Many Movies

It was a banner couple of days for movie watching for me, so I'll keep these brief.

SHIVERS - Cronenberg's first feature film. I thought it was enjoyable enough, although there were some problems, most stemming from the amateurism involved. Some shots were off, and a lot of the acting was, well, terrible. Still, the themes that would permeate Cronenberg's later work are presented here. You could make a Cronenberg drinking game out of them. Somebody uses the word "flesh", take a drink. A prop (parasite worm, game controller) is used as a substitute for genitalia, take two drinks.

THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING - Classic movie by John Huston. Stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine as two ne'er-do-wells who hatch upon a plan to trek to Kamfiristan and become kings. They also happen to be loyal Stonecutters, which figures big into the plot. At its heart its a film about Englishmen bringing enlightenment to the savages. Not something I usually rally behind, but still a very entertaining adventure movie. Also features Christopher Plummer as Rudyard Kipling.

PATHS OF GLORY - Excellent early Kubrick film. I have nothing to make fun of, so I'll leave it at that.

NIGHT ON EARTH - Jarmusch film. Essentially five vignettes taking place in five different cities, each revolving around a taxi ride. Some are more entertaining the others, although all held my interest. Especially notable was Roberto Benigni confessing his "sins of love" to an ailing bishop. Gains bonus points for filming outside of North America and in other languages (although still a Western movie).

MYSTERIES OF DEEP SPACE: SUPERNOVAS AND BLACK HOLES by PBS - Documentary. I only bring it up because by way of demonstrating black holes, they show a clip of EVIL DEAD II. From near the very end when Ash is being sucked out of his cabin by the vortex. Nice suprise.

That's it for now. Next up, PRIME CUT with Lee Marvin.