Heathers

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Amberly

I love my dead gay son.

I'm pretty sure this is where I first became aware of "teen-speak," that delightful dialect that exists only in films and television. No actual teen can be that quick witted or snappy with their conversations. It's almost like a musical, people just accept it but when done properly it's almost like Shakespeare, there's an art to it. I do enjoy it.

It's been a while. I'd forgotten the shoulder pads. This one plays with fire and that's probably the reason most people love it so much. It probably wouldn't even get made now. God bless the 80's. But it's a damn great script. I wonder how the original ending would have gone over.

Love the cast, even enjoy the very synth score. Great movie

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Amberly

Oh my god how did I end up watching this one twice in a year?

It's ok though we used the time to wisely prepare for the 3D monstrosity that is unleashed this week. Midnight screening here we come.

We have created a drinking game for the series. Looking online it appears there have been many made before but some of them seem unrealistic, they'd have you on the floor before the opening credits, so we've made ours a little more specific in hopes to counteract that.

Drink every time:
• A helicopter flies at sunset
• The sun passes behind an object and then flares it out
• All sound cuts out before a large explosion or slow motion shot
• Gratuitous military lingo interrupts the flow of the action
• Optimus Prime wants to sacrifice himself

Here's hoping Michael Bay purposefully made the 2nd so bad that there's no way anyone can not be surprised by the jump in quality of the latest.

Transformers

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Amberly

I can't view this one now without knowledge of the horrid mess that came after it. I remember walking out of the theatre of this one having thoroughly enjoyed it. It was damn entertaining event though there were many parts that made me want to shoot myself. But it's a damn masterpiece when viewed in conjunction with the next instalment. Hopefully the 3rd one will be the best. I can hope can't I?

Michael Bay has a serious military fetish. It just strikes me as odd that Hasbro went with him for Transformers when they already had a G.I. Joe film in development. Now I unashamedly love that first G.I. Joe film but I can't help but wonder what Bay would have done with it, with all his military connections, rather than shoehorning them into this franchise where they aren't needed and easily add an hour worth of excess running time to each film. But this is how things worked out, so now Hasbro has two big military franchises and only one of them feels like a fun kids playtime. Not this one.

It's just so damn serious. And when he tries to inject some humor it's just the worst kind of bad lowest common denominator kiddy crap. And the two side by side make deciphering the target audience an impossibility. Genuine laughs can be had at the ridiculousness of it all. But you can still legitimately enjoy the staggering FX work from ILM and others that are wasted on this franchise.

There's no denying Michael Bay makes destruction sexy. He's also boarding on pedophiliac the way he shoots some of his young cast. But always with the shaky cam. And colours so crushed and processed that everyone looks bright orange.

I don't mind switching off and enjoying the action. But there's so much ridiculousness in between you have to put up with. At least in this first one it's not nearly as incoherent and offensive. That's probably the best praise I can give it.

Cars 2

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself

Cars is the one Pixar film I can't get into. It's just a bit much to accept this world of cars and no humans the amount of questions of logic it raises is baffling beyond belief. I can't connect to any of the character and I don't care for any of them. The message of the first film is nice, telling a race car to stop and smell the flowers, I get that, and it worked. Here though they've forgotten their own message and glamoured everything up in a world wide spy racing extravaganza. It didn't help though, I still can't accept this world.

The best thing about the film was the first trailer for Pixars next output, Brave. I am SO down with them doing a celtic style heroine adventure in mystical lands of old. Blue fairy thing? Bow and arrow wielding horse riding firey haired heroine vs Bear? YES. Then the new 3D trailer for the Lion King re-release, which was neat but I hate they've tried to dimentionalise the 2D elements instead of just keeping them flat but in 3D space like they used to in the 50s. You can't see 3D in flat colour and consequentially it just makes the line work jutt out strangely. Then the new Toy Story Toon, Hawaiian Vacation. God I love Ken. and it was easily the best part of going to see Cars 2, it's hilarious and great to catch up with all our favourite characters again.

The Next best thing about the film was that unlike Kung Fu Panda 2 yesterday there was only a small handful of children in the massive theatre and they was all situated miles away from me. I practically had my own private screening, so that was nice.

Now for the actual film, which starts off cool enough with British spy car Finn McMissile infiltrating some oil wells in the ocean. Michael Caine sounds like he's phoning it in, but the action was good enough. But then the film proper starts and it becomes clear pretty soon that the horrifically annoying comedy relief Mater is going to be the focus of tis film, god help us. In fact the whole film kicks off because of a toilet gag.

