Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

Made just before horror movie spoofs became almost as cliché as actual horror movies, 1978’s Attack of the Killer Tomatoes shows the human race plagued by man-eating fruit. Tomatoes — which for some reason have grown huge, developed teeth and started moving around — gobble up several humans in scenes reminiscent of the big-mutated-monster movies of the ‘50s, and of anticommunist propaganda. (Get it? They’re both a red menace.) The government assembles a crack team of special agents to combat the threat, including a Russian Olympic swimmer, a guy who inexplicably carries around a parachute and a black disguise expert who imitates historical figures who were white.

Does the tomato gag get old through repeated ketchup jokes? Apparently not; the film spawned three sequels, two video games and an animated series, and will be back again for an upcoming remake. 8:30 p.m. Domy Books, 1709 Westheimer. For information, call 713-523-3669 or visit www.domystore.com. Free.
Mon., June 23, 8:30 p.m., 2008