Monthly Archives: September 2020

V – The Original Miniseries (1983) | Kenneth Johnson

September 25, 2020Insidious Extraterrestrialsalien, Blair Tefkin, Bonnie Bartlett, David Packer, Evan C. Kim, fascism, Faye Grant, George Morfogen, Jane Badler, Kenneth Johnson, Leonardo Cimino, lizard, Marc Singer, media, Michael Durrell, Michael Wright, nazi, Nazis, Neva Patterson, Peter Nelson, reptile, Richard Herd, Richard Lawson, Robert Englund, spaceship, Tommy Peterson, waterqwipster

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The people of Earth are visited and befriended by a human-like race from outer space inhabiting massive spacecraft, 50 of them measuring three miles in diameter, hovering over cities throughout the world. These newcomers speak Earth’s languages fluently, though they have distinct electronic-sounding voices and are so sensitive to light that they frequently wear sunglasses. They’re called the Visitors by the people of Earth. They’ve come to our planet for resources that we can manufacture for their people to survive in exchange for their vast knowledge of technology and medicine. They become celebrities welcomed by humans worldwide.

Manufacturing ramps up while the Visitors take over media outlets, shaping public opinion for their cause against the world’s scientists and any others who might figure out how to stop their domination, registering them to track their whereabouts, and imposing their influence upon the world. Revealed within the tale is that the Visitors are a race of carnivorous reptilians donning elaborate human disguises to suck the Earth completely dry of its water and to harvest humans for food. Kenneth Johnson writes, directs, and produces. Marc Singer, Faye Grant, and Jane Badler star.

Alien Nation (1988) | Graham Baker

September 18, 2020Alien Refugeesalien, Alien Nation, cop, drug, Gale Anne Hurd, Graham Baker, immigration, James Caan, James Cameron, LAPD, Los Angeles, Mandy Patinkin, refugee, Rockne S. O'Bannon, slavery, Terence Stampqwipster

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Set in the near future of 1991, it’s been three years since the landing of an actual flying saucer landed on Earth, containing a species of aliens (dubbed “Newcomers”) who had been genetically engineered as slave laborers. The Newcomers are smarter and physically stronger than their human counterparts, which makes them more suitable to perform certain jobs, and the backlash against them from the human population is escalating daily. In this environment, Detective Sergeant Matt Sykes (James Caan) has his partner killed by one of the alien “slags”, making it his mission to take down the ones responsible. He voluntarily requests to be partnered with the first Newcomer police detective, Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin) – Sykes calls him “George” instead, and while they haven’t been specifically assigned the homicide case, Sykes won’t stay off of it, employing Sam’s help as needed in order to get to the bottom of the underworld slag crime syndicate. Directed by Graham Baker from a script by Rockne S. O’Bannon and an uncredited James Cameron.

Stranded (1987) | Tex Fuller

September 11, 2020Alien Refugeesalien, Brendan Hughes, cop, farm, Flea, hostage, Ione Skye, Joe Morton, Maureen O'Sullivan, North Carolina, Red Hot Chili Peppers, refugee, sheriff, siege, Spice Williams, Tex Fuller, vigilanteqwipster

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In the story, five escaped alien refugees come to Earth like a bolt of lightning and find themselves in a remote North Carolina Victorian-style farmhouse inhabited by a newly-orphaned teenage girl Deirdre Clark (Ione Skye) and her grandmother Grace (Maureen O’Sullivan). Suspicions are high, resulting in the aliens taking casualties in a gunfight with the local yokels. They just want to be left alone and leave peacefully. But police are surrounding the house, just barely able to contain the gin-toting locals out for revenge for these aliens killing one of their own. Joe Morton and Flea also appear.

The Brother from Another Planet (1984) | John Sayles

September 4, 2020Alien Refugeesalien, assimilation, Bill Cobbs, Caroline Aaron, classism, David Strathairn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ellis Island, extraterrestrial, Fisher Stevens, Harlem, heal, immigration, Joe Morton, John Sayles, New York City, racism, slavery, Tom Wright, video gamesqwipster

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A mute extraterrestrial resembling a black man (but with feet that have three toes) crash lands his spaceship near New York City. Not understanding where he is or what people are saying, he finds his way to Harlem’s 125th Street. Although derided as either crazy or homeless, others discover his worth when he can heal broken electronics and human injuries with a single touch. A concerned social worker helps him get a job as a repairman. Hobnobbing with patrons at a local bar, the Brother finds a dangerous world outside of junkies, thieves, and thugs. Bounty hunters from his homeworld are after him. After discovering a boy’s heroin overdose, he uncovers a Wall Street drug ring. Joe Morton stars in this John Sayles film.

Around the World in 80s Movies Podcast

A concise podcast reviewing the films released in the 1980s, with history, trivia, fun facts, and film critic Vince Leo's personal recollection with the era that defined a generation's taste in movies.

Monthly Archives: September 2020

V – The Original Miniseries (1983) | Kenneth Johnson

Alien Nation (1988) | Graham Baker

Stranded (1987) | Tex Fuller

The Brother from Another Planet (1984) | John Sayles