Conan, E.T., Gremlins, Mad Max, and Star Wars invented or changed their respective genres, making millions in the process. With the advent of VHS and home video, directors and producers of lesser means found a new revenue stream in knocking off big budget films with movies with uncanny, and often hilarious, resemblances to the big budget originals. Our panel will discuss the best and worst copycat films of the 80s including Battle Beyond the Stars, Beastmaster, Star Crash, Mac & Me, Ghoulies (yes the little monster coming out of a toilet), and many, many other films that disappointed despite their fantastic cover art and promises of action, adventure, and Italian actors lip-synching dialogue in the desert.
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