Mars Attacks! (1996)

This is a solid movie. An armada of flying saucers is spotted hovering over the Earth. President James "Jimmy" Dale (Jack Nicholson) addresses the American public about the potential threat. His scientific advisor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) is convinced that any intelligent life must be peaceful. During first contact everything seems to be going well until a dove flies towards the Martians and they start firing rayguns at the crowds of people. This incident is assumed to be a cultural misunderstanding and so the aliens are invited back to meet with Congress. Once again they start attacking and kill many politicians. General Decker wants to use nuclear weapons against them, but there is strong resistance to his plan.

The film is based on the trading card series of the same name. The quirky alien laugh was created by reversing the quack of a duck. The film score was written and composed by Danny Elfman. The destruction of Art Land's hotel used footage of the real-life night-time demolition of The Landmark Hotel and Casino.