Denree Made Me Hungry

The City of Lost Children (1995) La cité des enfants perdus
Dir - Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Beautifully shot, directed and acted. This movie, as most anything Jeunet has done, has such a wonderful look. Every little detail is fine tuned into this surreal world with steampunk-ish cyclops, askew everyday items and an intriguing cast. Love, love, love! Tim Burton probably saw this and cried because he could only wish.

From Bronson to Statham

The Mechanic (2011)
Dir - Simon West

It may have hurt my viewing of this film to have just watched the original. It could have also been the horrible crowd in the theater. Everything seemed shinier and polished but that is not always better. One of the great things about Bronson is that he looks more like a normal guy than a ruthless killer. Statham, while quite awesome, looks like a hitman so it's not much of a stretch. There were some weird character traits that seemed a little contradictory and things were a bit dumbed down. Ben Foster was pretty great though and there is one sweet fight scene that will bring a smile to your face.

Smile, Smile, Smile

The Shopworn Angel (1938)
Dir - H.C. Potter
Jimmy Stewart Sunday

I'm rather conflicted on this movie. Overall I did like it, but the way Margaret Sullivan treats Jimmy Stewart and Walter Pidgeon just rubs me the wrong way. I understand her reasoning but it didn't make me happy. Can't really say much more about that without spoilers. Still, it was well made and had some great moments. I only wish the army still wore uniforms like they did in WWI.

Ka-Boom!

The Mechanic (1972)
Dir - Michael Winner

Had to watch this before I could go see the remake and while I'm sure it's not one of Bronson's best I still enjoyed this film quite a bit. Some great car/motorcycle chases that end in some great crashes too. Most notably the next to last car destruction scene we see is insane and awesome. I MUST watch more Bronson movies ASAP. This is something my life is sorely missing.

The Final Frontier

Starcrash (1978)
Dir - Luigi Cozzi (credited as Lewis Coates)
Bad Movie Night

This is a pretty fun Star Wars rip-off with a lot of cheese and some great (cheapie) FX using a lot of miniatures and stop-motion Harryhausen-esque robots. I love that! There are some very odd things in here involving space's atmosphere and a robot with the voice of a late-19th century gold prospector. That, and the multitude of space thongs, aside there is tons of great color in here and the Blu-Ray transfer is gorgeous. You can now see the full vibrance of the out-of-focus Christmas light looking stars and the rainbow colored floating space city. Oh, and David Hasselhoff!

There are some better posters for this but I felt like including the one that most ripped off Star Wars. I had a good laugh when I saw it.

Something About a Bigger Boat...

2010: Moby Dick (2010)
Dir - Trey Stokes
Bad Movie Night

I used to be against The Asylum because of their mockbusters, but over the past year or two I've come to really love them. This is a rather loose adaptation of Melville's novel set in modern times starring Barry Bostwick. I can die happy now having seen a peg legged Bostwick laughing maniacally while going against a ~600 foot whale. Fun film to watch with friends. Just remember... "where there's squid, there's whales."

That's a Tiny Phone Booth

Who's Harry Crumb? (1989)
Dir - Paul Flaherty

Gotta love John Candy. Even if a movie is horrible he elevates beyond. Nothing too special about this but I did laugh out loud quite a few times. Candy looks great in his undercover costumes, especially as Vijay. Another plus of this film is seeing a young 18-19 year-old Shawnee Smith looking very cute.

The Last of the Independents

Charley Varrick (1973)
Dir - Don Siegel
Weird Wednesday

I always thought Walter Matthau was awesome, as is exemplified perfectly in this film. A sympathetic bad guy on the run from the likes of Joe Don Baker and John Vernon. Some great chase scenes and some smart criminal activity from Matthau when he knows what is coming. This is the kind of 70s crime film you want to see. 110 minutes flies by and leaves you wanting more.

