One Bad Costume: Aunty Entity in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Tina Turner is a legendary musical performer and has always been known for flashy costumes on stage. As Aunty Entity in Beyond Thunderdome, she wears a doozy- scalloped shoulder pads the size and shape of Sydney's Opera House, beaded gauntlets, the works. The film itself is a guilty pleasure of mine, as is Tina' s goofy performance.

One Bad Costume: Ro-Man from Robot Monster

When it comes to notoriously bad costuming, you can't get much more famous than Ro-Man. The poster child for all things Z-grade in science fiction, he sets the standard for gorilla-suited guys with rabbit-eared helmets. Bonus points should be given for having the character use a bubble machine to communicate with his alien commanders.

Cavebabble Episode 79: Four Food Films

The visual appeal of a fine meal provides the setting for our look at four films with a focus on food. Our feast includes Delicatessen, Eat Drink Man Woman, Big Night and Chocolat. No need to tip, and the dishes can wait until morning. This week's episode is brought to you by Belching.

EyeOh Music Launches

I've spent the last few days turning my creaky old EyeOh music site into a much slicker blog. I'll be featuring a regular rotation of my music there. Anyone interested in having a look and listen, please check out eyeohmusic.com

One (Many) Bad Costume(s): Pairan Aliens in Warning From Space

Japan is well known for interesting costume choices, and the critters in Warning from Space are a great, early example. The warning they bring to Earth is of an impending collision with another planet, but the message most likely was lost amidst the laughter. Credited as the first Japanese science fiction film produced in color.

One (Two) Bad Costume(s): Terl and Ker from Battlefield Earth

Starring in a notoriously bad film is harsh enough without having to do so in a goofy costume. Built something like a Klingon with 80s-style shoulder pads and 70s platform shoes, the Psychlo race could hardly be better named. John Travolta and Forest Whitaker ham it up the best they can, but nothing is able to save this production.

My Oak is Poisonous

My right arm has decided to become half again the size of the left, covered with Godzilla-sized blisters, all thanks to an encounter with poison oak. I'm very allergic to this sort of thing, and it's not been fun. It's at a pretty painful stage. Took a steroid shot to the rear today, which made me very woozy an hour or so later. I can hardly stand looking at my arm, so can imagine how others feel!

A Feast Next Week

We've decided to save our look at films about food until next week. This will give us time to watch a couple more, and babble about them, as well. We're enjoying them, and hope you will, too!

One Bad Costume: Saint Exmin in Battle Beyond the Stars

Sybil Danning is a beautiful woman. In Battle Beyond the Stars, her ability to look good in anything is put to the test. What in the world did they stick on her head, and how did they expect her to deliver lines in it? Maybe bringing fantasy art to life isn't such a great idea, after all...

One Bad Costume: Zed in Zardoz

Over the years, science fiction films have featured some of the oddest costuming. To kick off our celebration, we begin with one of the worst. Sean Connery, playing Zed in John Boorman's Zardoz, sports a red diaper, tall boots, a ponytail, and a handlebar mustache. At this point, the jokes write themselves, don't they? The costumes in the film were designed by the director's wife, so perhaps no one was willing to tell him how silly they were.

Favorite Foreign Films: The Seven Samurai (1954)

Film: The Seven Samurai
Country: Japan
Director: Akira Kurosawa

I stayed away as long as I could, but finally will visit the world of Kurosawa. The inspiration for countless directors, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, Kurosawa's work continues to be legendary. If asked to choose the single film which best displays what I love most about his films, I would have a difficult time choosing between The Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. I've chosen to feature the former, but consider the latter, as well, if you've not seen it. Either way, Toshiro Mifune's performances deserve accolades.

Favorite Foreign Films: Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Film: Pan's Labyrinth

Country: Mexico/Spain/USA

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Wildly stylish. Achingly dramatic. Forebodingly creepy. There are many ways to describe Guillermo del Toro's dramatic fantasy, set in 1944 Spain. Ivana Baquero is perfect in the role of young Ofelia, taking refuge from the horrors of daily life with her fascist stepfather by visiting a vibrant fantasy world. Creature and production designs are top-notch, as is Guillermo's direction. An experience not soon forgotten!

Favorite Foreign Films: Metropolis (1927)

Film: Metropolis

Country: Germany

Director: Fritz Lang

Few films have been as influential to science fiction as Lang's brilliant silent masterpiece. Eighty-three years after its initial release, it remains stunning and powerful. It's a classic tale of societal upheaval, as workers rebel against the city elite, whipped to a frenzy by a beautiful robotic siren. Too many films to list have been inspired by, or have outright copied from, this movie. See why! You won't forget the experience.

Cavebabble Episode 78: A Taste of Japanese Films

Our movie trip around the globe continues with a feast of four films from the land of the rising sun, Japan. Join us for a look at Onibaba, Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Shall We Dance?, and Departures. Also featured is a quick review of Kick-Ass. This episode is brought to you by Sunshine.

Favorite Foreign Films: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Film: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Country: Italy

Director: Sergio Leone

Although I love A Fistful of Dollars nearly as much, the third in Leone's Man With No Name trilogy stands as the quintessential spaghetti western. Clint Eastwood shines, but just as brightly burn Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach, as they fight and scheme their way toward a buried golden fortune. Everything about this film screams classic.