Tuesday, October 30, 2007
RED SOX WIN!!! RED SOX WIN!!! RED SOX WIN!!!
Hold on, before you berate me about what this has to do with movies. I was just flipping through the channels, looking for Papelbon doing the river dance, Tessie, Manny being Manny in his white suite, Big Pappi holding the trophy high, or any other trace of the parade in Boston and caught Fever Pitch. Let me just say this is a great movie and a perfect time to revisit this flic again because the RED SOX won their second WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in four years. Had to throw that in there! LOL! My wife use to just think I was crazy and it was her being punished by baseball. We were still dating at the time of this movie. I had been a Red Sox fan my entire life. She saw me upset and devistated after Arron F-ing Boone in 2003 (we had been together a few years), she just felt my pain (I survived 1986 on my own). She was also there in 2004 when we won! This movie captures that ride again. Fever Pitch nearly killed her. She cracked up at all the little things that take over his life through baseball season (much like me). More so than any other movie that I can think this captures that pains we fans and relatives of fans go through during baseball season. Give it a try. You will love it. As a side note since I have met her, we have three Patriots titles, two Red Sox titles, and the Celtics are on the up and up. Talk about a good luck charm! Yeah, I did write this to just say RED SOX WIN!!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Halloween Movies Part One
Just a quick guide with a few comments of the movies I have been watching leading to Halloween. Note: these are movies I have seen recently. No rhyme or reason. I hope to keep these coming.
Theater:
30 Days of Night - should be the crown jewel of your Halloween. A must see.
DVD:
Black Sheep - Killer sheep, awesome. I loved this. It just keeps going farther and farther out there. Must see of the DVDs. If you like "campy" you'll love this.
Audition - Great tension. Awesome. Made me cringe. Should be watched uninterrupted front to back.
C.H.U.D - Look for a young John Goodman and Carl (from cheers) husband. Daniel Stern rocks. 80s B-movie. Beware the sewers.
Slumber Party Massacre - Love it. Early nudity, early killing. They don't hide the killer. This movie rocks.
Return of the Living Dead - Cracks me up. If you like zombies and comedy this is it.
Chopping Mall - Another good 80s cheese fest. Kids in a mall after ours when the security system attacks!
Jack Frost - Not the Keaton flic. A killer snowman!!! Keep an eye out for Shannon Elizabeth and where is the carrot?
Dead Alive - Sumatran Rat Monkey. "I kick ass for the lord". "Come to mommy Lionel"! "This requires divine intervention". As you can tell if I am quoting the movie off the top of my head I love it!
Cheerleader Camp - Talk about 80s. This movie totally will bring you back. Great movie, like a lot of horror movies, kind of goes a little crazy as we go along. Lief Garrett, child start is in it.
Camp Fear - Talk about out there, holy crap. Okay. Hmmm. There is a Biker Gang, Indian, Druid, Sea Monster... it is just out there. Supposedly the sequel to Cheerleader Camp, but doesn't really have anything to do with it.
Maniac Cop - Love Bruce Campbell. Not a bad flic, has some slow spots.
Club Dread - One of my favorites. Broken Lizard guys. I love the Pac Man scene. "Son of a " "Son of a... son a... son of a bitch".
Basket Case - Loved this as a kid. We use to call him the stomach. Still holds up pretty well. There is one scene where a door slams and the set shakes. Still cracks me up!
Wow, that was a mind poop. LOL! A good first run, I will have some more coming up soon.
Theater:
30 Days of Night - should be the crown jewel of your Halloween. A must see.
DVD:
Black Sheep - Killer sheep, awesome. I loved this. It just keeps going farther and farther out there. Must see of the DVDs. If you like "campy" you'll love this.
Audition - Great tension. Awesome. Made me cringe. Should be watched uninterrupted front to back.
C.H.U.D - Look for a young John Goodman and Carl (from cheers) husband. Daniel Stern rocks. 80s B-movie. Beware the sewers.
Slumber Party Massacre - Love it. Early nudity, early killing. They don't hide the killer. This movie rocks.
Return of the Living Dead - Cracks me up. If you like zombies and comedy this is it.
Chopping Mall - Another good 80s cheese fest. Kids in a mall after ours when the security system attacks!
Jack Frost - Not the Keaton flic. A killer snowman!!! Keep an eye out for Shannon Elizabeth and where is the carrot?
