Is this the 1936 movie, based on the novel by H.G. Wells?

Wow, they sure called it when the movie predicted a global war in just a few years time!

No, this is the 1979 version produced by our old pal Harry Alan Towers and starring Jack Palance. It was one of the many attempts to cash in on the popularity of Star Wars and only bears scant resemblance to the source material.

Never seen this version.

As I understand it, it resembles the source material about as well as I Robot from 2003 resembled the works of Isaac Asimov. I'm not the biggest fan of H.G. Wells, so I'm not too bothered, but others might.

Yeah, from what I have read, the 1936 version is much closer.

Well, that was disappointing. I realize that not every science fiction film that tried to hitch on to the Star Wars gravy train was a high action romp with lots of pew-pew-pew. Still, it was quite plodding and was further hampered by confused worldbuilding. But the robot designs were neat, and it was nowhere near as much a chore to sit through as Munchie. Though I realize the latter is a pretty low bar to clear.

Favorite riffs

Is it too early for a Uranus joke?

[as a button marked Cancel is pressed]
Meanwhile at Netflix...

These Harrison Ford close-ups get tougher every year.

Yeah, I get that I am here, but where's the Hot Topic?

We shouldn't have made our dome out of cellophane!

"Humpty Dumpty had a great fall."
Do not mock my pain.

Chernobyl for a prom theme. What were they thinking?

What is happening?
Whatever it is, they can't afford to show it.

"Percentages do not favor a successful journey. Disaster through malfunction predicted."
But you can shake me and ask again later.

"Well, we're on our way. Out there in the vastness of space. The unknown."
It's only a model.

Man, the Mork from Ork auditions were a lot more competitive than I'd been led to believe.

Full Metal Jack and the Beanstalk.

Oh no, someone fed Daft Punk after midnight.

First floor, housewares, linens, killer robots.

Camp Crystal Lake. This is going to be a fun summer.

Kristin Wiig is Cheryl Ladd as Linsay Wagner in The Bionic Woman.

The Libyans shot me, Marty!

That's sweet. Would you guys ever escort me into a dangerous unknown situation?
I'd walk with you so I could better criticize your choices.
I'd let you walk in front of me so you could shield me from the worst of the shrapnel.

Jim Henson's Sniper Babies.

Is that a map to dry land?

I've had to Truffle Shuffle just to survive.

"They tried to understand the nature of the universe."
Turns out it's 42.

The ship canna take much more of this, cap'n. She's... oh, never mind.

He looks so menacing in mustard.

"And you, Dr. Caball..."
Can believe it, or not.

Susan Anton, David Soul, and Cathy Lee Crosby in Weekend at Bernie's 6: The Legend of Curly's Gold.

"But that isn't what killed him. It was Omus."
Oh man, I thought it was Professor Plum in the kitchen with the candlestick! I'm so bad at this game.

This is why you don't build your fortress on a coffee cake.

The Caddyshack gopher is at it again.

I'll miss you most of all, Miss Theresa.

How did Jack Palance end up in this!?

Did he lose a bet?

Considering that he was also in Angels' Revenge the same year, I'm guessing his career hit a rough patch. It can happen even to the best actors. It's also worth noting that there have always been more actors than roles in Hollywood, and the rent don't pay itself.

Good point.

I mean look ow Bela Lugosi's career ended.