Another Piece of Meat

Tackled a couple more expiring films from the Neflix Instawatch queue starting with Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006). Really not much new here in terms of material but it's always fun to hear directors and actors talk about this period of film. A little sad that one of the films mentioned I haven't seen and it's spoiled in this documentary but ah well. That's my fault for not seeing it sooner. 7 / 10

Finally. Finally knocked off Raptor Island (2004) after failing on an earlier attempt (I fell asleep). No surprise why it took more than one attempt to finish this because it's goddamn awful. Terrible CG and Lorenzo Lamas hams his way thru it. 4 / 10

• May New: 44
• May Re-watch: 4
• May '11 Total: 48
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 316
  

Surviving the Ghost

Because it was expiring on the Watch Instantly I fired up Don Coscarelli's Survival Quest (1989), featuring my favorite Lance Henriksen. This is an more than adequate mountain survival flick with some good character moments. Enjoyed seeing the young Catherine Keener getting flustered. Good watch. 7 / 10

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) was also on the box. I missed its theatrical debut since after the first film I just lacked any interest in the story. That said, I kinda like this film and some of the scares. In the right mindset this can be very effective. Also like that it's a prequel and sequel in one film, which I haven't seen. It just works for me. 7 / 10

Recently acquired the blu-ray for From Paris with Love (2010) during the Blockbuster sale. Heard of mix of reactions when the movie was released so I was very curious. Now having seen this movie I can say that I'm sad I didn't go out to catch it in the theater. Damn, this is fun ride, folks. Screw the naysayers and see this movie. It's balls out fun. 7.5 / 10

• May New: 42
• May Re-watch: 4
• May '11 Total: 46
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 314
  

Simpler Tides

Ventured out to the cinema to view the next installment in the Pirates franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) directed by Rob Marshall. Despite being sufficient in continuing the story with Jack Sparrow nothing about the movie feels epic in scope compared to the others. No big set-pieces. That and Sparrow being left to carry the film really bring it down. It's just not very interesting. 6 / 10

Back to my blindspot project I finally watched the Coen's Blood Simple. (1984). Such a meaty film that I know I will have to watch again. Not sure I was in the best frame of mind to really absorb it properly but this is a damn good film. 7.6 / 10

• May New: 39
• May Re-watch: 4
• May '11 Total: 43
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 311
  

Dead Heat

Now that the girlfriend is on her way to the Dominican Republic, I'm back to watching movies. From Instawatch I dropped in an old sex comedy H.O.T.S. (1979), which I had only seen parts of thru the years. Yeah, this is dumb film but certainly watchable for those that dig these (as I do). It's the familiar story of outcast girls starting their own sorority as some crooks fall in to steal their money from a fundraiser. Playboy Playmate Susan Lynn Kiger leads the pack, and Danny Bonaduce even has a somewhat prominent role. Dumb fun. 6 / 10

Dead Man's Shoes (2004) was twitter rec based on some Paddy Considine discussion. Another cool flick I wished I had seen sooner. And one I'd also recommend. Well crafted story of a man who returns to avenge the brutality weighed on his brother by a group of hoodlums. Very worthy Shane Meadows joint. 7 / 10

• May New: 37
• May Re-watch: 4
• May '11 Total: 41
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 309
  

The Toys are Back in Town

My girlfriend is in town for a couple of days before her flight to Santo Domingo and she was up for viewing a film (a rarity). I suggested Beauty in the Beast on Blu that I just recently acquired but she wanted to see Toy Story 3 (2010) instead. Of course I was game because I adore that film (it did make my best of 2010 list). And as expected she loved the film. When I originally saw the movie I knew that she'd also love it because of a few plot turns and sequences. Watching this movie with her was better than seeing it in the theater. Wish we had more experiences like that. 9.2 / 10

• May New: 35
• May Re-watch: 4
• May '11 Total: 39
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 307
  

