I saw Alien Apocalypse on Sci-Fi several months ago and it was SO memorable that earlier "tonight" when I was doing my usual Saturday night check of what's coming up on the Sci-Fi channel with using the "Guide" function on my cable box, I had to do an INFO and see that it starred Bruce Campbell and Renee O'Connor and what the story was about before I even remembered it.
Man with the Screaming Brain, on the other hand, I WON'T forget :)
As most others said in the reviews posted primarily by folks who saw this movie at book signings (PROVING, once and for all, that as I've long suspected, "Sci-Fi Original Picture" simply means the movie didn't get good enough test-audience reviews to find major theater distribution), this movie is A HOOT! A few REALLY HATED IT; a few were disappointed. But most thought it was either good or great and got a good share of laughs out of it, as did I.
And as I was watching, I was already wondering about a DVD, and whether it will be in the low-price range, in which case I may make it among the few I buy, as my favorite Sci-Fi/horror movies usually tend to be the comedic and/or campy ones (anyone here ever see "Terrorvision?") That's one of my faves, but it was BARELY available on tape and I don't think it's ever come out on DVD... When and if it does, I'll buy it (not a Bruce Campbell film, but a very good campy, Sci-Fi/horror movie starring Gerrit Graham, Mary Woronov, Burt Remsen and a couple of other familiar faces.
Not having seen all the Evil Dead films (I saw the last one, and parts of the others, I THINK), and not having seen many other BC films other than AA, I can't say I'm a BIG BC fan... YET, but I think I'm heading that direction and am now inclined to go rent "Bubba Ho Tep," too, lol.
At any rate, if your choice is between buying "Man with the Screaming Brain" or just watching "Alien Apocalypse" for free on TV, and you can NEVER watch AA if you buy MWTSB, BUY MWTSB.
Happy Viewing!
Jeff
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MovieCriticMarvelfan
19 years ago
They both actually the same as far as budget (really low),
both kinda same as far as story (despite unoriginal plots),
but I like Alien Apocalypse a bit more , it had more
action, a bit more jokes and definitely more gore, Man with
the Screaming Brain relied more on the usual gags that you've
seen a thousand times before. I am surprised I watched it the
whole way through but they were some good laughs.
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jack_stiles
19 years ago
"PROVING, once and for all, that as I've long suspected, "Sci-Fi Original Picture" simply means the movie didn't get good enough test-audience reviews to find major theater distribution"
That's actually incorrect. Sci-Fi contracted with Franklin-Waterman Productions to make this film exclusively for them, and fronted them approximately $750,000, in exchange for broadcast premiere rights. (Plus, they basically handed Bruce and his script to them.) FWP in turn spent approx. 1.5 million on this, and will make the rest of their profit from the dvd sales and rentals (as well as rerun residuals.)
However, unlike other Sci-Fi pics, this one was directed by a best-selling author and popular actor who makes personal appearances across the country all the time anyway. So Bruce arranged to have special preview screenings of the film in conjunction with his book tour. They were always one-shot screenings, where he was present, at indie and art-house theatres.
There were no test audiences.
There was no effort at finding major theatre distribution.
(Bruce probably physically had the copy of the movie in his suitcase when he arrived.)
Your theory actually wasn't entirely without merit - *SOME* Sci-Fi "originals" were made for big screen release - "Man-Thing" in particular, and "Dog Soldiers" (which actually was released on the big screen in the UK.) Most up 'til a few years ago were actually made for direct-to-video release. But that's nothing new - ABC made a mint airing "premieres" of Disney animated films and Olsen Twin moves that were originally direct-to-video.
However, most of Sci-Fi's Sat. night creature features now are made specifically for them, with the arrangement described above.
SO - "Brain" doesn't *prove* anything. Sadly, you had your conclusion in mind first, then worked backwards to find "proof."
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19 years ago
[deleted]
TheThirteenthLemur
19 years ago
Here's another vote for Man with the Screaming Brain.
Truth be told, I only saw the last half of Alien Apocalypse but dang... it was bad. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but it did inspire some laughs by me at least. But MWTSB was much funnier and overall a funner film to watch. Also, I think Bruce performed better in MWTSB and the film's got Ted, who was great. 'Nuff said, I believe...
Expletive: Damn it, master, I am an assassination droid... not a dictionary!
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