From there this film feels like it's just pandering to children's wish fulfilment. I don't think I laughed once although thankfully I was rarely completely bored. Mainly because I was playing a game of spot the re-used set assets. I presumed they would use some Ratatouille stuff for Paris and I'm pretty sure they used the One Man Band courtyard for Italy. I also noticed the drive in was showing the Incredimobiles.

What I don't get is cars eating human food, and apparently they drink and leak oil but there seems to be a tank full of shit at the airport. And they are talking about having to replace fossil fuels with alternate, they make reference to dinosaurs. There are no other animals in this world, I have to logically assume that there once were and these cars had some sort of uprising and killed everything. Whatever. You're not supposed to think about that.

Pixar can keep their Cars franchise, which I hear will include a Planes instalment very soon. I view it like I view the Twilight franchise. I don't have to like it and am baffled by its popularity but if it's making them THAT much money to fund cool new projects like I think Brave will be then Why not. Doesn't mean that I like it or have to watch it again though.

Time Masters

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Watching Gandahar the other day I thought I better round it off and watch the last René Laloux feature animation I've yet to see. I'm a sucker for animation and sci-fi. The style here is far more cartoonish than his other films but it's still filled with some kooky creatures and cool sci-fi concepts.

Again he introduces Time Travel right at the very end but in this case it makes sense and works out well, logically and with the story. The rest of the film is a little episodic, all framed around a ship trying to rescue a stranded boy with only a voice transmitter to communicate between them.

Compared to his other two features this one is far more kiddie friendly and upbeat. Some nice Mobious designs too. Pretty neat.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

What a great movie. I'd forgotten. After watching this again, why the hell wouldn't you want to hire Guillermo del Toro to do the Hobbit?

I love the world he's created here. You can see he love of creatures seeping out of every inch of the frame. Not to mention the story, which is filled with nasty and sympathetic creatures and constantly questioning which side audience and characters are on. Practical and CG blended so well together. I love the Tooth Fairies, Wink, the Bag Lady, the tragic Elemental, the creepy Angel of Death, they are all great. That troll market is a true work of art.

No one makes the horrific as beautiful as he does. Guillermo Navarro's gorgeous cinematography probably has a great deal to do with it. And the story is much tighter than the first film I think, now they've dispensed with all their main exposition and origin stories. Over all this film is leaps and bounds over the first, the effects, the action, the story and characters. I really did enjoy the first one but this one is what every sequel should be, it's got everything you love about the first film, gets rid of the excess, adds more awesome and naturally develops the story and characters further.

I doubt we'll see a 3rd film any time soon, if any. They left this one with such a great set up though after having watched it again I kinda wish he'd add it to his list of 89 films he's got lined up next. I'm pretty sure I saw a Lovecraftian monster in the background of the Headquarters. I know I saw a See You Next Wednesday reference, it's even there in the trailer.

I watched with the actors commentary, but I probably should have just watched the directors commentary again, they didn't have anything very interesting to say other than being completely in awe of all the practical fx.

I hope one day he gets time to finish this trilogy before Ron Perlman gets too old and refuses to don the makeup. He IS Hellboy to me now.

Revolutionary Road

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Amberly, Matt

Another fantastic Sam Mendes film and one I haven't watched as much as his others, not just because it's newer but also because it's pretty hard going drama. Intense maaaaan.

It's a beautifully crafted film, immaculately photographed, beautifully scored by Thomas Newman and such great cast performing at the top of their game, with characters they can really sink their teeth into. I feel like Mad Men took a lot of cues from this film.

I can see why Mendes would want to do something like Away We Go after the heavy lifting everyone has to do in this. But they are all so damn good it looks easy. I can't believe this wasn't nominated for more oscars, I liked Winslet more in this than The Reader.

Let's talk about Michael Shannon. Oh god I love him. He just breezes in and out of the movies and leaves a trail of carnage. He's always the best thing in anything he's in and it's great to see him getting recognised more and lead roles.

I don't know much about the novel except by reputation. I do know people have been trying to adapt it to screen for many years before this. I can't talk for the adaptation but just as a film the script is immaculately constructed. There was one bit that felt a little shoehorned in to make a thematic point but on the whole it's just great, like the rest if the film.

Son of Rambow

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Amberly, Matt

This is an adorable little coming of age film. I guess Super 8 reminded me of this, kids trying to make a film in the 80's. I love how dangerous these kids play, like real kids would but they never show on film. It's also very funny. Their somewhat forbidden friendship is the heart of the film and the two kids are terrific.