-Like

The Social Network (2010)
Dir - David Fincher

Heard mostly good things about this but Jenny watched it this afternoon and didn't really like it. Not sure if it's the subject matter or what (she's sleeping now so we'll have to talk tomorrow) because I really enjoyed the film. Sorkin's script is tight and the acting is great. I'm always happy to see Justin Timberlake in something because the guy surprised us all a few years ago when he showed he could really act. Eisenberg is great but I think Andrew Garfield is the best part of the film. Zuckerberg may be the asshole that he's portrayed to be in this film (and it's pretty bad) but the guy is a genius and he changed things in the world regardless. Now I need to buy this so I can watch the feature length making-of doc and all the other extras. Will definitely revisit.

This... is God

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Dir - Wes Craven

After watching the super NOES themed doc Never Sleep Again I knew I would be re-watching the series all over again. It's been a few years since I've done that so I'm looking forward to it. This remains a great movie, one of the all time best. There is very little, if anything, I don't like about this film. It has John Saxon! How can it be bad with him? I love how stupid the cop is that is supposed to be watching Nancy's house at the end. "Maybe I should go get Lieutenant." Uh, ya think?! I also think Nancy's mom is such a useless waste that I'm happy to see her go... both times.

Since this series culminates in Freddy vs Jason and I still have the super F13th doc His Name Was Jason to watch, maybe I'll do that and re-watch all of the F13th flicks too. It's been a long time since I've seen some of them too. Let the fun begin!

Samurai With No Name

Yojimbo (1961)
Dir - Akira Kurosawa

Striking cinematography, great acting and some sweet fighting scenes. Kurosawa was a great for a reason and this film only further proves that truth. At first I was a little confused by the brass heavy score. It seemed a little out of place but by the end I was in love.

Sleeping with the Fishes

DeepStar Six (1989)
Dir - Sean S. Cunningham

Wasn't expecting much from this flick but I love a good underwater terror thriller. After all, deep sea is pretty darn frightening. The film started out kind of weak but I ended up really enjoying it and wondering how they were going to get out of each crazy obstacle thrown in their way. The creature they unearth is pretty sweet looking, but I wish we got more of it. I guess I really enjoyed some of the other problems the crew encounters but the monster kid in me wanted more of the crazy aquatic predator.

"I Fucked Up the Word Rear"

Winnebago Man (2009)
Dir - Ben Steinbauer

This doc is based on a reel of outtakes from an industrial film shoot for Winnebago in 1989 that has become quite internet famous over the years. I wasn't sure this was going to be all that interesting or if it might, somehow, make me feel bad for laughing so hard at this clip numerous times. Happily I report it is great, a little heartwarming and helps you learn about a man gone mad that can make you laugh anytime you're feeling down. I feel your pain Jack.

Boys Will Be Boys

Rope (1948)
Dir - Alfred Hitchcock
Jimmy Stewart Sunday*

I really love films that seem like plays. This is not only that but accomplishes the feeling of watching a "real time" play with a series of long takes. I love Jimmy Stewart but agree with his feeling that he was miscast here. The lead, Brandon (John Dall), is fantastic, impossible and smarmy.  Hitchcock really knows what he's doing and builds some great tension, but I wish the opening was a little different. If only it left a little more to the imagination.

*Since for the past couple of Sundays Jenny and I have watched a James Stewart film we decided to make it a recurring thing whenever possible. 

"Got to Stop Thinking to Each Other"

Flash Gordon (1980)
Dir - Mike Hodges
Midnight Madness

A-ma-zing! In that uber-cheesy way, of course. The plot is a bit of a mess and absolutely ridiculous in parts, but behind the laughs there are some insane sets and costumes, wonderful color and a few good performances. Love Max Von Sydow in his evil Emperor Ming garb but the show is stolen by a fantastic performance by Brian Blessed as leader of the Hawkmen Prince Vultan. "Savior of the universe!"

Now I just need to see Flesh Gordon (1974)...

