The Fly

The Fly on VHS. Movie starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel, Leslie Carlson, George Chuvalo, Michael Copeman. Directed by David Cronenberg. 1986.

The Fly VHS cover art

From the VHS box:

Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis star in this frightening update of the horror classic in which a man is transformed into an insect.

Seth Brundle is a brilliant scientist who develops a system to transport objects in a matter of seconds. An intellectual hermit, his entire existence takes on new meaning when he falls in love with an attractive journalist who inspires him to correct the system’s last remaining flaw. Yet when he tries it on himself, Seth’s genes and molecules are accidentally fused with those of a fly. At first Seth is elated by the astonishing new physical abilities he’s suddenly gifted with. But soon his excitement turns into a terrifying nightmare as his insect half begins to take over.

Expertly paced by director David Cronenberg and sizzling with superb special effects, The Fly is both a love story and a suspenseful drama masterfully combined as one immensely effective thriller. 96 minutes.

Available as part of a Blu-ray box set: The Fly Collection.

Bonus back cover scan:

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Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan on VHS. Movie starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Ricardo Montalban, Kirstie Alley, Bibi Besch, Merritt Butrick, Paul Winfield. Directed by Nicholas Meyer. 1982.

Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan VHS cover scan

From the box:

It is the 23rd century.

The Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise is on routine training maneuvers, and Admiral James T. Kirk seems resigned to the fact that this inspection may well be the last space mission of his career.

But Khan is back.

Aided by his exiled band of genetic supermen, Khan–brilliant renegade of 20th century Earth–has raided Space Station Regula One, stolen a top secret device called Project Genesis, wrested control of another Federation starship, and now schemes to set a most deadly trap for his old enemy Kirk… with the threat of a universal Armegeddon!

Bonus back cover scan:

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Dune

Dune on VHS. Movie starring Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Leonardo Cimino, Brad Dourif, Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Linda Hunt, Sting. Directed by David Lynch. 1984.

A Place Beyond Your Dreams. A Movie Beyond Your Imagination.

Dune VHS cover art

From the VHS box (sealed):

The long-awaited film version of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction epic, Dune, explodes on the screen with dazzling special effects, unforgettable images and powerful performances.

The saga of intergalactic warrior Paul Atreides and his messianic rise to leadership features an all-star cast including Jose Ferrer, Max Von Sydow, Oscar-winner Linda Hunt and rock legend, Sting.

This monumental Dino De Laurentiis presentation is directed by Davis Lynch with photography by Academy Award winner Freddie Francis, music by Grammy-winner Toto and incredible monster creations by E.T.’s Carlo Rimbaldi. Visit an unbelievable world beyond time and space, and experience the ultimate adventure that goes beyond the imagination.

Dune VHS back cover:

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Webmaster aka Skyggen

Webmaster VHS cover art. Movie starring Lars Bom, Jorgen Kiil, Puk Scharbau. Directed by Thomas Borch Nielsen. 1998.

No One Is Safe In Cyberworld

Webmaster aka Skyggen VHS cover art. Movie directed by Thomas Borch Nielsen. 1998.

From the VHS box:

In a futuristic cyber world taken over by advanced artificial intelligence, a lone computer hacker (JB) is suddenly drawn into an unknown world controlled by the enigmatic Stoliss. Trading on luck, JB is given the assignment of “Webmaster.” But when a hacker maneuvers his way into Stoliss’ cyber empire, JB is given 35 hours to trap the intruder or die trying. Now, in order to survive, JB is forced to terminate an imposter he doesn’t even know. Let the countdown to death begin.

Bonus back cover scan:

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It Conquered The World

It Conquered The World on VHS video. Movie starring Peter Graves, Beverly Garland, Lee Van Cleef. Directed by Roger Corman. 1956.

It Conquered The World on VHS video. Movie starring Peter Graves, Beverly Garland, Lee Van Cleef. Directed by Roger Corman. 1956.

From the VHS box:

Every man its prisoner… Every woman its slave!

It was part plant and all monster, with crustacean arms and chainsaw teeth. Humanity had never seen anything like it. But whatever it was, It Conquered the World!

Producer-director Roger Corman tapped into the Red Scare of the ’50s with this harrowing tale of a vege-alien from Venus who can bend human minds to his evil will. The terror begins when the monster makes contact with a well-meaning American scientist (Lee Van Cleef, the spaghetti-western star who here packs a microscope instead of a six-gun). The scientist guides the monster to earth… but regrets his hospitality when the newcomer sends out hordes of bats whose bites reduce the townsfolk to zombies.

Peter Graves and Beverly Garland are among those who battle back in this top sci-fi thriller that critic Leonard Maltin calls “well acted… one of Corman’s best.” A creepy monster, blood-sucking bats, screaming victims and earnest men of science: now that’s a Drive-In Classic!

Not found on DVD. It Conquered the World on VHS or DVD-R? Be careful ordering this one.

