Kaa Stew

The Marx Brothers' Duck Soup (1933) was on my blindspot list and I'm an ass for not seeing this brilliant comedy sooner. So much to love here. Everyone should see this film in their life. 8 / 10

Disney's animated The Jungle Book (1967) is a film I know I've watched in my childhood but having such a vague recollection I had to give it an honest watch. It holds up in every way and I enjoy this more than most of Disney's more recent animated Jungle work (ex. Lion King, Tarzan, etc.). Excellent voice acting. 7.7 / 10

Belphégor - Le fantôme du Louvre a.k.a. Belphegor, Phantom of the Louvre (2001) caught my attention on the French film shelf at the library. I wish it hadn't because this is a disaster. Sophie Marceau is haunted by a resurrected spirit in this silly mummy flick that lacks a point and adequate FX. View only as a curiosity otherwise avoid. 4 / 10

• June New: 38
• June Re-watch: 3
• June '11 MTD: 41
• June '10 MTD: 64
• 2011 YTD: 357
  

Road Rage

Another Netflix expiration casualty was Wicked Little Things (2006), a slightly interesting horror film with hillbilly cannibal kids or, ahem, fine young cannibals. Also a very early Chloe Moretz role. Watchable. 6/10

Muvico time for Nic Cage and Amber Heard in Drive Angry 3D (2011). No 2D option. Didn't have high expectations but was expecting to like it more than I did. Overall thought it was just okay. But Heard and William Fichtner elevate their material. Cage was sleepwalking. 6.8/10

My awesome evening viewing: Point Blank (1967) with the even awesomer Lee Marvin. Holy shit do I like this flick. If it exists on blu-ray, I will buy it. Angie Dickinson is also terrific. 7.5/10

• February New: 56
• February Re-watch: 8
• February '11 Total: 64
• February '10 Total: 61
• 2011 TOTAL: 155
  

Love Berserker

Lost and Delirious (2001) dives right into its young love subject matter from the get-go revealing the secret lives of girls in a boarding school. Didn't even recognize Piper Perabo. Less steaminess and more coming of age. Jessica Paré and Mischa Barton are pretty good here. 7/10

Terror in the Swamp (1985) is a VHS flick I picked up recently and is another awfully executed monster flick with a few inexplicable moments including the finale. The bad dialogue makes it watchable but still not a very good film. 4.5/10

The Delos Adventure (1987) continues my bad movie trend today as a group of scientists uncover a secret government plot and hidden underwater Russian base. Always enjoy seeing Kurtwood Smith in what could've been a pretty good flick if not for the rapid conclusion that sunk the film. 5/10

Berserk (1967) is a horror circus flick directed by Jim O'Connolly that could've been one done by William Castle. It features 1) Joan Crawford, 2) has a familiar murderer twist, and 3) the lurid colors and set design (it's a circus!). And for those reasons I really like this film. The circus atmosphere is ideal for staging such an elaborate series of murders. 7/10

• January New: 15
• January Re-watch: 2
• January '11 Total: 17
• January '10 Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 17
  

More Monster Mayhem

Caught a few more Hammer Horror flicks from TCM including Terence Fisher's The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), which is arguably their best Frankenstein film featuring Christopher Lee as the monster and Peter Cushing as the mad scientist. Really dig this flick. 7.7/10

Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), on the other hand, is not so good. Good title that doesn't deliver on that premise. Was expecting a decent Bride remake but this is really something all together different. 5.4/10

Hit up Netflix Watch Instantly for Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), which is another film I enjoyed as a child. This one is right up there in the Bud & Lou series of feature films. Could probably watch their monster films anytime. Great to see Marie Windsor in this. 7.6/10

• October New: 54
• October Re-watch: 13
• October Total: 67
• 2010 TOTAL: 651
  

Cool Hand of Hell

Wednesday again and another Horror Movie Night! BK's pick for this evening was Ate de Jong's Highway to Hell (1991)! If you're not familiar with this little early 90s gem, you don't know what you're missing! Man, what a fun ride, pun intended. Not only does this star Chad Lowe and Kristy Swanson, Ben & Jerry Stiller along with Lita Ford in supporting roles! To top that off it also has the most awesome VW Beetle chase ever committed to celluloid. Fun! 6.8/10

Closed my night with blindspot / list of shame film in Cool Hand Luke (1967). Another film I've only seen in bits & pieces but never in its entirety. Holy damn this is a fantastic movie. I hate myself for not watching this sooner. And here it's not just Newman that's great but the entire cast. Too many excellent character actors to count. Some uncredited like Joe Don Baker! Can see owning the Blu-ray someday. Lots to revisit. 8.5/10

• September New: 26
• September Re-watch: 0
• September Total: 26
• 2010 TOTAL: 533
  

ZOMG! Only 7 days until Fantastic Fest!!

OH, NO! NOT THE BEES!

Went out to support The Crazies (2010) at the theater. Solid and engrossing if not entirely spot on. Decent watch and worth the rental.


The DVD cover for The Deadly Bees (1967) is better than the actual film. Not a terrible watch but could've been a lot more, ahem, deadly. Had some funny moments like when they use the exact same shoot to illustrate a mystery beekeeper releasing the bees. But not a very good Amicus film.

Despite its lengthy runtime, Grand Prix (1966) is a very entertaining film that could've been trimmed in a few places to make it really outstanding. James Garner is wonderful here. Nice to see Toshiro Mifune make a limited yet important appearance. The Formula 1 races are captured so well and make this film worth seeing. The drama between the cars on the track is intense and realistic. Good stuff.

Richard Fleischer's Conan the Destroyer (1984) is far from being a "good" film but having seen it again via NWI I've determined that I really love the cheesiness it provides. The banter between Tracey Walter and a much friendlier Conan (Schwarzenegger) gives levity to what was intended as a campy sequel to the more serious Conan The Barbarian.