Review of Bad Channels

Bad Channels - 1992 (This Films Rates a B ) A silly over enthusiastic radio station promotion where listeners need to guess the combination to the locks Dangerous Dan is strapped in. He keeps playing the same polka record over and over until someone gets the right combo. Eventually someone guesses the combination of 1 2 3. But was this promotion all a fraud? It took 20 hours and 14 minutes for the solution. A television reporter (Lisa - Martha Quinn) thinks it is a scam and of course needs to investigate. Suddenly, "We just got buzzed by a UFO!" Aliens land and plan to use the radio station to abduct female listeners in a really bizarre story line that is entertaining enough. The large alien has a little robot friend but that proves to be a strained relationship. The alien is referred to as "It looks like a turd with a port hole window!". The whole encounter is played out live over the airwaves. Of course, the listeners all think it's another joking promotion for money and ratings, and no one takes the broadcast seriously. They all become mesmerized by the drama being played out. It also has the most ridiculous ending that will make you laugh out loud. There are some great overlong rock scenes highlighted with the Blue Oyster Cult and others. It's a superb soundtrack in that 1990's sort of way. There are some really terrific splices of cinematic art; The Russian newscaster at the 12 minute and 36 min marks, the hot wheels cars running around the orange vinyl at 22 min 49 second mark or the live band inside the diner at the 36-minute mark. Sadly, the script is pretty bad, and the acting isn't much better. It tries to be too funny which slightly cheapens the overall film but it's the little things that make it succeed. Everything is absurd but it's a quality B movie.