Serial Detecting

One of my favorite aspects of Netflix Instant Watch is the ability to watch items that I'd probably not have a chance to see otherwise. Case in point, Boris Karloff as James Lee Wong in the Mr. Wong, Detective (1938) series. Karloff is so much fun to watch, esp. his take on an Asian again (see: Mask of Fu Manchu). 7 / 10

Eden of the East the Movie I: The King of Eden (2009) was also on the Instawatch so gave it a whirl. Very convoluted anime (big surprise) and not compelling enough for me to seek out the second movie. Visually cool but meh. 6.5 / 10

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) is another film that's alluded me over the years. Now I know why this flick always seems to get some rave recommendations. This is solid, sadistic and damn good. Michael Rooker is lights out. 7.5 / 10

• June New: 46
• June Re-watch: 3
• June '11 MTD: 49
• June '10 MTD: 64
• 2011 YTD: 365
  

Surviving the Sequoia

Sole Survivor (1983) has a good premise but lousy execution. Everyone dies in a plane crash except one person who is then haunted by killing ghosts. Sounds good, eh? But just drags. Unfortunate. Generous 6/10

Dead Men Walk (1943) was on Hulu so I gave it a spin. A murdered doctor returns from the grave to seek revenge on his murdering brother. Not a great film but watchable. 6/10

Stopped by Showplace 12 for a screening of Kim Seok-yun's Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow a.k.a. Jo-seon Myeong-tam-jeong (2011). Man, do I ever love this film. It's just a hokey Sherlock Holmes adventure set in feudal Korea. Good balance of comedy and action. Definitely an honorable mention for best of 2011. 8/10

Picked off Valley of the Giants (1938) from TCM. Quite a fun little film about a small logging town about to be overtaken by a big corporation from the east that wants to clearcut the entire area. Amazing amount of violence for a G-rated flick. Love Alan Hale as Ox! Very enjoyable. 7.4/10

• March New: 37
• March Re-watch: 1
• March '11 Total: 38
• March '10 Total: 75
• 2011 TOTAL: 199
  

Sunlight Cycles

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) is the perfect feel-good, winding down film coming off a busy day. Shirley Temple plays farmgirl Rebecca poised to break out into the big leagues of stardom… only if her aunt can be persuaded to let her off the farm. Plenty of great musical numbers. 6.5/10

Ordered the original TRON (1982) from my library back when there was a lot of online chatter about the film not being available to view (via retail outlets) prior to the release of TRON Legacy. Took a little while but it finally arrived and proves that the film can be still be seen if you're not a dummy. Yes, people, use your library system. Anyways, it's enjoyable for what it is and cool to see the world-building again. 7/10

• January New: 60
• January Re-watch: 10
• January '11 Total: 70
• January '10 Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 70
  

Subjectively Not Good

Picked up The Objective (2008) from my library quick picks shelf because it read like an interesting ghost/monster movie set in Afghanistan during the recent occupation. It's mostly a convoluted Bermuda Triangle story with really no payoff. Not terrible but hardly worth the watch. 5.75/10

On NWI I finished Tarzan and the Green Goddess (1938) and even with the grain intact I was hoping for an overall better film. Definitely not one of the better Tarzan flicks. 5/10

And lastly from NWI I sat through Charles Kaufman's Mother's Day (1980) since I anticipate seeing the remake at Fantastic Fest in 3 days. Kinda silly and occasionally gruesome but overall not the best of sleaze horror films. 6/10

• September New: 40
• September Re-watch: 0
• September Total: 40
• 2010 TOTAL: 547
  

(20 days in and still haven't re-watched any films!)