Spotted Dick

King Ralph (1991)
Dir - David S. Ward
Guide: Destroy All Movies!!!


I have a hard time saying that I "like" this movie but I don't hate it either. It's fun in that train wreck kind of way. Watching John Goodman, sweaty and garish, hamming it up to "Good Golly Miss Molly" in front of a bunch of high class is nothing if not painful, uncomfortable bliss. Still love Goodman though. There is also a cockney punk rocker named Dysentery! It is a bit sad the poster art shows Goodman wearing a Las Vegas shirt instead of the awesome Skid Row tee he sports in the flick. At least they got Peter O'Toole and John Hurt to class it up a bit.

Teen Male Hormones Run Amok!

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
Dir - Jonathan Levine

Great slasher that for some reason still has not US distribution (out  in the UK on Blu). Amber Heard plays a wonderful virginal girl all the males around her lust after. Not hard to do when you're so easy on the eyes either. Follows pretty standard slasher conventions but there are some great characters, nice death scenes and a few other surprises along the way.

Rockwell's Ass Aplenty

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
Dir - George Clooney

Saw one brief scene of this when it first came out on DVD and always meant to go back and watch the whole thing. Glad I did, really enjoyed this film. Rockwell is amazing, as he is in everything I've ever seen him in, and director Clooney made some great decisions. Love the long takes and some real inventive shot compositions. Brad Pitt and Matt Damon also have hilarious cameos. Now I just might have to pick up the book.

I Wish Beverly D'Angelo Was My Fairy Godmother

Maid to Order (1987)
Dir - Amy Holden Jones

Pretty standard 80s comedy with Ally Sheedy. A few good laughs and awesome fashions, plus a bonus appearance of Great White as the fictional band The Loaded Blanks!

Tricks of the Trade

Fleshpot on 42nd Street (1973)
Dir - Andy Milligan
Weird Wednesday

This was my first Andy Milligan film and from my brief glimpse around IMDb I may have started at the top. I think the four person crowd I watched this with was mixed overall but I REALLY like this flick. It's a very realistic view into the seedy world of Time Square in the 70s. Sometimes I get really angry at Giuliani and those involved in "Disneying" up the area. Yeah, crime went down and it's safer... blah, blah, blah. I want to see that dirty side that's captured in so many films and TV shows. Sigh.

Milligan's never-steadicam technique really adds to the realism along with the very natural performances by his cast, including porn stars and drag queens. It actually reminds me a lot of John Waters' really early stuff, which I love, except not near as fun and light. This is pretty downbeat overall and leaves you feeling sorry instead of happy with the outcome. But I guess a a film about a prostitute/hustler is not always a happy one.

This is a raw and rough film, but I think there's a lot of merit to be found within.

Tyrone is a Wuss

Blue Monkey (1987)
Dir - William Fruet
Horror Movie Night

Right off the bat I'm going to let you know there are no monkeys in this film. Sad, I know. Still it is a creature feature but with giant insects. And no, they are not blue. There is a lot of blue hued lighting though. This is pretty middle of the road most of the time, has some great laugh out loud moments and an odd subplot centered around a comic relief couple expecting their first child in the same sanitarium-turned-hospital where the giant bugs terrorize. They really have nothing to do with anything else in the film. Needed more of the actual creatures. A cool design but you don't really get to see them because of the dark/strobed lighting.

Check out my full review and commentary right here on Gordon and the Whale.com!

"Herpes is one thing, but zombie herpes..."

Zombie Strippers (2008)
Dir - Jay Lee

Not as handy as a shopping mall, but there are probably worse places than a strip club to be in the event of a zombie outbreak. This is probably as bad and ridiculous as you imagine - bad CG, meh acting and tons of cheese. But still it's quite a bit of fun. What (male) horror fan doesn't love a lot of gore, zombies and naked chicks? Jenna Jameson leads the exotic dancer cast and Robert Englund stars as their sleazy boss (and he looks giggle-tastic with blonde hair). Probably best watched with friends and a six pack.

