When Worlds Collide: Harryhausen meets SNL

OK, lets face it Land of the Lost was a bust. Everyone told me it was going to be, and in this case everyone was right. Fear not though, for my video selections this week will surely satisfy your (or at the very least my own) desire to see late night comedians and prehistoric creatures. Only catch is you have to watch them separately, not mashed together in the same film.

Video Pick(s) of the Week:

Mysterious Island: I remember watching this on basic cable years ago with my father who was quick to introduce me to the wonders of stop motion animation. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad & Jason and the Argonauts were two other Saturday afternoon classics I grew up with. In the golden age of cinema there were no computerized special effects. There was only an effects wizard by the name of Ray Harryhausen. This man made sword fighting skeletons, mammoth metal warriors, and scary cyclops creatures look amazing for it's time. Mysterious Island from 1961 is another work of art by this master of motion. The film revolves around a group of captured civil war soldiers who make their escape in a giant balloon. They become lost in a giant hurricane and wash up on shore of the altogether now....Mysterious Island! While occasionally bickering amongst each other they quickly discover they are not alone. This island also inhabits giant crabs, flightless birds, and massive honey bees. A food supply is not hard to come by here, but you have to earn your meal first by doing battle with these monsters... and then eating them. Time has been pretty kind to this one, it is still a lot of fun and looks great for it's age.

Hot Rod: When this one came out a few years back I, like a lot of people was quick to dismiss it as a moronic and juvenile looking kiddie flick made by a bunch of new Saturday Night Live cast members. It is all of those things, and furthermore there are numerous scenes that are incoherent nonsense. So why is it so damn funny? I can pop this 87 minute gem in anytime and instantly have a better day. Andy Samberg (the guy responsible for those wicked awesome SNL digital shorts) plays Rod. A nearly 30 year old kid stuntman wannabe who must raise 50 grand for his stepfather's heart surgery only so Rod can "beat him to death", and earn his respect. His crew of misfits include: his younger stepbrother Kevin (Jorma Taccone) who video tapes all of Rod's stunts. Dave (Bill Hader) and Rico (Danny McBride) are resopnsible for ramp building and pyrotechnics (they like to party). And then there is Denise (Isla Fisher) the cute as a button girl next door who provides moral support. Numerous jokes involve Samburg getting hurt from his stunts and tons of random rapping, punch-dancing, and inspirational musical montages. The soundtrack by 80's glam band Europe (minus "The Final Countdown") is so awful that it achieves some kind of excellence. Numerous names that appear in Land of the Lost are also present here: McBride, Taccone, and even Will Ferrell was an executive producer. This was why I was quick to make the connection. The only difference is this one came in under the radar, is much funnier, and I predict will become something of a future cult classic.