UFOria

UFOria is a science fiction comedy film written and directed by John Binder and starring Fred Ward, Harry Dean Stanton, Harry Carey, Jr. and Cindy Williams. The film includes small appearances by Peggy McKay, Joe Unger, Hank Worden, Charlotte Stewart, and Alan Beckwith. Filming was completed in 1981, but the film was not theatrically released until 1985. Due to poor audience attendance, the film was not a financial success. It was released only on VHS in 1987 by MCA Home Video, now known as Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Not to be confused with Uforia Audio Network, a radio network.
"Uforia" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Ufouria: The Saga.
UFOria
UFOria film cover
Directed byJohn Binder
Produced byMelvin Simon
Written byJohn Binder
StarringFred Ward
Cindy Williams
Harry Dean Stanton
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Paramount
CIC
Release date
  • October 1985 (October 1985)
Running time
93 minutes
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Sheldon Bart (Fred Ward) is a drifter, and a small-time con man. He meets his old friend, Brother Bud (Harry Dean Stanton), a big-time con man into faith healing and fencing stolen cars, at his revival tent outside a small town. Bud has developed a real ability to heal, although he has no idea how this has happened. While he's helping Brother Bud, Sheldon falls in love with Arlene (Cindy Williams), a local supermarket clerk who believes in UFOs and is deeply religious and deeply lonely. When Arlene has a vision of a coming UFO, everyone deals with it in their own way. Brother Bud begins to twist Arlene's belief and visions into a new pseudoreligious cult.

Release

Theatrical

Despite being completed in 1981, the film was not released theatrically until 1985. It was not successful in theaters because it did not have much of an audience.[1]

Home media

MCA Home Video, now known as Universal Studios Home Entertainment, released the film on VHS in 1987.[2] The film was never released on DVD.[3]

The film also aired on cable television in 1986.

Reception

The film received mostly positive reviews. Roger Ebert gave the film a 4 star review, calling the film a "great and goofy comedy", concluding with "Like "Repo Man," "Turtle Diary" and "Hannah and Her Sisters," it is willing to go for originality in a world that prizes the entertainment assembly line."[4]

Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that the film has a "raffish tone" and is "exuberantly nutty"; he also praised the casting.[5] Kevin Thomas, writing for the Los Angeles Times concluded his review with, "Williams manages to be adorable and never seems all-out crazy; like Ward, you do believe in her, whether or not you believe in UFOs."[6]

Creature Feature gave the movie 3 out of 5 stars, finding the film eccentric but entertaining, stating the movie was a compelling character study with a surprise ending.[7]

References
  1. "Uforia". TV Guide. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  2. "Uforia". WorldCat. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  3. Armstrong, Collin (January 5, 2007). "Seldom Seen review - Uforia". Twitch Film. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  4. Ebert, Roger (April 25, 1986). "Uforia". Roger Ebert.com. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  5. Canby, Vincent (January 3, 1986). "The Screen:: 'Uforia,' A Comedy, Finally Arrives". New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  6. Thomas, Kevin (July 2, 1985). "Movie Review : A Close Encounter With 'Uforia'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  7. Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature: 3rd Edition
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