Recent viewings

[bob]

Blu ray makes a world of difference. Unbelivable. Makes this even more enjoyable then when I saw it in theaters and on regular DVD.

5/5

[JaseSF]

Bulldog Drummond's Revenge (1937): Watched this last night again. It's the first movie from the Mystery Classics 50 Movie Pack from Treeline/Mill Creek. This version actually runs a little less that the time listed at the IMDB by about two minutes. Anyways there were a series of Bulldog Drummond films from the 1930s (and beyond) based upon many different novels featuring the character, a British officer turned would be private detective. Several actors played the role including Ray Milland, Tom Conway and Walter Pidgeon amongst other notables. This movie features John Howard in the role and honestly he's the one I tend to like the most personally in this particular role, perhaps because I saw him first but honestly he just seems to fit it so well and makes the character such fun to watch. Here in his first feature in the role he proves quite likable as he interacts with his friend Algy Longworth (Reginald Denny), a loyal friend but a bit of a buffoon who's very love smitten here with his wife/darling Gwen (Nydia Westman) and his ally, the ever faithful butler Tenny (E.E. Clive) who seems very similar to me to Bruce Wayne's Alred Pennyworth. Also on board here is Louise Campbell as Drummond's love interest Phyllis Clavering whom Drummond has promised to stop adventuring and settle down and finally get married yet who sounds finds herself chasing down leads alongside her man.

The story here features the theft of a mysterious new explosive named "Hacksonite" which has been stolen by one Draven Nogias (Frank Puglia) to sell to the highest bidder, a very common plot device of the era (mythical new weapon stolen for sale to potential enemy). Soon Drummond is chasing Nogias down via train and ship only it won't prove easy as Nogias has adopted a clever disguise. In the end, it all proves rather formulaic and predictable but what's most appealing about this one are the likable characters particularly the clever quick-witted Drummond, the clumsy and absent-minded Algy and Tenny who all work surprisingly well together. These characters definitely have the sort of appeal that could lead them through a series of films one could watch and enjoy over and over if one takes to the characters enough. The portrayal of the women here however does feel quite dated with the women fainting at the drop of a hat...or should I say hand? There are better films out there featuring the character but there's far worse ways to kill an hour than watching this. **1/2 out of ***** stars.

[Pilgermann]

Emotion (1966) - Experimental short (well, 40 minuteS) from Nobuhiko Obayashi, the director of House.  It deals with a girl and her friendship with another girl and she gets involved with a man who seems to be a vampire.  It's pretty weird but very fun and playful.  Rapidly edited with black and white, color, and tinted photography, and though it sort of has a story, it's also about the making of the film itself.  Not sure of an easy way to see it besides on the DVD of House, but it's worth seeking out.  9/10

Lady in the Water (2006) - This gets a ton of hate, and I can sort of understand why since it's obvious that Shyamalan pulled the story out of his butt and made a script, and there are lot of questionable choices in the film, but I still found it kind of compelling.  Plus I just like looking at Bryce Dallas Howard.  I dunno, I'll be nice and give it a 6/10.

[Doggett]

MegaMind

A super-villian finds that its really lonely not having a hero to stop you...


Funnier than The Incredidles.
There.
I said it.

4/5

[bob]

I just finished watching this. Twas the second time I've ever seen A Clockwork Orange and I must say it's even better then last time I saw it maybe two months ago. Easily one of the best uses of music in a movie I've ever seen. I'll never hear Singin' In the Rain and not think of the writer and his wife meeting respective fates after encountering Alex and his droogs.

5/5 stars, one of the best movies ever

[claws]

Messengers 2: The Scarecrow (2009) (Blu-ray)

A bit bland but had its b-moments. Best nude boobs in HD so far 
Not released on Blu-ray in the U.S. (yet) but this Region Free German disc comes with nearly flawless PQ. 3.25/5 Cheese

Battle Los Angeles (2011) (Blu-ray)

Aliens invade L.A. and Marines are trying to save the day. Plot reminded me of Saving Private Ryan and the rest was pretty much like Skyline with a bigger budget. Solid sci-fi but a bit too patriotic and emotional for my taste. 3.5/5

[indianasmith]

I watched STRANGE GIRLS last night.  A pair of mentally ill twins are released from the asylum.  They only talk to each other and communicate with everyone else by writing.  They are completely psychotic and kill a number of people before the film is over, but one of them falls in love with the black guy next door, and her sister slowly sinks into a jealousy-ridden psychosis . . .

not great, but not terrible.  Had a few genuinely creepy moments.

