In the US: Memorial Day, 9pm/8c, A&E In the UK: Not yet acquired
Didn't I say you should own this a while ago? Oh wait it's a remake. A mini-series in fact. Let's start again then.
Michael Jurassic Park/Westworld/Disclosure/Rising Sun Crichton's first novel was The Andromeda Strain, a scary little book that asked the question "What if an alien virus that was absolutely virulent and lethal came to Earth? What would it be like and how would we deal with it?" After becoming a bestseller, it got turned into a rather excellent movie (which you should own) back in the early 70s.
So do we need a remake? Interesting question, too. Before watching this two-part mini-series, I'd have said no, even if it is "presented by" Tony and Ridley Scott, especially since it's showing on A&E, which hasn't done much decent for about a decade.
But you know what? It's not half bad. It's different in a lot of ways. It's better in a lot of ways, too. But is it the best Andromeda Strain so far?
Simon Pegg talks about Star Trek and the new Spaced, as well as the Spaced Region 1 DVDs (commentaries with Matt Stone, Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith and Diablo Cody)
I started "Movies You Should Buy" (now called "Movies You Should Own" because I belatedly realise it rhymes with Alex Cox's old BBC2 film strand, Moviedrome) with The Satan Bug. Lovely "killer virus" movie that – probably the first.
But there was a bigger and better "killer virus" film to come, one that marked the end of many of the trends The Satan Bug seemed to start – or at least coincide with.
The title of this movie, which you should definitely own, is now used by virus researchers whenever they want to put a name to their worst nightmare: a virus that they can't cure but is utterly contagious and can kill anything in a frighteningly short space of time.
It's The Andromeda Strain and it's probably the best, clever-stupid "killer virus" movie ever made.
Here's the title sequence, complete with scary arse theme tune.
Read more on Fox's Fall 2008 shows