Oh, and does it make me weird if I thought they were hotter dancing as zombies? On second thought, don't answer that.

Care for a Bite?

Horror of Dracula (1958)
Dir - Terrence Fisher

Classic. Not that it really needs to be said but this shows just how awesome the Hammer films were. Christopher Lee's first (of many) portrayals of Dracula and co-starring with Peter Cushing in the Van Helsing role. Amazing. This was the first time the world saw the Bram Stoker's character, or any other vampire for that matter, in such startling color. I can only imagine the reaction by moviegoers everywhere when they saw those first drops of bright red blood after the opening credits.  Wish I could have been there.

If Only J.Lo Spoke Parseltongue

Anaconda (1997)
Dir - Luis Llosa

This is a special little movie. No, it's not "good" but it's a lot of fun and a few steps above the SyFy originals. I'm surprised the boat didn't sink from Jon Voight gnawing on it with that performance. Wow! Ice Cube proved to be a valuable asset to the cast with masterful delivery of such lines as "I think I can blow him up!" The animatronic snakes look somewhat decent but that CGI is waaaay dated. Makes for some pretty good laughs.

It's Time for the Thrash Bash

Thrashin' (1986)
Dir - David Winters
Destroy All Movies!!!

This is one of those movies I watched upon its initial release in the 80s and will probably continue to watch until I'm old and gray. How could you get tired of Josh Brolin in a "star-crossed lovers" tale set in the mid-80s LA skate scene? It was super cool when I was seven, when I started to "seriously" skate in middle/high school I laughed at it (but secretly still loved every minute) and now I have a huge heaping helping of nostalgia for this silly, fun little film.

If you haven't seen it you're missing out on some pretty cool skating, quite a few montages, decent soundtrack and an appearance by Red Hot Chili Peppers when they were still cool and mostly unknown to the world outside of California. They really don't make movies like this anymore. You can't replicate what you see in this film. Purely magical.

Someday I'll get my wish and present a double bill show of this and Rad to a crowd in 35mm. I have a dream...

"Boy Stuff"

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Dir - Frank Capra

I wonder how many people were inspired to enter politics by this movie. I also wonder how many of those people would feel ashamed if they watched this again. This is just as great as I've heard and suspected and, somehow, more. I couldn't be in the Senate because I'm sure I couldn't keep my cool. Never have I wanted to punch Claude Rains until seeing this.

Also, one of the Governor's kids, the one who presents Stewart with the briefcase, is the worst! I just wanted to slap him.

Best Buddies... For a Week

Vamp (1986)
Dir - Richard Wenk

Sometimes I watch an older movie and wonder how I never got around to it before. This is the kind of film that is right up my alley! There are elements of an 80s sex comedy mixed with stripper vampires and some decent FX. Plenty of great laughs.

Duck Season

Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
Dir - Joe Dante

It recently came to my attention that this was directed by Joe Dante so I had to watch. I was nervous after such "things" as Space Jam but, luckily, it was quite fun. Aside from Steve Martin, Brenden Fraser and Jenna Elfman there is a great supporting cast including Timothy Dalton, Ron Perlman, Joan Cusack and Mary Woronov! Tons of great cameos and inside jokes like Dick Miller, Roger Corman, the Gremlins theme playing when you see the car of the same name, Matthew Lillard discussing his portrayal of Shaggy with Shaggy and Kevin McCarthy reprising his role from Invasion of the Body Snatchers. If you enjoy the Looney Tunes humor this movie is for you.

Ol' Charlie Potatoes

The Defiant Ones (1958)
Dir - Stanley Kramer

Great performances, great directing and great script. Not sure how likely it would have been to chain a white man and black man together during those times, but it made for a very interesting story with some twists, turns and surprises along the way. Also a bonus role by Lon Chaney, Jr.

And All That Jazz

Chicago (2002)
Dir - Rob Marshall

This is great fun. Love all the dance numbers and how theatrical a majority of the movie seems. Had my doubts about Zellweger but she did just fine.

