Logo
    Search

    Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Extra Terrestrial Visitors

    enNovember 24, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Connecting with Neighbors and Leveraging Technology for Community Building and InnovationBuilding meaningful connections with neighbors strengthens communities and prepares us for unexpected events. Technology, particularly AI, is transforming industries and enhancing experiences.

      Building meaningful connections within your community can bring both social benefits and prepare you for unexpected events. Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer network, emphasizes the importance of connecting with neighbors and offers opportunities to help build stronger communities. Meanwhile, technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future. Podcasts like Technically Speaking and Conversations with Unc provide insights into how AI is transforming various industries and aspects of life. Lastly, a restoration of the film "Extraterrestrial Visitors" showcases the beauty of improving the quality of older media, enhancing the viewing experience and adding value to classic content. Overall, these examples illustrate the power of community, innovation, and the importance of preserving and enhancing our experiences.

    • A film with conflicting messages about alien encountersPod People explores the duality of friendly and destructive alien encounters, leaving viewers questioning the morality and intentions behind these beings' relationships with humans.

      "Pod People" or "Extraterrestrial Visitors" is a film with an inconsistent tone, blending elements of cute and friendly alien encounters with grisly horror. Originally intended as a simple creature feature, it was influenced by the success of ET and the trend of children befriending fantastical beings. However, the film also explores the darker side of such encounters, with aliens attacking humans unprovoked. This duality mirrors the Frankenstein story, where the creature's innocent nature and destructive power create a tragic outcome. Despite the film's conflicting messages, it raises questions about the morality of these beings and their relationships with humans. Ultimately, it leaves viewers wondering who the film is for and what message it intends to convey.

    • The Alien's Past Experiences Shape Its Behavior Towards HumansThe alien's hostile behavior towards humans is due to past encounters with dangerous individuals, shaping its perception and actions.

      The alien in the film "The Hatching of Monsters," or "Pod People," acts aggressively towards humans due to past encounters with dangerous individuals. This alien, who is often wounded and carries a crossbow bolt, sees humans as a threat based on past experiences. The film's title is intriguing, as it has had several variations including "Los Novos Extra Terrestres" (The New Extraterrestrials) and "ETV" (Extraterrestrial Visitors). The title "The Hatching of Monsters" is fitting, as the aliens do come from eggs and multiple eggs are destroyed by poachers. The film has had numerous titles and posters with varying illustrations, some of which do not resemble the actual creatures in the film. Trumpy, one of the aliens, is described as a cute and charming mix of Alf and Snuffleupagus, with features reminiscent of Star Wars characters like Garindan (Long Snoot) or Max Rebo. The alien species represented by Garindan, a Kubaz, is known for being the greatest spy in the Mos Eisley spaceport. Overall, the film presents a complex portrayal of extraterrestrial beings and their interactions with humans.

    • Two Alien Characters with Distinct Appearances in 'Goretan, el monstruo de Tatooine'The film introduces two alien characters, Trumpy and Gorendan, with differing appearances. Trumpy is described as furry but may be sheared due to the desert climate, while Gorendan is not. Despite their unusual appearance, they are compared to a pig and a bear.

      The film "Goretan, el monstruo de Tatooine" features two alien characters, Trumpy and Gorendan, with distinct appearances. Trumpy is described as being furry, while Gorendan is not. However, due to the harsh desert climate of Tatooine, it's suggested that Trumpy might be sheared. The human characters describe the aliens as looking like a cross between a pig and a bear, but the description is unclear. The film's trailer could not be found, and the video quality is not impressive. The film's director, Juan Piquer Simón, is known for his Spanish b-movies, including "Slugs," which is infamous for its disturbing toilet scene. Sadly, a restored or high-quality version of "Goretan, el monstruo de Tatooine" is not currently available.

