What a disaster: Airport '37

THE HINDENBURG

1975

Directed by Robert Wise

Written by Nelson Gidding, Richard Levinson, and William Link (based on the novel by Michael M. Mooney)

Spoiler alert: moderate

What a disaster: Crystal healing

THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN

1971

Directed by Robert Wise

Written by Nelson Gidding (based on the novel by Michael Crichton)

Spoiler alert: a little bit higher than moderate, but there's no way to talk about it without at least alluding to the ending

Cardboard Science: My friend, can your heart stand the shocking facts about neocons from outer space?

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

Remember, if we use nuclear weapons, condescending aliens will come and kill us with weapons even worse than nuclear weapons.  I think you might've had to be there, but The Day the Earth Stood Still remains a fine allegory, and a pretty good movie, though it has a little trouble hiding its flabby middle.

1951

Directed by Robert Wise

Written by Edmund H. North (based on the short story "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates)

With Michael Rennie (Klaatu), Patricia Neal (Helen Benson), Billy Gray (Bobby Benson), Sam Jaffe (Prof. Jacob Barnhardt), Hugh Marlowe (Tom Stevens), and Lock Martin ft. a fiberglass statue (Gort)

Spoiler alert: severe