Maniac Dreaming

Maniac (1980)
Directed by William Lustig
Took me long enough to finally see this. Geez. Thanks to Instawatch for making it available. Such a slimy and grimy flick that feels like a product of its time. I love that. Joe Spinell is creepy as all hell. Also dig on Caroline Munro, of course.

Dead of Night (1972)
Directed by Bob Clark
Caught this on Instawatch after hearing some buzz on the twitter. Deathdream, as its known, is a pretty cool flick with an inventive zombie vietnam vet story. Worth the watch. Another Bob Clark classic.

Herzog x Kinski

Werner Herzog's Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972) wasn't high on my blindspot list but still a film that needed to be seen. Saw it on the library shelf so what the hell. And it's a damn fine film just to see Klaus Kinski as the ruthless and unforgiving leader in search of El Dorado. The combination of Herzog and Kinski is legend. 7 / 10

• July New: 20
• July Re-watch: 3
• July '11 MTD: 23
• July '10 MTD: 54
• 2011 YTD: 409
  

No Stopping the Mutants

The other feature on that DVD I rented from Lion Video was White Rat (1972) another forgotten gritty crime flick from the seventies. And not any better than How to Score with Girls. It's as forgettable as it is forgotten. Again context makes it interesting. 5 / 10

Picked up the blu for Unstoppable (2010) from my library. Pretty much what I expected from Tony Scott, a somewhat engaging but entirely silly film. I like Chris Pine here but so over Denzel. 6 / 10

Hit the midnight screening at Showplace 12 for X-Men: First Class (2011) with small audience. Nothing about the trailer or early photos made this compelling to me (other than being another superhero flick) but the advanced buzz was right; this is a good film despite its flaws. Set in the early sixties along with the origin story makes it work. First third is much better than the finale. Fassbender and Bacon steal the show but Matthew Vaughn succeeded in the end. 8 / 10

• June New: 5
• June Re-watch: 0
• June '11 MTD: 5
• June '10 MTD: 64
• 2011 YTD: 321
  

Back in Black

Blacula (1972) was a spin of the old Netflix Instant Watch. Had never seen before so figured now was a good time. Reality is that this is a pretty damn good film. Would love to do this and Scream Blacula Scream back to back. William Marshall is a great Dracula… er, Blacula. 7 / 10

• May New: 1
• May Re-watch: 0
• May '11 Total: 1
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 269
  

Chilly Cheese Dogs

Attempting to knock off a few NWI titles this month. Moon of the Wolf (1972) is another one about maybe a werewolf that's killing people in a small Louisiana community. Or is it a pack of wild dogs? First half is somewhat dull but it really picks up when the mystery is revealed. 6/10

GGTMC recently covered Body Rock (1984) on their podcast and it was something I had to watch before listening. Lorenzo Lamas is Chilly, a breakdancing star (no, not really), as he climbs the ladder to success leaving his friends behind. So damn funny. 5.5/10

• February New: 10
• February Re-watch: 0
• February '11 Total: 10
• February '10 Total: 61
• 2011 TOTAL: 101
  

Street Rock

Zone Troopers (1985) is a harmless sci-fi comedy that gives Art LaFleur, Tim Thomerson, and Tim Van Patten a chance to ham it up onscreen. They're soldiers in WWII that discover a Nazi camp with a captured alien. Yes, more Nazi alien conspiracies. Perfectly okay late night pap. The creature design is cute. On NWI. 6/10

The Hot Rock (1972) directed by Peter Yates is not unlike many other heist films but what makes this film special is the cast and the setting. It opens with Robert Redford getting released from prison and pulled back into the game by George Segal. These two guys can easily carry any film of their time but here they're surrounded with a marvelous cast to fill in the gaps. What I love is that the city of New York becomes an additional and necessary character. The overhead helicopter shots are terrific including the still-under-construction World Trade Center. 7/10

The House Where Evil Dwells (1982) is a Japanese ghost story that despite its many flaws is very watchable simply for its location and cast. Let it be known that I can watch Doug McClure in anything. Basically an American family moves into an centuries-old traditional Japanese home where a violent murder and suicide took place. Naturally the ghosts still inhabit the home and eventually possess its new hosts. What I question is the location of the house being in Kyoto yet it appears that Edward Albert goes to Tokyo for some late night partying. Wha? And I still find Susan George annoying. On NWI. 6/10