You know you want the poster: IT CONQUERED THE WORLD *1SH MOVIE POSTER





Macross Plus: The Movie

Macross Plus: The Movie on VHS. English Subtitled Version. Starring  Rica Fukami, Banjô Ginga, Shô Hayami. Directed by Shoji Kawamori. 1995.

Macross Plus: The Movie on VHS. English Subtitled Version. Starring Rica Fukami, Banjô Ginga, Shô Hayami. Directed by Shôji Kawamori. 1995.

From the VHS box cover:

Contains never before seen footage!

Macross Plus scores with its triple-play of dynamic mecha action, dramatic characters and rock music elements creating a visual bonanza with whirlwind air combat scenes that leave you mesmerized.

In 2040 A.D., on the colonial planet Eden, the Ministry of Defense is testing a transforming super-stealth aircraft to counter alien attacks. Join in on the action when rival pilots Isamu and Guld battle for aerial supremacy and the affection of the beautiful Myung. This dramatic, visually superb and complex Japanimation feature is certain to become a favorite with Manga fans everywhere.

From The Director – Shoji Kawamori:

“…There have been many events over time with this title and finally we have been able to release this movie edition. I would like to personally thank all the people who sent us letters of support. When we were making the film, my intentions were to make an animé that was appealing for both fans and the general public. I hope that you liked it…”

Upgrade to DVD: Macross Plus Movie Edition on DVD

Stick to VHS: Macross Plus The Movie on VHS

Alien Nation

Alien Nation on VHS video. Starring James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terence Stamp. Directed by Graham Baker. 1988.

Alien Nation on VHS video. Starring James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terence Stamp. Directed by Graham Baker. 1988.

From the VHS cover:

Prepare Yourself

They have come to Earth to live among us. But there’s something about them we don’t know. Be prepared.

Drugs. Violence. Crime. The headlines of the near future are a lot like today’s — with one big difference. In L.A. alone, there are 300,000 humanoid extraterrestrials. “Newcomers” or, less politely, “slags.” Refugees from a disabled slave ship, they’ve stayed to live and work among us, to try to fit in. But there is something about them we do not know.
James Caan is Sykes, a veteran police detective out to avenge the death of his partner who was killed in a shootout with Newcomers. Many Patinkin is Sam Francisco, Sykes’ new partner and the force’s first Newcomer plainslothesman. Together they uncover a trail of murder leading to the most terrifying drug epidemic to ever hit Planet Earth.

DVD upgrade: Alien Nation

The TV series: Alien Nation – The Complete Series

Life after television: Alien Nation – Ultimate Movie Collection







Nightfall

Nightfall on VHS video. Starring Jennifer Burns, Winsome Brown, Joseph Hodge (Haj), David Carradine. Based on the story by Isaac Asimov published in 1941 and subsequently expanded into a full novel by Asimov and Robert Silverberg in 1990. Directed by Gwyneth Gibby. 2000.

Nightfall on VHS video. Starring Jennifer Burns, Winsome Brown, Joseph Hodge (Haj), David Carradine. Based on the story by Isaac Asimov (which was inspired by an Emerson quote) published in 1941 and subsequently expanded into a full novel by Asimov and Robert Silverberg in 1990. Produced by Roger Corman. Directed by Gwyneth Gibby. 2000.

From the VHS box:

“The Greatest Science Fiction Story of All Time.” as voted by The Science Fiction Writers of America

The people of the planet Aeon, blessed with six suns, have never experienced night. When an archeological excavation uncovers evidence of an ancient catastrophe, all signs point towards the impending darkness of the very first Nightfall. Panic erupts as the suns slowly disappear one by one. Science struggles against superstition as the people race to comprehend the approaching Nightfall… the end of the world as they know it.

DVD upgrade (scathing reviews): Nightfall

They say the book is always better than the movie: Nightfall

Go back in time and pretend the movie never existed: Nightfall and Other Stories (Crest Science Fiction, P1969)







Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 on VHS video. Starring Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, Cyril Cusack. From the book by Ray Bradbury. Directed by François Truffaut.

Fahrenheit 451 on VHS video. Starring Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, Cyril Cusack. From the book by Ray Bradbury. Directed by François Truffaut. 1966.

From the VHS box cover:

Ray Bradbury’s best-selling science fiction masterpiece about a future without books takes on a chillingly realistic dimension in this film classic directed by one of the more important screen innovators of all time, the late Francois Truffaut. Julie Christie stars in the challenging dual role of Oskar Werner’s pleasure-seeking conformist wife, Linda, and his rebellious, book-collecting mistress, Clarisse.

Montag (Oskar Werner), a regimented fireman in charge of burning the forbidden volumes, meets a revolutionary school teacher who dares to read. Suddenly he finds himself a hunted fugitive, forced to choose not only between two women, but between personal safety and intellectual freedom. Truffant’s first English language production is an eerie fable where mankind becomes the ultimate evil.

DVD upgrade: Fahrenheit 451

Read the book: Fahrenheit 451: A Novel