A couple of nights ago I saw "Body Snatchers", the Donald Sutherland version

[lunamagica]

I've seen this movie a number of times. I've also seen the original one several times, but it's been a few years since I saw either one.

This time I found it scarier and more unnerving than ever. I realized that I identified with the characters in a way I never did before.

I think it does a masterful job reflecting the reality we are facing since November '16

At least that's the way I feel.

[rusty quoin]

1. That is like Network. We dismissed it as entertainment back then.

But it has become reality.

The body snatchers are Fox News and Rush Limbaugh.

These movies we were relaxed about watching back then are no longer science fiction or something we could not even imagine happening here.

[betsuni]

2. I know! I saw the original a couple of years ago and have thought of it often since.

People turning into brainwashed aliens repeating fake news and the small group not body snatched huddled together for comfort. I'm trying to be optimistic that people are waking up and snapping out of it. At least Facebook has been called out.

[PatSeg]

6. There was a series recently

called "Braindead". It was meant to be political satire, but it was too close to reality, which could be why it didn't get renewed. It is still available on Amazon Prime.

From IMDB:

A young, fresh-faced Hill staffer gets her first job in Washington, D.C. to discover two things: The government has stopped working, and alien spawn have come to earth and eaten the brains of a growing number of Congressmen and Hill staffers.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4877736/?ref_=nv_sr_8

[csziggy]

8. Originally Braindead had a deal for a second season

After Nov. 8, 2016, that deal was dropped. While it was funny as hell and completely silly, it was far too close to how insane politics had gotten. And they are crazier now!

[PatSeg]

12. Much too close

I'm sure they had no idea when they made the show how crazy things were going to get. Though it was done really well, I found it exhausting to watch, especially after following real life politics. I need lots of breaks from our current reality in order to maintain some sanity.

[lunamagica]

10. I hope you are right, Betsuni. Me, I still feel the heaviness I felt the night of the election

that dreadful feeling...sometimes I think it is worst, because the blind following of trump doesn't seem to be diminishing.

[NBachers]

3. I'll endorse either version; your perceptions are quite legitimate.

[Dave Starsky]

4. That movie scared the living shit out of me as a kid.

Just that scene where the half-dog/half-homeless-guy casually walks up and licks his lips nearly gave me a pediatric heart attack.

I haven't seen it in ages, but I imagine it would be even worse for me now as it was for you, for all the reasons you stated.

I'd best stay away. It IS a great movie, though, for those who haven't seen it. Even if you are familiar with the original.

[lunamagica]

7. The dog/homeless guy was horrific

[ProfessorPlum]

13. Me too!

It was a the worst..I was probably about 14 and had nightmares for weeks.

[Dave Starsky]

14. That was about the age I saw it.

And yes, it gave me at least one sleepless night and nightmares for weeks. That movie was incredibly effective.

[PatSeg]

5. I've referenced "Body Snatchers"

numerous times this past year. So many people have appeared to be Pod People to me, rather soulless and empty.

I saw the first one when I was a child and it scared the hell out of me.

[Nevernose]

9. A Futurama rerun the other night

Referenced how only the stupidest people joined the Reform Party (because aliens were making everybody dumb). The episode originally came out while Mango Unchained was running as the Reform Party’s candidate.

That means Matt Groening shows — both Simpsons and Futurama — predicted a President Trump.

It took a aperfect storm of voter suppression and apathy and Russians and the FBI and the media and our candidate’s team (she gets the blame for their bad choices) and a million other things. But it happened.

[oasis]

11. Deplorables willingly go to sleep. nt

[edbermac]

15. Check out They Live! By John Carpenter.