XTRO

How about this flick?  XTRO is a really cool alien movie with an awesome storyline.  Husband is abducted by aliens and comes back years later to his family with the intent to procreate with  the human race.  This is a low-budget movie with an (almost) entirely English cast.  The thing I love about this movie is that the story is actually really good.  The acting in the movie is also really good.  1983 did not have many alien movies, (KRULL and Return Of The Jedi) so this one is worth talking about.  I just don't think this film became awesome until years later.

The cast is relatively unknown except for the beautiful, Maryam d'Abo.  She is absolutely stunning in this movie and has been in other notable movies such as The Living Daylights and  Dorian Gray.  The feel of this movie is very cool for the time.  The film soundtrack is absolutely overwhelming and over-the-top at times which adds that much more to the film.

And let's not forget about the unbelievable "rape" scene.  (SPOILER) The alien attacks a woman and impregnates her with its spawn.  This scene is years ahead of the scenes in Species.  This is truly and unforgettable scene that should not be missed!  As for the rest of the movie, it drags on a bit but still manages to keep you watching.  There are really weird parts of the movie with a midget clown and a life-size army man that keeps you scratching your head a bit but entertained, none-the-less.

XTRO is a great sci-fi horror movie that should not be looked over.  I just watched it again(for the millionth time) and it is still really cool.  Great scenes of 80's gore and horror reside in this movie but no real scares.  The movie is somewhat predictable but never-the-less an enjoying experience.  There is an XTRO 2 and 3 with a 4th film currently in the works.  If you are an 80's gore junkie like me, you will have this one in your collection!

American Werewolf in London

Wow, my third favorite werewolf movie.  Third, you ask!  Yes,  I know this is an Oscar-winning masterpiece that delivers on all levels, but I stand by The Howling 1 and 2.  Anyways, I digress, American Werewolf in London has everything: great acting, humor, unbelievable special effects, and a few legitimate scares.  This tried-and-true film is truly, one of the greatest werewolf movies ever made.

From the very beginning, this film is awesome.  The opening sequence is priceless as well as scary.  I mean, who can forget the Slaughtered Lamb Pub and its peculiar occupants?  The concept of the film for this particular genre is great: werewolf is cursed to be stalked by the ghost's of the people he kills.  This concept is truly original and has not been repeated in another werewolf movie, to my knowledge. The musical soundtrack is also another neat detail that Mr. Landis added.  Every song in the movie involves the word, "moon" in it.  Very clever, sir!

I could go on and on about this film,  let's start with the director; the legendary John Landis.   The visionary of such films as Animal House, Innocent Blood, and Thriller.  I salute this man for his extreme attention to detail, atmosphere, humor, casting, and SFX.  This guy is truly a legend.  His genius puts together an awesome cast of actors that never did that much more than this film. (save Frank Oz)

And how about the special effects?  From zombies to Nazi zombies to werewolf to gore, this film lays it down proper.  The werewolf in this film is, bar none, the most original and terrifying, werewolf on film.  Finally, let's not forget the epic transformation sequence.  While not as terrifying as the one in The Howling, this scene is mind-blowing from a technical stance.  I love this film and you should to.  If you have not seen it or have not seen it in a while, it's a great date movie.