Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Love in the Wrong Places

After 2 days out of town, I got back to Phantasm, which I started before I left. Haven't seen this horror/sci-fi flick since the 80s so well overdue for a re-watch. Still enjoy it but easy to see how it's ripe for a solid modern remake. I believe I've seen the first sequel but not the others but still think they could make a kick-ass remake of this.

Also took in Harold and Maude and sadly has been on my blindspot list far too long. Embarrassing really. The film is really perfect as is but I'm surprised this hasn't been up for a remake.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Palm-Pressing

Long day in Old Town Alexandria meeting more great folks and finally back to the comforts of my home. No movies b/c no sleep. crashing.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Take The A Train

Library grab 3:10 to Yuma (original from 1957) was a treasure to watch. Haven't seen the remake yet (despite owning the DVD since it's been out) but decided I wanted to see the original and it holds up. Glenn Ford is so good here. Very enjoyable b&w western. Love the scene cut to the quickie Wade (Ford) has with the bartenderess in the back room!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Get Away to Camp Crystal Lake

late start to day had Friday the 13th Uncut Blu Ray up first. Still grainy but nice transfer (not great but better than DVD). Really holds up well not surprisingly. Solid slasher and maybe still one of the best from American slasher period.

Evening was pleasantly filled with Peckinpah's The Getaway (1972) on Blu-Ray; stunning transfer for yet another excellent film. McQueen/MacGraw make a good combo. Sally Struthers great in supporting cast. Really nice looking film on Blu... esp. for nearly 40yrs old.

Finished the night w/the Drive in Double Feature disc featuring two b-movies from 1979: Search and Destroy (starring a b-film fave Perry King) & The Glove: Lethal Terminator (featuring yet another fave actor John Saxon!). Nothing particularly great about these but for me I dig the 70's vibe. Liked Search & Destroy a little more than then The Glove, which I didn't quite get the main point. The Drive In disc is pretty cool b/c it features the original drive-in concessions advertising as well as trailers for other b-movies before each film! So great.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Last Outpost on the Left

Went over to Ron's to hang out and watch a couple of movies. It's been too long. Besides catching up on the last month of events, we threw in Outpost, which I saw earlier this year but thought Ron might enjoy (plus I've been wanting to watch again since reading the news of the sequel). Still enjoy this flick a lot despite some obvious problems w/the plot.

Then we put in Last House on the Left (2009) (unrated version) that Ron rec'd for free. Fairly intense and well shot remake; brutal as expected. Not bad any stretch but not something I'd want to watch over and over.

Before heading out I picked up and watched National Treasure on Blu. Totally watchable Nic Cage modern Indiana Jones flick.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Le passage et pathos

Another terrific Bogart film Passage to Marseille has a central arc that makes this an excellent watch. Bookends aren't bad but it's really the Bogey material and Peter Lorre/Claude Rains stuff to a lesser extent that make this essential viewing.

I think I've reached my breaking point w/these disturbing and fucked up Japanese psycho-sexual horror thrillers. case in point: Strange Circus. Not that this is a bad film but sometimes I wonder what's the point. I can only take so much of father raping the daughter/scarification psychological mumbo jumbo.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Off To See The Wizard

Tonight I made sure I was in a seat to see The Wizard of Oz on the big screen (in celebration of its 70th Anniversary) and in HD no less. Really dug seeing this in the theater having seen it on the small screen so many times. Many things I had forgotten so it was an excellent way to re-experience this classic film. Great pace to it as well. I wondered tho, during the film, if the subtext is pro-Amish. Think about it.

Only complaint were the 2 older women sitting behind me that either had to comment on every scene or recite the dialog along w/the characters. SO FUCKING ANNOYING. Where do these people come from? And thank goodness the bulb burned out during the pre-showing documentary and not the actual film.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Too Close For Comfort

Truly beautiful take on Jack the Ripper is The Lodger (1944). Laird Cregar is menacing and I love that [SPOILER] he (Mr. Slade) still tries to Kitty even after being wounded and chased by the police. Oh, and Merle Oberon is hot.

My new PS3 dropped today so I hooked it up and spun Close Encounters of the Third Kind Blu Ray to officially launch my new console. Indeed, the transfer is amazing. So crisp for a 32 year old film. Looks so good. Upon this viewing, however, I realized that now I enjoy the first of the film more than the second (when I was a child it was the other way around). The Devils Tower is a bit too schmaltzy, IMO. The human drama and discovery is where it's at. Still an excellent watch.

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Thing That Should Not Be

MNF tonight at Buffalo Wild Wings (always just wanted to try; so'kay) but caught The Thing from Another World on TCM. Maybe pinnacle of 50s sci-fi but I like flying saucer stuff more. Still required viewing, esp. if you dig on the Carpenter remake.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Graceful Space Invading

Recorded The Man From Planet X on TCM and made for ideal early morning viewing. Decided I really love 50s Sci-Fi.

Hopefully I finish Alien Trespass on Watch Instantly, which is a throw-back to 50s Sci-Fi and is indeed charming. OK, I did watch the rest and the first half is much stronger than the second. But still cool... wish it had been in b&w. Side note: poster on the wall of one of the kids MAN FROM PLANET X! That was a LOL.