No Future For Me

D.O.A. (1980)
Dir - Lech Kowalski
Guide: Destroy All Movies!!!


This is a pretty sweet doc about punk music, filmed in the late 70s. There are tons of great live performances and chats with people about their thoughts on the newish genre. It mostly follows the Sex Pistols on their US tour (including clips from their Dallas show at the Longhorn Ballroom!) and how Americans feel about them, as well as interviews with those in against the group in Parliament in the UK. Sid and Nancy make a very odd appearance for an interview where they're both so out of it that Sid keeps falling asleep with lit cigarettes in his hand and Nancy takes her shirt off. Also some great performances from Sham 69, Generation X, The Dead Boys and more. A must see for punk fans.

"Don't Turn Me Into No Wolf"

Get Mean (1976)
Dir - Ferdinando Baldi
Weird Wednesday


Was not really a fan of this, but it did have a few WTF moments that caused a chuckle. It seems the film couldn't decide what time period to stick with. The villains are a "Spanish" barbarian/viking named Diego who has a fu manchu and looks like a martial arts master, a very pale and feminine guy who dresses and speaks foppish and the third is a hunchback who looks straight out of the renaissance and compares himself to Richard III. I remain very confused by this one.

Creatures from the Fireplace

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)
Dir - John Newland
Horror Movie Night


This made-for-TV gem has an effectively creepy atmosphere helped along by a great sound design and score. The creature design is very cool, I just wish there was more of them... I wish there was more of the whole film! We'll see how the remake stacks up next weekend.

One, Two, Freddy's Coming for You

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010)
Dir - Daniel Farrands & Andrew Kasch

This is an exhaustive look into the Freddy franchise from inception through Freddy vs Jason. At four hours it doesn't lull and gives so much information from practically everyone involved with the films and it's great! From discussing the overtly gay themes of Part 2, a look at the TV series (Freddy's Nightmares), chatting with the Dream Warriors and hearing about alternate scripts (Peter Jackson had a particularly great sounding script for Part 6 that wasn't used) it's very informative. The only downside is now I have the need to re-watch the whole series, but that's not really a bad thing.

Bad News for the Toros

Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977)
Dir - Michael Pressman

I remembered VERY little about this movie though I must have seen it because I do recall certain things about the big game in the Astrodome and the trick kind of play. Once again this is filled with inappropriate behavior of kids, and around kids. Also a very unrealistic outcome by a cop who finds out a van full of underage, unlicensed kids traveled from California to Houston and he just lets them go to play their ballgame. Riiiight.

Just as fun as the first film and I look forward to getting on with the last installment - which I'm pretty sure I've never seen.

**By the way, since I didn't remember most of the first film and even less of this one, I'm counting it as a new watch.

Think I Ate Some Bad Chop Suey

Pieces (1982)
Dir - Juan Piquer Simon

Decided to re-watch this in honor of the recently deceased JP Simon and it still remains an absolute joy to watch. Any horror/gorehound will love the absurd situations and dialog mixed with copious amounts of gore. This film has great FX, a killer chainsaw scene, some ludicrous acting and, much like Sleepaway Camp, an unforgettable ending. This is one I'll watch many more times in my life.

R.I.P. JPS

Zut Alors!

She Gets What She Wants (2002) aka Slap Her... She's French
Dir - Melanie Mayron

Came across this on Netflix Instant under the alternate title and remembered this was filmed in the Dallas area. I had some friends who were bulk extras, including an ex-girlfriend, but didn't see any of them in the football stands. The film isn't that great and just plays on some exaggerated Texas/French stereotypes  but does have a few laughs. Still, if you've seen any teen comedy you pretty much know the drill. Not perfect but not nearly as bad as that sad excuse for a poster.

It was kind of weird that the second lead's (Jane McGregor as Starla) Texan accent sounds a lot like Anna Paquin's Sookie from True Blood, and they even look somewhat similar. Odd.

