----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Yes PUPPET MASTER opened theatrically; I believe there is even a sequel. You might look carefully and see if the film is, in fact, a "Canadian" productioon (not a slight on my part to Canadians!), which might explain Sutherland's presence. We also note that Sutherland has been in low and moderately budgeted films for YEARS now, some of them pretty good (e.g. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) and some very forgetabble, like one I've forgotten co-starring Amy Irving--some kind of family psycho thriller. As for why an actor would do this sort of film, money is doubtless the factor. Yes, it's not a lot but many would rather take some money than no money. I can't at all understand why you might be surprised that a low-budget genre film would be unable to make "a credible cinematic statement," or why you think such a statement would by unwitting or unintentional. Have you not seen the brilliant ealy films of Joe Dante, John Carpenter, not to Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese? I'm sure PUPPET MASTER is no DARK STAR, but why can it not have great interest in a manner both witting and intentional? DD