Dead Alive - Sumatran Rat Monkey. "I kick ass for the lord". "Come to mommy Lionel"! "This requires divine intervention". As you can tell if I am quoting the movie off the top of my head I love it!
Cheerleader Camp - Talk about 80s. This movie totally will bring you back. Great movie, like a lot of horror movies, kind of goes a little crazy as we go along. Lief Garrett, child start is in it.
Camp Fear - Talk about out there, holy crap. Okay. Hmmm. There is a Biker Gang, Indian, Druid, Sea Monster... it is just out there. Supposedly the sequel to Cheerleader Camp, but doesn't really have anything to do with it.
Maniac Cop - Love Bruce Campbell. Not a bad flic, has some slow spots.
Club Dread - One of my favorites. Broken Lizard guys. I love the Pac Man scene. "Son of a " "Son of a... son a... son of a bitch".
Basket Case - Loved this as a kid. We use to call him the stomach. Still holds up pretty well. There is one scene where a door slams and the set shakes. Still cracks me up!
Wow, that was a mind poop. LOL! A good first run, I will have some more coming up soon.
30 Days of Night
I went into this with high expectations. After all the graphic novel has established a great story line for the movie to live up to. Let me just say the the movie lived up to all my expectations. Josh Hartnett did a fantastic job with the part of Eben Oleson the sheriff of a small town in the seclusion of Alaska during a period of winter where there are thirty straight days of night. Hartnett conveys that he clearly has a grasp on the town and town folks. When things start to go a little weird, you can sense his feeling of dread and that something awful is coming. Also the sense of tension and regret displayed between Melissa George's portrayal of Stella Oleson, Eben's estranged wife, really add to the film.
A seclusive town with a month of night. Sounds like a perfect place for a bunch of vampires to go have a snack. Well it is.
David Slade, the director does a great job of creating that feeling of now where to go seclusion that we have felt in movies like Alien and The Thing. The tension builds fast and doesn't let up. So does the gore. Slade does a nice job of keeping you feel slightly uncomfortable and not revealing too much too fast.
A couple other thing that I like about this movie is that the vampires are not the focus, the people are. The vampires are portrayed like blood thirsty monsters, from another land, who are there to feed. You don't see this as much very anymore. There is no sexy vampire seducing the pretty girl here, just the sense of survival by a caged animal.
I was really impressed with this film. Keeps you interested and never lets up.
Good:
Well paced. Great tension through out. End. The Oleson relationship. God gore, but not to much with a nice build up.
Bad:
No background story about the vampires. Maybe in the sequel?
Comments:
Loved it. Also like the changes from the graphic novel. They definitely add to the story and feel of the film.
Recommendations:
Theater. Go now. Remember it takes place in Alaska where there are 30 days of night, so you will be save.
A seclusive town with a month of night. Sounds like a perfect place for a bunch of vampires to go have a snack. Well it is.
David Slade, the director does a great job of creating that feeling of now where to go seclusion that we have felt in movies like Alien and The Thing. The tension builds fast and doesn't let up. So does the gore. Slade does a nice job of keeping you feel slightly uncomfortable and not revealing too much too fast.
A couple other thing that I like about this movie is that the vampires are not the focus, the people are. The vampires are portrayed like blood thirsty monsters, from another land, who are there to feed. You don't see this as much very anymore. There is no sexy vampire seducing the pretty girl here, just the sense of survival by a caged animal.
I was really impressed with this film. Keeps you interested and never lets up.
Good:
Well paced. Great tension through out. End. The Oleson relationship. God gore, but not to much with a nice build up.
Bad:
No background story about the vampires. Maybe in the sequel?
Comments:
Loved it. Also like the changes from the graphic novel. They definitely add to the story and feel of the film.
Recommendations:
Theater. Go now. Remember it takes place in Alaska where there are 30 days of night, so you will be save.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Response to Comments on previous blog
John Doe (Anonymous) responded to my last post and there are a few things that I will clear up.
John Doe: "Oh, come on: 'Sunshine' doesn't hold a cheap plastic flashlight to 'Aliens'. (Not unless, to paraphrase that much-better film of twenty years ago, IQs have indeed sharply dropped.)"
