Viper Guy

I wish I had something to say about the The Snake (2008) but I didn't enjoy it much. The premise is interesting but I think because I didn't care for the characters I didn't care for the film. Dude, Adam Goldstein, joins an image support group so he can fuck a girl. Meh. 5.5 / 10

• June New: 66
• June Re-watch: 4
• June '11 MTD: 70
• June '10 MTD: 64
• 2011 YTD: 386
  

Wagner Splint

Splinter (2008) was a recent used blu-ray purchase during Blockbusters close-out sales. Hadn't seen it since its initial run so it was time to revisit. Looks great on blu and I love the movie even more on my second viewing. The creature effects and gore are done so well. Excellent horror and suspense. 7.5 / 10

• May New: 32
• May Re-watch: 3
• May '11 Total: 35
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 303
  

Stripper Hunting

I'm baffled as to why my library would stock Zombie Strippers! (2008) but whatever, they (fortunately) have a diverse catalog of titles. I don't regret watching this film but it really is awful. Jenna Jameson isn't slumming here but Robert Englund sure is. 5 / 10

Diving back into my new Sidaris DVD collection, I rewatched Hard Hunted (1992), which I consider the last of the "great" Sidaris flicks. It was around this time when the changing of the guard occurred just before Fit To Kill, Dona Speir's last role as Donna Hamilton, and a new line of enhanced women entered the remaining films. 6.5 / 10

• April New: 29
• April Re-watch: 8
• April '11 Total: 37
• April '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 266
  

Flaming Ghosts

BTS's The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989) has been running on MGMHD so I recorded it and watched it again. Not a film I will grow tired of any time soon. Heart Wings Hauser. 7.4/10

I'm really glad I knew nothing about Joel Anderson's Lake Mungo (2008) going in (other than it was something was highly recommended by several of my twitter people). It's expiring on NWI so in I went. I was sold for the most part… there are a few things that broke the suspension of belief but very well done. See it if you haven't. 7/10

• March New: 50
• March Re-watch: 5
• March '11 Total: 55
• March '10 Total: 75
• 2011 TOTAL: 216
  

Giant Misfire

What is Gigantic (2008)? A film directed by Matt Aselton starring Paul Dano and Zooey Deschanel. Dano's character works in a mattress store, attempts to adopt a Chinese baby while being stalked by a violent homeless man (Zach Galifianakis). Interesting but not memorable. 6/10

• March New: 3
• March Re-watch: 1
• March '11 Total: 4
• March '10 Total: 75
• 2011 TOTAL: 165
  

Get Your Motor Running

Motorama (1991) where a boy can steal a car and drive across country encountering character actors along the way while fulfilling his dream. No seriously this is fun little flick that reminds me a lot of my child- and adulthood. Cool to see all the familiar faces make cameo appearances. 6.7/10

An American Rhapsody (2001) starring ScarJo, Nastassja Kinski, and Tony Goldwyn popped up on FLIXe when I was channel-surfing killing time before a football game. This early appearance by a young Scarlett Johansson had me intrigued. It's based on the true story of director/writer Éva Gárdos and her family's plight to escape Hungary after the war. Not a bad watch with decent acting all around. 6.5/10

Screamtime (1983) is a horror anthology directed by Michael Armstrong & Stanley Long that was recently added to NWI. Credit @ReelDistraction for noticing this and informing the rest of us who promptly queued it. I rather enjoyed all three of the short horror stories nearly equally. The first dealing with puppets, the second with a haunting visions, and the final tale of killer garden gnomes all framed by a couple of scumbags that rob a video store. 7/10

Picked up Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race (2008) on blu-ray from my library feeling the desire to revisit. Think I enjoyed it as much as I did during my theater viewing. Not sure what made this version "unrated" because it looks the same. Watched the making-of featurettes. Someday I'll probably buy this one. It's silly fun as long as you don't shit on the sidewalk. 7/10

• January New: 23
• January Re-watch: 3
• January '11 Total: 26
• January '10 Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 26
  

