Touches You

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

This one is very odd. A post-WW3 radioactive world where robots are close to becoming human, and a society conflicted about this scenario. This tale involves self righteous citizen vigilantes intent on preserving the distinction between man and machine, a mad scientist, rebel robots, and even possible romances between humans and these servant androids (termed "clickers"). Sounds like a very exciting yarn, right? Well, you might be a bit disappointed- This is a head trip talkative venture- there is almost zero action. The low budget offers us only two or three rooms where all of the film takes place. This is for intellectuals, no sock em up, non stop action packed adventures here. Be prepared for in depth discussions, on screen and off, inside your own mind as you ponder the moral dilemmas contained within this nearly forgotten film. A must see for anyone who enjoys this eras science fiction.Some reviewers mistakenly say this is based on a story by Jack Williamson, its not. Also, the usual release date for this is 1962, when the evidence suggests it was made in 1960, which makes the film even more remarkable, given its themes and frank portrayal of a love between a human and a robot. It is often said that this was Andy Warhols favorite movie, but I think this is no more than an unsubstantiated rumor.The ending is worth it all, really makes one think.Special note: This was famed makeup artist Jack Pierces last effort, he did the iconic Frankenstein back in the 1930's.All in all, worth the watch, I give it 5.6 stars.

In a world after nuclear war destroyed 92% of the human population, humanity uses blue-skinned humanoid robots called Clickers as servants and workers. As the Clickers become more sophisticated and humanlike, an anti-robot watchdog group called the Order of Flesh and Blood rises in power. When the Order discovers Clickers are creating robots that are identical to humans and one of them has killed a man, conflict between the humans and Clickers seems inevitable.One of the smartest and most original sci-fi films of its time. Unfortunately, its talkiness and static direction prevent many from recognizing its worth. In my view the smart script, relatively short runtime, and steady pace balance out the criticisms. I don't even see a problem with the low budget since they do remarkably well with what they have. It's a movie full of ideas and great dialogue that gives you a lot to think about and still holds relevance to topical issues of today. It's what sci-fi is, at its best, all about. Creepy electronic music score is a plus. Also one of the last films of legendary makeup artist Jack Pierce.I see other reviewers crying for a remake. What a waste of everybody's time that would be. First, the ideas presented and explored here were revolutionary for sci-fi films of the early 1960s. That wouldn't be the case today so it would hold little impact as a modern film. What seems thoughtful for that time would be just another preachy message movie made today. Second, and we all know this is true, they would attempt to fix the original's technical flaws by having tons of shitty CGI and ridiculous action sequences. It doesn't need to be remade. It's an excellent and underrated science fiction film from the later part of the golden era of sci-fi. People need to learn to appreciate movies that are older and have a lot to offer, instead of just trying to update them to today's often crass and ostentatious "standards." Make new stuff for today and stop mining the past for ideas, please.

Creation of the Humanoids takes us to a future Earth ravaged by nuclear war. Even while maintaining a high standard of living the survivors are suffering from low birth rates and the possible end of mankind. Enter the creation of advanced robots to fill the gap.Sounds o.k. doesn't it? And if you want to consider the idea of robot rights and what it is to be a sentient being this film could be for you.One problem. Creation of the Humanoids is a series of scenes where actors talk and talk and endless talk! No action, no special effects, damn little plot, just monologue after discussion, and then more chit chat. The script for this film must be 200 pages long! Don't get me wrong, I like a good conversation, but that is all you get in what has to be one of the most static, boring films ever made.On the positive side, the silver contact lens looked pretty good.If you have an interest in the subject, rent it and be ready with the fast forward button.

It has high school level acting, dialog written by the teacher leading the school's acting club, and with sets barely rising to a college level production. But it has ideas, philosophy and even theology still unexplored in film making today. Not to say there is much explanation. This is not The Fountainhead where every idea is cause for a monologue.On top of that it expresses ideas like Asimov's Laws of Robotics withOUT a short lecture on their creation by Asimov -- not even giving his name. No other Hollywood writer has been able to do that. And it violates one of the laws in adherence to another without making the violation the substance of the story -- something even Asimov never achieved.The plot development is actually quite good without any contrived twists. Events early in the movie are part of the later plot. By the nature of the theme of the movie you know what is going to happen towards the end. It does but not in a way you would guess and again without a contrived twist hoping to make it surprising but in fact is only a twist introduced so as to advertise it has a surprise ending.When transfer of the soul comes up the answer is almost, "you can't have everything." No screenwriter today would dare not dwell upon the importance of the soul. Nor would any screenwriter today dare suggest all we are is a piece of brain tissue. These and many more ideas came fast with no lecturing and no moralizing. They are also discussed with the lack of emotion one expects from a high school play. These actors can't be all this bad. One gets the feeling there should have been at least one rehearsal.The ideas are worthy of Phil Dick but played without the angst. It has been a long time since I was intimately familiar with the Science Fiction literature of the 1950s and older but I do not recall any of the ideas even being mentioned earlier than this movie.If you are a science fiction fan and do not demand special effects and things that go boom in your movies this is for you. This movie could not be made today. Like The Cold Equations and Avatar today there would have to be an evil corporation behind it and schmaltz agonizing about the soul. And rest assured the premise would be climate change not nuclear war.See it soon.