MR. LOBO'S CINEMA INSOMNIA PRESENTS STARCRASH (STELLA CRUSH) ON TWITCH (11/16)

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. 

Collectible Time: Diamond Select 10" Wolverine/Marvel Gallery Figure

As a companion piece to the Diamond Select/Marvel Gallery/PVC Laura X-23 Wolverine that Mel gifted me for Christmas, depicted in vibrant yellow and blue (see early, Jan '24 post), my dear friend has now surprised me with a matching Logan for my birthday.   

This Diamond/Gallery Wolverine stands 10" tall, with the grimacing protagonist poised atop an apocalyptic base, each section sculpted by the masterful Jean St. James and designed by the astounding Alonso Acensio.  

Wolverine's pose is nothing short of uncanny (ha ha), and I dig the fine detailing of hair on his formidable arms and jutting jawline. (This fine collectible also comes packaged in a pleasing, window-box "display case," for those who prefer the MIB approach.)

The Diamond/Gallery Logan Wolverine is another great addition to my X-Men collection and of course, an ideal partner for the stunning, Laura version. Thank you, Mel, for making it so!

WISE WORDS:

Secret Invasion Revealed: Nick Fury Returns

Disney+ begins a new adventure for Nick Fury in what's called Secret Invasion, based in part on the Marvel comic series. 

Samuel L. Jackson resumes his famous role of the super-spy (and one can only presume this is the genuine Fury and not some cloaked outsider), with Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, Emelia Clarke as E'lia, Kingsley Ben-Adir as Gravik, Olivia Coleman as Sonya Falsworth and Don Cheadle as James "Rhodey" Rhodes, aka War Machine. 

The invasion is Skrull-sprung, but didn't Captain Marvel paint those iconic baddies as something misunderstood and therefore, well, good? You got me, but if the majority of Skrulls are depicted as bad, I'd have no complaint. Marvel traditions shouldn't be diluted, and I always felt this particular tweak swerved down a treacherous, dewdrop trail.

Secret Invasion also looks to be espionage oriented, kind of Bondian (maybe with The Invaders and V stitched in, if the comics are any indication), catapulting from a Russian hub and with a scarcity of Avengers. That might prove interesting, for classic Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. do have their roots in 1960s Cold War paranoia.

With this invasion being labeled "Season 1", there won't be a clear-cut conclusion when the final episode comes, so it's safe to say that, whether this one hits or misses, it's here to stay for a spell. Now, if only Disney would resurrect Agent Carter, that would complete the S.H.I.E.L.D. cycle, though alas, the odds of such seem slim to none. 

The Secret Invasion reveals itself on Wed, June 21. 

PIN-UP TIME: SHARON TATE