They are also joined half way through by a french exchange student who is bizarre and hilarious. Also I must mention the lovely Jessica Hynes who manages to make what could have been an evil mother character and make her sympathetic and understandable.

A lot of that also has to do with the script and direction by the great music video team Hammers and Tongs, who did The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy movie. I believe they intended this to be their first film, a nice simple little character comedy but they got offer to make that and there's no way you turn down something like that. But thankfully they went straight back to it.

Oh and it's filled with 80's-tasticness.

Again it's one of those charming feel good movies I don't think anyone couldn't get some kind of enjoyment out of. Delightful.

Speed Racer

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Amberly

Read about my ridiculous love for this film here.

Love this movie! Watch it!

Kung Fu Panda 2

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Belinda

An alright movie completely ruined by annoying little shits in the row in front of us. Why the hell weren't they in school? Very frustrating.

Well the film didn't hold their attention and I tried my best to get into it but even with Po's dark backstory of self-discovery, I couldn't find the heart from the first film. Po's relationship with his dad is still the best thing in the film. I understand the desire to explain it away, but I really loved the idea in the first film that it was just something everyone accepted. They go even further with a coda at the end of the film that sets up an inevitable 3rd adventure and undermines the relationship even more.

The animated kung fu action is amped up in this one though, now that Po is one of the masters there's plenty of great sequences where they are all fighting as a team. We have a new villain, a peacock voiced by Gary Oldman, whose backstory ties in nicely thematically with Po's. He's not as threatening as Ian McShane's Tai Lung from the first film, but he's got the tech.

Michelle Yeoh is another addition as a soothsaying goat. Wise and hilarious. Some of the bigger laughs in the film for me. The other things I loved was the Po's inability to perfectly create those badass action film clichés. They boarder on breaking the 4th wall but never quite go that far. I love that.

Once again there as various forms of animation used in the opening prologue and flashbacks. The prologue has a new shadow puppet style that was beautiful, and once again the 2d style from the first film is used in flashbacks.

Overall I didn't enjoy it as much as the first but it had it's moments. But my viewing was tarnished by horrid children so perhaps I'll have to have another look where I can actually get into the quieter character moments I enjoyed so much in the first one that these kids were obviously very bored in because no one was making any funny noises or fart jokes. God I hate kids.

Boy Eats Girl

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Ooo an Irish high school zombie film. It stacks up alright against the others I've watched. There's only one big scene of gore and again the humour and/or horror isn't quite there but it's enjoyable enough. Pretty much straight down the middle, alright but not great.

Warlock

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Haha that was pretty fun. Watch that trailer and you'll get a good idea what to expect. The best thing is, despite how ridiculous some of it is Julian Sands and Richard E. Grant seem so invested in their performance. What professionals. It also just makes it funnier.

A lot of it is hoaky. But there are some funny fish out of water bits, some neat oldschool animated fx and quite a lot of funky flying warlock wire work.

Ultimately I find this to be a little to cheesy but the final fight in the cemetery was good so it's not all bad.

Kung Fu Panda

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Sequel opens tomorrow so I though I'd brush up and finally get around to watching the picture commentary on the bluray.

This is one of the better Dreamworks animation pictures, in my opinion second only to How To Train Your Dragon. I love that they have some serious character moments mixed in with the comedy. I love the 2d animated sequences. I love the creative action and sound. I love that his dad is a duck.

The commentary had some interesting info but for someone who loves the animators process to watch a feature called "animators corner" and find that most of the video is Jack Black in a recording booth is disappointing. There were a few places where they showed the animators doing there thing and coming up with some of the great acting in the film.

I'm a bit tentative about the sequel. I hope it keeps the fun with the (pardon the pun) weightier character moments.

Gandahar aka Light Years

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Never heard of this one before, but what a cool movie. Avatar eat your heart out.

I'm a big Fantastic Plant fan but hadn't seen any other features René Laloux made. Then I saw Isaac Asimov wrote the english adaptation, the one I watched. That makes you sit up and take notice.

Like Fantastic Planet, this one features some very trippy imagery and great animation. The most bizarre and incredible design of creatures and plants and the whole world they created awesome.

Add to that a story or a young man on a quest, mutants, robot army and Christopher Plummer as a giant brain and you have a film that speaks wonders to me. The film also has time travel. I'm so picky about time travel and here it is one giant paradox that makes no sense at all, even to the mutants who do no acknowledge the present, only the co-existanse of past and future. Or something.

