I remembered this gem from when I was a young lad. I had great memories of dinosaurs eating people and generally menacing survivors of a spaceship crash.
So. The plot is this: A spaceship crash lands on a planet filled with stop motion dinosaurs. Mayhem ensues.
That doesn't do this classic movie justice thought. First of all the uniforms and facial hair deserve their own dedicated section. The uniforms look like a cross between a bad 1950's sci-fi show and The Running Man. Their are porno mustaches all around. The only exceptions are one guy who's clean shaven, and who has his shirt off the whole movie for no real reason. The other guy has a full beard, and that's how we know he's the man's man.
After the crash, which is never explained, they promptly forget their homing beacon. As you would when you crash land. So naturally the buffest guy deshirts followed by the hottest dumbest female. This is when the killing begins. Mostly offscreen of course since the budget was about 11 dollars.
I highly reccomend finding this movie on the strength of the acting; it's horrifying. The wonderful plot; they don't bother with one. The special effects;1978 and bad for the era. The tremendous dialogue... Some examples.
NYLA: I don't think a chicken laid these eggs...
HARVEY: Well, it wasn't a streetcar baby
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MIKE: Are you afraid of me?
DERNA LEE: Should I be.
MIKE: I'm just another guy.
DERNA LEE: But what if I'm the last one.
You can watch it on YouTube for free.
10. Battle at the Alamo: This is the least important battle on the list, but it may be the most well known. It was signifigant in the development of the United States by leading the defeat of Mexico and the incorporation of much of the southwest. Plus there is the awesome headwear.
9. Siege of Yorktown: The final battle of the Revolutionary War. The British forces are finally forced to surrender after being pinned in by American ground forces and the French Navy. This was the battle that finally cut the cord to the British Empire and really began the United States.
8. Battle of the Argonne Forest: What, you never heard of it huh. This one of the bloodiest battles in American history, but it was in WWI so it's mostly forgotten over here. This battle began to break the German resistance and led to the Armistice that ended the war.
7. Battle of Antietam: The bloodiest day in American history (23,000 casualites). The Union was able to repel Robert E. Lee's first northern invasion, but it was not a conclusive vicotory. However, President Lincoln was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation on the back of the vicotory.
6. Tet Offensive: The Viet Cong launched an offensive in 1968 against the comand and control of South Vietnam and the US. Although the US and South Vietnam end up winning the battle the offensive swings most support to North Vietnam. Although the war lasts for many more years this is when Vietnam was lost in most regards.
5. Battle of Iwo Jima: Some of the fiercest deadliest fighting of WWII. The entrenched Japanese were almost totally annihilate either by fighting or ritual suicide. The airbases were to be used for either an invasion of Japan or as a base for B-29's carrying the Atomic bomb. And if you haven't seen the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi you are in fact blind.
4. Battle of Gettysburg: The turning point of the Civil War. After this Union victory the south never seriously threatened the North and mostly fought a defensive battle until their surrender. Also the site of the Gettysburg Address and countless reenactments.
3. Attack on Pearl Harbor: The surprise Japanese attack brought the United States into WWII. Most of the Pacific Fleet was either sunk or damaged with the exceptions of the aircraft carriers. It was an American defeat, but lead to eventual Japanese defeat.
2. Battle of Saratoga: The second battle of two battles was a decisive American victory and lead to the surrender of over 6000 British troops. It signaled the Americans were capable of fighting and beating the British in head to head combat.
1. Invation of Normandy: Operation Overlord- The Allied attack on fortress Europe in 1944 was the first major step in defeating the Nazi's. The weather was lousy and most of the armor was late or sank, but the infantry and paratroopers were able to secure the vital foothold they needed. Just watch the beginning of Saving Private Ryan.
Currently Watching: Caprica
Currently Reading: Dragon's Egg by Robert Forward
Until next time.
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