Elf in the City

Elf (2003)
Dir - Jon Favreau

Haven't seen this since its original theatrical release. At the time I didn't really care for it though. The day before I saw another new Xmas movie, Bad Santa, and it was so crazy and hysterical that to me this just paled in comparison.

I'm happy to report that now, eight years later, this is a movie I really enjoy. A great family Christmas comedy with some funny performances by Ferrell and Deschanel (who sings a damn fine version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in the shower). Ed Anser makes a rather good Santa and the concept is fun. I would like to see Buddy go up against the boys from Super Troopers in a maple syrup eating contest though.

Cake Baby

Bridesmaids (2011)
Dir - Paul Feig

Just go the Blu and had to watch again. Still great stuff. Not the funniest film I've seen but I really get a kick out of all the main characters. Of course Melissa McCarthy steals the film and I don't think I could ever tire of her performance, especially when on the plane. Some great extras full of funny alternate takes and goofs. Well worth my money.

Another Beer?

Devil Fish (1984)
Dir - Lamberto Bava
Horror Movie Night

Decided to watch a different cut of our HMN from this week as mocked by the lovable fools from MST3K. Some really funny stuff and a weirdly edited version of the film I watched a few days earlier.

My full thoughts will be up HERE on Horror's Not Dead in the next day or so.

Life's a Happy Song

The Muppets (2011)
Dir - James Bobin

Jason Segel is a lucky mofo! I know this is something he's worked hard on for a long time. A film with the very puppets he loved, idolized and watched through his entire life. For the first twenty or so minutes of the film I had a huge smile on my face because I was so happy to be seeing a new Muppet movie and for the joy I know was/is in Segel's heart. There are some great inside jokes from the other films and great cameos. Most of the songs are great and I still can't get them out of my head two days later. Not everything is perfect, but overall it still really works for me. I don't know how all kids are reacting and I think it might be more effective for their parents. Never thought a few strums of a banjo would cause my eyes to fill with tears, but they did. I was a child again for 90 minutes and it was great.

Thank you Jason Segel, thank you.

Boner Jams '03

The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Dir - Judd Apatow

This has become a favorite over the years. Not much really needs to be said about it that others haven't already said. Love everyone involved. Hilarious!

High Holiday

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
Dir - Todd Strauss-Schulson

Christmas movies should really only be watched between the window of Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Sometimes I'll make an exception about halfway through the year but it's not common. Luckily there were still a few theaters around showing this in 3D so I could catch it the day after the great turkey gorging. The other two Harold and Kumar movies are great. The second not nearly as good as the first, but it still has plenty of laughs. Yes, they are stupid but I like it and don't care.

This has some great 3D. I mean really, who doesn't like claymation cocks, slow-mo jizz or beer pong balls flying off the screen? There were a couple of inside jokes here in reference to Kal Penn and John Cho's other works that I was the only one laughing at, as well as some grooming habits of a very naughty nurse. I laughed pretty damn hard a lot and I was probably one of the few in the theater not under the influence of any substance. I do think that Wafflebot is one of the greatest fake inventions ever and I will be keeping my fingers crossed until he becomes a reality.

This is now my second fave in the series and I'll definitely be buying the home release and revisiting for years to come.

Bible Thumpers

Red State (2011)
Dir - Kevin Smith

I put this off long enough. There was a time when I loved Smith. In high school I was obsessed with both Clerks and Mallrats and watched my VHS copies all the time. Then within the last year or so he seemed to go a little crazy. All of his bad handling of bad press and incessant whining about Southwest Airlines just got old. It kind of made me hate him for a while. I thought I'd give this a go when it hit DVD since I wasn't traveling out of my way to see it in his "original" idea of self distribution in theaters across the country.

I'm happy to reprot I really enjoyed what I saw. This didn't feel like Smith at all and that's a good thing. Some very cool situations and interesting turns on a scary thing that probably isn't far from happening somewhere in the south. And if anyone says people wouldn't go this far with gay bashing, just remember that we're only 50 or so years removed from southerners rounding up black Americans and hanging them from trees.

Might have to check out the DVD to see if it has the longer cut from Sundance because I'm interested in what may have been cut. Just no sure I want to actually buy it and give him more of my money. He's really fallen as a person to me.

It's a Metrocity I Tell Ya

Megamind (2010)
Dir - Tom McGrath

Missed this one in theaters along with a few other animated flicks I'm ashamed to have skipped. I'm a bad cartoon lover. :(

The film is fun and I love the performances and look of the characters. Even as a computer animated reporter Tina Fey still manages to be so damn cute. Sigh. Really liked Megamind's fish sidekick and his Robot Monster inspired get-up.

Rough Stuff

I Think We're Alone Now (2008)
Dir - Sean Donnelly

Waited longer than most of my friends to see this but thanks to Netflix Instant I can now add it to the watched list. This doc is just over an hour long and never has such a short film made me feel so close to puking so much. The interactions between the two Tiffany stalkers/"best friends" is so hard to watch. This doesn't even count how far it gets when they actually are around Tiffany. GAH! Both of our main subjects, Jeff and Kelly, are simultaneously heartbreaking, annoying and a tad frightening. Can't really say that I "like" this film, but it is really interesting and is more about the subjects' issues than the pop star they obsess over.