Me: Never said it did. Thought I was pretty clear. There is no really good Sci-Fi movies between the two. The last Sci-Fi movie that I really loved was Aliens, then Sunshine. Robo Cop is probably in there to, but most have been a let down. There are a few with charm Space Truckers to name one. A few that are really great like the first Matrix movie, but they aren't that space Sci-Fi sub genre that I was thinking about. Alien 3 to Alien whatever were all terrible. Altough I haven't seen the re-cut of Alien 3 yet. I hear it make a big difference. A.I. was okay, but long and over bloated (Spielburg trying to be Kubrick in the last third of the movie is my guess). So what I was really referring to is the lack great of Sci-Fi movies in that gap. Also, Aliens more than anything is a great action flic. Yes, it is Sci-Fi, but it is as much action as Alien was horror. Sunshine also has a horror feel, but it still captures that "out in space", secluded feel. As far as IQs go, I don't really have any comment, but one thing I would like is some Sci-Fi movies in the last 20 years that you like as well as Aliens. I would love to check them out.
John Doe: "And-- oh, no-- are you another one of those people who insists they like "2001"--? The only people who truly liked '2001' were sitting in theatres in 1968 completely bombed on acid. Those of us living less LSD-enhanced lives in the twenty-first century only say we like it to sound cool around our geeky film buddies".
Me: Yeah, I like 2001. Let me also say it was the first DVD I ever bought. I don't think I go ga-ga over it, but I really like it. I like the seclusion you feel. The epic feel, the story line and how it is more than just skin deep. How about not having any idea where it was going. So yeah, I like it! Do I think it is the Cat's Meow? No. It is long in places. Yeah that helps to add to the seclusion you feel, but honestly most of Kubrick's movies have that feel, still love them. He creates such as great atmosphere in his movies. Also it has all kinds of questions about new life. Also, to think it was writ en in 1950 and made before we landed on the moon is fantastic. What vision! You can't beat Aliens for action, but as far as being deep with spectacular visuals, well it leaves a little to be desired. I get the same feeling from Sunshine.
If anyone out there has any other Sci-Fi movies they would like to hear my thoughts on throw them out here. I have also been watching a lot of Dystopia movies of late. I will have a blog coming on those soon as well.
Anyway, thanks for the comments, I love to hear from everybody.
John Doe: "Oh, come on: 'Sunshine' doesn't hold a cheap plastic flashlight to 'Aliens'. (Not unless, to paraphrase that much-better film of twenty years ago, IQs have indeed sharply dropped.)"
Me: Never said it did. Thought I was pretty clear. There is no really good Sci-Fi movies between the two. The last Sci-Fi movie that I really loved was Aliens, then Sunshine. Robo Cop is probably in there to, but most have been a let down. There are a few with charm Space Truckers to name one. A few that are really great like the first Matrix movie, but they aren't that space Sci-Fi sub genre that I was thinking about. Alien 3 to Alien whatever were all terrible. Altough I haven't seen the re-cut of Alien 3 yet. I hear it make a big difference. A.I. was okay, but long and over bloated (Spielburg trying to be Kubrick in the last third of the movie is my guess). So what I was really referring to is the lack great of Sci-Fi movies in that gap. Also, Aliens more than anything is a great action flic. Yes, it is Sci-Fi, but it is as much action as Alien was horror. Sunshine also has a horror feel, but it still captures that "out in space", secluded feel. As far as IQs go, I don't really have any comment, but one thing I would like is some Sci-Fi movies in the last 20 years that you like as well as Aliens. I would love to check them out.
John Doe: "And-- oh, no-- are you another one of those people who insists they like "2001"--? The only people who truly liked '2001' were sitting in theatres in 1968 completely bombed on acid. Those of us living less LSD-enhanced lives in the twenty-first century only say we like it to sound cool around our geeky film buddies".
Me: Yeah, I like 2001. Let me also say it was the first DVD I ever bought. I don't think I go ga-ga over it, but I really like it. I like the seclusion you feel. The epic feel, the story line and how it is more than just skin deep. How about not having any idea where it was going. So yeah, I like it! Do I think it is the Cat's Meow? No. It is long in places. Yeah that helps to add to the seclusion you feel, but honestly most of Kubrick's movies have that feel, still love them. He creates such as great atmosphere in his movies. Also it has all kinds of questions about new life. Also, to think it was writ en in 1950 and made before we landed on the moon is fantastic. What vision! You can't beat Aliens for action, but as far as being deep with spectacular visuals, well it leaves a little to be desired. I get the same feeling from Sunshine.
If anyone out there has any other Sci-Fi movies they would like to hear my thoughts on throw them out here. I have also been watching a lot of Dystopia movies of late. I will have a blog coming on those soon as well.