Creatures Lie Here

Monster (2008) is a odd mash-up of Cloverfield and the most recent Monsters. But unlike both of those, this film doesn't show nary a monster. I can accept the novice acting and the location set in Tokyo. However, attempting to stir up drama and fear from merely shaky cam and sound effects doesn't cut it. Wasn't expecting such a serious take by The Asylum. Doesn't suit them but does fulfill my goal of watching a DVD I own. 4.5/10

Shriek of the Mutilated (1974) on VHS is a corny snow beast flick that's quite awful on most counts. I will say that I fell for the apparent twist because I thought the silly monster suit was supposed to be just that. You know what I mean if you've seen this film. Covers my goal to watch one of my VHS tapes this week. 4.5/10

Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics (2010) provides an adequate history of DC Comics and its superheroes from their origin to present day including the struggles after the war when people no longer craved hero comics. Nothing majorly new here but nice to see the creators give their perspective. 7/10

• January New: 11
• January Re-watch: 2
• January '11 Total: 13
• January '10 Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 13
  

Make a Wish

Received Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (2009) from Netflix and I've been looking forward to seeing Yoshihiro Nishimura and Naoyuki Tomomatsu's collaboration since last year when I think it premiered at Fantastic Fest (or TIFF). Considering my waning interest in J-splatter horror this flick is actually pretty entertaining if not over the top towards the end. Might pick up the BD sometime. 6.5/10

From my library I dropped in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones (2009). I skipped catching this last year due to the bad worth of mouth (and reviews). Yep, this is not a good film. I know there's some stories behind why this turned out so horribly bad but I don't even care. It's watchable and has some okay performances. Generous 6/10 rating.

Heard decent things about I Sell the Dead (2008) but found it kinda boring. Not a bad watch but all together not that interesting for period zombie piece. 6/10

• November New: 23
• November Re-watch: 1
• November Total: 24
• 2010 TOTAL: 682
  

Never Let Me Hunger

Thursday and I'm out in Warrenville working at a Starbucks for the afternoon. Followed that with a good dinner & beer over at Rock Bottom then a 5-something screening of Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go (2010), which was a secret screening at Fantastic Fest. Really like the style of this film and the retro science fiction. Would have preferred if the movie remained almost entirely during the children's timeline. Didn't care much for their older selves or the relationship drama. Didn't like Kiera Knightley's character nor did I buy that character's motivations. Despite my problems with the film it's still worth checking out. 7/10

Yes, everything you've heard or read about Steve McQueen's Hunger (2008) is true. Powerful flick. Incredible long take conversation sequence and possibly the best I've seen. Uncomfortable but absolutely worth that uneasiness. Love Fassbender more and more everyday. High recommendation. 8/10

• October New: 37
• October Re-watch: 8
• October Total: 45
• 2010 TOTAL: 629
  

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!)

The Quiet Assassin

From Netflix received Allen Baron's Blast of Silence (1961). This is a great crime thriller with excellent b&w contrasts that somehow enhance the violence. The city scenes are sublime. Really terrific Criterion that I hope to revisit again. 7.7/10

Went out to catch George Clooney in The American (2010). Such a wonderful film. Really dig this flick and its quiet approach to the solitary nature of being an assassin. Love Clooney in this and that he's surrounded by beautiful women. Violante Placido is stunning. 7.5/10


Continuing my run of great films today I capped the day with Donnie Yen in Ip Man (2008), a film I've been wanting to see for a long time. Definitely lives up to the hype albeit taking a few liberties with the origin story. Really incredible fight choreography by Sammo Hung. Beautifully shot. Possible movie night candidate. 8/10

• September New: 18
• September Re-watch: 0
• September Total: 18
• 2010 TOTAL: 525
  

Raid on August

Last post of August! ::sigh of relief::

Fitting my first film of the day on this last day of August is one of my favorite new releases this year, Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim Vs the World (2010). Gods damn do I love this film. Wasn't sure I'd see it again but forced myself to take in another viewing. Love it even more. I've read that Mary Elizabeth Winstead has a vacuous role in the flick but it works for me. And something about her just melts me. (still burned out on Cera but whatevs) 9/10