"You're Fucked"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Dir - John Hughes

This Hughes classic is a must watch for me every Thanksgiving. Martin and Candy are hysterical and their journey is wonderfully frustrating. The F-word laden exchange between Martin and Edie McClurg is one of the best things ever! I do hate how "real" the film gets in the last few minutes... but only because it gets me every time.

Pre-Sharktopus Sharktopus

Monster Shark (1984) aka Devil Fish
Dir - Lamberto Bava
Horror Movie Night

Another fine HMN film, and something shark related is always a plus. Especially when it's a prehistoric shark/octopus hybrid!

Full thoughts will be on Horror's Not Dead next week!

Zack's Zombies

Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Dir - Zack Snyder

When I saw this on opening night I was ready to hate. Still, I let my mind open and enjoyed what I saw. Romero's original is my favorite zombie film and one of my all time favs so it could never live up to this. Snyder's version, written by James Gunn, is way more action than horror and the only real connection to the original is that it's set in a mall. It is fun to see Modern Family's Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) as a dirty, sex obsessed asshole.

I'm not even going to get into the whole fast vs slow zombie debate. Because the winner is obviously slow.

Bad Dolly

Cathy's Curse (1980) aka Cauchemares
Dir - Eddy Matalon
Horror Movie Night

Read my full thoughts HERE on Horror's Not Dead.

Running Out of Time

In Time (2011)
Dir - Andrew Niccol

I was sold on this from the first trailer I saw. Yes, it's basically Logan's Run and Robin Hood mixed together with a lot of action but it's still interesting. The film does not disappoint. Plenty fun, the world is very interesting and Seyfried is, of course, cute as hell. There are plenty of problems, logistically, but I wasn't expected to be blown away and I got everything I wanted.

Will definitely watch again.

Starving Sleeping Quarters

Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977)
Dir - George Barry
Horror Movie Night

O.M.G.

You can read my full thoughts HERE at Horror's Not Dead.

Reassignment

The Skin I Live In (2011) aka La piel que habito
Dir - Pedro Almodovar

Hooray! I looooooove Almodovar and he does not disappoint with this foray into a Sci-Fi/Horror/Thriller starring Antonio Banderas. I have so many things to say about this wonderful movie that I wouldn't even know where to being. Acting, story, cinematography, music... everything is just fantastic. Hopefully I'll eventually be able to find the score somewhere. The intricacies of the plot I will not go into, just see it for yourself!

The one complaint I have is the phrasing of the title. Every time I say it I want to say "The Skin In Which I Live." HA!

Puppies from Space

Good Boy! (2003)
Dir - John Hoffman

This is a damn cute movie and I don't care what anyone else has to say. First saw this right after it was released, mainly because I love dogs and the fact that one of the main pups is an Italian Greyhound - like my sweet dog. The film is very cute and pretty funny in places. Even though this is at least my third viewing when things begin to go bad I get VERY bummed. (SPOILERS AHEAD) Even though I know things work out overall in the end, when the dogs vanish and you see how upset their owners are I just fall apart. I can't imagine waking up to find that my dog just disappeared and the frantic lost feelings I would have. I'm probably overreacting but t's horrible.

Plane Prophecy

Final Destination (2000)
Dir - James Wong

This revisit just reminds me how great this movie is. The kills are awesome and fun. At least every entry has something of worth. Forgot that Sean William Scott is in this, playing a character that's not really obnoxious at all. Shocking!

No Capes Here

Abar, The First Black Superman (1977)
Dir - Frank Packard

I honestly don't remember too much about this one. That's what I get for waiting weeks before entering it in this blog. Sigh.

However, there is some pretty atrocious acting (especially with the kids) and there is little-to-no attempt at masking the "message" of the film. Two outstanding moments have to do with one of the kids calling the other a "watusi wobbler", whatever the fuck that is, and the other is the shocking revelation at the very end of the film. Speechless.

Death, Death, and More Death

Chromeskull: Laid to Rest 2 (2011)
Dir - Robert Hall

Some great gore and a few interesting ideas.

Read my full thoughts HERE on Horror's Not Dead.

Sil-ver Shamrock

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Dir - Tommy Lee Wallace

Ending my Halloween with a late night viewing of one of the most underrated Halloween flicks out there. Yes, this is a departure from Michael Meyers but it more than makes up for the lack of The Shape with awesome masks, Tom Atkins, a catchy TV jingle and a nefarious Irishman. Someday this will get the Blu treatment and I will be stoked. I also hope to see this on 35mm at some point in my life, but that's probably not going to happen.

Country Vengeance

Pumpkinhead (1988)
Dir - Stan Winston

Great fun on Halloween night at the Texas Theatre with a 35mm presentation of this great flick directed by a great in the FX world. The titular character is freaking awesome and Lance Henriksen is fantastic. Don't remember much about the three sequels but I do remember loving part 2 for some cheese and having Punky Brewster in the cast. Maybe I'll re-watch it soon.

