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Netflix's Uglies features a clever reference to one of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone, though it's incredibly easy to miss the sly homage. Based on Scott Westerfeld's novel of the same name, Uglies is a dystopian young adult (YA) story that's set in a controlling society defined by government-mandated cosmetic surgery. When the denizens of the City turn 16 years old, they undergo Uglies' Transformation a surgical procedure that turns them into beautiful yet dull Pretties. So-called "Uglies," like Tally Youngblood (Joey King), dream of the day they'll be transformed into carefree Pretties.

However, there's a more sinister aspect to the Transformation. The Smoke, a fringe group of rebels that make up a good chunk of Uglies' cast of characters, discovers that the surgery causes brain lesions. In turn, these lesions are responsible for dulling the Pretties' ability to think freely. Allegedly, the Transformation frees Pretty society from jealousy and hostility,...

Along with being one of the finest shows in the history of television, the original run of Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone" could function as a laboratory for advancements in visual effects. The often fantastical nature of the series, and Serling's desire to push the envelope of the still-developing medium's potential, was something of a creative sandbox for directors. As such, the show attracted not just aspiring young filmmakers like Richard Donner, Jack Smight, and Richard C. Sarafian, but established masters on the level of Jacques Tourneur, Don Siegel, and Norman Z. McLeod.

Douglas Heyes was more of a journeyman director when entered "The Twilight Zone." His experience and skill were highly valuable to Serling, who assigned him a total of nine episodes – the second most over the show's five seasons next to John Brahm's 12. Heyes' most celebrated episode is probably "Eye of the Beholder," the creepy tale...

Lee Marvin, Vera Miles and Bradford Dillman shine a military courtroom drama, a TV movie released as a theatrical feature five years later. It’s small-scale but effective, with strong performances and a reasonably credible storyline. Marvin’s Ryker is on trial for his life, with the entire U.S. Army convinced that he’s a traitor. Attorney Bradford Dillman stumbles in his defense — other officers catch him consorting with Ryker’s wife. It’s a treat for Lee Marvin fans, provided they don’t expect the action epic depicted on the posters.

Sergeant Ryker

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1968 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 85 min. / Street Date January 10, 2022 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95

Starring: Lee Marvin, Bradford Dillman, Peter Graves, Vera Miles, Lloyd Nolan, Murray Hamilton, Norman Fell, Walter Brooke, Charles Aidman.

Cinematography: Walter Strenge

Production Designer:

Art Director: John J. Lloyd

Film Editor: Robert B. Warwick

Original Music: John Williams

Written by Seelef Lester,...