Home: watched Treat Williams in Gale Force (2002), that literally lifts scenes from Last Action Hero. Suppose they thought no one would notice? It's kinda like Survivor meets Surviving the Game. Also features Tim Thomerson. He & Williams can team up anytime and I'll watch. Directed by Jim Wynorski, this is very watchable if not entirely very good. (Yay, 2 Treat Williams flicks this month!) 5.5/10


A film I've been told watch is Ben Rock's (@NeptuneSalad) Alien Raiders (2008). Wasn't sure what to make of this as it started but further in a very cool mystery unfolds with some great creature effects and scares. Solid camera work and good flick! 6.75/10

Finished the night with Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids (2001). Never seen any of the Spy Kids flicks but figured I should give all of Rodriguez's catalog a fair shake since a few of films I really like. This flick is as expected and really not targeted towards me. Some of the banter is fine but not a movie I'll revisit (unless I have kids). 6/10

• August New: 54
• August Re-watch: 12
• August Total: 66
• 2010 TOTAL: 507
  

Don't Touch My Twinkies

Kinda sad that my 500th film watched this year is The Final Destination (2009). This is franchise that I gave up on before it became a franchise (hated the first film so much I wanted to walk out of the theater). But hey my library had it so what the hell... and ya know what? I didn't hate this film. It isn't great but the kills are fine. Maybe my opinion has softened? 5/10

Behind on this but did attempt once before but the disc didn't work. But now I can cross off the list Jon Chu's Step Up 2: The Streets (2008). Pretty much as I expected but not enough Moose! Cute. Forgettable. 6/10


Dipped back into my NWI queue for Zombie Death House, which is really just Death House (1987). Really not a good zombie film about experiments done on prisoners making them into zombie-like monsters. But hey it was directed by John Saxon so I had to watch it. 4.5/10

• August New: 50
• August Re-watch: 11
• August Total: 61
• 2010 TOTAL: 502
  

Exorcising Movie Night

Been a long time coming but we finally nailed down another movie night today starting with big screen viewing of Daniel Stamm's The Last Exorcism (2010) at Tinseltown in S.Aurora. Think we're all in agreement that this is a terrific little horror mockumentary of the fallacies of performing exorcisms. All the actors are excellent with Patrick Fabian as the centerpiece selling his Cotton Marcus (still wish Eli Roth stayed with "Cotton" as the title). Now I know why people are having problems with the ending but I absolutely love it. 7/10


Now back at Ron's home and possibly a little giddy we opted for Sir Sean Connery in a diaper and screened Zardoz (1974). I've only heard the stories about this incredible and incredibly bad piece of cinema and now I can say I've witnessed it with my own eyes. Quite unbelievable. Seriously, penis is evil. Must be seen to be believed. Helps if you've seen or read The Wizard of Oz. Clue! 5.5/10

Finished the evening with a current favorite, Kim Ji-woon's The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008), my 3rd viewing to date. Fun to watch with my friends. I don't think I will ever tire of this film. Great way to end the evening! 9/10

• August New: 47
• August Re-watch: 11
• August Total: 58
• 2010 TOTAL: 499
  

Seven Years Bad Luck

Speaking of vampire films, finally watched George A. Romero's Martin (1977). John Amplas does a convincing "dude with a problem" and provides the needed creepiness in his scenes. Really a lot to like about this low budget thriller. 6.8/10


I know I haven't seen the sequel to Angel, Avenging Angel (1985), and it's a shame it doesn't quite deliver the same sleaze & grittiness as its predecessor. The quirkiness kills any edge it might've had with what little thrills it attempts. The funky cast is back and Betsy Russell is fine but just a bad delivery. 4.5/10

In wanting more Alexandre Aja I grabbed the Mirrors (2008) blu-ray from the library. Wish I could say I enjoyed this film but it's too wacky especially towards the end with the possessed nun to really recommend it. Some great kill scenes though. 5.7/10

• August New: 39
• August Re-watch: 7
• August Total: 46
• 2010 TOTAL: 487
  

Shark vs. Ape: More Wine?