Someone Kill Me Before I Do It Myself

Until the Light Takes Us (2008)
Dir - Aaron Aites & Audrey Ewell

A cold dark snowy night seemed like the perfect time to watch a doc about Norwegian black metal. This deals mostly with the inception of the concept/genre and controversy it's surrounded by - church burnings, Varg killing Euronymous. An interesting look into this side of the musical world though I wish there would have been some (more) live performance footage. The art gallery scene with Fenriz and artist Bjarne Melgaard is silent but so eerily tense, I love it! Maybe not the best, most complete look into the world of black metal but still very interesting.

Black metal bonus points awarded to me for listening to Dartkthrone's album "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" while writing this. Epic.

Order in the Court

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Dir - Otto Preminger

Now this is how it's done folks! Compelling, at times humorous, courtroom drama starring Jimmy Stewart and George C. Scott. Quick, intelligent dialog back and forth in, and out, of the courtroom. Can't help but feel this might be a little risque for the time in regards to some of the subject matter. Was a bit confused by the whole "panties" debacle and how an entire courtroom full of adults will erupt into laughter over the word in conjunction with them belonging to a rape victim.

You Are Tearing Me Apart

The Room (2003)
Dir - Tommy Wiseau

This movie is bad... but in all the right ways.  I originally saw it at the same theater last year and had a blast. When I heard the man behind it all, writer/producer/director/star Tommy Wiseau, was going to be on hand for a screening I got my tickets as soon as possible.  Getting to the theater two hours early was good enough to put us waaaaaay back in line, but it was nice to be on the balcony to see when Tommy entered to thunderous applause and chanting of his name. Wiseau stayed in the lobby tossing around a football with ravenous fans and signing autographs for a little over an hour before the film and his Q&A.

Highlights of the pre-movie evening
- Tommy entering and being dressed just as I expected (with no less than two belts)
- Football throwing that resulted in someone dropping it on the balcony down into the open roof lounge below, hitting some guy on the back and knocking over a few beers
- Tommy announcing one of his favorite films is "James Dean"
- Co-Star/Line Producer Greg "Oh, hi Marc" Sestero making a surprise appearance
- An errant football cannoned from the back row slams into Tommy resulting in him dropping the microphone and groans from the sold out crowd.
- And pretty much anything Tommy said during the Q&A... what a weird dude

Then the movie started...

It's a lot of fun and I have no real problem with the whole audience participation/riffing on bad movies thing but this was just ridiculous. I was on a Rocky Horror Picture Show cast for five years, around 300 or so shows, and it was never this bad. There was just so much extraneous chatter from the majority of the audience with conflicting, mostly unfunny, lines and bad timing. You could barely hear any of the dialogue/delivery that was being mocked. The few funny lines I did hear that people actually said together are mostly just recycled jokes from RHPS. Oh well.

I will still watch this again, though probably not in that setting. Twice might be enough. I'll just get the DVD and laugh from my couch. Or I could wait for the upcoming Blu-Ray that Tommy teased.

Turn on the Lights

Darkness (2002)
Dir - Jaume Balaguero

Wanted to see this as part of my working through Balaguero's filmography even though I had heard bad things. While I don't think it's horrible there's nothing really special either. A few of the themes piqued my interest but overall I found myself kind of bored and predicting everything before it happened. Hopefully some of his other films are better.

The (not so) Red Shoes

The Red Shoes (2005) aka Bunhongsin
Dir - Yong-gyun Kim


After recently seeing the great Powell/Pressburger film The Red Shoes (1948) I felt it made complete sense that I see what South Korea could do with the same material. Surprise, it didn't take my breath away like the classic.

This is definitely a darker, horror fueled take on the Hans Christian Andersen tale. Unfortunately there is not much separating this from other Asian horror films of the last ten or so years. In fact some scenes feel directly lifted from other films, like an elevator scene that borders on something from The Eye. Another gripe is that most of the time the shoes don't look very red, more pink. Still there are some decent moments and a cool dancing sequence in a flashback.