I've never heard an action synth 80's score from Gabriel Yared. What a treat. The Weinstein's were in charge of the American version and they got a great cast for the voices (and cut out the one love scene).

Anyway I really like this one, it's right up my ally. I must try and find the other Laloux feature.

The Social Network

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself

Thoughts here and here. Finally got around to listening to Fincher's commentary. Some more cool tidbits there. He talks a lot about the music.

Now is it just me or is Banshee from the latest X-Men in the scene where Sean Parker gets busted at the party? He's not listed anywhere in the credits or on IMDB but I'm sure it was him, he even had a line.

Also can I just say, I really like the bluray menu.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

So much talk of rock musicals of late, I had always intended to watch this but have only now gotten around to it. It plays more like rock cabaret than musical. The story is told through the songs which are in turn, performed at various small gigs.

It's a funny little story and Hedwig's character is fascinating, played with gusto by John Cameron Mitchell, who also adapted and directed the film from the off-broadway show he helped create. I can't imagine anything much further from Rabbit Hole but that's his latest feature and they are worlds apart in style and content.

I liked the little animated segments, they were nicely done and clarify themes in the story. They also help a great deal in interpreting the ending which slowly becomes this metaphysical dream.

I've never been that big into rock and roll music but the songs weren't horrible, always a plus. I'm a fan of Michael Pitt too, nice to see him show up. Overall an enjoyable film with some very funny bits, great characters and a thought provoking ending.

Akira

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First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

I'm a huge Akira fan, like so many others it was my gateway film to the world of Anime. I have just finished reading the 6 volume set of the original Manga and was surprised at how different it was.

Rewatching this now I can understand the role some of the minor character in the film had in the overall story. Their inclusion in the film is a little odd though, it makes the film more confusing than it needs to be. The film also contracts and rewrites a lot of things from the Manga. They actually compliment each other quite nicely.

Watching this on bluray is a treat. I know the 2 English dubs well so for the first time I decided to listen to the Japanese audio with English subtitles. I don't know why I haven't done this sooner. It's incredible! They've spruced it up and I think re-recorded some of the sound effects and music for the bluray version. There are definite differences in the music at least. I cannot stress enough just how amazing it sounds. Apparently it's all recorded at 192Hz, instead of the usual 48. I only have a vague idea of what that means but yeah, it sounds great. I've always loved the music, it's so strange, quite 80's in parts and such an odd choice for the pictures it goes with. I've always loved the music, it's so strange, quite 80's in parts and such an odd choice for the pictures it goes with.

The coolest thing about the Japanese track is the lip-synch. This is the only Japanese animation I know of that used the western process of recording the dialogue first and then animating to match rather than the usual Japanese way. It's not Disney or anything but it's definitely far more detailed than most Anime. Not just in the lip-synching but in all the animation and backgrounds. Otomo's work is always gloriously detailed. Just look at Steamboy, my god. Unfortunately I've been spoiled by these latest disney bluray releases where they've cleaned up all the pictures digitally. That's not the case here, there's still a lot of the film grain and a few specks. Still looks better than ever though.

All this talk of Warner Bros. developing a new live-action version for the American market it slightly worrying. Now that I've read the manga I kind of do want to see some of the second half of the story realised on film, but there's so much they could so easily screw up with this one. However seeing how much Otomo changed his own story for his film version I guess we'll have to keep an open mind, wait and see.

If you've never experienced this film, you should at least give it a watch. It's an iconic classic that defined an entire genre for a generation. It's an incredible achievement in animation.

Super 8

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself

Was hoping to seeing this again sooner but plans kept falling through so I finally just decided to go myself.

Original thoughts here. I'll just add, it's still a charming film and there's a few little clarifying parts of the monsters goings on I picked up this time. Also, his name is Cooper! and Bruce Greenwood plays him!

The one thing I don't much like about this is Michael Giacchino's score. It never clicks for me. I usually really love his stuff too.

Still it's a good time at the cinema.

Away We Go

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Belinda

Another brilliant film by Sam Mendes.

If that's not enough of a must see recommendation for you then I don't know what I can do for you. But I will try.

For some reason this film got almost no publicity, despite Mendes coming off a big oscar push for Reservation Road. Unlike his other films he made this fast and loose with a smaller crew as a break from the big heavy duty oscar films he usually does. And there is something very refreshing about it but more importantly, it's absolutely charming. That might sound slight, but I really mean it in the best possible way. It's just positively heartwarming. I don't believe anyone could not like this film in some way, shape or form.

