Recent viewings

[claws]

Santa's Slay (2005)

Bill Goldberg as the evil Santa huffing and puffing his way through a small town killing people left and right.
Uneven Horror-Fantasy-Comedy with cheese I can't really get into. Apparently this movie seems to be everyone's favorite bad holiday flick but its too dull for my liking. 2.5/5

Prime Evil (1989)

Satanists cause trouble during Christmas season because they need fresh meat to sacrifice so they can live forever.
Roberta Findlay's final movie didn't write history but at least she tried to make it "good". Prime Evil appears to have better production values but the rest reeks of porn without the porn, unappealing actors and decent b-gore from special effects wizard Ed French. 2.5/5

[FatFreddysCat]

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules!" (2011)

http://youtu.be/ZbqqYuG1TCM
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Second film based on the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series of pre-teen graphic novels finds Greg Heffley trying to develop a relationship with his demonic loser of an older brother "Rodrick," while also moving on to seventh grade, which isn't any easier than sixth grade was in the previous movie. Cartoonish mayhem ensues.

Most "kids movies" either bore me to tears or make me want to run from the room screaming, but I actually liked this one just as much as my kids did. Some funny stuff.

[claws]

Scream (1981)

Twelve friends on vacation want to spend the night in a ghost town but a phantom killer is slashing his way through the unwanted guests.
I've seen the film before back in the 80s, and used to own the ex-rental tape (Vestron Video) which was in mint condition. Watched last night the movie brought back fond memories, and it was nice to see Scream in 16x9 widescreen. Most say the film is crap which is technically correct, but I think it has much more to offer: obvious and hidden hints about the killer's identity plus a touch of the supernatural surrounding it all. It's no David Lynch but not without weird mysteries either. The slow pacing and off screen kills can put a damper on things but I still think Scream is underrated. 3.5/5 Cheese

[Jack]

Land of the Dead (2005) - Some rich people live in a big skyscraper they've got lit up like a Christmas tree, while the poor people live in the crummy streets down below.  Post-zombie apocalypse.  Okay, stop right there - where are they getting the electricity for this thing?  Do they have a functioning power plant, with a functioning coal mine and railroad to provide fuel for it?  And where are they getting the food for all these people?  Look, nobody's gonna be livin' like the freakin' Rockefeller's post-zombie apocalypse, you need an infrastructure to support that.  And don't even get me started on the cash-based economy and the cell phones.  This is idiotic. 

So the story - well you've got Mr. Evil living in his high rise being evil.  That's his whole purpose in the film.  Oh man, rich people are evil - isn't this some awesome social commentary?  I really learned something new and thought provoking here    Then you've got some guy who lives in the streets and just wants to get out of the city, but in order to do so he has to stop some other guy from shooting rockets at the skyscraper, so he drives around shooting and swearing for a while until the big non-confrontation takes place.

Seriously, I've seen much better characters and much better plots in zombie movies made for around 10,000 dollars.   

[FatFreddysCat]

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" (1982/2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hYs1jBy8Y&feature=player_embedded
	Small | Large

"Blade Runner" has been re-edited, re-cut and re-released a number of times over the years but this 2007 edition is supposedly the "definitive" version of Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi cult film, with Harrison Ford as a burned out future cop tracking murderous androids through the mean streets of 2019 Los Angeles.

I've been meaning to revisit this movie for years, I first saw it when I was about 16 and I don't think I quite "got" it at the time. I was probably expecting an action packed shoot-em-up cuz "Han Solo" was in it, but it's not like that at all. It's more of a 1940s style noir/detective story that happens to be set in the future.

The flick is visually outstanding of course (the set pieces and scenery are gorgeous!) and the DVD transfer makes it look like the film was shot yesterday instead of 30 years ago. Story-wise I enjoyed it but I do have to wonder if the movie's just a wee tad overrated by sci-fi geeks. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's quite the "masterpiece" it's been made out to be. Maybe there's just no way it could've lived up to all the hype I've been hearing/reading about it for the past two decades...or maybe I still don't "get" it.


Either way, it's still a cool flick and definitely worth a watch.

[retrorussell]

SLUGS (1987).  Hadn't seen it in a while.. hoo boy does it stink, but is unintentionally funny while doing so.  The scene where the guy gets eaten from the inside at the restaurant is definitely a highlight, even though he reaches forward while in pain just to pull the tablecloth down with him (and his eyeball explodes for no reason whatsoever, and appears to be made of straw).  Netflixed this with my brother. 

