Showing posts with label Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Show all posts

Saturday, 6 December 2014

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - Lisa's Review



This is a movie I remember watching with my dad as a child.  I don't remember much about it apart from remembering feeling a bit overwhelmed and freaked out by it and dreaming about it for many nights afterwards.  I Watched it again, maybe in my teens and remember thinking it was quite lame and laughable....  Having watching it again for this review, I have to admit my child brain seemed to have this one down much better than my judgemental 'modern-movie effects loving' teenage one.  Sure it is a B movie, which I generally abhor, but this one I do have a special place for.  This movie has been remade several times, but in my opinion, the original is most definately the best.  So, to a scant premis if you've lived your life under a rock.

The movie starts with a hysterical Dr Miles Bennell relating his story to bemused Psychiatrist Dr Hill.  We view the happenings by way of his flashbacks.   In the town of Santa Mira where Dr Bennell is a local GP, patients start to come in reporting very odd occurances.  They seem to be under the impression that their loved ones are acting so strangely that they must certainly have been replaced by imposters.   Dr Bennell, like with any sensible family doctor put the increasing number of consults down to mass hysteria.    He is even unconvinced when ex girlfriend Becky returns to town and reports a family member having the same tall story.  Appointments with previously hysterical patients all being cancelled is also not convincing enough for him.  Dr Bennell unfortunately discovers that there actually is more to these stories.  Something much, much worse than mass hysteria.

Friday, 8 November 2013

Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Will's Review

First of all, many apologies for the late review; Halloween weekend is not only one of the busiest weekend of the year at work, but also the first time in a loooong time I've been out. The busyness combined with drink and little sleep resulted in quite the recovery and catch-up period.

So, I was glad to be coming back to the 70's remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers; a film I remember watching with my parents as a kid, and really enjoying.

Sadly, it seems that all I remembered was the last 15 minutes; until that point, things were pretty dull.

The story is decent enough (which explains why it seeming gets remade every 2 decades - with other versions in 1956, 1993 and 2007, as well as inspiring countless others.), seeing a race leave it's dying planet in the form of spores and hitch a ride on a solar wind to earth. Once on earth, the spores first assimilate plants, growing into a pink flower, and later synthesising and replacing humans.

Elizabeth is one if the first people to bring the flowers home; and one of the first people to notice something amis, as she becomes convinced that her husband is not her husband, her coworker Mathew (Donald Sutherland) dismisses her claims, but as he begins to encounter more and more people who claim that loved ones have been replaced, he begins to investigate.

The effects are great (especially for the age) with the partially-formed 'pod people' being second only to the moment when we find out what happens to the real bodies of those who have been replaced.

Sadly though, it's interesting premise and effects can't change the fact that it's bone-crushing dull for at least the first 2/3rds of its runtime, as those in the know try in effectively to convince others of what is going on. The movie really only picks up once the epidemic hits critical mass; indeed, it isn't until the last 30 minutes or so that Matthew starts to treat the situation with any real urgency, up to that point he seems happy to almost get on with his day and just mention it if it comes up.

A sadly wasted opportunity which, once again, doesn't live up to the promise of being in the "100 Best Horror Movies"

Saturday, 2 November 2013

Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Lisa's Review.


So we're departed from Shocktober and back to Time Outs Top 100 Horrors this week (phew!).

Before I was awash with relief and excitement, I should have watched this weeks movie.  That would have soon put me back in my box!  Dare I say it, I would rather watched Troll 2 again than sit through the sedative that is 'Invasion of the body snatchers (1978)'.

The impressive cast of this movie (including a young Jeff Goldblum - schwing!) could fool you into thinking that you are in for a treat, but sadly (in my case) that wasn't the case.

The movie is a remake of the 1956 adaptation of the book.  I haven't seen the original either, but have been informed by my other half that it is much superior.

A health inspector and his colleague work together to convince the authorities and others (with great difficulty) that individuals are being replaced by alien versions of themselves, devoid of any emotion.  This take over spreads rapidly throughout the city and it seems it won't be long until this lifeform from a dying planet won't be long in making earth their new residence)



I just found it very hard to stay interested.  I found the entire thing very dull, uninteresting and boring.  There wasn't even anything like bad acting or even a bad script to laugh at.  I couldn't even chuckle at the effects, as they were ok too.  I just couldn't get onboard with the movie at all.

I made myself sit up and pay attention several times, yet over and over felt my attention waning.  I don't know if this is any reflection on me or the movie.  However, Darren was far from impressed also, so you have the viewpoints of 2 people there.

This Top 100 isn't turning out to be so impressive as yet!  Please bring on something decent soon!!!

Sunday, 27 October 2013