Friday Night Round-Up

A week gone by and here's what I watched:

Half Nelson- A-, the film addresses a deep topic with discipline and subtlety. It's not preachy yet even so, one hour into the film, you wouldn't mind if it was. Ryan Gosling has his character down pat and I loved it.

Seven Men From Now- B, Budd Boetticher is a director I had not watched before but I had read about the Boetticher-Scott duo. I was not thrilled by Randolph Scott. but I did like the Lee Marvin performance. Even so, the story's pretty cool.

Secret Agent- B-, so it's okay but it's not because I've watched great Hitchcock. This is B-Movie Hitchcock. B-Movie Hitchcock is okay when you get a quirkily awesome Peter Lorre. Other than that...

Stagecoach- A, classic western with a great John Wayne performance. I loved the scene with the indians chasing the stagecoach because they are shot magnificently. The sprawling visuals, which are a staple of John Ford films, are very nice too. But this movie here is the beginnings of the ensemble adventure film where characters clash on a journey.

High Sierra- B, good Raoul Walsh flick with one exception. Bogart isn't at his best I don't think. And because you want that spark seen in Casablanca I just had a tough time staying interested.

Attack!- B+, So this is the film the military would not support. Robert Aldrich had to go it alone. It's a fine movie about a situation that could happen and probably did happen to the U.S. Army during WWII. Since it doesn't glamorize the WWII, I'm all for this. Plus, Lee Marvin and Jack Palance turn in excellent performances.

Shock Corridor- B, the premise and set up for this film are great. But at some point Samuel Fuller takes his idea and makes the characters overwhelming for the viewer. And that's about when the main character loses it. And you can't blame him cause after seeing One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, these people aren't mental. They are puttin' on crazy shows that need to stop!

Out of the Past- A-, if not the best, quite close to the best film noir. I'm not saying this is my favorite but I watched this unfold and the execution of the story by the actors along with the aesthetics shown in the movie were very good.

Fort Apache- A, a lot of people will say this is the best John Ford-John Wayne movie. I can't say yet cause I haven't seen them all but I really liked this movie. For not a lot happening and with only a few scenes of action, this was great. And it's from the 1930s.

Two or Three Things I Know About Her- A, this is a film packed with social commentary that is brilliantly shot involving metaphors and fractured scenes that mix together to create one amazing testament on society in the 1960s. The Vietnam undertones plus the one scene where all is focused on the coffee cup made this film a new favorite for me.

Repulsion- B-, Roman Polanski has the camera just sit for a long period of time and you watch Catherine Deneuve sit there in terror or looking hot and bothered. Either way it does what it's supposed to and grates on your nerves. The walls start to crack and she starts to flip out at men and sex. I got it and admired the development of it but it wasn't really something I liked.

Kentucky Fried Movie- B, overall this is a great compilation of classic spoof comedy. I really like spoof comedy. Yet, I like Airplane! a lot more for its grandiose story that plays out with great spoof comedy. If there weren't breaks in the entertainment, I would have loved this film. Instead, it's just good spoof comedy.

Breathless- A, Godard's first film actually featured a solid narrative instead of just cohesive elements making a film. This is damn good. The way social commentary is inserted in the basic story of a "gangster"---well, he's more like a drifter---is nice. The dialogue is fantastic along with the cinematography. Hell, the soundtrack is great too.

That was last week. Back with more next week.

Friday Night DOUBLE Round-Up

I didn't get around to a round-up last week. That means I have twice the amount of movies to go through.

Seven-Ups- B, this is a very good film from the 70s that features one of the best car chases in film history---up there with the French Connection chase scene

Circle of Iron- B+. love this for a couple reasons, Bruce Lee and David Carradine playing the flute. Then watch it and see what an intriguing movie this film is especially since it also features Christopher Lee.

Targets- A, Peter Bogdanovich's debut film featuring the great Boris Karloff is amazing. Given stock footage of a movie called the Terror which featured Jack Nicholson and a small sum of money from Roger Corman for making his first film, Bogdanovich managed to create a truly original and simple film that is stirring 40 years from when it was made.

Taking of Pelham 1 2 3- B+. this is an action flick from the 70s where Robert Shaw and a couple others hijack a train (Pelham 123). Walter Matthau negotiates with Shaw and allows for some great lines of dialogue to be delivered throughout. This is truly part of the beginnings of the hijack film movement where we had Speed, Con Air, Air Force One, etc. I'm not saying this is the first one but a model of it.

