I finally watched the entirety of Scorcese's After Hours on Netflix streaming last week. Really cool movie. I'd seen the first three quarters or so of it way back when I was in high school, and I'd been wanting to see the rest of it ever since. I don't know why it took me so long.

saw it yesterday. i enjoyed it and jumped a couple times during it but i don't think it scared me as much as the first one. the theatre wasn't packed but the crowd seemed pretty into it and not assholes. the next one is probably going to be paranormal activity 3: road trip with zach galifianakis.

Finally got around to seeing this after being inspired by the "Best Horror Movies" thread. Guess I had too high of expectations because I thought it was a little too B-movie/campy after the first 10 minutes. The overdubs were a little off putting at first as well.

Still, by the time it got to the end I was generally wrapped up in how it would all end. It certainly does a great job of capturing a mood and the soundtrack may be up there with The Shining soundtrack in so far as it's originality and ability to really up the tension and creepy factor.

I can see why it deserves it's cult status and was probably a revelation in 1975 considering what the genre was putting out at the time.

Couple others I've seen lately:

Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975):

This was great for a lot of reasons. Manages to create a tense mood in a completely opposite way that Suspiria does. No boogeymen or monsters. Just a big rock and some pretty countryside. Pretty ambiguous movie that leaves the viewer grasping for their own meaning in what they've just seen. I don't want to spoil it but it's pretty essential viewing IMO.


The Social Network

For a really nerdy subject this was really pretty intense at times. Especially once money starts to enter the picture. One of the better post-Oscar season movies I've seen this year at the theater. I had no idea that any of this went on.

One of my all-time faves. All sunshine, petticoats, and foliage, but if you pay attention it's one of the most unsettling 90 minutes ever put to film.

It demands multiple viewings as well. I read up on it after I watched it and reading all the different takes made me like it even more. The underlying sexual stuff and the man vs nature take. Really just a brilliant piece of film making.

I even like Ebert's take that with any sort of resolution it would've become a cheap crime caper mystery. Another in a line of hundreds. As it is, it becomes something much better.

Some say it's impenetrable but that's what makes it so great.

I mean, if you try to figure why the chubby girl screams on the rock and runs away, you'll drive yourself mad.

Watched:
Paranormal Activity 2 4/5
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 3/5
^disappointing. though I can see why it has a strong cult following.
Psycho 5/5
Friday the 13th (original) 4/5
^better than the remake, but not on the level of other large horror francises
House of 1000 Corpses 4/5
^really visually creative with interesting characters. story too weak, though, to give a 5 star rating. still recommended
The Game 5/5
^I love Fincher. A bit slow in the beginning, but once it gets into things it is very intense
Saw 3D 3.5/5
^Up to this point the Saw movies kept getting better and better. Not so with this one. Although I think the movie was bound to happen if characters kept acting well, in character. So this feels like a necessary swoon. Hopefully things pick up steam next time.
The Return of the Living Dead 4.5/5
The Devil's Rejects 4.5/5
^Follow-up to House of 1000 Corpses. Way different feel, stronger storytelling.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (original) 5/5
House on Haunted Hill (original) 4/5

Kinda hoping Criterion will step up for the Blu-Ray release like this:

Granted, I'd only watch the special features once, but I'd still love to see them.

This is supposedly the last one. I'm hoping it is anyways.

I've only seen in once, over 10 years ago, and I still remember the feeling it left me with. I should revisit it.



I've now heard from like 5 people that I need to see Winter's Bone. That'll be my next rental.

I'm guessing not. But, perhaps? Win-win either way. heh.

I watched Funny People in a haze of pills this weekend, having been felled by back problems. SPOILERS CONTAINED HEREIN

WHY DO THESE PEOPLE GET TO MAKE MOVIES? It wasn't funny, insightful, or particularly revealing. They managed to make Jonah Hill unfunny. This was the cinematic equivalent of me making a movie about my kid's first 15 months, and making it "poignant" and "an interesting take on the modern male's balancing act of fatherhood with his career, and remaining juvenile desires.' It's nothing that hasn't been covered a billion times before, and again: NOT FUNNY.

They could have at least made it semi-interesting by killing off Sandler's character, but that would go against the cliche machine these people have built into a franchise.

I feel like Radcliffe for A) watching this shit when I know it will suck and B) posting about it, but I just can't help myself.

watched king of kong and the nilsson doc on netflix over the weekend

thought king of kong was WAY overrated - it wasn't terrible, but nowhere near the amazing piece of cinema i'd been led to believe

i really enjoyed the nilsson doc, but it was really, really sad to see how self-destructive he was for the last two decades of his life - best part was seeing actual clips from the legendarily craptacular "son of drac" film

yeah, i absolutely HATED that movie

I don't know anyone that liked Funny People.

The thing is, to me, is that it's not more or less funny than any of the other turd burgers this crew has served up.

But that last 45 minutes at the chick's house, and the husband and all of that....was excruciating.

Recently:
Damien: Omen II 3/5
Hausu (House) 4.5/5
^definitely not for all tastes... but those who enjoy Japanese craziness will find something to love here
The Seven Samurai 5/5
^Sometimes I watch classics and wonder why... not this one. epic.
Megamind 4/5
^surprisingly funny.
Due Date 3/5
^It wants to be The Hangover 2, but it ain't. Still, Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifikakldjfoiwefh are amusing even as the script flails.
The Magician 4/5
^Has a little bit of everything--comedy, horror, romance, drama, magic... captures the imagination. Ingmar Bergman's stark vision only helps it.
The Red Shoes 4.5/5
The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 3.5/5
^I think I'll like this more on a second viewing, though.
Bottle Rocket 2.5/5
The Darjeeling Limited 3.5/5
Vampyr 4/5
^A starkly dark film
White Zombie 3.5/5
^Regarded as the first zombie film--comes across as rather precious today.
Nosfuratu 5/5
^First Dracula adaptation. A silent film, but ridiculously epic portrayal of Dracula by Max Shreck.

totally agree with you on the last part but i've found most of their previous efforts hilarious.

Saw this yesterday evening. I enjoyed the trilogy of films.

I watched Pirate Radio last night, which might be one of the worst movies I've ever seen, which was shocking given how much I like a lot of that cast...

This was very well done and succeeded in being very disturbing without showing the much violence, looking forward to checking out the U.S. version Haneke made with Tim Roth.

^I enjoyed the US version, though I'm going to guess it is much more violent. I really want to see the original, though... especially after your little blurb.

Yea, that kinda sucked. Too bad.

Its a shot-by-shot remake.





This is so good. I can't believe I held out watching this until now. I also cannot believe that this was largely ignored when it came out awards-wise. Incredible.

A question though--why the heck do they spread this thing out over 2 DVDs. Makes no sense. The break to the 2nd disc is so awkward. I literally thought my player had stopped. Michael Caine has a line....and cut.

Great Flick, FR. I had to watch it for a class in high school. Perhaps Barry should start a film night at the White House and screen this.