Mrs. F and I exercised the power of NetFlix to stage a double feature of science fiction/horror flicks this weekend.

First up, Alien, which I had never seen. However, it has apparently entered into the zeitgeist, as all of the death scenes were about as surprising as a politician's broken campaign promise. Mrs. F was mystified as to how The Company knew about the aliens, so that they could divert the Nostromo to pick one up. My theory is that the warning beacon on the big dead alien's spaceship provided all of the necessary data. Comments?

Somewhere in the universe, there is a movie in which Sigourney Weaver appears without stripping down to her underwear. This is not that movie.

The second feature was The Forbidden Planet, which, as every true fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show knows, stars Anne Francis. It also stars a young and humorless Leslie Nielsen. I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.

Despite its age and cheesy special effects, Forbidden Planet is a MUCH better movie than Alien, as well as being much more frightening without showing even a drop of blood.

One oddity of FP is its soundtrack, which is composed entirely of odd electronic sounds. I guessed that it was mostly done on theremin, but Wikipedia says it was done with a ring modulator and various other effects.

Oh yeah, and now I've determined that, if I ever start another band, it will be called Dr. Morbius and the Monsters from the Id.