20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), Director: Nathan Juran, rated Approved

Out-Of-Space Creature Invades the Earth!

Starring: William Hopper, Joan Taylor, Frank Puglia, Thomas Browne Henry, John Zaremba, Tito Vuolo, Jan Arvan, Arthur Space

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"I've had nightmares in my time, but I've never dreamed of anything like this." - Dr. Judson Uhl

Why watch this? This is one of Harryhausen's early high points. The beast will grow on you.

Plot Summary: The film centers on a micro-organism from Venus attached to a returned space probe. As "it" quickly grows, it seems harmless, right up to the point where it escapes and wreaks havoc. Without taking any steps to understand the beast, the Army rolls in the tanks and uses its arsenal to attack the scaled behemoth.

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pictures

Experience The Fantastic!

Starring: Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier, Judi Bowker, Maggie Smith, Burgess Meredith, Ursula Andress

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You must win Medusa's head. She's not going to give it to you. As a present. As difficult and dangerous as to vanquish a thousand Krakens. Your only chance against the Kraken. Give us the eye." - Stygian Witch

Why watch this? It's fun adventure on a grand scale worthy of the Gods.

Plot Summary: In ancient Greece, Perseus, the son of the god Zeus, grows to manhood on an island after escaping a cruel fate inflicted upon him as a newborn by his grandfather, King Acrisius. Guided by the Olympian gods, Perseus embarks on a series of adventures to win the hand of Princess Andromeda and defeat the monstrous creatures who stand in his way, including the evil Calibos. Ultimately, Perseus must faces the formidable Kraken to save Andromeda and secure their destiny.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Charles H. Schneer Prod.;
United Artists

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Director: Nathan Juran, rated G

The Sheer Magic of DYNARAMA Now Re-creates the Most Spectacular Adventures Ever Filmed!

Starring: Kerwin Mathews, Torin Thatcher, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Alec Mango, Danny Green, Alfred Brown

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"From the land beyond beyond. From the world past hope and fear. I bid you, genie, now appear." - Sokurah the Magician

Why watch this? The mythical creatures are a treat, especially the hungry Cyclops!

Plot Summary: When an evil wizard shrinks a princess, Sinbad must journey to a dangerous island to find the only cure. This perilous quest is crucial, not only to save the princess, but also to prevent a war between two kingdoms. Sinbad and his crew face terrifying creatures and overcome magical obstacles in their quest to restore the princess to her normal size.

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pics

Travel back through time and space to the edge of man's beginnings...
discover a savage world whose only law was lust!

Starring: Raquel Welch, John Richardson, Percy Herbert, Robert Brown, Martine Beswick, Jean Wladon, Lisa Thomas

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Their laws are simple: the strong take everything. This is Akhoba, leader of the Rock Tribe..." - Narrator

Why watch this? Volcanoes. Dinosaurs. Cave People in fur swimsuits... I am way in!

Plot Summary: This pre-historic tale focuses on Tumak, a caveman banished from his violent Rock tribe after a confrontation with his father, the leader. Wandering a dangerous prehistoric world inhabited by dinosaurs, he eventually encounters Loana, a member of the more civilized and gentle Shell tribe. Despite initial cultural clashes, their connection sparks a romance that challenges the established traditions of both tribes.

Hammer Film Productions, Seven Arts;
Warner-Pathé Dist.

Climb aboard for the adventure of your life!

Starring: (the voice talents of) Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite, Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Leeves, Miriam Margolyes, Susan Sarandon, David Thewlis

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"When I had a problem, my mom and dad would tell me to look at it another way." – James

Why watch this? Sometimes an abused child's only escape is their imagination.

Plot Summary: Based on Roald Dahl's classic children's novel, this film tells the story of a young orphan named James, who lives with his two cruel and abusive aunts. James dreams of escaping his unhappy life and finds a chance when he befriends a group of anthropomorphic insects inside a magical giant peach. Together, they embark on a fantastical journey to New York City, facing various adventures and challenges along the way.

Walt Disney Pictures; Allied Filmmakers,
Skellington Prod.; Buena Vista Distributing

This Ain't No Chick Flick!

Starring: Phil Daniels, Lynn Ferguson, Mel Gibson, Tony Haygarth, Jane Horrocks, Miranda Richardson, Julia Sawalha, Timothy Spall

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Now, the most important thing is, we have to work as a team, which means: you do everything I tell you." - Rocky Rooster

Why watch this? It's a delightful, full-length Nick Parks film... and it's about... chickens.

