Damn Cats and Their Magic Hats

Have thèse Val Lewton DVD sets from the library so knocking a few of them out. Jacques Tourneur's Cat People (1942) I like a lot but The Curse of the Cat People (1944) just isn't all that. Not terrible but not compelling. Maybe if Tourneur had directed? Scored 7/10 & 6/10 respectively.

Between those caught another Hammer suspense film Joseph Losey's These Are the Damned (1963) which is pretty damned entertaining. Har har. Love Oliver Reed and his Rockers motorcycle gang (such a catchy theme song they have! The sci-fi departure is also quite welcoming. 7.2/10

The Adjustment Bureau (2011) was a pleasant surprise. Not that I was expecting this sci-fi thriller to be bad, it just didn't have a lot of chatter. But this is the kind of extended Twilight Zone episode that just nails it for me. How the story unravels really makes it more ideal for a serial rather than compressing it into 90 minutes. Very reminiscent of The Prisoner. Really love this movie, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt, maybe the best I've seen her. Guess a lot of people really hated this but it just worked for me. 8/10

Lastly watched Luigi Cozzi's Contamination (1980) and most of the commentary. This is such a fun film. Near perfect levels of cheap yet good effects. That's what drew me to listen to the commentary. But not a good film just one that's very entertaining because of that. 6.8/10

• March New: 33
• March Re-watch: 1
• March '11 Total: 34
• March '10 Total: 75
• 2011 TOTAL: 195
  

Revenged

From Hammer Suspense Classics set, Maniac (1963) is a hardcore revenge flick with a few twists and turns. Liliane Brousse is beautiful as the innocent daughter caught between the American guest and her mother. Really solid film. 7/10

• March New: 22
• March Re-watch: 1
• March '11 Total: 23
• March '10 Total: 75
• 2011 TOTAL: 184
  

Will you do me a kindness?

Wasn't able to make a local screening of Winnebago Man (2009) but glad to have the DVD finally. This documentary has been high on my must-see list from the time I first heard about it. Even if you don't know the story of Jack Rebney, this is still a fascinating and moving watch. I remember the first time I saw the outtakes at Found Footage Festival well before they became available online. 8/10

Spun my Gamera (1965) blu-ray from Shout Factory and it's the best I've ever seen this flick. Last watched my cheapie DVD in January '09. So this is a nice update. 6.7/10

Speaking of cheapie DVDs, I decided to watch Roger Corman's The Terror (1963), a DVD I picked up at Half-Price Books for $1. Stars a really young Jack Nicholson and Boris Karloff. Not a bad flick about a soldier that washes up on a island and gets involved with a mysterious girl that lives in a castle there. Would like to see a good print of this. Some great visuals. 6.7/10

• November New: 25
• November Re-watch: 2
• November Total: 27
• 2010 TOTAL: 685
  

Devil 'Shrooms

I'm surprised as you are that I've never watched Ishiro Honda's Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People (1963) in its entirety. Especially considering it's one of Gavin's favorite films (according to Ron). And because I really treasure 60s era Japanese sci-fi films. And Matango is no exception. But it's even more than that; it's also a great study on the human condition as this group of castaways try to survive this this bizarre island.

Another Criterion thriller that I've been putting off for some time is Clouzot's Diabolique (1955). This is probably due to having seen the 1996 remake (theatrically no less) and I wish I hadn't... at least not before seeing the original, which is way better and way more terrifying. Definitely a classic for a reason.

• May New: 44
• May Re-watch: 7
• May Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 306
  

Just Say No on Fleet Street

April Re-Watch Film: Dr. No (1963 - US). Two words: Ursula Andress. Buy: James Bond (11-Movie Collection) [Blu-ray]



From my library: Sweeney Todd (2006), the BBC TV(!) version starring Ray Winstone as the butchering barber. Damn, this aired on TV in the UK? It's gory & violent as all hell and quite good. Nice to see David Warner again.

• April New: 10
• April Re-watch: 6
• April Total: 16
• 2010 TOTAL: 203