Anyway, thanks for the comments, I love to hear from everybody.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Update - Long time... ....but we're still here. This week: Format change, Cop Washington, Sunshine, Halloween (80s Slasher)?
Sorry, it has been so long since either of us has posted. Been busy. Let me start by saying that I have seen a few movies. I don't feel like writing reviews out for them all. Mostly why I haven't posted. I have a back log of movies that I wanted to write reviews for, but never got to it and it sort of snowballed from there.
I am thinking about changing the format of my entries a little too. I find I get pigeonholded into reviews and then get backed up by them. This is a blog however so I may start just giving my thoughts at the time. Reviews are everywhere. I will still provide traditional reviews, but I may also just right on thoughts about movies as well.
Such as: Have you ever noticed how many movies Denzel Washington plays a cop in? Good cop (Fallen), Misunderstood Cop (Virtuosity), Bad Cop (Training Day), Suicidal ex-Cop(Man On Fire), Shady Cop (Out of Time), Bed Ridden Cop (The Bone Collector), etc... It just occurred to me one day, he plays a lot of cops. Just a comment, not bad, not good. I love Denzel and his movies.
So, let me just start (continue) by saying one excellent movie that I have seen lately is Sunshine from Danny Boyle (director of 28 Days Later). It was a fantastic Sci-Fi movie with a 2001 feel. I am trying to remember the last time I like a Sci-Fi movie as much. Aliens comes to mind, but that was twenty freaking years ago. Yeah, I feel it too. As with a good Sci-Fi movie, it leaves you with more questions than answers touching in all areas (life, religion, why, etc). It is definitely work watching.
Well I have covered just about everything except what movies am I into right now. Well I have been getting gearing up for Halloween by watching and getting horror movies. Let me just say I have been stuck in a bit of an 80s slasher flick mood. Recently I have watched Return of the Living Dead, Cheerleader Camp, Maniac Cop, French Sex Murders, C.H.U.D., and Camp Fear to name a few. Also, I have recently acquired more than a few movies in that sub genre that I will be watched this weekend in a movie marathon.
Oh! Oh! Oh! I can't wait. I got a good list to go through this weekend. Sorority Maniacs, April Fools Day, Birthdays, Trains, an early George Clooney, Killer Sheep... ...oh there is all kinds of stuff waiting for me. I am ecstatic and can't wait to spend a campy weekend with horror movies. I will give a full report after the weekend!
I am thinking about changing the format of my entries a little too. I find I get pigeonholded into reviews and then get backed up by them. This is a blog however so I may start just giving my thoughts at the time. Reviews are everywhere. I will still provide traditional reviews, but I may also just right on thoughts about movies as well.
Such as: Have you ever noticed how many movies Denzel Washington plays a cop in? Good cop (Fallen), Misunderstood Cop (Virtuosity), Bad Cop (Training Day), Suicidal ex-Cop(Man On Fire), Shady Cop (Out of Time), Bed Ridden Cop (The Bone Collector), etc... It just occurred to me one day, he plays a lot of cops. Just a comment, not bad, not good. I love Denzel and his movies.
So, let me just start (continue) by saying one excellent movie that I have seen lately is Sunshine from Danny Boyle (director of 28 Days Later). It was a fantastic Sci-Fi movie with a 2001 feel. I am trying to remember the last time I like a Sci-Fi movie as much. Aliens comes to mind, but that was twenty freaking years ago. Yeah, I feel it too. As with a good Sci-Fi movie, it leaves you with more questions than answers touching in all areas (life, religion, why, etc). It is definitely work watching.
Well I have covered just about everything except what movies am I into right now. Well I have been getting gearing up for Halloween by watching and getting horror movies. Let me just say I have been stuck in a bit of an 80s slasher flick mood. Recently I have watched Return of the Living Dead, Cheerleader Camp, Maniac Cop, French Sex Murders, C.H.U.D., and Camp Fear to name a few. Also, I have recently acquired more than a few movies in that sub genre that I will be watched this weekend in a movie marathon.
Oh! Oh! Oh! I can't wait. I got a good list to go through this weekend. Sorority Maniacs, April Fools Day, Birthdays, Trains, an early George Clooney, Killer Sheep... ...oh there is all kinds of stuff waiting for me. I am ecstatic and can't wait to spend a campy weekend with horror movies. I will give a full report after the weekend!
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