[Rev. Powell]

DEAD RINGERS (1988): A woman disturbs the delicate psychic balance between twin gynecologists.  Genuinely unnerving psychodrama with a dominating performance by Jeremy Irons. 4/5.

[Vik]

Limitless
Pretty good blockbuster, the concept could have been used for much better things, though.

[Vik]

Blow-up
Good movie, but I'm not sure what the filmmakers were aiming for exactly.

[Kaseykockroach]

I really wanted to see Midnight in Paris, but since I'm at my aunt's this weekend (and no one in my family likes Woody Allen), I was dragged into seeing the worst film about cowboys and aliens ever made.
Yes, I know that kid's going to use the knife at the end. Please stop beating me on the head with that. How is it Ella could survive a fire, but couldn't survive the explosion at the end?
It suffers from how astoundingly generic it is. It's odd to describe a film about cowboys and aliens that way, but it is. It was so painfully predictable, you could even predict the dialogue, point for point.
I can see this being conceived as something a lot more fun if it was made in the 80's era, though. It's sad how seriously this film takes itself.

[claws]

The Fall (2006) (Blu-ray)

Imaginative, thrilling, funny, sad and beautiful. Visually stunning. Enjoyed this very much. 4.5/5

[Jack]

Slugs (1987) - A bunch of slimy slugs appear in a small town and start eating people.  I'm still not exactly sure where they came from.  It definitely had its "so bad its good" moments, especially with all the theme music sounding like it was lifted directly from a variety of TV sit-com's or something.  And when our main character was trying to convince the powers-that-be of the slug problem, they not only ignored his warnings but went WAY over the top in their mocking of him.  3.75/5.

[JaseSF]

Bulldog Drummond Escapes (1937): Bulldog Drummond (Ray Milland) makes his return to England much to Inspector Nielsen (Guy Standing)'s chagrin [given he wanted to take a vacation] and soon finds himself caught up in trying to rescue a beautiful damsel in distress named Phyllis Clavering (Heather Angel) whom he believes is being held a prisoner against her will in foggy and forlorn Greystone Manor.

This was quite fun. A really enjoyable escapist adventure. The only real downside here is that Milland is rather miscast as Capt. Hugh Drummond. Still he puts forth an energetic effort to make up for the fact he doesn't quite fit the role. It works to some extent. Heather Angel is downright lovely as the spirited and fiery Phyllis Clavering and really brings her to life ultimately proving somewhat less the damsel in distress at the very end. On board again are the ever likable Reginald Denny as Algy Longworth, here totally preoccupied with the fact he's to soon become a papa and E.E. Clive's Tenny, the ever reliable butler and backup for Drummond who shows he willing to mix it up here even taking a black eye for the cause. Unfortunately the villains of this piece prove rather forgettable with only Porter Hall barely standing out as lead villain Merridew although P.J. Kelly has some moments as the butler/muscle Stiles. There's lot of fog, darkness and shadowy atmosphere some of which would seem to have lent itself better to a spook or quasi-spookfest but that never materializes here. Still the story here proves exciting and fast-paced for the most part and it's easy to root for our heroes. ***1/2 out of ***** stars.

[Jack]

The Killer Likes Candy (1968) - Italian detective movie about an assassin (who likes candy) who's trying to kill the king of some country as he's visiting Italy.  The two detectives, or security guys or whatever, try to avoid getting too distracted by women and maintain a bit of focus on the case.  This was basically light entertainment, nothing you could take too seriously.  And pretty dull actually.  But my wife and I had a good time MST3K'ing it     Between the king's harem - all of whom were butt ugly - to the killer's giant schnoz that would put a California Condor to shame, to the light and funky theme music that was constantly ruining the "tense" mood they were trying to create in various scenes, a good time was had by all    2/5 for normal viewing, 4/5 for MST3K potential.