[lester1/2jr]

Cocaine Cowboys 2 - I had seen negative reviews for this but I thought it was really good, if a little different and smaller in scope and budget than the first one. It's specifically about the west coast coke game and in particular the relationship between this one guy and the Godmother, this insane coke dealer cartel lady who made literally a billion dollars bringing cocaine up from Columbia. There is an awful lot of the one guy I can't remeber his name, I mean a good 60-70 percent of the movie is interviews with him but he's honest and articulate. It has the same style as the first in  terms of a ton of information coming at you nonstop. 4.5/5

Black Belly Of the Tarantula - this is the Italian version of some boring cop movie Thistv would have on at 3 pm and you would tape and ff through. There are some pretty girls and occasionally some colorful funky sort of sets and whatnot but in general this is suitable for talking over and not much more. 2/5

[Flick James]

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" (1982/2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hYs1jBy8Y&feature=player_embedded

"Blade Runner" has been re-edited, re-cut and re-released a number of times over the years but this 2007 edition is supposedly the "definitive" version of Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi cult film, with Harrison Ford as a burned out future cop tracking murderous androids through the mean streets of 2019 Los Angeles.

I've been meaning to revisit this movie for years, I first saw it when I was about 16 and I don't think I quite "got" it at the time. I was probably expecting an action packed shoot-em-up cuz "Han Solo" was in it, but it's not like that at all. It's more of a 1940s style noir/detective story that happens to be set in the future.

The flick is visually outstanding of course (the set pieces and scenery are gorgeous!) and the DVD transfer makes it look like the film was shot yesterday instead of 30 years ago. Story-wise I enjoyed it but I do have to wonder if the movie's just a wee tad overrated by sci-fi geeks. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's quite the "masterpiece" it's been made out to be. Maybe there's just no way it could've lived up to all the hype I've been hearing/reading about it for the past two decades...or maybe I still don't "get" it.


Either way, it's still a cool flick and definitely worth a watch.

Masterpiece? Yeah, that's debatable. I've always classified Blade Runner as "damn good," and don't really analyze it much more than that.

I do however, give the film a good deal of credit in terms of influence. This film was never a major success it's theatrical release, but has influenced film-making, and even other media, in profound ways. The film almost created the future noir genre without necessarily meaning to.

So, "damn good" movie in my opinion, not sure about "masterpiece," and definitely more influential than it's given credit for.

[FatFreddysCat]

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" (1982/2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hYs1jBy8Y&feature=player_embedded

"Blade Runner" has been re-edited, re-cut and re-released a number of times over the years but this 2007 edition is supposedly the "definitive" version of Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi cult film, with Harrison Ford as a burned out future cop tracking murderous androids through the mean streets of 2019 Los Angeles.

I've been meaning to revisit this movie for years, I first saw it when I was about 16 and I don't think I quite "got" it at the time. I was probably expecting an action packed shoot-em-up cuz "Han Solo" was in it, but it's not like that at all. It's more of a 1940s style noir/detective story that happens to be set in the future.

The flick is visually outstanding of course (the set pieces and scenery are gorgeous!) and the DVD transfer makes it look like the film was shot yesterday instead of 30 years ago. Story-wise I enjoyed it but I do have to wonder if the movie's just a wee tad overrated by sci-fi geeks. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's quite the "masterpiece" it's been made out to be. Maybe there's just no way it could've lived up to all the hype I've been hearing/reading about it for the past two decades...or maybe I still don't "get" it.


Either way, it's still a cool flick and definitely worth a watch.

Masterpiece? Yeah, that's debatable. I've always classified Blade Runner as "damn good," and don't really analyze it much more than that.

I do however, give the film a good deal of credit in terms of influence. This film was never a major success it's theatrical release, but has influenced film-making, and even other media, in profound ways. The film almost created the future noir genre without necessarily meaning to.

So, "damn good" movie in my opinion, not sure about "masterpiece," and definitely more influential than it's given credit for.

Oh yes, most definitely influential. The Blade Runner "look" has been co-opted by literally dozens of sci fi movies/TV shows over the years.

It was kind of strange re-visiting this movie after 20+ years. I definitely like it better now than I did back in the day. I even wrote an article about it on my blog today (yes, I'm shameless): http://fatfreddyscat.hubpages.com/hub/Revisiting-Blade-Runner

[bob]

2.5/5 gotta love the robot witha  box fora  body and a pail for a head along with the polar bear that's clearly a guy ina  costume

I've had the theme stuck in stuck in my head since watching this raising the raising 1 whole star 



0/5 one of the worst things ever made, only way I managed to finish this nothing happens film is MST3K



5/5 this masterpiece rivals the genius of the great Ed Wood in terms of comic genius

[Flick James]

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" (1982/2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hYs1jBy8Y&feature=player_embedded

"Blade Runner" has been re-edited, re-cut and re-released a number of times over the years but this 2007 edition is supposedly the "definitive" version of Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi cult film, with Harrison Ford as a burned out future cop tracking murderous androids through the mean streets of 2019 Los Angeles.

I've been meaning to revisit this movie for years, I first saw it when I was about 16 and I don't think I quite "got" it at the time. I was probably expecting an action packed shoot-em-up cuz "Han Solo" was in it, but it's not like that at all. It's more of a 1940s style noir/detective story that happens to be set in the future.

