Colossus: The Forbin Project is brilliant - an intelligent cold-war era parable about artificial intelligence and the idiocy of the arms race. Dr Forbin invents a impregnable supercomputer to run the nuclear defense of the US only to find that the Soviets have done exactly the same thing. To the surprise of both sides the computers start to communicate, eventually merging into a powerful autocrat that intends to rule the earth in a rational semi-benign dictatorship. The FX and design reek of the 70's and the computer tech is amusingly dated but it clips along a decent rate with some decent performances and a strong script and a nicely downbeat ending. Apparently Ron Howard's proposed reboot has stalled - think I'd prefer a sequel myself.
Asylum is a horror anthology feature from Amicus and as usual with these things some of the stories are better than others. The tales are framed by the story of Dr Martin, played by Robert Powell, who turns up at the asylum hoping to join the staff but instead of a typical interview he's asked to listen to 4 patients and see if he can identify the former head of the unit who's now been admitted as a patient. With a starry cast including Lom, a young Rampling, Eckland, Magee and of course Peter Cushing this is a highly enjoyable romp.
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