Plot Summary: A group of chickens on a British farm yearn for freedom. When their owners, the Tweedys, plan to turn them into pot pies, the resolved chickens, led by the determined Ginger, must find a way to escape. Their hopes are raised when a smooth-talking American rooster named Rocky arrives, who boasts that he can teach them to fly over the barnyard's fence.

Pathé, DreamWorks Animation, Aardman
Features, Allied Filmmakers; DreamWorks Pics

In This House... If You've Seen One Ghost... You Haven't Seen Them All.

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Maurice Page, Hugo Stanger

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I'm not scared of sheets. Are you gross under there? Are you Night of the Living Dead under there? Like all bloody veins and pus?" - Lydia

Why watch this? Tim Burton is a master at creating a world of the macabre.

Plot Summary: Adam and Barbara, a recently deceased couple, find themselves haunting their former home, unable to leave. When a new family moves in and tries to drastically alter the house, the ghosts attempt to scare them away. Their unsuccessful attempts lead them to seek help from a chaotic spirit named Beetlejuice, whose unconventional methods become dangerous for everyone involved.

The Geffen Company; Warner Bros.

New Friends, Old Enemies.

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Reece Shearsmith, Laren Patel, Dian Morgan, Muzz Khan, Adjoa Andoh, Victoria Elliott

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Give him the diamond, lad. I can live without inventing, but I can't live without... me best pal!" – Wallace, referring to the Blue Diamond

Why watch this? To laugh heartily and witness the return of the notorious Feathers McGraw!

Plot Summary: Wallace, a quirky inventor, introduces a new "smart gnome" called Norbot, which sparks concern in his loyal dog, Gromit, about his over-reliance on technology. This concern proves justified when a vengeful figure from the duo's past manipulates Norbot and an army of gnomes, framing Wallace for crimes and threatening to end his inventing career forever.

Aardman Anamations; Netflix

Greatest Odyssey Of The Ages - for the first time on the screen

Starring: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith, Niall MacGinnis, Michael Gwynn, Nigel Green, Douglas Wilmer

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Rise up, you dead, slain of the hydra. Rise from your graves and avenge us. Those who steal the Golden Fleece must die." – King Aeetes

Why watch this? Many consider this Ray Harryhausen's best film. He thought so, too.

Plot Summary: Young Jason returns to claim his rightful throne, only to be challenged by his uncle, King Pelias, to seek the legendary Golden Fleece. Jason gathers a crew of heroes, the Argonauts, and embarks on a perilous voyage filled with monstrous creatures and unforeseen dangers across uncharted seas. Guided by the goddess Hera and encountering allies and betrayals, the crew faces incredible obstacles in their quest to find the fleece and ultimately determine Jason's destiny.

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pictures

Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Epic.

Starring: (the voices of) Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Brenda Vaccaro, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, George Takei, Rooney Mara, Meyrick Murphy

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"He looked into my eyes and uttered four simple words. These words changed everything... You are my quest." - Monkey

Why watch this? This is a superb, and visually stunning, animated fable.

Plot Summary: In ancient Japan, a young boy named Kubo lives a quiet life caring for his ailing mother and captivating his village with magical origami stories and music. This peaceful existence is shattered when a spirit from the past reignites an old vendetta, forcing Kubo to embark on a perilous journey to find his late father's enchanted armor. Joined by a protective Monkey and an amnesiac Beetle, Kubo faces formidable foes and discovers the power of his family's legacy.

Laika; Focus Features

The Story of a Rebel and His Bike.

Starring: Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger, Judd Omen, Irving Hellman, Monte Landis, Damon Martin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I wouldn't sell my bike for all the money in the world. Not for a hundred million, trillion, billion dollars!" - Pee-wee Herman

Why watch this? It's childish, silly and mindlessly fun - sometimes, I just need that.

Plot Summary: Pee-wee Herman, a man with a childlike innocence and an extraordinary love for his bicycle, finds his world turned upside down when his prized possession is stolen. Determined to recover it, Pee-wee embarks on a whimsical, cross-country adventure, encountering a diverse cast of characters and comical situations along the way. His journey leads him to discover that his bike is being used as a prop in a film, setting the stage for a grand finale where he must retrieve it and face the consequences of his audacious quest.

Aspen Film Society; Warner Bros.

From the makers of Chicken Run.

Starring (Voice talent of): Peter Sallis

"They're techno-trousers, ex-NASA, fantastic for walkies!" - Wallace

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

Why watch this? ... it's a delightfully British claymation misadventure that will leave quite an impression.