Bone-C-, this is the second Larry Cohen movie I saw. This is the one where I caught on to the auteur that is Larry Cohen. He starts out with a great premise and then he beats the living shit out of it until you wish he would stop because he either A) has made it last too long or B) taken it in a direction you hate with a passion.

Black Caesar- B-, this soul cinema flick that takes a crime boss, makes him black, and bases the story on the rise and fall of Julius Caesar is entertaining. But it's Cohen. And somewhere along the line he...refer to previous comment on Bone.

It Happened One Night- A, classic romantic comedy that set the standard for all romantic comedies in the era. Frank Capra is a genius. I don't think I need to say anymore. His record speaks for itself.

The Graduate-A, I loved this movie. It definitely is a film that exemplifies a period of history. And I think for Dustin Hoffman, it was the right role at the right time.

Point Blank-A, Lee Marvin became one of my favorite actors after I watched this performance. Not only is this a great story about the psychology of a man but the performance is a fine one.

The Chase- B, I think if Arthur Penn had cut the runtime of this down 20-30 minutes he would have had something that rivaled Bonnie and Clyde especially since this features Brando, Redford, and Jane Fonda.

Shaft- A-, I got to listen to Richard Roundtree speak after viewing this film. The film itself is culturally rich film about being a detective in Harlem. Breaks the mold beautifully.

Magnificent Seven- A, it doesn't even matter that the basis of this film was stolen from Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. This is one of the greatest westerns I've ever seen. The cast is a stellar ensemble too with Brynner, Coburn, Bronson, and McQueen.

Great Escape-B, it might be a classic but psychologically, I didn't care about this movie after this ensemble (with many who starred in Magnificent Seven) escaped.

Cleopatra Jones- B-, it's a fun soul cinema film. The characters and storyline are far-fetched. But I don't think the intention of this film was to be taken seriously.

Venus- B+. Peter O'Toole makes this film worth watching. There's really not a story since everything happens based on a character and his feelings for a girl who reminds him of a painting.

Last King of Scotland- A, this film is gripping and startling and one of the best historical films on Africa I have ever seen. Forest Whitaker makes Idi Amin look like the scariest dictator in history and I hope he wins his Oscar for his performance,

Letters From Iwo Jima- A, I give it an A but I probably won't watch this again. The direction is there. Clint Eastwood's direction is remarkable (which is why he's nominated). The color palette is artistically appealing. This the picture he wanted to make on Iwo Jima but I think the studio told him if he wanted to make this he would have to do Flags of Our Fathers. But I was slightly bored with the way this was presented.

Violent City- C+, Charles Bronson has a great presence in action films. The story for this was flimsy plus after the opening sequence, I wasn't convinced that he should have lived.

Major Dundee- A, Sam Peckinpah directs a very well-executed Civil War story here. And it has nothing to do with Union vs. South but everything to do with crazy Charlton Heston chasing down some Indians with one-armed James Coburn. Yes!

Bad Day at Black Rock- B, like a long Twilight Zone episode. The best thing is Ernest Borgnine even though Lee Marvin is pretty good too. Spencer Tracy is the main character and his performance is classic.

Hard Times- B+. Walter Hill's debut film about fighters during the Depression features Coburn and Bronson. Bronson kicks ass. And this is an interesting raw take on the Depression.

Forty Guns- A-, great western from the 50s. Samuel Fuller has a raw in your face way of capturing action and I like it.

Dillinger- C, I bought this movie to see Warren Oates play John Dillinger. This looked like a great gangster movie. It's presented in a fashion that answers the question of why we do not talk about John Milius being a great director today. If I like this movie, it's because some of the gunfighting sequences are played out nicely.

The Big Heat- A, Fritz Lang's take on corruption in the 1950s is one of the most engaging films I've ever seen. It looks like you're average film noir. But with Lee Marvin, it's one helluva a detective film.

Barbarella- C-, utterly ridiculous. The sets are cheesy but fun. The dialogue is pretty lunatic. Jane Fonda is hot. And I think they should have just gone all out and released this as a hardcore porn film. But I think Jane probably objected to that.

Fistful of Dollars- A, Eastwood and Leone kick ass. Just like...

Death Wish- A, Bronson kicks ass.

For those last two films, it's the presences that kill.

Dark City-A, I read a thing where Roger Ebert was raving about this being the best of 1998. I want to check out what was released but I might wind up agreeing. This sci-fi film's premise is almost as good as Blade Runner.

Dead Man- D, dull black-and-white ludicrous take on the western that is way too long. Only Johnny Depp would agree to believe in this kind of film. The characters are kooky as all get out. The only thing I like about this movie is Billy Bob Thornton's Big George character. That scene is hilarious. But Jim Jarmusch's addiction to fade to blacks is invigorating.