Another loaded day of film watching! Finally got around to seeing a film I've been wanting to see ever since I saw that Famous Monsters of Filmland cover in the early 80s (actually owned that issue!). Of course, the film is Ape (1976). Only recently learned that was the film in question. Sadly, this is an awful, awful movie! Only the opening sequence (Ape vs. Shark) is worthy. Interestingly it features Maggie Seaver (Joanna Kerns) in probably her worst gig ever. At least she rebounded.

Watched Bottle Shock (2008) while organizing my pad. Had to sit a few times to fully appreciate this fine film. I'm not a wine drinker but this flick really had me wanting some wine. Good cast; better film.

Been itching to watch G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) again and was thrilled my library had the blu-ray. Still mindless fun. Still wish Marlon Wayans wasn't cast. Still love Sienna Miller. A lot.

Very much a long, overdue re-visit I dug into my newly purchased used DVD Enter the Dragon (1973). Put off even owning the DVD since I have the LaserDisc but got it on the cheap. Yeah, still a favorite film. Bruce Lee is so great and so missed. Really like John Saxon and Jim Kelly in this.

• August New: 25
• August Re-watch: 5
• August Total: 30
• 2010 TOTAL: 471
  

Passing the Goods

Made the mistake of firing this up w/my stepmom in the room but viewed The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009) anyways. Fortunately (actually unfortunately) this isn't a great film. Good at best as a Used Cars wannabe. Piven does his best Piven and the supporting cast is good but not much to tell mom about. Good thing my stepmom fell asleep.

Went downstairs and watched Passengers (2008), which is more interesting for the casting of Anne Hathaway and Patrick Wilson than its muddled mystery/thriller plot. I'm slightly obsessed with Hathaway which is why I grabbed it off the quick picks shelf at my library but this really isn't much of a good film. Something about a airline crash that maybe never happened. At least David Morse shows up.

• August New: 13
• August Re-watch: 0
• August Total: 13
• 2010 TOTAL: 454
  

Killing Me Sophie

Some catch viewing with Sophie's Choice (1982). Meryl Streep is damn fab as is Kevin Kline. Solid up and down and sideways. And now I know what Sophie's choice was. ;-)

DVD from Netflix in No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker (2008) and I kinda wish I hadn't spent the time to watch this. Good cast but the alternate reality stuff I found a bit tedious.

Picked up this Sonny Chiba Blu-ray from Amazon featuring Killing Machine (1975) and hot damn is this a great film! Noribumi Suzuki's Shôrinji kenpô possesses all the elements I treasure in a good film; excellent lead, good story, great sequences. That's obvious but this film hits all of these perfectly. Love it!

• August New: 11
• August Re-watch: 0
• August Total: 11
• 2010 TOTAL: 452
  

Russian Metal

Did the late afternoon screening of Phillip Noyce's Salt (2010) starring Angelina Jolie. Rather enjoyed this but took an awful lot of belief suspension as I found it hard to believe that she was able to pull all the action sequences shown in the film. Still a fun albeit predictable action ride. 7/10


Drove home to my parents' home since my brother is is town and fired up Sammo Hung's The Iron-Fisted Monk (1977). Very entertaining and well-paced period action flick. Good watch. 7.5/10

Also brought Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories (2008), which was a chore to get through. Not a good film. Skip it.

• July New: 43
• July Re-watch: 9
• July Total: 52
• 2010 TOTAL: 439
  

Cruising Tomorrow

No clue why I put off viewing Mission Impossible III (2006) this long but that was a sad mistake. Cruise control is rock solid. Orci + Kurtzman + Abrams is a winning combination. Always love seeing Maggie Q but Keri Russell really shines.


I can say this about James Kerwin's Yesterday Was a Lie (2008); it looks good and is quite ambitious. That aside this film is muddled in an overly convoluted story that begins interesting enough but peters off until you realize that you no longer care. I don't care the how the psycho-analysts what to read into some deeper message. I get that and it still doesn't work.

• July New: 6
• July Re-watch: 1
• July Total: 7
• 2010 TOTAL: 394