Plot Summary: Due to financial strain, Wallace and his clever dog Gromit decide to take in a lodger – a seemingly innocent penguin who quickly takes a keen interest in Wallace's new "Techno Trousers". Gromit grows suspicious of the penguin's unusual behavior, especially after being displaced from his own room to accommodate the new guest. It soon becomes clear that the penguin has a sinister plan involving the robotic pants.

Aardman Anamations, Wallace and Gromit Ltd.,
BBC Bristol, Lionheart TV, BBC Children's Int'l;
BBC Enterprises

7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964), Director: George Pal, rated Approved

Bolt the doors! Lock the windows! Dr. Lao's coming to town!

Starring: Tony Randall, Arthur O’Connell, Barbara Eden, John Ericson, Noah Berry Jr., Kevin Tate, Royal Dano

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"This is the circus of Dr. Lao. We show you things that you don't know. We've spared no pains and spared no dough, but we wanted to give you one helluva show!" - Dr. Lao

Why watch this? For its time, this was a strange, wonderful film to behold.

Plot Summary: In the dusty town of Abalone, Arizona, the arrival of a mysterious circus led by the enigmatic Dr. Lao disrupts the lives of its inhabitants. Through his fantastical acts and mythical creatures, Dr. Lao's circus challenges the townspeople to confront their flaws, desires, and personal truths. Most people walk away spooked, but a little wiser. For others, the lesson can be more terrifying.

George Pal; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

In darkness, there can be light. In misery, there can be beauty. In death, there can be life...

Starring: Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil, Álex Angulo, Manolo Solor

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I've had so many names. Old names that only the wind and the trees can pronounce. I am the mountain, the forest and the earth. I am... I am a faun. Your most humble servant, Your Highness." - Pan to Ofelia

Why watch this? As wise critic Roger Ebert penned, "It is a fairy tale for grown-ups".

Plot Summary: Set in Spain during WWII, a young girl, Ofelia, and her pregnant mother move into the compound where her ruthless father-in-law, Captain Vidal, resides. Vidal, a sadistic leader, is responsible for suppressing a band of rebels who resist the Francoist regime. He is cruel, especially to Ofelia. To cope, the girl escapes to an imaginary world of fairies and creatures. Within a nearby stone maze, she encounters the bizarre, horned Pan, a faun who gives her three tasks to prove her worthiness to become a princess.

Estudios Picasso, Tequila Gang, Esperanto
 Filmoj, Sententia Ent.; Warner Bros. Pictures

A ghoulish tale with wicked humor & stunning animation.

Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, Ed Ivory

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Well, well, well. What have we here? Sandy Claws, huh? Ooo, I'm really scared! So you're the one everybody's talking about?" – Oogie Boogie Man

Why watch this? The animation is superb, and the songs are really catchy.

Plot Summary: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, feels a growing sense of ennui with the annual traditions of Halloween. Driven by a yearning for something new, he discovers Christmas Town and becomes enchanted by its unfamiliar festivities. Inspired, Jack decides to take over Christmas and attempts to bring the holiday to Halloween Town, leading to unexpected and spooky interpretations of Christmas traditions.
 

Dad's Preview: What a concept! Let's merge Halloween into Christmas, and have our hero be a terrifying, yet well-meaning, skeleton. What?! This unique film is magical and humorously wonderful. This is for the "warped of mind", which is probably why I fell head-over-bones in love with this holiday flick. I suits me just fine to embrace a creepy journey through the creative mind of Tim Burton, and the music of Oingo Boingo's Danny Elfman. Kids... watch out for Mr. Oogity-Boogity, he's a bit scary!

Touchstone Pictures, Skellington Prod.;
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Who ya gonna call?

Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I've only been with the company for a couple of weeks, but I gotta tell you: these things are real. Since I joined these men, I have seen shit that'll turn you white! – Winston Zeddemore

Why watch this? It may be the best SNL-cast film ever. It's delightfully creative and fun!

Plot Summary: Three eccentric parapsychologists are fired from their university jobs and decide to start a unique ghost removal service in New York City. As supernatural occurrences escalate throughout the city, they attract a growing clientele and become famous. They must ultimately confront an ancient entity threatening to unleash destruction upon the world.

Columbia-Delphi Productions, Black Rhino;
Columbia Pictures

Part man. Part machine. All cop.

Starring: Peter Weller, Karen Allen, Daniel O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Robert DoQui, Ray Wise, Paul McCrane, Lee de Broux

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Let me make something clear to you. He doesn't have a name. He has a program. He's product." - Bob Morton

Why watch this? It's an excellent sci-fi film about a possible future of law enforcement.

