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Midnight Movie Madness: “Phase IV”

“Phase IV” – (1974, USA, 93 minutes – rated PG)

The DVD version of Saul Bass’ only feature length film is missing 9 minutes, cut by producers. The cuts were mostly at the end of the movie, surreal images and sequences they probably figured would turn audiences off.
And perhaps they were right, although in the end “Phase IV” was not a commercial success and as a result, Bass did not make another feature film.

Some of these images can be seen in the trailer below:


“Phase IV” belongs to a certain pantheon of sci-fi and horror films, films which some would qualify as visionary, cerebral and other adjectives reserved for “2001: a space odyssey”, “Farenheit 451”, “Solaris” and “THX 1138” to name a few.
Not all of “Phase IV” is satisfying or even readily attainable, in other words. What it has are some of the most chilling images and sequences and a script which takes the audience seriously: contrary to much of the poster art, “Phase IV” is no exploitation movie.

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Science droppings

This section is inspired by a DVM who goes by the username of Possum.  I’ve come to greatly enjoy his posts about science, which I will not copy from.  I do like his style though, so that’s what I’ll borrow (a bit of it anyway).  🙂  And since I have no intention of violating copyright law, I’ve provided a paragraph from the article with a link to the rest.  Do take the time to go look.

Who knew?  Animals have emotions and use them.

Happy? Angry? Anxious? How can we measure animal emotions? To understand how animals experience the world and how they should be treated, people need to better understand their emotional lives. A new review of animal emotion suggests that, as in humans, emotions may tell animals about how dangerous or opportunity-laden their world is, and guide the choices that they make.

Read the rest here

Exploding moss?

A primitive, bog-dwelling moss isn’t as simple as it appears: The moss possesses a tiny air gun so powerful it shoots out minuscule mushroom clouds, a first in the plant world.

Read the rest here.

ZOMG!  Zombies!

Problem: you’re a fungus that can only flourish at a certain temperature, humidity, location and distance from the ground but can’t do the legwork to find that perfect spot yourself. Solution:hijack an ant’s body to do the work for you—and then inhabit it.

You can find the rest of the story here.

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