Also wrapped Grace which is just fucked up and creepy as all get out. Dear god this movie freaked me out... by 15min into it I was wigged and couldn't finish it by 30min mark. But I braved the rest this evening. A must see unless you're pregnant and expecting. Damn good movie but wow.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Dead Bodies Hit The Floor

Got up to do the early morning matinee of Jennifer's Body, famous for starring Megan Fox and being penned by Diablo Cody. Both aspect obviously apparent and unfortunately hurt this movie which could've been very good rather than just okay. I enjoyed it but man did they try too hard to make it clever rather than just letting it happen naturally w/o the excessive pop-culture dialog. That dialog is why I didn't like Juno and why this flick is just okay. and I really hated the wikipedia line. SO FUCKING UNNECESSARY. and stupid.

Pulled a neck muscle simply by stretching during the film so nap & chores the rest of the day until re-hooking up my modem/router to get a better connection for my Xbox to test the Nexflix Instant Streaming (my home wi-fi has been sucking balls for a while). So I hardwired the Xbox and fired up The Siege of Firebase Gloria. Not available on DVD and recently screened at Cinemapocalypse, been killing to see this one. But couldn't do on the computer (hate watching movies on computers). So finally in the bag and it is as awesome as advertised. (my connection still sucks even hardwired... wondering if it's my router now)

Friday, September 18, 2009

None Set It Up

Caught up with the The Set-Up, 1949 Robert Wise film. Just terrific small film with amazing captures of emotions and faces, visceral & engaging. Another thanks to TCM.

Been a while since I've viewed Japanese nun-splotation so this was on deck: Cloistered Nun: Runa's Confession. Almost doesn't seem like '76 since so much of that fashion has come back. Not a terrible movie with a decent lesbian scene and a good twist. Masaru Konuma became known for his pinku films and this is a good example of his work. Would love to see the Sadistic and Masochistic documentary that Hideo Nakata (dir. of The Ring) did about him.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Skull Baggery

Sick all day so I checked out Baghead and it wasn't terrible for a super-low budget pseudo-horror flick but such a limp-dick ending for all the build-up.

"I will do whatever the skull wants me to do" as said by Christopher Lee's character sums up this flick about Peter Cushing chasing the skull of Marquis de Sade. Classic horror watch is The Skull.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I <3 Western OST & Mythology flicks

Finished watching DVR recording of Atlantis, the Lost Continent (1961) (thx to TCM and not available on DVD). Such a rich film and totes the kind I love to watch. <3 Joyce Taylor. she's so beautiful and bipolar, it's fantastic.

OK, thanks to Pandora I discovered something I MUST HAVE.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Quarantine Me

Watching Quarantine finally. Was interested when it came out but lost interest after hearing the original [rec] was superior. And so far that's definitely proving out. There's an edge to [rec] that seems lost on this remake. Probably would've enjoy this more had I never seen nor heard of the original. Seriously unhappy about this scratched disc from the library that keeps stalling out. ugh.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Monday Night Football

Yikes. Two games on Monday?! Yeah, no chance for film viewing w/this action. s'okay.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Football Over Film

With the start of the NFL season, my movie viewing is sure to drop. Typically watch 4 or 5 films on Sunday but today = nothing. Not that I mind b/c I love the pro-football. But just a heads up.

At least I did order my PS3 so I can watch Blu-Ray discs on my new TV. Yay!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Bringing It to the Nines

First up was a matinee for 9, the new Shane Acker directed, Tim Burton produced feature animated film. I dug the hell out of this movie for it's visual style but the plot was one we've all see before and rather a vehicle to show-off the incredible graphics. Delicious to watch. Look forward to the Blu.

Thanks to my library network, I was able to view the now out-of-print Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, featuring the terrific tag-team of Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges in this 1974 road/crime flick. Everything about this film is just excellent and what I gravitate towards. Hope this gets a proper release someday.

Re-watched Bring It On in my attempt to watch all installments of this film (there are 3 sequels?! really?). Still holds up and, wow, are Dunst & Dushku sexy in their younger days (not that they aren't now but they def had sex appeal as they matured).

Friday, September 11, 2009

Take Me Back

was stoked to see Taken. Lives up to the hype despite not being a "great" film. Lots of intensity and good action; completely unbelievable but earnest attempt to make it seem like it could happen. Still wondering how Liam Neeson's character is able to kill so many dudes and apparently return to the US so easily. Still entertaining. Shocked that they sat on this for so long.

An old 80s horror flick I missed back in the day was up next: Fright Night. Has all the silly camp you'd expect and fairly decent spin on the vampire next door plot. Always love Roddy McDowall in anything.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Rankin & Bass Last Unicorn

Arrived home from Colorado, popped in The Last Unicorn to curl into my couch & relax. Fun early 80s animation with all-star voice over talent... yet I didn't recognize any of the voices, which I actually appreciated (was never distracted or taken out of it).