First I wanna talk about the great script by husband and wife Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida. Eggers wrote on Where the Wild Things Are, a divisive film but one I completely fell in love with. The characters in this film are just delightful, it's so refreshing to see a couple that don't have to go through the usual hollywood fights and dramatic arcs of their relationship. Don't get me wrong, there are definite character arcs here but it's never to do with the relationship between them, they are the foundation.

The film is a road trip, a structure that can tend to become very episodic, but they have such a great foundation with these characters and such a well crafted emotional structure that is mirrored by the people the meet along the way. And what a cast of wonderful character (and actors) it is.

There's such warm humor in this film. It's not a loud outrageous comedy (except maybe in one bit) but it certainly always gets big laughs from me. It can be heart breaking and very touching too but never in an overstated manor. Everything its kept real and relatable.

Unfortunately this one seemed to fall through the cracks, even with a cast of some of the most talented actors and a director like Sam Mendes. Sure it's a smaller film from him but has a biggest heart of all them and that was more then enough for me. Seek it out.

Children of Men

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Belinda

This is one of the best films ever. It could well be my favourite film. Big call, but there's isn't a thing about it that I don't like and it has pretty much all my favourite things in it as well. Alfonso Cuarón is a genius.

This post is just going to be one big gush so if that's all you need to know you can go and watch it now.

I haven't read the book and I understand it's pretty different to the film. I love the way the films works though, The story, the mission, the characters. Someone complained to me that they didn't like the film because it had no plot. it had NO PLOT. WHAT? It has a great plot. If you don't know it I don't want to give too much away, I think the trailer gives away too much as well. I took people to see it that didn't know *SPOILER* there would be a pregnant girl in it *END SPOILER* and watching their reactions as the film unfolded was priceless.

The amount of exposition they get out of just the production design and the whole world the film takes place in is staggering. So much information to be picked up in every corner of the frame. You can see the last 30 years of history just by looking at the newspapers and video screens and billboards, which saves just a very select few lines from the characters at the beginning to get across everything you need to know about the world situation, the warring factions against the government and the state humanity is in. It's a pretty grim and depressing world they've created, something I love. The apocalypse is just around the corner. And yet despite the situation going from bad to worse, for the film to leave you with such a feeling of hope and gratitude is astonishing and delightful.

It's a sci-fi film, but in such a real and understated way. They make the place feel so believable. And as always in the best sci-fi films, it's really just a great allegory. It's the story and characters that are the most important things.

Clive Owen is a great leading man playing a Theo, who's given up and is going through the motions who has to turn it all around and fight for the greater good. I find it so easy to invest in him and his situation. Michael Caine as his one friend Jasper is the other stand out for me. It's my favourite role from him. He's delightful as this pot growing hippie, and manages to hide the bulk of the exposition with some jokes and anecdotal stories. Julianne Moore is on screen just long enough to convey this tragic relationship with Theo and to set the main events in motion. And then along the way they are joined by some great characters. It's amazing how fleshed out all the main peripheral characters are, they aren't just good guys or bad guys.

On the technical side of things this film is also a wonder. Unlike other directors, when the situations get really intense instead of adding more edits and pumping up music, you find the exact opposite. The music in this film is used almost purely for pathos. And the 3 biggest moment of the film are done in ridiculously complicated single long takes where there seems to be no escape from the relentless unfolding of events. Some people notice it and some people don't. I think it subconsciously invests you more in the events, it's easier to accept if you can't perceive any way it could be faked. As a side effect of that I find them to be some of the most intense suspenseful action moments in a primarily dramatic film.

Alfonso Cuarón must have made some FX friend on his Harry Potter instalment (still probably my favourite) because what he manages to get them to pull off here for his budget is a small miracle (figuratively and literally). I love his documentary style camerawork that sells the world so well. It would have been a bitch to track all those shots to add in the computer screens and signage but it's beautiful stuff. And of course the create an entire digital character that's the crux of the whole film. It's pretty astonishing stuff. Always the FX are used for the best possible reasons, to help the story, to sell the world and to add to the realism instead of the fantastic.

I am in awe of this film. It never fails to get me incredibly emotionally involved. The first time I was it I was by myself at the cinema, bursting with wild emotions that needed venting to someone, anyone. I believe I went to a friends birthday party straight after and spent the entire night recruiting people to some see it with me the next morning just so I could discuss it with someone. Or just to see if they would react anywhere near as much as I did. How a single film can make me laugh then horrify me, keep me on the edge of my seat, completely gut me but leave me with with such hope is beyond my comprehension.

