(1950), featuring the handsome Toshiro Mifune and gorgeous Shirley Yamaguchi. However, the story is less about their "scandal" and more about the downtrodden attorney Hiruta, played with conviction by Kurosawa stalwart Takashi Shimura. Damn fine film and so glad to have seen this as part of the Kurosawa Festival at The Stanford Theatre.
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print getting featured at the Kurosawa Festival at Stanford Theatre, I was able to finally see this amazing film on the big screen. So great to see. Really envious of the Stanford students in attendance seeing Rashomon (1951) for the first time in that environment. Wish I was gonna be around to see all the Kurosawa films like this.
Was pretty tired after getting back to my hotel after the evening spent in Palo Alto, so instead of going out to a late viewing I stayed in and eventually queued up The Headless Ghost (1959). Don't think it's as bad as that IMDB rating would lead you to believe but it's nothing terrific either. But I enjoy even the worst of old black & white film so it was fine. A really cool & scary remake could be done from the basic premise of this flick (i.e. kids visit castle and secretly hide to stay overnight).
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(1942). And I'm so glad to have watched this wartime drama and Academy Award winner (seven Oscars!). Definitely worth seeking out.
(1951), which I've not seen since I was a child. Long overdue, yes, I know. Full reveal: when I was a child I thought this was an extended Twilight Zone episode. For many years I always referred to this film as one of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone until someone said, "uh, are you referring to The Day the Earth Stood Still?" Yeah, I suppose I was. After this viewing I would consider this possibly one of my top 100 favorite films.
(2007), one of the After Dark Horrorfest films of that year, but since I had to get it back to the library before my trip I bucked up. Fairly competent torture porn flick in the same mold as a Hostel or Turistas set in Mexico with drug dealers and gangs.
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(2002) is one of those. And it's not bad but it's also not all that special either. Both Ford and Neeson put in solid performances but some of the drama and suspense felt a bit wrangled. Based on a true story it comes and goes losing much of the impact of a submarine in peril. 
(1985) after suggested it to another Tallyteer and I could barely remember most of it save for a few memorable scenes (ex. the chase on top of the moving L train - Brown line?). Always love seeing the Chuck and Chicago but needed more Henry Silva.
(1965) is so damn good. Claire Bloom is also great. Wasn't so much into the intrigue aspect but really enjoyed the characters interacting. And the tone in b&w creates the mood.
(1996) going into it. Thought it was going to be something entirely different and unfortunately wanted it to be something different. As it was, Tucci & Scott make a capable film about the struggle of small Italian restaurant and the relationship of the two brothers but I really wanted more focus on the food. Yes, there is the celebration of well-prepared dishes but not enough.
(2008) isn't a bad take on the '80s Sunset scene but it could've been so much better. And it's nowhere close to Decline of the Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years. But for those like me (fascinated with that time in rock history) it still makes for a interesting watch even if it's a little too much GNR.
(2000) is unquestionably compelling but also challenging as you watch this homely Japanese woman make her way through Japan after committing a terrible crime. Along the way she slowly breaks from her shell but must stay on the run. 
(2009) is one of my favorite films, it's no surprise that I also enjoyed this modern version despite its many problems. C. Thomas Howell not being one of them (tho he did direct, which is astonishing considering this is yet another Asylum flick). The CG dinosaurs are rendered horribly (really, this many years after Jurassic Park?) and the solution to escape the island is just silly. But I can watch flicks like these all day.
(2009) is the little black comedy horror film that tried. I admire what they did here but went in & out of being interested to just being bored. It's on NWI and worth a look but don't expect much. The practical costume effects & make-up are done well for a lo-budget indie flick (see what I did there?).
(2009) made me more depressed than anticipated. Was misty eyed a couple of times. Definite must-see for anyone who appreciates craft beer and struggle of the little guy against the corporate giants. Thank you, Netflix, for making this available via Watch Instantly.
(1955), one of the films featured in the marvelous Ed Wood. Lugosi appears nearly anemic. Still a compelling watch if you know the history behind its making.
(2008), turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Shouldn't have been since I like both Paul Rudd & Seann William Scott quite a bit. Better than average comedy and re-watch worthy.