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

09-09-09 Wedding Day

At the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO for my brother's wedding. Big day. No film. No worries. Nice to be w/the family on this beautiful day.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Headed to Colorado

Getting my Rocky Mountain High on as I prepare to leave for Estes Park, Colorado via Denver for my brother's wedding tomorrow. Work, pack & fly.

Monday, September 07, 2009

Laboring Day

Proof that my memory is failing and why I should update more frequently: I have no recollection of what I watched on this day. My thought is that I did actually catch up on DVR material to make space for future recordings but not certain.

Oh, I did watch my DVR recording of William Castle's amazing '61 Homicidal. Tragic that this title is no longer in print but I guess there is a collected set on its way. Such a freaky and wildly entertaining flick with a reveal to die for... heh!

Can't recall the exact day I watch Black Water but it was around this weekend so dropping it in here. Based on a true story about a group of Aussies trapped in the mangrove swamp hunted by a monstrous crocodile. Def intense and believable.

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Sunday in Labor

Spent the lazy overcast afternoon enjoying 1952's Scaramouche, which is just so much fun. Beautiful women, amazing swordplay, overacting. What more could you want?

Atlantic City was recommended by someone or some podcast. Damn fine film w/Burt Lancaster & Susan Sarandon.

Before all that I watched Swimming With Sharks just before dawn and was definitely interesting but afraid I was too drowsy to fully gather the whole thing. Will re-watch eventually. Spacey was classic asshole Spacey.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Glorious Sun

Carved into my weekend a screening of Inglourious Basterds. Goes without saying what an amazing film this is and the mark Quentin Tarantino continues to leave in modern film. So many nice touches and sendups to classic movies that influenced him. Will try to see again in the theater. That good.

Don't know why I decided to watch all the installments of the Bring It On flicks but I've committed to it. First one I got was Bring It on Again (which is the sequel to the original, I guess). And it's dreadful. I've seen the first and I remember it being decent but not surprised they couldn't maintain that.

Watching Sunshine now. Follow up: was way fucking cool however the 3rd act just lost me. I knew this going in as it's always been a major criticism but yeah: WTF. But first 2 acts so incredible and moving. Want the blu.

Decided on another: Charlie Bartlett, which might have been more interesting to me in the mid-90s. But just wasn't into it. I have a feeling this was made just before Robert Downey Jr's resurgence. he's useless here.

Friday, September 04, 2009

This Planet Metaluna

Happy to report that Pet Sematary still holds up rather and freaks the shit out of me. Definitely one of King's better horror films but then there are several good ones.


Weinberg posted his Top 100 sci-fi films recently but left one of my favorites off his list: This Island Earth. So I ordered from the library and watched (haven't seen in a long, long time). Still love the sheer campiness of this '55 flick during the boom of Hollywood alien invader & outer space films. The Mutant is also one of my favorite monster aliens.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Dead in the Water

Wish I could say that Dead Fish is better than dead but sadly not even a showdown between the insane Gary Oldman and nearly his equal Robert Carlyle can make this good. Blah.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

World's Greatest Dad

Was lucky enough yet again to win another AICN sponsored advance screening with Capone. This time for World's Greatest Dad, directed by Bobcat Goldthwait who also did a Q&A after the screening. Was just an amazing film, dark and sublime. Robin Williams was perfect. Overall great night and excellent screening (worth mentioning that a Police Academy mini-reunion was also present in our audience - so frickin' cool).

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Dance with the Enemy

Fred Claus was a quick pick at the library so what the hell. Wasn't bad wasn't great. Still not a fan of Rachel Weisz, esp. in this one.

Soaked into the richly revealing and poignant Waltz with Bashir. Incredible must-see watch.

August Movie Tally

Here's the round-up of films watched in August: 48 films total. Not an outstanding month but decent all things considered. My girlfriend visited at the beginning of the month so time was taken for that. Then Wizard World hit so that sucked some time. 12 films were re-watches. 449 films watched on the year.

List of movies watched:
Aladdin (1992)
The Incredibles Seen before (2004)
District 9 (2009)
The Frighteners (1996)
The Loved One (1965)
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra (2009)
Tokyo! (2008)
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986)
The Great Dictator (1940)
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Without Warning Seen before (1980)
The School of Rock (2003)
District 9 Seen before (2009)
The Evil Dead Seen before (1981)
My Bloody Valentine Seen before (1981)
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
It! The Terror from Beyond Space Seen before (1958)
House on Haunted Hill Seen before (1959)
Friday the 13th (2009)
Q The Winged Serpent (1982)
Chicken Run (2000)
Chicken Little (2005)
Il mostro dell'isola (1954)
Kurenai no buta (1992)
Charlotte's Web (2006)
Back to the Future Part II Seen before (1989)
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
The Wind in the Willows (1996)
Armageddon (1998)
Hardbodies Seen before (1984)
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Volkodav iz roda Serykh Psov (2007)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Seen before (1931)
5 per l'inferno (1969)
Hardbodies 2 (1986)
The Changeling (1980)
Spring Break Seen before (1983)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Shutter (2008)
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
The Sniper (1952)
Doctor Dolittle Seen before (1967)
¿Quién puede matar a un niño? (1976)
Edtv (1999)
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966)
You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)
Magic (1978)