Stuff To Blow Your Mind Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Battle Beyond the Stars
Dec 26, 2025
Dive into a cosmic adventure as the hosts explore the quirky 1980 space opera, packed with b-movie legends and memorable luchador antics. From the cultural significance of El Santo to the Martians' odd schemes, every twist reveals layers of absurdity. There's a blend of political commentary with anti-war themes and a quirky hypnotic ambush at Santo's gym. Expect wild costume transformations and a showdown that raises questions about humanity's future. It's a nostalgic yet thought-provoking journey through a truly bizarre film.
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Episode notes
Santo As A Cultural Superhero
- El Santo functions as a cultural superhero combining Catholic veneration, comic-book myth, and wrestling fame.
- Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick argue Santo's mask and persona created a unique, almost holy celebrity status in Mexico.
Tactile Sci‑Fi Beats Holograms
- The film embraces tactile, low-tech Sci‑Fi props like dials and chunky levers to signal advanced tech.
- Joe McCormick and Robert Lamb praise tactile effects as more satisfying than modern holographic UI.
Aliens' Moralism As A Ruse
- The Martian invaders use moralistic demands (disarmament, brotherhood) as a cover for conquest.
- The hosts note the film bluntly mixes anti‑war messaging with an eventual twist revealing hypocrisy.