Blu-ray Review: Alien From L.A.

Blu-ray Reviews, Reviews, Top Story

Hollywood is always about making movies starring fashion models. Let’s face it, half of acting work in a film is looking good on the screen. Of course being able to sell a candy bar isn’t quite like trying to sell an audience that your emotions are real. The ability for a Model-Actress-Whatever can be limited when it comes to lines. Sometimes models are brought in for a key moment like Christie Brinkley in National Lampoon’s Vacation or all the models that popped up in Zoolander 2. Other times a producer decides to make them a leading character such as Lauren Hutton in American Gigolo or Twiggy in The Boy Friend. In the ’80s, Kathy Ireland became a massive star as she dominated the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition back when that was the cultural event that defrosted winter. Junior high school libraries hid the issues and upset mothers canceled subscriptions. Naturally it made sense to see if Kathy Ireland can get those avid readers into a theater. Thus in 1988, Cannon Films cast her in Alien From L.A.

Wanda Saknussemm (Necessary Roughness‘ Kathy Ireland) is having a bad day. Her trip to the beach results in her boyfriend busting up with her. Why? Because she hates going anywhere fun. She can’t stand to fly. She’s also a serious nerd with her big glasses, baggy clothes and squeaky voice. He can’t deal with her as a girlfriend. She goes to work at a fast food restaurant to forget her broken heart. But that gets smashed when she gets a telegram declaring is her dad is dead because he fell down a bottomless pit. How did they know it was bottomless? Don’t ask. This isn’t a movie for people who ask questions. But Wanda wants answers and overcomes her fear of planes and travels. She flies to the African country of Zamboanga to uncover what her father was doing when he fell down a bottomless pit. She finds among her father’s belongs a notebook that talks about how he might have discovered the true nature of Atlantis. Wanda finds a space in her father’s apartment building that leads to her falling down a hole. But this one isn’t bottomless. She lands in Atlantis. She sets about trying to find her father and learning more about these creatures from Atlantis who refer to her as the alien in their underground world.

Before you say, “This film seems ripe for an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000,” Alien From L.A. was part of season five shortly after Mike Nelson took over the Satellite of Love. The film is cheesy without turning too gloopy. The movie doesn’t take advantage of Kathy Ireland’s resume. She doesn’t transform into a Supermodel as her form of attack. She does take off her massive glasses, but that doesn’t astonish the folks down below. She also doesn’t strip down to swimwear as a defense mechanism. She stays rather nerdy. To her credit, Kathy really does pull off being more squirrelly than sexy as Wanda. There is a swimsuit moment at the end so it’s not a complete letdown to her yearly fans.

Albert Pyum created a bit of a fantasy that merges Journey to the Center of the World with Alice in Wonderland as Wanda explores this deep new world. The sets and wardrobe look much better than a Cannon film normally does. Your eyes can get lost in the imagery instead of noticing the zippers and seams. Pyum keeps up the action and sense of danger on the dirty screen, but nothing too graphic to get things R rated. The folks at Cannon wanted to make sure those kids that used to swipe their father’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue weren’t going to get blocked at the box office. They could call their friends on their football phones and meet up for a matinee to see Kathy on the big screen. Alien From L.A. is just goofy enough for a break from swimming in the pool.

The video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. Picture looks fine even in the smoky and dusty Atlantis sets. This looks much better than the version you’ve seen on MST3K. The audio is DTS-HD MA Stereo. You’ll clearly hear all the rocks that fall around the cast. The movie is subtitled.

Making A Fairytale (13:46) allows writer/director Albert Pyun to recollect his time making the film. He wanted to make a film about civilization falling apart after he was in Mexico City during an earthquake. Turns out that besides shooting in Los Angeles, they took the production to South Africa. He was amazed at how Cannon Films let him do what he wanted to do as part of his four picture deal. He made Cyborg after this. Kathy Ireland showed up on the last of casting and that really was her voice. Pyun wanted her voice.

Putting the Puzzle Together (10:50) interviews actor Thom Mathews. Talks about how much he likes to work with Albert Pyun.

Audio Interview with Actress Linda Kerridge (3:22) has her explain Pyun offered her the part since they’d worked before. She enjoyed working with Albert and wanted to visit Africa. She thinks because the trip such a great distance; Albert gave her a second role. She has nice memories of Kathy Ireland. Linda is also on Surf II which Vinegar Syndrome is also putting out.

Vinegar Syndrome presents Alien From L.A. Directed by Albert Pyun. Screenplay by Regina Davis, Albert Pyun & Debra Ricci. Starring: Kathy Ireland, William R. Moses, Richard Haines, Don Michael Paul, Thom Mathews, Janet Du Plessis and Linda Kerridge. Rated: PG. Running Time: 87 minutes. Release Date: July 27, 2021.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.