For the 11/16 edition of Cinema Insomnia on Twitch, Mr. Lobo presents a cosmic biggie: Luigi (Hercules) Cozzi's 1978, Italian extravaganza, Starcrash, for which this stellar episode has been endearingly re-labeled Stella Crush!
Starcrash, "the poor man's Battle Beyond the Stars," as Mr. Lobo calls it, holds a significant spot in many space-opera fans' hearts, not only for its Star Wars-ish hijinks, Ray Harryhausen nods and John Barry's Bondian score, but the beautiful Caroline Munro as the next-generation Barbarella, Stella Star (dubbed, for whatever superfluous cause, by the beloved Candy Clark).
In her often underdressed state, smuggler Stella blasts forth to locate the son of Christopher Plummer's Emperor, who just so happens to be played by pre-Knight Rider, David Hasselhoff. Joe Spinell (Monro's costar in the Tom Savini, effects-driven Maniac) plays the Ming-ish Count Zarth Arn. Judd Hamilton plays Stella's robot-sheriff sidekick, Elle (voiced by folk singer Hamilton Camp), with toughie Robert Tessier as Imperial State Police Chief, Thor; preacher-turned-cult-movie-hero Marjoe Gortner as Stella's swashbuckling pal, Akton; and the striking Nadia Cassini as the ruthless Amazon Queen Corelia.
Though uneven (and as a result, often "misunderstood" for such), Starcrash is a still a fun, astral trek, made all the better by Mr. Lobo's acerbic humor, which includes a visit from Cosmonauti and Ro-Man; an informative, spaceship, model-making segment; a contemptuous, Klingon transmission; a dash of Church of Ed Wood contemplation; and a slew of galactic commercials and trailers.
Don't miss this wonderful installment in the Cinema Insomnia franchise, and as a comfy countdown to the episode, Mr. Lobo will visit Twitch at 10pm for an affable pre-show.
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