Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)

[Drunk Monk]

That sci-fi take on The Seven Samurai. It's crazy dated as is any sci-fi pre-CGI that didn't get the Lucasfilm enhancements, but beyond that, it holds up okay in that retro/nostalgia sort of way. It's notable that James Cameron did the special effects.

Also John Sayles was the screenwriter. And James Horner did the soundtrack which reminds me of a mash-up of his Star Trek: TWOK work and Darth's theme in Star Wars. Good ol' Roger Corman at the helm. 

Richard Thomas manages some level of earnestness in an absurd role - he brings more humor to that Tatoonie-John-boy Luke naivete in space. Saxon and Vaugh are remarkably dignified in their absurd roles - Vaugh's reprise of his character in The Magnificent Seven is still spot on. Sybil is glorious as the Valkyrie - still can't figure out where her right nipple is in her final costume. Peppard is cringeworthy in his confederate flag waving spaceship. 

No sword fights. As for DOOM recs, I'm sure most everyone here has seen this already and it's not really worth revisiting. I had it on as background mostly.

[cranefly]

Yesterday I spoke "Sybil Danning" and "Battle Beyond the Stars" for the first time in many many years.  Maybe I should file this under the synchronicity thread, but I'll put it here.

I was trying to remember the actress's name, and I described her in various way to LCF, and that I was pretty sure she was in Battle Beyond the Stars (which garnered a blank look from LCF) and some Women in Prison movies (more blank looks), until she said, "I think her name starts with S," and I said "Sybil," and LCF finished "Danning."  Because she's a Jeopardy champion, you know.

Anyway, the context.  A good friend Carol had arranged a ZOOM meeting, including her parents and aunties, with world-famous Jeopardy champion LCF.  Now, I appear to have been invited, but I wanted to make sure LCF wanted me involved.  She said, "Of course!  Why wouldn't I?"  Which led to my attempt to summon up Sybil Danning's name.

Because I remember many many years ago, perhaps even before my birth, when I saw an interview with Sybil Danning.  And very early into it her significant other (husband, boy toy, whatever) came out to sit down next to her and join the proceedings, whereupon Sybil very quickly made clear he was intruding on her cleavage and to scram.  At the time, I thought it was rather rude of her.  Later I realized she was fully in her right and he was the rude one.

Anyway, it took me about four hours to fully explain this referent as the basis for my hesitation, not wanting to intrude on her glory by pulling a Sybil Danning S.O. blind-side.  But, as she'd said, I was fully welcome.

I recall reading that Sybil made all her costumes for Battle Beyond the Stars.  Anyway, yesterday I was tempted to revisit it (if I'd actually ever seen it, maybe just bits and pieces).  But DM's wisdom is not to be ignored.

[Drunk Monk]

It’s like our minds are merging...

...ew.

You should give it a peep just because of the synchronicity factor and to add to this thread. 

Plus maybe you can solve the mystery of Sybil’s right nipple in her final costume. I didn’t want to resort to freeze frame screen shots but you might. I mean as the arm candy of a Jeopardy champ, what else you gonna due to pass the time?

[thatguy]

I remember they had a spaceship with breasts...




--tg

[Drunk Monk]

The ship had balls. Although the AI system was named Nell. 

Sybil the Valkyrie had breasts.