PARASITE (1982)

Robert Glaudini in 3D

PARASITE (in 3D/1982. Director: Charles Band. 

In a future world where the U.S. apparently fell in an atomic war and the government is controlled by sinister men called "Merchants," scientist Paul Dean (Robert Glaudini) is forced to create parasitical monstrosities. One of these creatures accidentally gets inside him, and he runs off with another of the parasites in the hopes that he can find a way to destroy them. Entering a small and ramshackle town, he is befriended by bar owner Collins (Al Fann), pretty and feisty resident Patricia (Demi Moore) and vain, aging landlady, Elizabeth (Vivian Blaine). In addition to the parasite, Paul has his hands full with creepy psycho Ricus (Luca Bercovici), his buddy Zeke (Tom Villard), and their cohorts. But the true menace may be a merchant named Wolf (James Davidson) who is out to kill Paul and reclaim the parasite. Then stupid Ricus lets the damn thing loose ... 

With a fairly brisk pace Parasite emerges as a minor, somewhat illogical, but often entertaining horror film. The parasite resembles a tadpole with teeth, and it is more comical than frightening, but there's a great and funny scene when poor Elizabeth looks up from her mirror only to have the monster jump down on her face. (How it manages to get inside her head while leaving the head intact -- before it bursts out of the front of her face -- is never really explained.) I actually managed to watch this in 3D with a pair of red and blue plastic specs, and found the three-dimensional effects as eye-straining and essentially mediocre as they were in the movie house. At least the acting is generally adept, with a vivid Bercovici and very nasty Davidson making the best impression. Vivian Blaine as the blowsy landlady is a far, far cry from Dollface!

Verdict: Not exactly Alien, but fun enough. **1/2.