I loved LIFEFORCE because the theme of mixing science with folklore was very similiar to the Quartermass films from Hammer, especially FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH and THE CREEPING UNKNOWN. The marketplace might be ready to revisit Nigel Kneale's iconic character, and with a rejuvinated Hammer Films, who knows?
Was this the only time a rare natural phenomenon (in this case, the return of Halley's Comet) was used to help promote a film? I remember the comet was mentioned in the TV ads and the film was released near the time of Halley's Comet.
Was this the only time a rare natural phenomenon (in this case, the return of Halley's Comet) was used to help promote a film?
Stephen King's Maximum Overdrive was released shortly after Halley's comet passed by and has cars, appliances, hardware coming to live as a result of a comet passing by. Doubtful it played that big a part in promoting the movie but I guess that makes it topical.
You might find this entry on wikipedia interesting:
Scream Factory, the horror-thriller offshoot of independent film distributor Shout Factory, announced today that its Collector's Edition of Tobe Hooper's sci-fi thriller Lifeforce is now sold out.
Scream Factory will release a new Blu-ray edition Lifeforce, but not all of the content from the Collector's Edition will be available on it. Here's what will be different on all future pressings:
The vintage "Making of Lifeforce" featurette will no longer be available. Artwork is slightly different: The original theatrical artwork (pictured here) is now front-facing, and the Justin Osbourn-created piece will be on the reverse wrap. The "Collector's Edition" branding will be removed. Slipcover will not be offered. The "Collector's Edition" release had a suggested retail price of $29.93. The new version will be $22.97. According to Scream Factory, the change-of-plans is unique only to this release, and there will be no future reissues of Collector Editions on a regular basis.
Street date for the new, lower-priced version is set for September 9th.