It Can't Rain All the Time

The Crow (1994)
Dir - Alex Proyas

I love this movie so much! It's been years since I actually watched it but the new Blu was a great excuse. Back in high school, when it came out, I had t-shirts, the graphic novel, hats, posters and even a ring (!) all based around this movie/character. I couldn't get enough. Still holds up really well and made me smile all the way through.

Skin Crawling But Great

In a Glass Cage (1987) aka Tras el cristal
Dir - Agusti Villaronga

Watched this Blu and did a write up for Freakin' Awesome Network. READ IT HERE!

A New Holiday Classick!

Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Dir - Michael Dougherty

Had to watch this before the Halloween season was through. I've only seen it a couple of times but it's an instant classic and something I'll be watching every October for years to come. This encapsulates most everything I love about the holiday and the fall season. Pure joy!

Death and Boats

Moon in Scorpio (1987)
Dir - Gary Graver
Horror Movie Night

Check out my full thoughts HERE on Horror's Not Dead!

Zombie Preparedness Doc

Zombies: A Living History (2011)
Dir - David V. Nicholson

Even though this was made for the History Channel I'm still counting this, as it's feature length. This isn't really about zombies in literature, movies or pop culture but how they could really happen and what to do in that case. Kind of like a filmed crash course of The Zombie Survival Guide - and author Max Brooks is involved. Pretty interesting.

Trippy

Horror (2002)
Dir - Dante Tomaselli

I've had this DVD for years and finally got around to watching it. This is a fairly short, 75 minutes, surreal horror trip. As for a narrative it kind of drifts in and out but some of the horror imagery is damn cool. This is the kind of movie you kind of have to be in the mood to see, maybe I'll give it another go to see if it hits me harder/better.

Bonus: The Amazing Kreskin of Johnny Carson fame has a role in the film!

Root of All Evil?

The Terror Beneath (2011)
Dir - Paul Ziller
SyFy Original Movie

Not great, not horrible. Off the bat that's better than many of this SyFy originals. A killer plant takes over the country - not much else to say.

Telekinetic Slasher

Friday the 13th Part VII - The New Blood (1988)
Dir - John Carl Buechler

This might not be the best entry but it still has some great moments. In fact, one of my favorite kills from the series is here. The one where he smacks the girl in the sleeping bag against a tree. Yes, they upgraded that kill in Jason X but this one still rocks. Not a bad film for what many people call the Jason vs Carrie installment. Heh.

Slasher Classic

The Burning (1981)
Dir - Tony Maylam

The second of our summer camp slashers and it's one of the best. Though there are a few slow moments everything in this movie is wonderful. Also the standard DVD of this from MGM looks fantastic, probably more so that it has a right to. Great stuff.

You're Just What I've Been Looking For

Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Dir - Robert Hiltzik

Took this over to Micah's because he and Melissa wanted to watch it and neither had ever seen it. Such a great movie, one of my all time faves. I love Angela and Ricky so much - and the crazy mother/aunt even more!

Best. Ending Shot. Ever.

Broom Jockey

The Janitor (2003)
Dir - TJ Nordaker & Andy Signore
Halloween White Elephant

Check out my thoughts HERE on Horror's Not Dead!

We Are Going to Eat You!

Zombi 2 (1979)
Dir - Lucio Fulci
Midnight Madness

My triumphant return to the Inwood's midnight series for some big screen Fulci. Like I was really going to let that go by without watching.

This is my second time seeing this classic in a theater but my frist of the new restoration. It looks beautiful and there isn't as much obvious make-up/prosthstetic lines as expected - though the underwater zombie does look pretty bad in certain shots.

Of all Fulci's films this is not even close to my favorite but it's still great and deserves all the accolades and attention it gets.

Slasher Sequel

Bereavement (2010)
Dir - Stevan Mena

This movie is the whole reason I finally watched Malevolence a few weeks back. There are some really interesting looks into the mind of the killer and the weird psychological, and physical, abuse he puts a small abducted boy through to make him the same way. Moments are great but the shift between the killer/protege plot to the new-girl-in-town thing kind of loses the magic. Still, worth the watch and a great low budget slasher.

Cushing's Carnage

Corruption (1968)
Dir - Robert Hartford-Davis

Recorded this from TCM and it's always good to see a Peter Cushing film. In this one he's killing multiple people to use vital tissue to help his disfigured model girlfriend. There are some great kill sequences for such an old film especially when he gets stabby on a train. The finale is pretty crazy too.

Karate and Stuff

Kill and Kill Again (1981)
Dir - Ivan Hall
Weird Wednesday

Interesting karate action film that's a sequel to another movie I really need to see. There is a lot of great fighting and a fun hypnotizing baddie.

Lock Up and Kill

Death House (1987) aka Zombie Death House
Dir - John Saxon
Horror Movie Night

Check out my full thoughts HERE on Horror's Not Dead!