The Satan Bug (1965)- A very tight little thriller based on an Alistair McClean novel with a screenplay co-written by James Clavell (King Rat, Shogun), and directed/produced by John Sturges (Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape).
George Maharis fresh off of Route 66 plays a government agent in hot pursuit of a stolen virus that could destroy the world. Anne Francis, Richard Basehart, and Dana Andrews round out the main cast.
Look for appearances by a lot of tv actors (Ed Asner, Frank Sutton, James Doohan). Also, be ready for plot holes galore, but overall a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Horror Express (1973)- Christopher Lee digs up the missing link in China and boards the Trans-Siberian Express with his prize on his way back to Europe and fame. Little does he know that the caveman is inhabited by a brain frying, knowledge sucking, parasitic alien. Of course murder and mayhem insue as Lee and fellow scientist Peter Cushing try to find a way to stop the creature.
I was really disappointed that Telly Savales didn't show up until the last thirty minutes or so of the movie.
A fun watch, but not much horror involved unless you're afraid of red eyes in the dark. It's a real shame that Christopher Lee never got any of those dashing leading man parts, the guy just oozes presence no matter what kind of tripe he's in.
Trivia - The model train and the train interiors were purchased from the film Nicholas and Alexandra which featured none other than Tom Baker as Rasputin.
Being John Malkovich (1999) - This is one of those movies I avoided watching for years because it sounded really stupid, but when pressed for something to watch Friday night there it was on IFC and I said what the hell.
Boy, was I surprised! This is one original movie. It almost defies explanation. You go in the tunnel and you're John Malkovich for 15 minutes and then you're spit out into a ditch on the New Jersey turnpike. Sounds stupid until you start exploring what this could do to the minds of a couple who are essentially losers.
I'll have to say this movie features the most bizarre love triangle (or should I say quadrangle) I've seen in a film. And you gotta love when Malkovich tries it for himself.
Trek,
Being John Malkovitch is a favorite of my wife and mine. Every now and then, one of us will sing "Malkovitch, Malkovitch" at random moments. Always good for a laugh
I liked the whole puppetry thing in Being John Malcovich.
John Cusak's character was an aspiring puppeteer and then he literally becomes a puppet master when he takes over Malcovich for an extended period of time.
It's a fantastic movie that I haven't seen in years.
I think I may just have to buy it soon.
Ebert gave it 4 stars out of four.
Read his review here (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19991029/REVIEWS/910290301/1023)
Speaking of Being John Malkovich [not to detract from the other films in this list] I have the soundtrack at home with a slightly more in-depth version of the Malkcovich Malkovich song which I always play for a bit of a laugh. Great stuff really. Reccomended listening!
Saw part of the SATAN BUG on FLIX last year. There was a chase in the desert and the film had my kind of look. Been wanting to find this film ever since. Let go of my premium channels so I'll have to wait.
I'm going to put BEING JOHN MALKOVICH on my list. Sounds like a good one Trek Geezer and with all those other endorsements I'll just have to see it some time. I also was avoiding this one for a while, but must admit to being curious about it when passing it on the shelve for a number of years.
"Satan Bug" looks as good as it does, probably because it has a fairly distinguished background. The director and producer are John Sturges, the screenplay was by author James Clavell, and it was based on a novel by Alistair Maclean, writing under the pseudonym Ian Stuart, who also wrote "Guns from Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare."
And what a television program the cast would have made, besides the ones already named, the cast included such television actors as Richard Basehart, Anne Francis, Simon Oakland, John Anderson, Hari Rhodes, Harry Lauter, James Hong, Harold Gould, and movie actor Dana Andrews.
As for "Horror Express," that is the best Hammer horror never made by Hammer Studios. And all because they wanted to do something with the model train and interior train sets left over from "Nicholas and Alexandria."
I have Terror Train somewhere. I just have to dig it up.