L.A. Streetfighters (1985) a.k.a. Los Angeles Streetfighter is one of the most amazing things I've seen. It defies all explanation. I believe @mattsinger of IFC was the first to bring it my attention. 30 year old high school students battle thugs and gangs in the streets of Los Angeles as all their voices are dubbed in post. Somehow they're able to get steady gigs as security for parties around the city between the gang fighting get hired by a drug dealer. Then, inexplicably, decide to rob him. This brings Bill Wallace and Ken Nagayama into the picture as the heavies to enact revenge. Also love that Phillip "Best of the Best" Rhee is in this. I feel like we need to watch this at "Bad Movie Night" because I don't think I've seen anything quite like this. 6/10 (for pure entertainment & WTF value)

• January New: 43
• January Re-watch: 4
• January '11 Total: 47
• January '10 Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 47
  

Rock Me, Miller

Rockula (1990) features Dean Cameron as a 400 year old vampire looking to score. Toni Basil is his mother looking to get her dance on. He wants to be in a rock band and be with his girl. Musical performances happen. It's good. It's bad. It's Rockula... on NWI. 5.6/10

Green Zone (2010) I skipped last year because of the mixed reactions. That and it being yet another glimpse into the conflict in Iraq was enough to keep me away. Wish I hadn't because I enjoyed what Greengrass did and the presence of Matt Damon, who sells it. Jason Isaacs is also darn good for the role he's given. Not a perfect film but enough tension to make it a worthwhile watch. 7/10

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972) is not the worst adaptation (this is the sixth I've seen in the past year) but it's far from memorable even with the likes of Peter Sellers and Dudley Moore. Probably due to no one but Alice really having a large part. That was an unintentional joke (she grows larger, folks). Fiona Fullerton is a rather bland Alice. Watched on NWI but won't remember it in a year. Or maybe it's time to take a beak from Alice in Wonderland films? 5/10

• January New: 32
• January Re-watch: 3
• January '11 Total: 35
• January '10 Total: 51
• 2010 TOTAL: 35
  

Piece of Blood

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) was added to Netflix Watch Instantly. Considered catching it in the theater after hearing the good WOM out of Sundance. But couldn't work it out. Good to finally see this documentary about Joan Rivers and her early career. Crazy how different she looked before she became addicted to plastic surgery. Also interesting how she pushed her blue comedy as a woman. 7.7/10

Followed that with Umberto Lenzi's Seven Blood-Stained Orchids (1972), a pretty cool underrated giallo I hadn't seen. Another good atmosphere film with some hot women, staples of giallo. First half was much more striking than the finale but still a very fine film (when the disc played, it was in pretty bad shape). Plan to revisit again next year after viewing the interviews with Lenzi. 7/10

• December New: 34
• December Re-watch: 3
• December Total: 37
• 2010 TOTAL: 754
  

Rabbit Hell

William Claxton's Night of the Lepus (1972) was also featured on TCM Underground and amazingly I have not see this unbelievable giant killer rabbit flick. It's so comical and yet horrifying that they used what appears to be 100 or so actual rabbits. With all that running around and "simulated" electric fence, you know some of those bunnies didn't make it out alive. 5.6/10

• October New: 51
• October Re-watch: 11
• October Total: 62
• 2010 TOTAL: 646
  

Northern Norse Nights

The Norseman (1978) is a film I saw on the MGMHD schedule and knew I had.. *HAD* to watch. It features Lee Majors as a Norse viking captain leading a ship of vikings to rescue the previous ship of vikings now prisoners of the indians… er, Native Americans. Holy schtick is this move awful. Not only is Majors' southern drawl distracting, all, and I mean all, the acting is terrible. Even Jack Elam appears to be phoning it in (don't blame him). Also quite rich that a few of the vikings are black… er, African American. Or African Norsemen. Huh? 3/10

Ya know, I've been wanting to see Kate Beckinsale in Whiteout (2009) since it hit the theaters last year. I probably would've gone to see it then if not for the avalanche of bad press & WOM. That said, I didn't find that flick all that bad. Sure, it has problems and some silly turns not to mention a kinda sorta lukewarm payoff. But watchable. And I like to watch Beckinsale. 6/10

Daughters of Satan (1972) I captured on TCM as part of their Movie Morlock Underground Horror Friday nights. Tom Selleck fights off the cult of witches. It's terrible and brilliant at the same time. I love that there is a painting that keeps changing and that the cultists come non-threatening onto their property. Really a classic in stupidity. 6/10

