“Mars Attacks!”

The Killer Martians in “Mars Attacks!” (Warner Bros., 1996)

“Mars Attacks!” (Warner Bros., 1996). It’s the U.S.A. vs. a bunch of mean-spirited Martians. No one is safe in Tim Burton’s spoof on the schlocky-but-sincere alien invasion movies of the 1950s-60s. The film’s all-star cast includes Jack Nicholson (in two roles), Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Rod Steiger, Danny DeVito, Natalie Portman, Lukas Haas and Tom Jones (yes, Tom Jones). Weird and crazy in the Tim Burton tradition. Based on the Topps trading card series, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year (http://www.facebook.com/MarsAttacks). Written by Jonathan Gems. Directed by Tim Burton. “Well, they’re not going to eat off the Van Buren china.”