Netflix Streaming Friday - Week of November 19, 2010

Donald Sutherland wants you to watch the 1978 remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" on Netflix Instant Streaming today!

Why do you ask? Well, let me explain it to you.

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" is a timeless story about the invasion of a race of aliens that come to earth in pods and spread un-noticed through America by taking over and impersonating their human hosts. Originally released in 1956, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has seen numerous remakes and retellings. These include the 1978 version discussed here, 1993's "Body Snatchers", 1994's "The Puppet Masters", 2007's "The Invasion" and 2008's "Invasion of the Pod People". Part of the reason "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has proven so timeless is that it's a uniquely American horror tale, feeding off of our innate fears of our enemies moving undetected in our own towns and backyards, be they Communists, Soviet spies or more recently, terrorist sleeper cells.

Of the numerous films, the 1978 film is hands down my favorite and is one of my favorite science fiction films period. Part of that is the incredible cast which includes the likes of Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy. Part of it is that the '78 "Snatchers" hits that late '70s / early '80's gritty, visceral feel that I miss so much in contemporary films. It's deep without being overwhelming or heavy-handed, yet it also works as a laid back popcorn flick. And more importantly, as the horrors in the '78 version are more nebulous than the other versions, it fits todays paranoid zeitgeist perfectly. The horrors in this film and unknown yet terrifying and everywhere, much like the things frightening Americans today.

Any way you slice it, this is an absolute classic film, and is easily worth your time. Do yourself a favor and toss this one in queue today. Trust me, you will not regret it.