A long time ago, in a lifetime far away I watched George A. Romero's Knightriders (1981). But I only vaguely remembered it and definitely did not recall the 2.5 hour runtime. Seriously? Pretty sure the version I saw was edited down for cable because this film has no business being this long. It lost me after the first 45 - 60 minutes when everything important happens. If you would've told that Ed Harris was the lead star in this flick I say STFU. 6/10 (for just the cool knights on bikes action)

• October New: 27
• October Re-watch: 7
• October Total: 34
• 2010 TOTAL: 618
  

Candy Hunger

Wanting a little more Candy and lighthearted fare, I went with Armed and Dangerous (1986) on NWI. I have seen a lot of this flick, which also features Eugene Levy, Robert Loggia, Meg Ryan, Brion James, and Don Stroud among many others. However, I really didn't remember most of it as it's not the most memorable of comedies but still enjoyable. 6/10


Catching up with more Romero, Hungry Wives (1972) a.k.a. Season of the Witch was next on my Netflix list. Love the look and tone of the film but generally didn't really get into it as I would have liked. Probably cuz I gotta get up damn early to catch a flight to Austin tomorrow in the AM and that's on my mind. Sigh. Not a bad film though. 6/10

• September New: 44
• September Re-watch: 0
• September Total: 44
• 2010 TOTAL: 551
  

(factoid: I watched 44 films TOTAL in January 2009)

Not So Super Horror

Another Wednesday means another Horror Movie Night. Tonight's selection is the Fred Olen Ray directed Scalps (1983). If you know me you know that I typically enjoy the trash cinema produced by FOR and his ilk but this film really isn't all that good. It has a story with potential but kinda just plods along until the final payoff. Expected more. 4.5/10

Followed that with a much better film via NWI in Gary Sherman's Raw Meat (1972) featuring the venerable Donald Pleasence investigating a series of abductions in a sewer. Some really nice horrific moments. 7/10

Finally closed the evening with the awful Superbeast (1972) via NWI. Despite being quite terrible (story involves a mad scientist experimenting in the jungle and half-man/half-beast on the loose a la Dr. Moreau) I was intrigued by its awfulness. 4.5/10

• September New: 11
• September Re-watch: 0
• September Total: 11
• 2010 TOTAL: 518
  

Harder They Fall

Until I watched the Midnight Movies documentary I didn't realize that Harder They Come (1972) was one of the original midnight films grouped in that set of mostly "cult" flicks from the early 70s that originated in NYC. Directed by Perry Henzell featuring Jimmy Cliff and set in the Jamaican ghetto its real emotion comes from the music for which the plot is staged. Worthy for that alone.

• July New: 10
• July Re-watch: 2
• July Total: 12
• 2010 TOTAL: 399
  

Deliver Me Unto Evil

April Re-Watch Film: Deliverance (1972). Picked up the blu-ray from my library as I've been wanting to revisit for some time now. The opening Dueling Banjo sequence w/Ronny Cox will remain one of the greatest classic moments in film. Sadly the BD print isn't so great (again, typical of 70s films).

From Netflix I received Jekyll + Hyde (2006). As you easily guessed it's a modern retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel. But unfortunately not a very good retelling. Actually it's just annoying. If there's a saving grace (not really) it's watching Bree Turner twist and turn onscreen. Man, do I love that girl. She's like a younger Alicia Coppola, whom I also adore. Anyhoo, this movie stinks.

• April New: 35
• April Re-watch: 26
• April Total: 61
• 2010 TOTAL: 248
  

There Can Be Only One RR

Sydney Pollack's Jeremiah Johnson (1972) makes me long for the days were a common occurrence out of Hollywood. Love the loneliness and brutality of life in wild. Some heartbreaking moments and stoic Robert Redford. Awesome film.

And in other news, another remake of Zatoichi but with a girl filling the famous tabi shoes in Fumihiko Sori's Ichi (2008). Wasn't overly in-like with this but found it watchable. In truth, it's less about the girl and more about a confused Ronin who finds his way. Worth a look.

Me Against The World

Was out all afternoon at the BeerMapping meetup at Lunar so only had a few hours in the evening to watch films. Dug into the Amicus feature The Asylum (1972) which is a solid horror anthology w/the familiar faces from Hammer Films & Amicus.

And finally saw Black Roses (1988) which I haven't seen since around that time. Damn this is such a great terrible movie. Forgot that Lizzy Borden provided a tune for this. Almost considering buying this film it's that hilarious. And the score sounds like it was taken from a direct to video Disney film. So mismatched.