So there's this movie, "The Island," and it came and pretty much went. We have a review up. Even before its release, it was a rather busy source of geek talk that it was the same plot as "Parts: The Clonus Horror." That movie was a cheapie flick whose only fame of note is getting diatribed on "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

"I'm going to amortize the crap out of some of these spreadsheets!"

"What were you cloned from? A sack of doorknobs?"

"Stop it! No heaving, thrusting, or splaying!"

Most who get the "MST3K" treatment are dead or they keep their heads down like the kid in the back of the classroom who doesn't want to be called on. But Myrl A. Schreibman and Robert S. Fiveson have filed a lawsuit against "The Island," asking for it to be removed from theaters and "part of the proceeds," said Variety.

Unfortunately for them, the movie hasn't been a big hit. It cost about $120 million, and has only made around $55 million. Which is a lot, if you did like the "Clonus" makers and only spent $250,000. Really, audiences have been taking care of the "removing it from theaters" themselves.

This story has been done before, before. The story is about clones bred for parts, who find out in a moment -- perhaps in a moment of "clonus horror" -- and try to escape or shut down the plant or escape AND shut down the plant.

That's like Nancy Farmer's "House of the Scorpion." It's similar to "Soylent Green," except for the eating. Writers have noted upon our non-busted RevolutionSF forums that the same plot has been done by Larry Niven and "Sliders."

Of course, the issue is about direct copying, not plot similarity. If it was about plots being the same, everyone would sue, all the time. Wait -- they already do that.

But one thing we can all agree on is that "Island," like "Clonus," should have had the 2nd Darren, Dick Sargent, in it. Except he's no longer alive. Maybe if he'd had a dad-gum Clonus!

But "Clonus" isn't alonus in talking smack about "The Island." The movie's own producers, Walter Parkes and wife Laurie MacDonald, on a recent press tour call "Island" a "bad title." They say the ad campaign gave away too much of the movie.

To which I think we can all say, "Duh."

But then they turn on the actors.

MacDonald says, "I think within the industry, we think they are bigger stars, particularly Scarlett . . . We know Ewan's not a star, but he's such a good actor."

Then she says that Scarlett Johansson "is not owned by this sort of young generation at all . . . Even lesser television actresses, quite honestly would have more connection to that audience."

Ouch! Is Young Obi-Wan just going to take that? From the wife of the guy who wrote "War Games"?