Science Fiction
Rod Lott
Say what you will about Tim Burton’s widely despised 2001 remake of “Planet of the Apes,” but if it hadn't made serious bank, this prequel would not exist.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
As a huge Vincent Price fan, I’ve literally been waiting more than a decade for 1961’s “Master of the World” to hit DVD. At one time, it was slated to be released under MGM’s “Midnite Movies” line — I remember reading in a magazine that screenwriter Richard Matheson either completed interviews or commentary for it — before the studio abandoned that umbrella.

Sci-Fi
Phil Bacharach
You’ve got to admire the DIY ethic of “Another Earth.” Raw and grainy, it is steadfastly committed to its own smarts and vision — even if it ultimately falls short of its ambitions.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
Say what you will about Tim Burton’s widely despised 2001 remake of “Planet of the Apes,” but if it hadn't made serious bank, this prequel would not exist.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
Two American entrepreneurs (Speed Racer's Emile Hirsch and The Social Network's Max Minghella) travel to Moscow in the hopes of turning their Globe Trot social network into a $10 million company with one meeting. Instead, they're ripped off by a Russian colleague and, to make matters worse, are at ground zero of an alien invasion. At least they get to meet some babes first.

Action
Rod Lott
Since 2005, Synapse Films has helped keep the sticky-floored spirit of grindhouse cinema alive by issuing collections of coming attractions under the 42nd Street Forever banner. Interested parties can catch up on the half-dozen titles thus far on DVD (I have, minus the lone XXX-Treme one) or opt for the new Blu-ray Edition. It's essentially a "greatest hits" piece, culling 80 trailers from all previous volumes.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
Alien has no shortage of rip-offs, but Sector 7 has the distinction of hitting video while Prometheus is in theaters. While Prometheus isn't great, it's better than Sector 7. Heck, even the much-maligned Alien vs. Predator is better than Sector 7.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
One of the hotter tickets at last fall's Fantastic Fest was Extraterrestrial. I couldn't get in. I understood why at the time: It's the new film from Timecrimes director Nacho Vigalondo! Now that I've seen it, I wonder how many who did get in wish they hadn't. It's a huge disappointment.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
Cinema’s current master of disaster, Roland Emmerich (2012), produced but did not write or direct Hell, a post- apocalyptic film smaller in scope than what the man is used to, yet better crafted.

Sci-Fi
Rod Lott
Prepare to have your mind violated. Beyond the Black Rainbow hardly represents conventional storytelling, but the film is an absolute visual feast. Expect sensuous rather than sense, and open-minded movie lovers will be well-rewarded.