    • An intriguing horror film with unexpected character developmentDespite an antagonistic role, Rick ultimately saves the day and becomes the unlikely hero in 'Two Pieces' by Juan Piquer Simón

      "Two Pieces" directed by Juan Piquer Simón is an intriguing and unusual horror film featuring a diverse cast, including Frank Brauna who is known for his versatile roles in various Spanish films and genres. The film, which also includes actors like Ian Serra and Ray Wise, offers unexpected character development, particularly for the seemingly antagonistic character Rick, who turns out to be the unlikely hero. Despite the absence of a clear heroic arc or redemption story for Rick, he ultimately saves the day, filling the hero role in the film. Simón's collaborator, Joaquin Grau, also contributed to the script under the name Jack Gray. Other notable films in Simón's directorial repertoire include "The Rift," "Supersonic Man," "Mystery on Monster Island," and "Cthulhu Mansion."

    • Building meaningful connections and utilizing effective toolsConnecting with neighbors and using effective tools can strengthen communities and help us face challenges together. For personal challenges, having quick-acting solutions like Astepro's 24-hour nasal allergy spray is crucial.

      Building meaningful connections within your community can bring hope and prepare you for unexpected situations, as demonstrated by the Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer network. While dealing with personal challenges like allergies, it's essential to have quick-acting solutions, such as Astepro's first-of-its-kind 24-hour nasal allergy spray. By connecting with neighbors and utilizing effective tools, we can strengthen our communities and face challenges together. Additionally, the entertainment industry showcases the power of collaboration through international coproductions, where actors like Beaker contribute to projects in multiple languages. Understanding the background of these productions and the actors involved can add depth to our viewing experience. Tommy, played by Oscar Martin, represents the hope for humanity and the importance of nurturing our youth, making this film a poignant reminder of the impact we can have on each other's lives.

    • A film with themes of innocence, growing up, and complex charactersThe Day the Earth Caught Fire explores innocence, fear of adulthood, and features unlikable characters, with a standout score and notable actors.

      The film "The Day the Earth Caught Fire" is more complex than it initially seems, with themes of innocence, fear of growing up, and unlikable characters like Uncle Bill, all set against a backdrop of an alien invasion. The child character, Tommy, serves as a reminder of innocence and goodness, while the fear of growing older and the complexities of adulthood add depth to the film. The music, composed by Libra Pastor, is a standout attribute, with a score that is both atmospheric and goofy. The film features notable actors such as Concha Cuatos as Tommy's mother Molly, Manuel Pereiro as the grumpy Uncle Bill, and Paul Naschy in a minor role. The music was originally released on vinyl in Spain and is a must-find for collectors.

    • Opening sequence of 'Pod People' differs from MST3K versionThe opening sequence of 'Pod People' is unique, featuring a catchy bass beat and a suspenseful tone, contrasting with the MST3K parody's slow-motion and grainy effect.

      The 1958 science fiction film "Pod People" showcases an intriguing opening sequence with a synchronous bass beat star and a hunk of debris flying towards the camera, which is different from the grainy, slow-motion opening used in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) episode. The film, which is about an alien crash-landing and scaring rural Maryland residents, shares similarities with other works by director Don Dollar, who is known for his alien invasion films. The catchy parody song "Idiot Control" from the MST3K episode, which some believe was written by the same person who composed the diegetic music, is a memorable and entertaining skit that stands out among others. Despite some logical inconsistencies, the stylish opening sequence sets the tone for the film.

    • Two contrasting groups: destructive poachers vs innocent TommyRespect nature or face deadly consequences, as shown by the destructive poachers vs the innocent Tommy's love for animals and nature.

      The film introduces two contrasting groups of characters: the destructive and disrespectful poachers, and the innocent and caring child, Tommy. The poachers, who have no regard for nature or rules, stumble upon an extraterrestrial site and destroy the eggs they find, leading to deadly consequences. Meanwhile, Tommy, a kind-hearted child with a deep love for animals and nature, serves as a stark contrast to the poachers' destructive behavior. The film's atmospheric setting, full of fog and mist, creates an intriguing backdrop for these contrasting characters and their actions. Ultimately, the film highlights the importance of respecting nature and the consequences of disregarding it.