That's all. Next.

Friday Night Round-Up

This week I watched...

Zardoz- B-, the high concept of this film starring Sean Connery is what kept me watching. The film had to do with an idea that in the future humans would live forever and as punishment for "crimes" they would be aged. There was something to do with brutes that were commanded by Zardoz. The story becomes very weak after about 30 minutes but ultimately, the concept and Sean Connery's persona keeps you interested.

Catch A Fire- C, I found this to be a rather weak film detailing a civil rights struggle in South Africa. The direction and execution of this story as well as the actors involved seemed bungled. It wasn't compelling to see Derek Luke's character fight back. It was frustrating to see everything play out especially with Tim Robbins's character.

M*A*S*H- A-, classic characterization of the medical camps in Korea. I love the intercom announcements as well as the episodic nature of this film. It's the way the movie was structured that I think ultimately led to the TV series.

Caged Heat- B+, this is a classic. I loved this movie despite how silly a story about women in prison may be. I cannot complain about this tight and entertaining film with some great characterizations of women.

Boxcar Bertha- B+, this was Scorsese's first major feature. He owes it to Roger Corman. I liked this movie but at some points, I found it to be lacking.

Thriller: A Cruel Picture- A, I own this one and that is the only reason I can say I have seen it. This film was banned in Sweden for its hardcore depictions of sexuality, drug usage, and violence. This story is so gritty and intense that it winds up and builds so viciously until it explodes in your face in the last 20 or 30 minutes. This is a truly awesome revenge picture.

Cross of Iron- B, I would not say this is in my favorites of films by Sam Peckinpah but after I figured out what was going on, I admired the originality of it. For one, the story follows Germans in WWII as if they were heroes. They aren't fighting Europe but Russia. And they, unlike American soldiers in the 70s, fought to earn medals. In the movie, a character is going after the cross of iron. All around, a good flick.

Once Upon a Time in the West- A+, Sergio Leone's direction is so evident here that I would say he is a master. The world created in this film with the Man With the Harmonica and Cheyenne and Henry Fonda's character is great. And so is the character of Jill McBain. But the best part about this movie is every time you see a character centered in the frame there is a radiance to them that few films create. They have a tremendous presence. And this is an excellent western.

God Told Me To- D-, I wish God had told me not to. The premise of this film that God is telling people to kill strangers and that God has been born on Earth by a virgin like that of Mary from strange people like aliens sounds interesting right? Well, everything about this movie is bad from the first scene when you hear the first one say "God Told Me To". And then the remainder is this super creepy take on the power of religion that is not entertaining or thought provoking but irritating and boring.

Grand Slam- A, I loved this! It's a heist film from 1967 that featured four huge stars from four different countries. It also had Janet Leigh from Psycho. The whole plan to crack the safe and get 10 million in diamonds is very entertaining. And the twist with the Grand Slam alarm system sets the movie up for a masterful ending. Pay attention to the end. You might want to watch it again after seeing the final minute.

Friday Night Round-Up

Another week gone by, another bunch of movies to talk about.

Rio Bravo- A, this film features John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Ward Bond along with Angie Dickinson. This is one of the best ensembles in movie history. The film is thoroughly entertaining.

Alexander Nevsky- B, for this one I have to pretend I was a viewer in the 1920s or 1930s when film was coming into its own. The epic qualities of this picture are very amazing for its time. And the fight sequences (while they do not stack up to anything done twenty years from now) are big and entertaining.

Three Musketeers or Four Musketeers - B, I will do Richard Lester the honor of considering this film as one as he intended instead of two separate movies. The Three Musketeers (first half) is comical and the swashbuckling sequences are something to brag about. But the second half, Four Musketeers, was boring. Perhaps because it's cut like a sequel, I found myself asking, "What is the point of a second saga?"

Don't Look Now- A, Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie give stellar performances in this. But the direction is very noticeable. The sound and editing create a tension throughout the film that make this as thrilling as it is.

Switchblade Sisters- B+, I liked this movie. It has a nice, simple story to it. The pacing may be the only place this lacks. Sometimes the dialogue dwells in an area too long and you want it to keep going. Great fun.

Candy Snatchers- A-, awesome film. The story to this one is simple and hard-hitting. The characters are developed even if they don't pack the punch of better developed characters. And Tiffany Bolling is hot. Nuff said.