(1996). Such terrifying film that I never had the stomach to see the whole thing (yes, it's that terrifyingly awful plus I have a special fondness for the '77 version). Well, at least the make-up is good. |
(2007). Not bad but a little tiresome of ALIEN motif. Very middling at best.
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(1968) ONLY featuring two cinema heavyweights: Toshiro Mifune & Lee Marvin. That there is enough for anyone. And really all that needs to be said. See this film. Period. |
(1972) makes me long for the days were a common occurrence out of Hollywood. Love the loneliness and brutality of life in wild. Some heartbreaking moments and stoic Robert Redford. Awesome film.
(2008). Wasn't overly in-like with this but found it watchable. In truth, it's less about the girl and more about a confused Ronin who finds his way. Worth a look.  |
(2008) and expected to dislike it; quite the opposite happened. Damn the critics, I thoroughly enjoyed this different story of the Clone Wars. Cute would be the best way to sum it up.
(1983). Wow. So impossibly bad it's that good. Love when Martin Landau shows up in shitty horror films. Goes w/o saying this one is ideal movie night fodder. And goddamn, look at that poster! |
(1956) off the DVR (thx to TCM). Features Glenn Ford as yet another cowboy badass. Broderick Crawford is also damn good. Much worthiness here.
(2005). The twists and turns are interesting enough but nailing the real bad guy shouldn't be too difficult. Always love seeing Hiroshi Abe. And somehow Ikeda is able to make Kimiko Aso positively unattractive. |
(2008) from the quick picks at the library to finally see what the hub-bub was about... and sure, Winslet deserved the Oscar but the film is rather a snore. Expected a little more punch than lulls.
(2009) I originally saw late last year right before taking off for a trip to L.A. Loved it so much I knew I had to see again. Ron & pAT hadn't seen it previously so it was a perfect watch (yeah, they dug it too). Still an honorable mention for my best of 2009. |
(2008) on NWI. Gotta say I dig the violence of these DC animated films! This one is solid 'cept for Jeremy Sisto's Batman voiceover.
(1978) I haven't seen since probably around the time it was released (likely on HBO a year or so later). Only the most horrific of images stayed with me so it was time to revisit Sutherland, Goldblum & Nimoy. Still excellent as ever. And recognized Robert Duvall as the priest on the swing. Love seeing another 70s film set in San Francisco. Definitely worth your time. |
(1965) from the library. Pretty fun western with Jane Fonda in the lead w/Lee Marvin in dual roles as both villian and mostly drunk hero. Also listened to most of the commentary track by Michael Callan & Dwayne Hickman, which was also amusing.
(2007) and it lives up to what I expected; it presents both sides yet leans a little more on the skepticism of this apparent prodigy child. Ever since I saw the controversy unfold on 60 Minutes, I've wanted to know more about the story. This doc gives it all and the bonus post-film featurette gives even more. Totally worth checking out.
Another little Amicus flick And Now the Screaming Starts!
(1973) is okay but doesn't nearly live up to the terrific trailer. Magee & Cushing join the cast of Amicus regulars. Probably a better group-watch.
. Released to compete w/New Line's Brendan Fraser vehicle of the same year, I almost want to say this one's the worst of the lot. It should be if not for that 1989 aberration. Not worth viewing unless you're a Greg Evigan fan or (gasp!) an Asylum fanboy. At least it does feature hottie Caroline Attwood.
(1978) on Netflix Watch Instantly. And I gotta say that compared to some of the more recent iterations of this story I've seen lately, this one ain't all that bad. Plus it has bitchin' cover art. Despite being dubbed (originally in Spanish) it's totally watchable with a bizarre sci-fi interlude that is never really explained. Also Ivonne Sentis is cute as a button (could be Audrey Hepburn's cousin). |
(1988) didn't need all the flashback sequences taken from the first film. It easily stands on its own as a worthy sequel. The make or break moment is when the 3 balls make their appearance.  |
(2003). Main storyline was a bit weak but the red herring Batwoman kept this flick going as I continued to guess who this mystery lady might be. Loaded with gorgeous femme fatales, this has the action and sexy back.
