Is this the end of civilization as we know it?

MGM/Comcast's "Impact" OnDemand channel is now offering the 1986 post-apocalyptic trash classic Robot Holocaust for free. Yes, as in the one that appeared on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Although the film's print is very good and has all the footage that was cut from the MST3K version, those who remember Wizard Video's claim that it was "too gory for the silver screen" are going to be disappointed. Although it does have its fair share of severed limbs, it isn't very gory and the tagline was only putting a positive spin the fact that it was a direct-to-video movie. On the plus side, it's chock full of killer robots, mutants, buck-toothed worms and other bizarre creatures!

I hope that it gets a DVD release under MGM's Midnite Movies line sometime soon, if only to see what movie it would be paired with. My best guess would be the similarly-themed Mutant Hunt. I love the original VHS box art for that movie; not only does it make promises it can't keep regarding the film's quality, but it also appears to show a half-naked Inspector Gadget going on a rampage.

Also, the big switch from analog broadcasting to digital is scheduled for midnight tonight! It also seems that even those who have converter boxes or cable might experience a little trouble. From what I could glean from the news today, you might have to press your remote's menu button and hit any option that has the word "Scan" in it if you are unable to get certain channels. You can find more information on the matter by looking around here.

I'm sure that some of you readers have fiddled with a TV antenna trying to get some horror movie to tune in a little clearer or settled with a snowy TV signal from a distant station since they were airing something you desperately wanted to see. Although the switchover will make that impossible for modern viewers, some will surely miss the ability to do that sort of thing. If you have any memories like this which you want to share, please feel free to leave a comment.