    • Clarifying the identity of the 'mother' creature in the storyThe poachers' actions involved hunting deer and poaching eagle eggs, adding complexity to their intentions, while the California volunteer network promotes community and connection.

      In the given discussion, it is clarified that the creature referred to as "mother" in the story is not the mother of Trumpy, but another individual from the same species. This misconception arises due to later testimony from Trumpy. The poachers' actions are also shown to involve hunting deer alongside poaching eagle eggs, which adds to the confusion about their intentions. The overall theme of the discussion seems to revolve around community and connection, as promoted by the California volunteer's network, Neighbor to Neighbor. The discussion is sponsored by Visible, a wireless carrier offering affordable and transparent plans, and eBay Motors, a platform for finding parts for customizing unique rides.

    • The clash between curiosity and traditionUncle Bill's disdain for science contrasts with Tommy's passion for learning, while the harsh realities of the entertainment industry are highlighted by the abusive lead singer, Rick.

      The story explores the contrast between curiosity and tradition, as well as the harsh realities of the entertainment industry. Uncle Bill's disdain for scientific knowledge and Tommy's passion for learning represent the clash between old ways and new discoveries. Meanwhile, the singing group's perfectionist and abusive lead singer, Rick, exemplifies the dark side of the entertainment industry, where artists are subjected to excessive demands and harsh criticism. Despite the conflicts, there are moments of beauty and wonder, such as the centipede's examination and the natural world's wonders, reminding us of the importance of curiosity and learning. The story also highlights the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt to new situations, as the characters navigate their way through the challenges they face.

    • A film of despicable characters and unexplained phenomenaThe Big Dipper explores a strange world of bizarre occurrences and morally questionable characters, leaving viewers intrigued but seeking answers.

      "The Big Dipper" is a film filled with despicable characters and unexplained phenomena. Rick, a jerk, causes trouble with his girlfriend Sharon when it becomes clear he'll be with Laura instead. Brian, the nice guy, enables this behavior by consoling Sharon with the excuse that making out with women is part of his artistic act. Tommy, in search of a space rock, stumbles upon a glowing red cave and encounters a dead man with LED lights in the shape of the Big Dipper on his forehead. This becomes a recurring motif as more characters are killed or found dead with the Big Dipper on their foreheads. The aliens, who want to return home, seem to leave this mark as a ritual or for our benefit. Despite the lack of explanation, the film continues with these unexplained occurrences, leaving the audience with more questions than answers. The characters in the RV, including the singers, continue to behave poorly, with Laura taunting Rick's girlfriend after sleeping with him. Overall, "The Big Dipper" is a film that revels in its characters' awfulness and unexplained phenomena, creating a bizarre and intriguing viewing experience.

    • Encountering Unforeseen Challenges in the WoodsDespite facing injuries, potential assault, and alien encounters, the characters choose to stay and explore their options, leading to further complications.

      The characters in this discussion are dealing with a series of unfortunate events, including injury, potential assault, and alien encounters. Their reactions range from self-medication to fear and aggression. Sharon and Laura encounter poachers, leading to Laura's injury and subsequent discovery by Rick and his group. The poachers, in turn, face their own challenges in the woods and encounter an alien. Despite the dangers, they choose to stay and explore their options, leading to further complications. Uncle Bill, suspicious of outsiders, refuses to help and instead keeps the group trapped at his house. The group must spend the night and find alternative means of communication to call for help the next day. The environment is secluded, with a well-stocked bar in the cabin reminiscent of a sci-fi setting. The poachers' actions are questionable, and they seem to accept the risks of their actions, even when faced with an alien. Overall, the situation is chaotic and dangerous, with each character making decisions that lead to unintended consequences.

    • Design and behavior of the alien create an uncanny presenceThe alien's appearance and human reactions create a complex dynamic, highlighting the potential consequences of human behavior towards the unknown and the importance of respecting other forms of life.