The flick is visually outstanding of course (the set pieces and scenery are gorgeous!) and the DVD transfer makes it look like the film was shot yesterday instead of 30 years ago. Story-wise I enjoyed it but I do have to wonder if the movie's just a wee tad overrated by sci-fi geeks. Yeah, it's good, but I don't think it's quite the "masterpiece" it's been made out to be. Maybe there's just no way it could've lived up to all the hype I've been hearing/reading about it for the past two decades...or maybe I still don't "get" it.


Either way, it's still a cool flick and definitely worth a watch.

Masterpiece? Yeah, that's debatable. I've always classified Blade Runner as "damn good," and don't really analyze it much more than that.

I do however, give the film a good deal of credit in terms of influence. This film was never a major success it's theatrical release, but has influenced film-making, and even other media, in profound ways. The film almost created the future noir genre without necessarily meaning to.

So, "damn good" movie in my opinion, not sure about "masterpiece," and definitely more influential than it's given credit for.

Oh yes, most definitely influential. The Blade Runner "look" has been co-opted by literally dozens of sci fi movies/TV shows over the years.

It was kind of strange re-visiting this movie after 20+ years. I definitely like it better now than I did back in the day. I even wrote an article about it on my blog today (yes, I'm shameless): http://fatfreddyscat.hubpages.com/hub/Revisiting-Blade-Runner

My appreciation stems largely from a single experience. The Director's Cut was released to theatres in the early 90's, and I went to see it on the big screen. The film really pops on the big screen, and it was just a good movie-going experience overall. I was on a good date with a girl that appreciated the film, the popcorn was excellent, the soda had just the right amount of ice, etc.

[Flick James]

The Adjustment Bureau (2011):

This was a film that I didn't have much interest in seeing, but it's on it's cable run and so I sat down and watched it. It is loose adaptation of the Phillip K. Dick short story Adjustment Team. I've never read the short story, but I looked it up and it would seem that they essentially took the essential concept, but aside from that, it looks like it barely resembles the source story. Matt Damon plays a rising politician who meets a girl. Then strange things start to happen. Guys in suits and hats, part of a sci-fi/metaphysical "Adjustment Bureau" are constantly creating "adjustments," little things to try and steer him away from meeting this girl. They make connections, but supposedly they are not meant to be together according to the "big plan." So, without giving too much away, it is a constant struggle between them trying to make connections and the bureau trying to keep them apart.

It was an okay movie. Apparently it was critically well-received, and I guess from a mainstream perspective it is a mildly intriguing film. It has a religious/spiritual underpinning that is probably less subtle than intended by the filmmaker (I'm guessing). The "bureau" agents take on the function of "angels," constantly making little interventions in life to steer people down a certain path, while the "chairman" that is periodically alluded to, who is in control of the "plan," represents God. For me this was something that probably could have worked, but didn't in this case, at least not for me. The film overall had an interesting aesthetic and was pleasing to the eye, and had some good things going for it, otherwise I wouldn't be spending this many words on it. However, it also disappointed on some levels and tended to get a bit hokey at times. I will say, however, that Terence Stamp turned in his typical great presence in a supporting role, which was pleasing.

Overall, I give it a 3.5/5

[Rev. Powell]

GIORGIO MORODER PRESENTS METROPOLIS (1927/1984): METROPOLIS, Fritz Lang's silent German Expressionist movie about a future city where enslaved underground workers allow the rich people above to live in decadence, is of course a classic.  Moroder, the Academy Award winning composer of "What a Feeling" (FLASHDANCE), restored the film and added new tinting, incorporated some stills and extra intertitles to replace some of the lost sections, and most significantly re-scored the film with a controversial 1980s synth-pop soundtrack.  It could have been a disaster but the results are actually very good; the dated proto-techno music actually fits the futuristic setting well, and the vocal numbers are kept to a minimum.  You only cringe a couple of times when Pat Benetar comes on the soundtrack to sing "Hearts on Fire" during a love scene, or Billy Squier observes "now it's hit the fan" when the proles are about to revolt and flood their own homes.  Not as good as watching the new restored print but a worthwhile experiment for fans of the original, and certainly a more palatable way to introduce the film to someone who thinks they don't like silent movies.  4.5/5.

[claws]

Warlock (1989) Austrian Blu-ray

... evil Warlock from the year 1691 escapes execution by time-warping himself into the year 1988 so he can rule the world once he found three mystical books.
Entertaining Fantasy-Horror with good and sometimes unintentional goofy (make up) effects, speedy pacing and tongue-in-cheek performances. 4/5

[Jack]

Four Boxes (2009) - Three people move into the house of a recently deceased person.  Apparently the executor of the will has hired them to sell the furnishings etc. on Ebay.  They start watching a web broadcast called "Four Boxes", where webcams film some mysterious guy doing mysterious things.  They eventually become concerned that the person is actually a terrorist and has plans to attack various US cities.  Meanwhile a love triangle is forming between our 3 main characters.  This is somewhat of a character study, with people I found to be very real and interesting.  It's got a great plot twist, I loved that.  The ending itself though didn't make sense to me.  Don't know exactly what was supposed to have been going on there.  Oh well, still really enjoyed this.  4.5/5.