Remote Control (1988 film)

Remote Control is a 1988 film directed and written by Jeff Lieberman. The film stars Kevin Dillon as Cosmo, a video rental clerk who discovers that his store is circulating a VHS tape of a 1950s science fiction film that has been programmed by aliens to brainwash viewers, causing them to commit murders. Lieberman's screenplay combines elements of thriller, horror, action films and science fiction with satirical humor. Lieberman did not direct another theatrical feature film until 16 years later, when he directed Satan's Little Helper in 2004.

Remote Control
Directed byJeff Lieberman
Produced byScott Rosenfelt
Mark Levinson
Written byJeff Lieberman
StarringKevin Dillon
Deborah Goodrich
Christopher Wynne
Frank Beddor
Jennifer Tilly
Bert Remsen
Music byPeter Bernstein
CinematographyTim Suhrstedt
Edited byScott Wallace
Production
company
Vista Organization
Distributed byVista Organization
Release date
April 7, 1988 (1988-04-07)
Running time
85 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

A video store clerk (Kevin Dillon) stumbles onto an alien plot to take over Earth by brainwashing people with a faux 1950s science fiction movie. The movie is being rented from the video shop where he works. He and his girlfriend track the production of the fake movie to a movie studio under the control of aliens. They must race to stop the aliens before the tapes can be distributed worldwide.[2]

Release

In 1988, the film was passed uncut with a 15 rating by the BBFC.[1]

Critical reception

TV Guide gave the film one out of five stars, writing that the film "doesn't know whether it wants to be a spoof or a thriller; because of its indecision, it fails on both levels."[3]

Allmovie reviewed the film favorably, writing, "This clever little b-movie is another example of why Jeff Leiberman is a cult favorite in certain genre-movie circles. His script puts a distinctly 1980's twist on the old alien-invasion premise, cleverly managing to make home video seem menacing as he builds up a solid combination of action, sci-fi and horror/thriller elements. Lieberman's direction is unflashy but effective, building tension throughout and frequently offsetting the dark elements of the script with satirical humor."[4]

In Creature Feature, John Stanley gave the movie two out of five stars, but found the movie's commentary on video and what it does to minds of note.[2]

Home Release

In 2013, a 25th Anniversary edition was released on Blu-ray and DVD by director Jeff Lieberman.[5] and has become somewhat of a collectors item.[6]

References
  1. http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/remote-control-1988
  2. Stanley, John (2000) Creature Feature: 3rd Edition
  3. http://www.tvguide.com/movies/remote-control/review/127374/
  4. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/remote-control-v40915/review
  5. https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/42591/jeff-lieberman-restores-and-reprograms-his-remote-control-for-dvd-and-blu-ray/
  6. https://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Liebermans-Remote-Control-Anniversary/dp/B00C4BPYGS
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