      The design and behavior of the alien in the film create an uncanny and ambiguous presence, making it both cute and menacing. The creature's appearance, with its pointy apex head, long aardvark snout, and expressive glassy eyes, adds to its intrigue. However, the humans' aggressive actions towards the alien, such as shooting it with crossbows, only serve to provoke its violent tendencies. The scene where the alien is first encountered around a campfire is a perfect example of this, as the humans' attempts at communication and offering food are met with aggression, leading to the alien's transformation into a more hostile being. This dynamic highlights the potential consequences of human behavior towards the unknown and the importance of understanding and respecting other forms of life.

    • Trumpy's introduction to human world and discovery of telekinetic powersTrumpy, an extraterrestrial creature, learns about human culture and displays supernatural abilities through telekinesis, puzzlesolving, and unique artistic expression.

      "Trumpy," the extraterrestrial creature in the film, is introduced to the human world, filled with food, toys, and friendship. He grows larger and discovers he has telekinetic powers, similar to ET. Despite some differences, both Trumpy and ET exhibit supernatural abilities. Trumpy's diet consists mainly of food items like cereals, milk, and peanuts. His eyes have vertical slit pupils, resembling cat eyes. The film showcases Trumpy's ability to solve puzzles and manipulate objects using telekinesis. The scene where Tommy draws a picture of his mommy and Trumpy attempts to draw his own mommy reveals Trumpy's unique artistic interpretation. Overall, Trumpy's journey in the film highlights the wonder and discovery of the unknown, as well as the universal themes of friendship and connection.

    • Trumpy transforms Tommy's bedroom into a carnival chaosAliens' appearances and actions confuse and distract from a mysterious series of deaths in a house

      The movie "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" presents a surreal and chaotic scene when Trumpy, a friendly alien, transforms Tommy's bedroom into a terrifying carnival, complete with flickering lights, carnival music, and dancing toys. Trumpy's otherworldly appearance, with glowing eyes and the ability to manipulate constellations, adds to the confusion. Despite the chaos, Tommy tries to hide Trumpy from his family, but their focus is diverted by a dead body they discover in the house. Elsewhere, other characters go in search of the ranger station and encounter a poacher who has been killed by an alien, leading to the assumption that there are multiple identical-looking aliens. Tommy mistakenly believes Trumpy is responsible for the death of a band member, causing a rift between them. Overall, the movie's plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, leaving the audience questioning the true identity of the killers and the intentions of the various alien characters.

    • Unexpected twists and complex character dynamics in 'Mighty Joe Young'Rick's defiance and use of violence to protect himself is rational, Trumpy's innocence revealed through body language, humans' fear and misunderstanding lead to separation of friendly aliens.

      "Mighty Joe Young" is a film filled with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing complex character dynamics. A notable scene involves a standoff between Rick and Uncle Bill, where Rick's defiance and willingness to use violence to protect himself is portrayed as rational behavior. Tommy's interaction with Trumpy, the bipedal aardvark, reveals Trumpy's innocence through a series of head nods and shakes. Despite their efforts to befriend the aliens, Tommy and Trumpy are forced to flee into the woods due to human fear and misunderstanding. The film ends with Trumpy wandering away into the mist, leaving his fate uncertain. Overall, "Mighty Joe Young" explores themes of friendship, acceptance, and the consequences of fear and misunderstanding.

    • Exploring themes of friendship and innocence in 'The Alien and Tommy'The film's unique blend of friendship, innocence, and harsh realities leaves us pondering the emergence of new themes and possibilities from an inconsistent creation.

      "The Alien and Tommy" is a complex film exploring themes of friendship, innocence, and the harsh realities of the world. Despite the presence of hostile and violent humans, the film's protagonist, Tommy, remains good-hearted. However, when he must send his alien friend, Trumpy, away, we're left wondering if Tommy is also letting go of his innocence and hope for a sweeter world. The film's origins as an intended alien slasher movie, later changed to a heartwarming tale, results in a unique and inconsistent product, much like Gremlins. Despite its flaws, the film's heart is genuine, leaving us to ponder the emergence of new themes and possibilities from such a patchwork creation. The film also explores the existence of monsters, both extraterrestrial and human, and invites viewers to share their thoughts and memories of this intriguing and perhaps overlooked piece of cinema.

