The Blob - Criterion Collection (1958)

The Blob - Criterion Collection

This is a cult classic, we hosted our 5th annual Movie Night for the neighborhood, showed this and it was a hit! We had a few laughs along the way too. All in all it is a fantastic journey back to our youth, done up with awesome color and sound quality!
Highly recommend this movie if you are into the classics!! September 3, 2008

I Have to Admit I love this Movie

My first memories of THE BLOB are late-nite tv as a child. I love this film and am not ashamed to admit it. Actually, it was a well-made picture for it's day (unlike the 1988 remake). Sure it is a reflection of the morals of that day but it is still fun. Billed as Steven McQueen, it would be the launching point for his career -- into WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, then THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and the real star maker, THE GREAT ESCAPE. The girlfriend of his character "Steve" (that must have been difficult for McQueen to remember) was Aneta Corsaut, best remembered as Andy Taylor's love interest on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. The effects are primitive by todays computer driven CGI standards but are still effective. The theme by a young Hal David and Burt Bacharach is weirdly jounty for a sci-fi horror movie! All in alot of fun. August 14, 2008

The Blob

Super movie. Enjoyed from start to finish. Brings back great childhood memories. A must buy for any 1950S Sci-fi fans August 9, 2008

Before Romero Did His Take on Consumerism There was The Blob (and my take). Criterion Features Below.

*Possible Spoilers**
George A. Romero uses social commentary in his Dawn of the Dead as zombies are used as metaphors for American consumerism. The Blob is used more literally. Instead of zombies attacking, a ball of space goop falls from the sky and begins to devour people, getting bigger and redder with their blood as it does. You can't kill it only freeze it. You could make a case for this being a teenage rebellion picture along the lines of Rebel Without a Cause (Two-Disc Special Edition) but for me besides being just plain old B horror movie fun it was the consumerism angle I found most interesting and I could see influencing Romero. The Blob's consuming could destroy the whole planet and the people in it and our consuming as we deplete our resources and battle our own blobs (obesity epidemic) could destroy it as well. I found it even more ironic at the ending when they mention were safe as long as the arctic stays cold, guess were not safe. No need to remake this one again for our generation (88 Blob remake is also highly recommended) like The Body Snatcher movies, just pop in this 1958 version the message is scarier now then 1958. Oh No! BEWARE! THE BLOB COULD BE UNLEASHED 2008!!! DUH DUH DUH.

Criterion Features:
In the jacket you get an interesting write up and a good sized poster of the dvd art.

Special Features
Two Audio Commentaries: One by producer Jack H. Harris and film historian Bruce Eder; the other by director Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr. and actor Robert ("Tony) Fields.
Theatrical Trailer
Blob-abilia!: collector Wes Shank's rare trove of stills, posters, props (including the blob itself!), and other ephemera
Special Collectible Poster (mentioned above)
June 10, 2008

CAMPY SONG! CLASSIC SCI - FI FROM THE 50'S!

Watching the Criterion version of 'The Blob' I am amazed how vivid and brilliant the colors are on this very clean print of the film. This classic movie would look incredible in HD! The film itself is one of the best 50's Sci-Fi features of all time. From the opening title song which makes you tap your toes and wanna take bosa nova lessons to the "teenagers" who are clearly in the late 20's! You think your in for a typical teen movie, but...It doesn't matter......because the movie just works! Even the obvious miniatures don't take away from this classic 50's gem. Olin Howlin a great character actor has the honor of being in two on the best 50's Sci-Fi movie ever made....'The Blob' and 'Them' you remember him in 'Them' don't you?? "Make me a sergeant in charge of the booze! Make me a sergeant in charge of the booze!" This edition is very good, but it should of had some more features on it. This is a film that deserves a feature-ette at the very least and many of these actors are still around. I'm giving it 5 stars anyway because it does have a wonderful stills gallery, two commentaries and a beautiful DVD transfer. This is a must have for any Sci-Fi/Horror collector! "Beware The Blob"! March 6, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...