of sand that are thrown from off-screen) and the space travel transitions are done via series of static paintings. The music numbers are probably best described as country-punk, mostly with nonsensical lyrics. It is absolutely exhilarating - if you are in that sort of thing. The performances are bold with a slightly amateurish feel, and I mean that in a good way.

The movie is an unbelievable and insane ride almost from beginning to end. It only fails to get full marks due to some really bad patches after the first hour, but it soon finds its footing again.

Trailer and Clip

Below are the trailer and a clip of the first song that happens in the movie (to give you an idea of the music numbers).






(From goodguy's Watch Log on January 6th, 2010)

The City of the Dead, a review by Danae Cassandra

City of the Dead
Year of Release: 1960
Directed By: John Moxey
Starring: Dennis Lotis, Christopher Lee, Patricia Jessel, Tom Naylor, Betta St. John
Genre: Horror

Overview:My Thoughts:
This was a great piece of 60's British horror. Really gothic and creepy, with fantastic atmosphere. Yes, you can tell it's made on a soundstage, but the blackness around the town and the thick fog make Whitewood seem like it exists in another realm. Christopher Lee is in his usual form - charismatic with an aura of menace beneath a classy exterior. The script is good too, especially since you think you know where the film is going and then it hits you with an unexpected twist in the middle. Highly recommended if you enjoy older horror films, or are a fan of Lee's. He's not here as much as I'd like, but he's superb in his scenes.

Watched For: Hoop-tober 3.0, Horror/Halloween Challenge 2016

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 5/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 5th, 2016)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"From Fear To Eternity"
Original Airdate: February 10, 1999
Every 1,300 years, a unique demon appears that feeds on the fears of witches. This time it is targetting the Halliwell sisters and they receive aid from their Wicca ancestors just as they are close to their own fearful deaths.

My Thoughts:
This is another one of my favorites of the season.This episode has the first of several appearances by the demon of fear... played (excellently) by Billy Drago. I thought the storyline was well thought out and played nicely by all.

"Secrets And Guys"
Original Airdate: February 17, 1999
A kidnapped boy (David Netter) with special powers sends cryptic cries for help to Prue. The search for the boy leads to the unveiling of a special secret about Leo, Piper's beau.

My Thoughts:
Leo is back (for now)... and Phoebe finds out what Leo is... but she must keep it a secret from her sisters.

"Is There A Woogy In The House?"
Original Airdate: February 24, 1999
Phoebe's fear of a "Woogyman" who lives in the basement is an ongoing source of amusement for her two sisters. That is, until a violent earthquake unleashes a long-dormant shadow-demon that turns Phoebe against her siblings.

My Thoughts:
Really good episode... and the first time they come out with the fact that Phoebe could be a power of good or a power of evil.

"Which Prue Is It Anyway?"
Original Airdate: March 3, 1999
In an effort to protect Phoebe, Prue chants an incantation to multiply her strength. Surprisingly, the spell results in the creation of multiple Prues.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode... but not one I would call a favorite. Andy is getting closer to figuring out what is going on with the sisters...


"That '70s Episode"
Original Airdate: April 7, 1999
The Halliwell sisters must cast a spell that returns them to the mid-'70s in order to save themselves from a warlock that is immune to the powers of the Charmed Ones.

My Thoughts:
This is an episode that is lots of fun... One I enjoy very much. It was fun to see Grams and the sisters mother basically for the first time (though I do believe we seen Grams before). I also enjoyed seeing what the sisters (2 of them anyway) were like as kids.

"When Bad Warlock Turns Good"
Original Airdate: April 28, 1999
Outrageous situations arise when Phoebe tries to help Piper make a love connection, and Prue meets a young man who is fighting against his destiny to become evil.

My Thoughts:
A decent episode... but not one of my favorites. Don't know what else to really say about this one... just a basic filler episode.

"Out Of Sight"
Original Airdate: May 5, 1999
The sisters attempt a dangerous rescue of a boy who has been kidnapped by a Grimlock, and Prue's secret is shattered when a reporter witnesses her using her magical powers.

My Thoughts:
A good episode. This is the first appearance of the Grimlocks... and the episode where Andy finally finds out the truth about the sisters. I really thought that Phoebe would hook up with the blind guy she got info from... there chemistry seemed so good on the show... but some reason they decided not to go there.

"The Power of Two"
Original Airdate: May 12, 1999
The evil spirit of a serial killer escapes from Alcatraz Island seeking revenge. It's up to Phoebe and Prue to figure out how to vanquish this evil spirit and stop him from killing again, and they must do it without Piper.

My Thoughts:
This is a good basic episode... this time dealing with the Ghost of Alcatraz. It almost seems strange having Andy go to the sister when an "unusual" case crosses his desk... but it really fits... I like him knowing.


(From Charmed Marathon on February 28th, 2008)