THE STUFF (1985)

  While most people would compare this one with THE BLOB, since we're dealing with a goopy monster who slithers after it's victims in a similarly menacing fashion, it's actually more accurately comparable with INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS since after people eat it a mind-control situation is enacted where it just tries and gets more and more people to consume it. The end game of our monster is not exactly clear beyond just controlling everyone, neither are it's powers which seem to change from scene to scene. Obviously like BODY SNATCHERS you could draw comparisons to Communism but since it was made in the 80s it's more focused on how evil the corporate media is in marketing and pushing THE STUFF. Directed by cult favorite Larry Cohen and featuring his regular, Michael Moriarty, doing a weird Andy Griffith impression and original SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE comic Garrett Morris as Chocolate Chip Charlie. Not the best from Clark's filmography but an offbeat one that's worth a watch. 

 Other big names that you wouldn't expect to show up in such a silly movie are Danny Aiello and Paul Sorvino. 

THE AMBULANCE (1990)

 This is the worst Larry Cohen-directed movie I've seen. Written and directed by the man who has always entertained me in the past with his killer baby movies, blaxploitation gems and Q, THE WINGED SERPENT. I guess even he wasn't capable of making a very good film once the dreaded 1990s came along. There are some weird elements in this including star Eric Roberts and his very 90s mullet, his sidekick played by a 70-year-old Red Buttons(who kicks ass using a bedpan in one delightful scene), James Earl Jones as a police captain who's afraid of comic books and Robert's boss played by Marvel Comics Stan Lee in what might be one of the biggest roles I've ever seen him in. The movie itself is a mix between horror/thriller, action and some stupid comedy thrown in. It mostly fails at being a good example of any of those things. Everyone Roberts meets is a complete asshole to him which sorta makes sense since his character is no prize himself and his sole motivation throughout the movie seems to be to screw a girl that he just met(and harassed) and has become instantly infatuated with. Stick with Cohen's earlier stuff for a better time.

Q: THE WINGED SERPENT (1982)

The 1980's wasn't a decade known for giant-monster movies. But Larry Cohen attempted to fit this very basic monster run amuck epic into that time period. Reminds me of BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS mixed with KING KONG thanks to the stop-motion antics. Of course being the 80's you get more gore than any of those older flicks. David Carradine and Richard "Shaft" Roundtree are the cops investigating the monsters victims and the monsters followers who commit suicide to keep the monster alive or something like that. Not Cohen's best, I like his blaxploitation flicks better but an OK monster flick if you're into that kind of thing. Best scene has a window washer getting his head bitten off by the flying serpent creature.

Q is coming!: