I Love Ratatouille

This just in: Ratatouille is an awesome movie. Why didn't I see this on the big screen?! Stupid me. I love this movie.

Left for Dead goes into the trash bin for one of the worst movies I've seen this year.

Overcoming Private Ryan, Maybe

Definitely, Maybe, starring dreamy Ryan Reynolds, is an okay enough rom-com but nothing terribly significant. Not fan of Rachel Weisz but heart Isla Fisher.

Went out of way (trip to library specifically for this mission) to eliminate my highest rated not-seen film on Flickchart, Saving Private Ryan. There's reasons why I haven't watched this film but I knew I'd get to it eventually. Yes it's good and Yes I don't regret waiting this long to see the film. Hell, I waited years & years to see Forrest Gump and Jurassic Park, which I still haven't really watched in its entirety (own LaserDisc for both of those, btw).

Back in the Saddle

Having been gone for a few days out in the Bay Area (SF/San Jose) hasn't given me a lot of time for movie watching but I'm getting back in the groove and have a lot of past-posting to do.

Library was good today. Already watched The Red Balloon, a short film I haven't seen since childhood. Dirty Harry, courtesy of AMC. Robots, which features quite the list of voice talent, maybe best collection of talent assembled for an animated feature. That's one I'd like to see in Blu-Ray.

Now watching Return from Witch Mountain, which features none other than Jack Soo, Detective Yemana from Barney Miller, a year before his death.

Flickchart: Movie Addiction

Tonight I signed up on Flickchart, which is easily the most addictive "social" movie site I've participated in recent times (as if there was another). Check out Cinematical.com feature article about it to join in the fun. It's still in beta so LOTS of titles missing including international flicks (primarily Asian) that I'm hoping gets attention soon. As of now it's embarrassing how many films I haven't seen (and I've seen a lot of movies but apparently not a lot of the ones currently listed at Flickchart). Ah well.

While voting on films over there I watched Zigeunerweisen, an interesting if not long-winded Japanese tale by director Seijun Suzuki. Deserves another (less distracting) watch.

Loneliness of a Monster Fighter

Drove down to Facets today for an afternoon viewing of BIG MAN JAPAN (Dai-Nipponjin). Definitely think this is one meant to be seen on the big screen (as the name might imply). Delightfully weird and fun mockumentary about the last remaining monster fighter in Japan. Look forward to watching again altho it won't be quite the same on a smaller screen I imagine.

Face Off

Yes, this is past-dated b/c technically I was still in the air flying home from SFO at post time but for sake of organization, this one goes on Friday because I watched the 2004 K-horror flick Face after I got home. It was okay. watched so I can return to Netflix.

San Jose - Day 3 (no movies)

having fun in the bay area but no time for flicks. spending the evening running around and hitting more restaurants and/or brew pubs.

San Jose - Day 2

In Sunnyvale spending time w/my honey. No movies (nothing on TV and working in the evenings).

Headed to San Francisco

Flying to SFO today for a few days in the Bay Area. No plans to watch any movies during this time (and won't really have the time to do so). Will resume when I'm back.

Land of the Giants - Not a Movie

Watched a few episodes of Land of the Giants - The Full Series (The Giant Collection). Like this weird series but no stamina to watch a lot of eps of this right now. Corny and unintentially campy (the best kind.).

When Bad is Not Good

watched the horrific (not in a good way) 1983 flick, Warrior of the Lost World. Ok, so it is the kind of "bad" movie I enjoy but it was really bad. Robert Ginty's voice dub in post couldn't be more unenthusiastic. At least Donald Pleasence was very watchable (when he's onscreen) but Fred Williamson was wasted. Terrible, terrible film.

Moon over Vegas

Today went to Evanston CineArts for a double feature evening with Ron. First up was Todd Phillips hilarious The Hangover, the ideal flick to see with a crowd; Zach Galifianakis stole every scene. Followed that with dinner at Cozy Noodles then headed back for sci-fi movie amazement with Duncan Jones' Moon, starring the excellent Sam Rockwell. What a terrific film to see on the big screen. It was made for it. Loved that film so much and look forward to the next viewing. Pretty good double feature day!

What? No Movies?

I think I slept this evening away... was downtown all day for meeting. maybe sleep or movie on USB? have to confirm that one. or maybe TV stuffs? ugh.

Howard the Duck: The Movie That Never Should Have Been Made

I'll go on record as stating that Howard the Duck may be the worst movie ever made. I'm shocked this film was even made (and made with the outrageous budget for the time, 1986). Also not surprised that George Lucas was the executive producer on this. It's just bad in every way imaginable. Not even Lea Thompson's hotness makes it in the least bit redeemable. Gave me a headache watching. All that said, the featurettes are interesting b/c the entire time you want to yell at them, "why are you making this movie?!"

No Secret Here

Maid's Secret should be classified as soft-core. barely a plot that involves a couple of girls aspiring to be the one & only of the same guy. not recommend worthy unless you wanna see AV models not go all the way.

Team Jugger FTW

The Blood of Heroes is a 1989 Rutger Hauer tour de force, post-apocalyptic flick about a football-like game using a dog skull rather than a ball. Yes, that's about all you need to know. Hauer looks great and also a young Vincent D'Onofrio stars (as well as Joan Chen and Delroy Lindo). Just watch it; it's good.

The Burrowers (2008)

Decent western horror flick: The Burrowers and better than the short film prequel, BLOOD RED EARTH.

Sunday Zero Watch? Yep.

Flew to Richmond for big meeting tomorrow w/VTC. No movies today. [sadface]

Assassination of Jesse James

Excellent: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Shinobi No Mono (1962)

Cool ninja period piece is Shinobi No Mono, a fun watch. Now gotta watch others in the series.

Sin Of Harold Diddlebock (1947)

Fact: Harold Lloyd silent movies are better than his talkies. Case in point: The Sin Of Harold Diddlebock (1947), which actually borrows footage from an earlier [silent] film of his. Not terrible but just ok.

goes on record as my first DVR recording... evar!

Zero Effect (1998)

watched Zero Effect which is a decent detective flick but slips in t/3rd act. Good watch tho. Also ate a whole bunch of blueberries.

No Movie Watching

Another blank day. Possibly working the evening away. Or maybe USB flick?

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

The Hound of the Baskervilles is highly entertaining with terrific performances by Peter Cushing, André Morell, and a dashing young Christopher Lee. Cushing does Sherlock Holmes quite well with the right touch of snarkiness.

Oh, I also finished Honey & Clover, which I had started watching in the wee hours. Sadly not best manga adaptation and found it rather dull. Probably too many characters to develop in a feature film compare to the manga or J-drama. Thought Yu Aoi was wasted here. ah well.

First Back to Back in 2009!

Knowing I had to squeeze in as many theater viewings as possible, I opted for a back to back viewing today at Kerasotes Showplace 12 by picking the best combination for little or no break between films. First up was Terminator Salvation which I had been putting off due to landslide of negative reviews. It wasn't nearly as bad as the reviews make it out to be. I actually enjoyed it for what it was. Sam Worthington steals the movie.

Next up was Sam Raimi's venture back into small film horror, Drag Me to Hell. This was a thoroughly well done flick but I think it didn't resonate with as much as I wanted (either due to having sat thru one 2 hour flick just prior or because of the overwhelmingly positive reviews praising the film that inflated my anticipation). Still enjoyed this flick and the ending was the best evar (for 2009 anyways).

Had to get Step Brothers back to library tonight so threw it in and it had it's moments. Wasn't really up for another Will Ferrell comedy but since it took so long to get this from my hold list I watched anyway. I must say that Mary Steenburgen looks fabulous here.

Land of the Laid to Rest

Back to the theater today this time to catch the new release Land of the Lost. I gotta say that while I totally understand why this film was panned by the critics I really liked it. Then again I'm predisposed to like anything Land of the Lost. Definitely not a kids flick but I dug the dirty & drug humor. Hated the Cha-ka character but McBride made up for his shortcomings. Just wish there were more Sleestaks (and more McBride).

Evening viewing was the new slasher flick Laid to Rest, which was just "okay". Some nice gore scenes but the story was weak. But nice to watch mediocre horror again.

UP with People!

Went to a past midnight showing of Up in 3D (so technically this should be the 6th but it's still Friday as far as I'm concerned). UP was as great as all the reviews have already indicated but I'm still not sold on it being the best Pixar flick to date. I'm still very partial to The Incredibles. I will say that this; this will go down as the most expensive theater viewing in my history of going to the theater. Upon exiting my garage I backed my car into another car severely denting my rear bumper (and yet no damage to the other car thankfully). I'm sure the cost of that will easily exceed $1000 to repair. ~sigh.

Last Day in Seattle

Free day today to run around and enjoy the area. Good times w/Adam. Definitely need to come back.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Seattle - Day 3

awesome day at SMX Advanced. Excellent dinner at Sutra! So want to spend more time in Seattle sans business/conference obligations.

Seattle - Day 2

In Seattle for SMX Advanced. No plans to watch any flicks this week.

Time for a Break - May Movie Tally

Leaving for Seattle today and not planning on viewing any movies during my stay there. But have big plans to catch up w/some theater releases I've missed. Also have to update the remaining Friends Favorites from May, which sadly ended on a whimper.

Round-up for May movies watched: 61 total (23 re-watches; it was Friends Favorites month after all so I knew I'd be revisiting a few). 301 films watched to date (in 2009)

List of all films watched in May:
L.A. Confidential Seen before (1997)
Fast, Cheap & Out of Control (1997)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Children of Men (2006)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Seen before (2004)
Dazed and Confused (1993)
The Squid and the Whale (2005)
Death Race 2000 Seen before (1975)
Rushmore Seen before (1998)
Unforgiven (1992)
Gimme Shelter (1970)
The Assignment (1997)
The Bourne Supremacy Seen before (2004)
Mad Max Seen before (1979)
Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Seen before (1980)
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Star Trek (2009)
Miller's Crossing (1990)
Love Actually (2003)
El laberinto del fauno Seen before (2006)
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Nochnoy dozor Seen before (2004)
Time Bandits (1981)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Withnail & I (1987)
Fargo Seen before (1996)
Touch of Evil (1958)
The Incredibles Seen before (2004)
Rio Bravo (1959)
L.A. Story (1991)
Trainspotting Seen before (1996)
The Hunt for Red October Seen before (1990)
Wild Style (1983)
Box of Moon Light (1996)
Rashômon Seen before (1950)
The Royal Tenenbaums Seen before (2001)
Léon (1994)
Babe (1995)
Pi Seen before (1998)
Matchstick Men (2003)
High Fidelity Seen before (2000)
Strange Brew (1983)
Sneakers Seen before (1992)
Dip huet seung hung Seen before (1989)
Chinjeolhan geumjassi (2005)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
The Usual Suspects Seen before (1995)
El espinazo del diablo Seen before (2001)
Hoop Dreams (1994)
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
The Breakfast Club Seen before (1985)
Slacker (1991)
Fail-Safe (1964)
Oldeuboi Seen before (2003)
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009)
Gymkata (1985)
Martyrs (2008)
Big Dreams Little Tokyo (2006)