Not So Special FX

Feeling for some more Larry Cohen I picked off Special Effects (1984) from Netflix Instant Watch despite also owning the DVD. While not one of Cohen's best films it still has some merit as Eric Bogosian as a sleazy director and Zoë Lund as his muse. A few different choices could have improved this movie but it still works as a curiosity piece in Cohen's catalog. But I still like the look and location. 6.5 / 10

• May New: 35
• May Re-watch: 3
• May '11 Total: 38
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 306
  

Believe, Brov

Cruised down to Showplace ICON to finally get an advanced screening of the much talked about and critically hyped Attack the Block (2011). It's the rare occasion when a hyped film lives up to said hype. ATB is one of those films. Met up with Ron and Kreeplady Kristin who already had their seats behind mine, which was great because I could hear them laughing and cheering during the viewing. Hard to declare a movie perfect but ATB is pretty damn close. It'll take a few more viewings to declare it as such but for now it's an easy mark for my best of 2011 list. 9 / 10

• May New: 34
• May Re-watch: 3
• May '11 Total: 37
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 305
  

Empire of the Ant

Spellcaster (1992) is another horror film that plays on the same old premise of "invite a bunch of people to an old house then murder them." In this twist it's an eccentric dude portrayed by Adam Ant and the attendees are hopeful contestants to win a million dollars. Not a good film by any stretch but I had fun with it. 6 / 10

• May New: 33
• May Re-watch: 3
• May '11 Total: 36
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 304
  

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
  

People Who Died

Started watching Walter Hill's Brewster's Millions (1985) on Instawatch but it expired before I could finish. Fortunately my library's catalog had it. Very entertaining Richard Pryor / John Candy film with some clever writing. 7 / 10

My blu-ray double feature disc featuring Student Bodies (1981) arrived and I couldn't wait to check it out. As an early spoof of the slasher genre (just as slashers were becoming a genre no less), I like this film much more than any modern day spoof. Probably because it still has a enough charm to make it likable. 6 / 10

• May New: 32
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 34
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 302
  

Nude Necking

Sam Fuller's The Naked Kiss (1964) only came into my awareness when it was just released by Criterion with the beautiful cover art by Daniel Clowes. I was curious. Turns out Fuller's work and reputation is all that and then some. I love this film. Story, characters, and tone work so exceptionally well. I will pick this up on Blu. 7.6 / 10

• May New: 30
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 32
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 300
  

Made in France

I've been getting into more Godard recently (as in the past couple of years) and Made in U.S.A. (1966) a visual treat. It's also on my blindspot project list. I can see why as it's hard not to watch the stunning Anna Karina. Marianne Faithfull is also badass. This is one that deserves more than one viewing if not to understand the plot but to stare in awe at the imagery. 7.5 / 10

• May New: 29
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 31
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 299
  

Terror Times Three

Fairly certain I've seen the Trilogy of Terror films when I was a child because I do recall bits and pieces. But now that Trilogy of Terror (1975) is available on DVD I wanted to watch it since I've been slowly tackling horror anthology movies over the years. This one is quite great as Karen Black is excellent in each segment. 7.5 / 10

• May New: 28
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 30
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 298
  

Preaching in Paradise

Back to @leiabox's best documentary list I finally sat down with Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996). This is a long film but I think I never bothered because this case had received so much attention at the time I didn't feel I needed to watch it. But I'm glad I did even though it just made more upset at the incompetence and ignorance of all the people involved. 8 / 10

Went out for a big screen viewing of Priest (2011), which had been on my radar since the first trailers hit. It has all the hallmarks of what I like in silly, post-apocalyptic films, including Maggie Q. Sadly it's not very good yet good enough for my tastes. I would watch this again on Blu. 6 / 10

• May New: 27
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 29
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 297
  

Exploring Space

In revisiting movies from the eighties that I somehow missed I picked up Joe Dante's Explorers (1985) due to the buzz surrounding the upcoming Super 8 flick. I really wish I had seen this when I was 10 years old… or at least when it was released. It's a cute movie and I like the idea of these kids with their space adventure. 6.8 / 10

• May New: 25
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 27
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 295