    • Exploring community connections through podcasts and volunteer networksPodcasts like Weird House Cinema provide diverse content and volunteer networks like Neighbor to Neighbor foster community bonds. Tools like Babybrezza's Formula Pro Advanced simplify daily tasks and Visible offers affordable wireless plans.

      There are various ways to connect with your community and find support, whether it's through podcasts like Weird House Cinema or volunteer networks like Neighbor to Neighbor. In the podcast world, Weird House Cinema offers a wide range of content from core science episodes to artifact facts and reruns. For those looking to build stronger community bonds, Neighbor to Neighbor encourages neighbors to help each other out in times of need and prepare for natural disasters. Meanwhile, in everyday life, tools like Babybrezza's Formula Pro Advanced can make tasks like feeding a baby simpler and less stressful. Lastly, for wireless service, Visible offers affordable and transparent plans with unlimited 5G data. Overall, there are various resources and tools available to help make life easier and more connected.

    Recent Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

    Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

    Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

    In a rapidly evolving world, we need to balance the fear surrounding AI and its role in the workplace with its potential to drive productivity growth. In this special live episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell is joined onstage by Rob Thomas, senior vice president of software and chief commercial officer at IBM, during NY Tech Week. They discuss “the productivity paradox,” the importance of open-source AI, and a future where AI will touch every industry.

    This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

    Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

    Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

    In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the glorious world of 80s Charles Band productions with 1984’s “The Dungeonmaster,” a supernatural dreamscape with eight directors starring Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll and Leslie Wing. It’s time to reject the devil’s reality and substitute your own! 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon

    New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon

    Smart Talks with IBM returns with a new season on Tuesday, June 25th. This season, we’re diving back into the world of artificial intelligence, but with a focus on the powerful concept of “open,” and how it applies to AI. Host Malcolm Gladwell will invite curious colleagues from Pushkin Industries to explore how openness is already reshaping industries, ways of doing business, and our very notion of what's possible.

    This is a paid advertisement from IBM.

    Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Related Episodes

    A Tech-Savvy Chimpanzee, Joe Biden's 2020 Candidacy & Country Music and Black Folks | Ryan O'Connell

    A Tech-Savvy Chimpanzee, Joe Biden's 2020 Candidacy & Country Music and Black Folks | Ryan O'Connell

    Trevor discusses Joe Biden's 2020 presidential candidacy, Roy Wood Jr. highlights African Americans' contributions to country music, and Ryan O'Connell chats about "Special." 

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    From the Vault: Early Days Electric, Part 1

    From the Vault: Early Days Electric, Part 1

    Electricity lost its magic over the course the 18th and 19th centuries. The "invisible fire" steadily transitioned from a mysterious force of wonder to a mundane reality of daily modern life. In this two-part edition of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick explore the various electrical experiments, stunts, inventions, performances, innovations, occultisms and atrocities that transformed the tractable thunder. (Originally published Feb 9, 2016)

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sexbots: From Objectification to Therapeutic Surrogates

    Sexbots: From Objectification to Therapeutic Surrogates

    Sex between humans and machines is nothing new in the world of science fiction. Their forms range from angelic mechanoids to victimized humanoids, but the robotic lover is almost always an expression of purely human anxieties. Yet as real-world technology advances, we’re left to ponder the emerging form of the sex bot -- and the possibilities range from mere animate fetishes to therapeutic surrogates. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Christian consider arguments for and against the embrace of synthetic paramours.

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Night Janitors of the Brain

    Night Janitors of the Brain

    The Night Janitors of the Brain: Do you think other species ever look at humans and raise an eyebrow at the amount of sleep we need? Do cockroaches and eyelash mites leave messages on our foreheads in microscopic Sharpies? Perhaps "I just popped on an apex predator's head." We may be the most successful species in existence, but that doesn't mean sleep is just another one of our "choices" as a human being. It is a necessity for survival, even though it requires immobility and vulnerability. Prepare to meet the night janitors of the human brain.

    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.