In the Red

Cash on Demand (1961) is a taunt bank heist film with Peter Cushing sweating it up as the nervous bank manager. From the Hammer Suspense Classics set, this is an excellent film and highly recommended. 7.5/10

Nine Dead (2010) is expiring on NWI so what the hell. This is another play on the SAW/Cube mystery in which nine people are in a room and murdered one by one until they can figure out why they are there. Not terrible but also not executed very well. 5/10

Trained downtown and walked to Millennium Park for my first visit to Harris Theatre to view Kevin Smith's Red State (2011). So much has already been written so I won't waste too many words here other than to say this is definitely a film worth seeing with some amazing performances. Was the event worth $80? No, not really but whatever. Look forward to the next watch and taking all my friends. 7.5/10

• March New: 19
• March Re-watch: 1
• March '11 Total: 20
• March '10 Total: 75
• 2011 TOTAL: 181
  

Masked Tattoo

Plopped down to take in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) via NWI. Missed the Cinequest premiere screening in San Jose earlier in the year (because it sold out). Really enjoyed the mystery and thriller aspect although the prologue was unneeded but I suppose it has more to do with character development throughout the entire trilogy. Noomi Rapace is excellent. Solid and recommended. 7/10

Yep, another October DVR holdover in William Castle's Mr. Sardonicus (1961) which contains all the expected creepiness of the man in the mask. Captivating watch. Love that character name is "Krull." 6.8/10

• November New: 10
• November Re-watch: 0
• November Total: 10
• 2010 TOTAL: 668
  

Homicide is Painless

Was plodding around the home in anticipation of tonight's annual Halloween Horror Movie Night. Homicidal (1961) was running on TCM as part of a William Castle marathon. Have dug this flick from the first time I saw it because it's so damn creepy. Knowing the story makes rewatching it all the more interesting. Love love love the reveal. 7.8/10

• October New: 54
• October Re-watch: 14
• October Total: 68
• 2010 TOTAL: 652
  

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
  

Eat, Eat Me Alive

Thanks to Netflix Watch Instantly I was able to view yet another Reg Park Hercules flick in Hercules and the Captive Women (1961). You'd think with a title like that and Fay Spain as the Queen of Atlantis the film would be at least a little provocative. No, not really. Isn't all that bad but hardly the best of Reg Park films. I may have seen this one before because the creepy blonde clones are familiar but it's a blur. Do really admire the crazy set pieces... seriously, the underground chariot the race is amazing. 5.5/10

Went to Muvico for the midnight screening for Alexandre Aja's Piranha 3D (2010)!! Was a little worried w/the packed crowd of younger-than-me peoples but they settled down and really got into it. Fun film to see on the big screen w/a good crowd but damn do I ever hate 3D. Even the few gimmicks really didn't work. But as a throwback film, it's a damn load of fun. Look forward to the eventual movie night screening in 2D. 7/10


Venturing into another Italian swords & sandals flick on Instant Watch, Son of Samson (1960) doesn't play quite as well as the Hercules films from the same period but again I admire the set pieces and the scale. And at least the women are very attractive! Plus the poster art for these films is terrific! 5/10

• August New: 34
• August Re-watch: 7
• August Total: 41
• 2010 TOTAL: 482
  

Planetary Domestic Bliss

From my library I retrieved The Vicious Kind (2008) and I'm still not even sure why I placed a hold on this title. It's a indie drama featuring Adam Scott w/sociopathic tendencies and broken Brittany Snow confused in her relationship. It's basically the dysfunctional family piece that has a few interesting moments (like when Scott's character blows up at Snow's character) but nothing particularly special here. Again, why did I place a library hold on his title?


William Marshall's Phantom Planet (1961) was a $3 DVD I picked up at Big Lots! today. That's about the right value for this early 60s sci-fi stinker. That said the DVD does provide both the B&W and color version of the film. But anyone who thinks that Richard Kiel's space monster, The Solarite, is even the least bit frightening is just sad but that monster is hilarious (just look at that thing! I want a plush version). Amusing bad b-movie.

• May New: 12
• May Re-watch: 3
• May Total: 15
• 2010 TOTAL: 270
  

I Scream, You Scream of Fear

On The Gorgon flip is Hammer's Taste of Fear (1961) and holy hell do I love this film! B&W and entirely atmospheric w/the shadow-play, this is a tremendous thriller up there with Hitchcock's finest. Susan Strasberg is the sublime Penny, who returns to her England home as an invalid confined to a wheelchair after a 10 year absence. The mystery builds as her father is notable away on business yet Penny has her doubts as she begins seeing visages of her (dead) father around the estate. I won't go on but suffice it to say that director Seth Holt works the camera and suspense perfectly here. Christopher Lee is typically great in his small role. This film alone makes the Hammer Icons of Horror Collection worth owning.

• May New: 10
• May Re-watch: 3
• May Total: 13
• 2010 TOTAL: 268