The Naked Monster (2005)

I remember in 1985, at a Science Fiction convention at a hotel in Fullerton, California (back when "V" was the "big thing" at the convention). I was 17 at the time, and found that it was hilarious. I have been waiting for it to come out on video (and now DVD), and have hunted for "Attack Of The B-Movie Monster" for years. Now it has gone beyond the 60 something minute film spoof, that it was back then. I can not wait to see this version as soon as it comes out on DVD and add it to my collection (great movie, but since it is pretty much an "art film", as much as a parody can be, I doubt it will have wide release in theaters). My favorite scene was one that the director of the film explained at the convention that was made "illegally" (they did not have a filming permit to film at the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California).... there were a group of Japanese tourists there in front of the Observatory... they knew NOTHING about the filming and were not "in on the joke"... they quickly set up a camera, the actors run in, point to the sky, and scream "Godzilla"... and the reaction from the Japanese Tourists was just "classic". This was an example of "Gonzo Film-making" at its best. It has been 20 years, but I remember the film as if I saw it just yesterday. Be it under its original name as the "short film" of 60 something minutes of "Attack of the B-Movie Monster" or be it under its new name of its feature length name of "The Naked Monster", I can not wait to see how it has come out as a finished film. It truly was some of the best acting of the "B-Movie" actors who did some of their last acting in this film. If you love the old "creature features" or "B-Movies", this is a movie you will enjoy. If you are a fan of parodies, you will love it even if you are not a "B-Movie" fan. I would give the original a 10, and I am sure this version is that and more.

I just happened to find out that most of all the secondary characters are veteran actors. They just had their old roles from others old-classic science-fiction movies back here for this one. Like the lady from War of the Worlds, who happens to be in both WOTW movies. Check them out and even if this is a bad movie, could be the greatest reunion of those science-fiction vets, making it a collectors item. You can see the relation with those movies on the "movie connections" section and try to find who's who from each movie. Could be a fun game in a boring afternoon. Remember, try to see it for fun and like a collection item, not for the special effects or the story.

I really did enjoy this film. Laughed out loud and saw the joy and love that went into the compilation and final cut. The parade of science fiction memories and stars from the 50s and 60s is almost breathtaking. The script is wry and spot on the various targets writer Ted Newsom sets up and knocks down as this tale of lunacy unfolds. You'll laugh but I assure you, you will NOT cry. A beautiful scientist, a handsome hero, bumbling assistants, various squashed red shirts, a brain-dead cop and a grizzled and sad monster killer PLUS three gorillas (Count 'Em, THREE!) combine to give the true fan a couple of hours of hoots and howls. EVERYbody got in on this one, including my personal favorite brilliant scientist: Robert Cornthwaite. Rock on Newsom. It's a beauty! Bring it out on DVD! -Jessie Lilley: http://www.mondocult.com

I thank Ted Newsom for having finished this 12-year effort. Many of us are grateful to him.I believe that one must be familiar with vintage horror movies to really appreciate the jokes. Thanks to my guy (known as Tim Sullivan (V) to the IMDb crowd), I've been learning about vintage horror films for a couple of years, so I was primed.From the first moment I started laughing. Here is Ted Newsom, playing 'William Castle' (qv) to the hilt, with all the warnings about what audiences might find under their seats ... and yet parodying that old Castle-y buncum to the hilt! Yay, Ted! I laughed and laughed ... and when you came back to escort us away from the film, I cried.The dialogue (which I blame on Ted Newsom, though I don't know whether he wrote it with friends) is absolutely delightful. If you enjoyed the puns in "Batman," then you will find this script to be many times more, er, egregious. Since I love bad puns, I laughed out loud even when the delivery was not perfect: because I could see what the actors were *supposed* to carry off, even if they didn't, quite.Brinke Stevens, who has acted in nearly a hundred movies, is purely delightful (and sexy, for those of you who will enjoy the gratuitous sex; you might even enjoy the discussions among the characters about what constitutes gratuitousness). Ted, that was just plan brilliant.So many parodistic effects that I admired ... Let me mention the sexy, nearly-terrifying tryst of the young, deaf couple (I wish *I* had thought that one up!); the hilarious discussion between Doctors Howard, Fine, and Howard (breathes there a man, with soul so dead / Who never to himself hath said, / This is the type of movie to throw the 3 Stooges into!); and, of course, all of the veteran scientists recommending what would be best to do, based upon their own past movies! Ted Newsom, you have made me laugh until I cried, and I have seen it only twice. I need several more times to identify Every Single Movie being homaged here.I loved every pun, both verbal and visual. This is a brilliant movie. I congratulate you, Ted, and I hope that the eggs point toward a sequel!