It Came From Another World!

In this purposefully ridiculous sequel to his popular The Monster of Phantom Lake, Christopher R. Mihm offers yet another send-up of ’50s B-movies. This Ed Wood-like quality is achieved with grainy black-and-white images, a hambone cast, and special effects that look as though created from random objects found in the garage—which, in fact, is often the case. In It Came From Another World!, our hero, Professor Jackson, a Meerschaum pipe-smoking square, must save the world—again—when aliens land in Small Town, USA. Mihm’s films don’t withstand repeated viewing by adults used to quality filmmaking, but they are imaginative and fun—the perfect summer drive-in fare. And they’re like to inspire more budding filmmakers than the new Pirates movie. The premiere is at the Heights Theatre, and most tickets are available by invitation only via the website. Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights; 763-788-9079.