This movie is pure cinema. It is everything I love about films. I love this film.

Zombie High

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Another obscure title that was almost impossible to find a trailer for.

This film is basically Disturbing Behaviour just without the fun, pace and good characters. It is mind numbingly slow it almost turns you into a zombie too. In fact they weren't really zombies in the undead sense. Just in the brainwashed mindless but good behaviour way.

The closest thing to zombies come 5 minutes before the end when some old dudes are denied their serum, made from the brains of students, that keeps them young and they waste away. From what I gather it's the process of making this serum and replacing part of the students brain with a crystal that makes them into the mindless good student. And only some good ol' 80's rock and roll can destroy them.

I did like the school dance scene. They are all dancing the exact same boring steps while this black dude is singing totally funky music wondering what the hell is wrong with them.

It picked up a little towards the end but it was all to little to late for me.

I noticed Jay Roach's name in the credits as the camera operator. Must have been where he got his start. Another useless fact, this is the first film I've downloaded and watched from the playstation network. But only because it was virtually IMPOSSIBLE to find through all other methods. (Unless you want to watch it all on youtube. By all means go ahead.)

So I guess Disturbing Behaviour borrowed a lot from this film. But it did it so much better, and with a much more attractive cast. I'd be watching that instead.

Dance of the Dead

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Tyler, Amberly

This one feels like a more shlocky lower budget affair but it has some action and plenty of gore. I like that they actually cast kids that look like they are in high school. I don't like that their acting is very high school level though.

That's probably the biggest problem with the film. In fact I only recognise one of them from anything else, the guy that played Havok in X-Men: First Class. There was also an older guy I knew from The Signal playing a rather outlandish hillbilly character, but he get's offed pretty soon.

I like the idea that the deadbeats rock band music soothes the savage beasts. I also like some of the creative gore moments. But that's about all this film has going for it.

Night of the Living Dorks

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Tyler, Amberly

I saw this a few years back and remembered it for the high school zombie movie marathon. It's got some very funny bits in it and some nice gore as well. This is more of an american pie film but with zombies. In fact it's pretty much german pie if the leads were zombies.

There's one or two things I don't think they'd get away with in an american comedy. Namely their teach showing up at the party and drinking and receiving oral sex in a spa from one of the students. Oh and the gym teacher turing out to be gay and going after one of the students.

It's pretty fun and I like that they use the old-school voodoo zombie origin crossed with some H.P. Lovecraft Necronomicon action. It all holds together pretty well. Enjoyable and entertaining.

My Boyfriend's Back

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Tyler, Amberly

That clip is the best I can do. But if you can find a copy of this movie, watch it. It's delightful. Not just because Matthew Fox, Matthew McConaughey and a very bizarre Philip Seymour Hoffman are all in it as high school kids. It's funny and sweet and has some great moments. Although I wish they were allowed to go more extreme on the gore, but it has it's dark moments mixed in.

The best thing about it is how everyone just accepts that this kid turned into a zombie, like it happens on occasion. That and his parents who are as chirpy as ever finding bodies for their son to eat. They are hilarious.

There are a few uneven spots but on the whole I really liked this one. I just find Andrew Lowery adorable. How can you not love him, even as a zombie?

I'd never heard of this film before doing some zombie research. What a great find.

The Amityville Horror

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

Why was it so hard to get an emmbeddable trailer for this? Every single version on youtube it disabled.

Anyway I always liked this one and wanted to have another watch. Out of all the classic horror films I watched when I was really getting into it, this one was probably the only one that actually really scared me. There's just something about it that really works for me. That house is just evil.

I love love love Lalo Schifrin's score. It's an iconic theme, creepily innocent and happy and the way it's woven through with this completely atonal dark brooding bass line speaks wonders of the film you're about to see. On the surface it looks normal but underneath (figuratively and literally in this case) something evil lurks.

There's some neat haunting stuff going on with the house. Also a Shinning like possession of some of the people in it, a slow decent into madness. That AND villainous figure with an iconic silhouette for the climax. And some flies.

Margot Kidder and James Brolin are great. Damn his son looks just like him now. It's a tough thing to sell, going crazy and killing your family. He's not nearly as cartoonish as Jack Nicholson, I think he;s much scarier. Maybe it's the beard. I don't remember how Ryan Reynolds fared in the remake, I haven't seen it since it's release, I do remember that he had buffed up for Blade:Trinity right before this role though, that was much appreciated.

One of the best haunted house movies I think.