THE RUNESTONE (1991) is an over the top, sense-defying would-be epic adventure that juggles Norse legends, a possessed Pennsylvanian archeologist and a glorious rubber-suited monster that terrorizes an art gallery with hilarious results. It’s supremely stylized, super silly and an overall singular experience that deserves to be far more notorious among genre fans than it currently is (full review HERE).
METAMORPHOSIS: THE ALIEN FACTOR (1990) is a science fiction horror hybrid that delivers a smorgasbord of deliciously old school special effects from stop motion animation to eye-popping puppetry. Not since THE DEADLY SPAWN (’83), (which this film was originally conceived to be a sequel to), has an alien invasion been so delightfully demented. Pass it by if you’re seeking out a heady plot or competent acting but if you’re of fan of monster mayhem, it’s a generous provider (More HERE).
THE RELIC ('97) wants to know what would happen if you combined a giant rhinoceros with some kind of spider/crab and let it loose on a well populated charity ball in the Chicago Natural History museum and frankly, so do I. Directed by the underrated Peter Hyams (CAPRICORN ONE, OUTLAND, the ever important STAY TUNED) and featuring one of the greatest casts ever assembled in the form of Tom Sizemore, Penelope Anne Miller, Linda Hunt, Audra “Mrs. Roper” Lindley and somehow even EGOT recipient James Whitmore. Although frustratingly dark and murky at times, THE RELIC still features an impressively gnarly beast and a highly appreciated decapitation or two (full review back HERE).
CREATURE (1985) may be yet another ALIEN (’79) rip-off but as far as wannabes go, it’s one of the best. Sure, you’ve likely seen all this before but unlike many of its brethren, CREATURE showcases some nifty set design, compelling characters (especially the wonderful Diane Salinger as Security officer Melanie Bryce), a formidable sharp toothed space baddie and plenty of freaky gore (More HERE)
UNDERWATER (2020) is drug down by an abysmal title and apparently not everyone is a fan of its divisive lead (Kristen Stewart, who’s actually great in this) but it’s still one the best sci-fi, horror, disaster thrillers of recent memory. It also ends up being quite the monster movie before the end credits role. Exploiting the universal fears of confined spaces, drowning and well, literally exploding, this beautiful to behold well-oiled suspense machine also offers some poignant thoughts on loss, recovery and the noble act of simple perseverance. I can’t recommend it enough and by golly, I’ve just convinced myself to watch it again as soon as possible (Full review yonder HERE).
Very cool. I agree wholeheartedly about The Runestone, I can't help but like and appreciate it. I haven't seen it since it first came out, but Mimic (1997) is another one I remember liking and which is intimately related to The Relic as I saw them both around the same time. Dark Intruder (1965) Night of the big heat (1967) The Loreley's Grasp (1973) Forbidden World (1982) The Abomination (1986) are also enjoyable.
Unkle Lancifer, I completely agree with you on Underwater. I watched it in a theater, during the one week it played before going to home viewing. I loved it. I have no issues with Kristen Stewart, who is great! I aldo loved her as Joan Jett in the movie about her 70s band, The Runaways (Joan’s band, I mean!).
Fun fact – Underwater was the last film I saw in a theater before the pandemic hit, and everyone was quarantined. I didn’t watch another movie in a theater for two years.
I'm afraid of deep water so Underwater scared the shit outta me!! And that final reveal was mind blowing!! Loved The Relic but haven't seen the others
The Runestone is on my regular rotation of guilty pleasures. I agree with you on Underwater, too. I heard kinda bad reviews about it, but when I got around to watching it, I was blown away! And Steward was AWESOME in it. All in all, great list!
Can't believe you'd write up Creature without mentioning Klaus Kinski's delightfully goofball performance as the sole survivor of the previous mission; the world's most famous bad actor chews that "nifty set design" all to hell. This included an ad lib where he groped Salinger, who apparently elbowed him in the ribs for real in response, all of which was edited into the film. Also, FWIW, the effects team went on to do some work for Aliens a year later.
Ghastly1,
Thanks for suggesting those other titles! I dug Loreley’s Grasp & Forbidden World too! Must catch up with the others. The Abomination looks especially intriguing! Right up my alley!
SDC,
I thought Stewart was great in Underwater too. I guess a lot of people still feeling fatigue from those TWILIGHT years when she was legit overexposed. I liked her in the haunting PERSONAL SHOPPER (2016) too!
Harrywarden69,
Right there with you, feel like I was holding my breath through the whole movie!
Bracer,
Yes, Kinski’s presence will always outshine any alien creature!