Plot Summary: In a crime-ridden future Detroit, the Omni Consumer Products (OCP) corporation privatizes the police force, seeking to implement their advanced robotic officers to control the city's rampant criminal activity. When police officer Alex Murphy is brutally murdered by a gang, OCP uses his body to create RoboCop, a cyborg law enforcer programmed to serve the public trust. As RoboCop patrols the city and fights crime, memory fragments of his past life as Alex Murphy begin to resurface, leading him on a path to investigate his own death and the corruption within OCP.

Arne Schmidt; Orion Pictures

You Will Orbit into the Fantastic Future!

Starring: Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot, Whit Bissell, Tom Helmore, Doris Lloyd, Paul Frees

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"George... I speak to you as a friend – more as a brother... if that machine can do what you say it can, destroy it. Destroy it, George, before it destroys you!" – David Filby

Why watch this? It's a thought-provoking rendition of H. G. Wells' classic novel.

Plot Summary: Set in Victorian England, the film follows an inventor who builds a machine to travel through time. His journey takes him into a distant future where humanity has split into two distinct groups: the peaceful, surface-dwelling Eloi and the monstrous, subterranean Morlocks. He becomes entangled in their struggle and works to understand the secrets behind their existence and the decline of mankind.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Galaxy Films;
Loew's Ltd.

A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today!

Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive - a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World!" - Carl Denham

Why watch this? It is a classic. It's the first great giant monster film, and so fun to watch.

Plot Summary: Adventurous filmmaker Carl Denham embarks on an expedition to a remote, uncharted island with his film crew and actress Ann Darrow. Upon arrival, they discover the island is inhabited by prehistoric creatures and a colossal ape named Kong, worshipped by the local natives. The natives kidnap Ann and offer her as a sacrifice to Kong, who becomes infatuated with her. After pursuing Kong and Ann through the perilous island jungle, Denham manages to capture Kong and brings him back to New York City to exhibit him to the public.

Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack;
RKO Radio Pictures

Sinbad Battles the Creatures of Legend in the Miracle of Dynarama!

Starring: John Phillip Law, Tom Baker, Takis Emmanuel, Caroline Munro, Douglas Wilmer, Martin Shaw

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel." - Sinbad

Why watch this? This is vintage, wonderful Ray Harryhausen - it may be his best work.

Plot Summary: Sinbad discovers a magical golden amulet that sets him on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Fountain of Destiny located on the uncharted island of Lemuria. He is joined by a vizier and a mysterious slave girl as they embark on a journey filled with mythical creatures, tempests, and dark interference from the evil sorcerer Koura. Sinbad must battle Koura and his magical creations to unlock the amulet's power and reach the fabled fountain.
 

Dad's Preview: This treasure almost made DML Top50, but lost out to Valley of Gwangi (1969). This is the best of Ray's Sinbad films. As Sinbad and his crew work to restore the Grand Vizier to this rightful throne, they must battle a sorcerer and his powerful magic and monstrous giant creatures. The acting feels natural, the villain is deliciously evil, and the special effects - well... they're freakin' awesome! Also, an un-credited Robert Shaw lent his talents to portray the ghastly "Oracle of All Knowledge" (The British actor felt this cameo was "beneath him", so he insisted on being uncredited).

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pictures

Cowboys Battle Monsters in the Lost World of Forbidden Valley!

Starring: James Franciscus, Gila Golan, Richard Carlson, Laurence Naismith, Freda Jackson, Gustavo Rojo, Dennis Kilbane, Curtis Arden

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

DML Top 50 #39 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Valley of Gwangi

"He who takes from Gwangi the evil one is cursed." – Tia Zorina, the gypsy woman

Why watch this? ... to see the amazing spectacle that is Gwangi!

Plot Summary: When a struggling Wild West show, in early 20th-century Mexico, encounters a prehistoric horse, it leads them to a hidden valley teeming with dinosaurs. Driven by the desire for fame and fortune, the show's cowboys capture a formidable Allosaurus, known as Gwangi, intending to exhibit it as a grand attraction. However, their plans quickly unravel when the captured creature proves impossible to control.
 

Dad's Preview: As a young boy, I loved dinosaur movies and Westerns. You can imagine my elation when a preview at the local drive-in advertised Gwangi! I lost my mind. Cowboys discover dinosaurs in a hidden valley. The film itself did not disappoint. It features some of Ray Harryhausen's finest stop-motion animation, including a tiny horse, and numerous prehistoric beasties. This hidden gem increased my appetite for more Harryhausen films I am happy to say.

Charles H. Schneer Prod.;
Warner Bros.-Seven Arts