The 1980s and ’90s were a glorious time for science fiction. Of course there was the bevy of A list movies that changed the landscape of the genre, and of cinema in general, ever after. But on top of that were all the knock-off and exploitation sci-fi movies that were close enough in makeup to some of those tentpole titles but that didn’t have the budget or the effects to fully realize their premises. But that’s what makes them fun! B-level sci-fi, often of the direct-to-video variety, was a genre all unto itself, and it’s this enjoyment that we hope to share with our new Alpha series, Streaming VHS.
Tuesday night at 8:30pm PT, you’ll be able to log onto Project Alpha and watch a different oft-forgotten sci-fi/action flick from the halcyon ’80s along with us, with live audio commentary by critics, fans, and sometimes even filmmakers themselves! You’ll get to watch a weird old movie and learn a thing or two at the same time.
This week, you’re in for a treat, schlocky sci-fi movie fans! Dan Casey and I will be watching the 1990 flick Alienator, a kind of mixture of Terminator, Assault on Precinct 13, and Space Mutiny, and not only because it stars the B movie icon that is John Philip Law. The best part? Dan and I will be joined by the film’s director, and a bona fide schlock auteur Fred Olen Ray, whose filmography is more robust than any 10Â directors combined. Let’s have a look at Alienator!
Looks bananas, right?! Alienator also stars Jan Michael Vincent, P.J. Soles, Ross Hagen, and a giant robot woman with a gun for an arm. It’s a blast and a half.
It all begins Tuesday, December 20, at 8:30pm PT. And if you can’t watch live, no worries! The whole thing will be available on Alpha’s VOD the following day, as part of your subscription. Join us!
Image: Image Entertainment
Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. He writes the weekly look at weird or obscure films in Schlock & Awe. Follow him on Twitter!