Good Afternoon, Black Gentlemen

The Black Gestapo (1975)
Dir - Lee Frost
Weird Wednesday


This is my second viewing and I really enjoyed this much more this time. Some great lines of dialog, a little action and a lot of sweet music. Good to see that nice guy Mac from Night Court (Charlie Robinson) had range enough to play a dictator. After seeing him in bed with a nude buxom Swede I'll never look at his relationship with Quon Le the same again. *sniff, sniff*

Going Down?

De Lift, aka The Life (1983)
Dir - Dick Maas
Horror Movie Night


***And thus begins another great year of BTSjunkie's weekly Horror Movie Night! Thanks Brian.


Hands down, this has to be the best killer elevator movie I've ever seen. Can be a bit slow sometimes but this has some truly great moments and includes an adorable little girl playing with the killer lift. Tons of utterances of the word "chips", MANY elevator double entendres, a sweet beeps-with-every-keystroke computer program and... uh... a freaking KILLER ELEVATOR!

Bravo

The Red Shoes (1948)
Dir - Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger

Wow! What a great film with moving music to some fantastic dance sequences. The photography and technicolor used here is jaw-dropping - not like it wouldn't be with Jack Cardiff behind the lens. Moira Shearer is absolutely stunning. I'll have sweet dreams of the 15 minute version of the ballet of The Red Shoes we get to see. Bravo!

More Gravy Fries, Please

Diner (1982)
Dir - Barry Levinson

Put this off long enough, was finally in the mood and VERY happy that I finally watched it. A poster on IMDb likened this to Seinfeld and I have to agree it has that same feel. I love coming-of-age stories and this one about the leap into adulthood from single college life is fantastic. Well written and great performances. Mickey Rourke is fantastic and, as usual, I heart Daniel Stern. Great soundtrack.

Play Ball

The Bad News Bears (1976)
Dir - Michael Ritchie

I really didn't remember anything about this movie. Kind of like watching it for the first time. Still, I really enjoyed it, the kids are great and there are some pretty emotionally touching moments. Interesting to see the many racial slurs and giving beer to kids. Ah, the 70s. Will be watching the sequels soon.

Cuckoo

Secret Ceremony (1968)

Dir- Joseph Losey

Film is very interesting with fantastic performances by Elizabeth Taylor, Mia Farrow and Roberth Mitchum. Some very creepy moments. For some reason it just didn't pull me in tonight. Might have not been in the mood for this kind of film. Still, it's very good and deserves a watch. I'll probably revisit someday.

Could you kill your best friend?

Battle Royale (2000) Director's Cut

Dir- Kinji Fukasaku

Finally got the awesome new Arrow Video Limited Edition Blu-Ray set in the mail from Amazon UK earlier this week and it killed me to wait this long to watch. I saw a bootleg of this soon after it was released and promptly bought a Chinese all-region DVD. Now I can gladly get rid of that for this far superior transfer and subtitles, not to mention the ridiculous amount of extras.

Had not watched this in a few years but it still holds up as a fantastic film and remains one of my all time top 10.

Skate or Die!

Gleaming the Cube (1989)
Dir - Graeme Clifford
Guide: Destroy All Movies!!!

How did I go this long without seeing this movie?! Some great skating and wonderful cameos by Tony Hawk and other pros from the time. For a movie with so many awesome punk/thrash/metal bands shown on posters, patches and shirts the soundtrack was quite tame. Still think Thrashin' is my top skater flick but this will be watched again for sure!

*Side Note: I've decided to make use of some of the different film guides I have and randomly open it to a page and watch something from that page that I've never seen. This has begun with Gleaming the Cube with one of the books I plan on using the most Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film. I will also be pulling from an Italian zombie and cannibal film book for sure. They will be labeled.