Straw Dogs- A, this Sam Peckinpah film is just as good if not better than his masterpiece The Wild Bunch. Dustin Hoffman gives a great performance. The "hooligans" that are violating their home are zany and horrifying. Their is no end to the evil antics they are capable of seemingly which is what drives this film.

Asphalt Jungle- B, as far as film noir goes, this is a good movie. I found it to be dry. It just didn't stick with me despite the few high points that grabbed my attention.

Ed Wood- A, very funny portrait of a director who loved film and never succeeded in communicating his love through "good" movies. I had never realized he wanted to be Orson Welles. Or achieve is level of success. With all the characters, including a wonderful Martin Landau portrayal of Bela Lugosi, this offbeat movie is unforgettable.

The Game- B-, at some point, I wrote this movie off as crazy. I get the idea that Michael Douglas's character is playng a game. And everything is going wrong. But it was unfathomable to me that all these people were in on it. And the screenplay didn't even make it plausible that he would become involved in this game in the first place. Still, this remains entertaining for much of the film.

The Illusionist- A-, the colors in this film were what struck me. It's beautiful to look at. This period piece doesn't just have all the costumes, but it creates an aura of mysticism around Eisenheim the Illusionist. The tricks or illusions pulled are spectacular. It's the structure of this film that makes it work so well. The film shows an illusion, then a dramatic scene, another illusion, a dramatic scene, another illusion...And the viewer is never bored with a period they have little to no knowledge of.

Last House on the Left- B+, as far as Wes Craven films go, I have not seen his signature classics. But this film is a very good and simple story that builds its terror from the fact that ths murderous gang does not care how violent or violating they are to people. And the final sequence is a great show of force from the parents. This slacks off in the middle but the beginning is terrifying and the end is well orchestrated.

Friday Night Round-Up

It's that time again. What all did I watch this week?

Ninth Gate - A- , a thoroughly enjoyable movie from Johnny Depp that was way better than Secret Window

Clay Pigeons - C- , Vince Vaughn plays a creepy guy from Montana in a city that is very offbeat. You think this might play in the same way a Coen brothers movie like Fargo does. But it gets lost somewhere along the way.

His Girl Friday - B+, classic romantic comedy with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell

Pan's Labyrinth - A, it may have some slow spots but there isn't anything I walked out hating about this Spanish Civil War pic that is spiced up by some dark fairy tale magic. This movie is a gem that is full of originality and brilliance. See it just for the dinner table scene.

Belle de Jour - A, this could be the most pornographic film you ever watch where nobody ever takes off their clothes. The movie is an enthralling piece of French cinema.

M- A, I love this Fritz Lang classic for it's story line and how applicable it is to today. Like the flap says, except for it being in black and white, this could have been told and released today and still had the same effect.

Conformist - B, a thriler on Italian fascism. The thing about Italian fascism flicks is that they are sophisticated more so than, oh, 24. And I think I expected something else going into this film due to what I had read about it.

True Romance - A, how does this stack up against Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs? This film written by Quentin Tarantino features a star-studded cast and a director named Tony Scott and seriously kicks ass.

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning- B+, good piece of work thanks to British actor Albert Finney

Inland Empire- A, as moviegoers we often hate films we cannot understand. I love this David Lynch film, like most people, for how it plays with your mind.

La Sorta- B+, a cult-y Italian fascism thriller about bodyguards who guard a judge. With some pulp scenes, it's pretty cool. But it doesn't quite spark like you want it ever.

Coffy- A, love this! This soul cinema classic with Pam Grier is a slice of unforgettable entertainment.

That's this week. I recently got in to checking out some grindhouse and cult films and also have been checking out some of Quentin Tarantino's favorite films courtesy of this posted list.

Friday Night Round-Up

Films watched this week were:

Crank- B+
Payback- B+
Laura- B-
Insomnia- B
Narc- A
Simple Plan- C
Return to Paradise- A-
Vanilla Sky- A

Those are the films that I watched this week. I finished the second season of Boston Legal and have to say it was way better than the first season. I wish I would have been caught up in time to catch the beginning of the the third last year but when the third season comes out, I will be ready.

Oh, and here's a thing that blew my mind away...again after it was blown by Vanilla Sky.

Idiocracy: I'm Not Sure

I watched Idiocracy, which was directed by Mike Judge. It starred Luke Wilson, Dax Shepard, and Maya Rudolph. Justin Long appears in it. You say you didn't hear about it? Well, I did. And there is only one reason I heard of it. Being in Chicago, it was released for a few weeks in the fall. Chicago was one of a few places that saw it. It was not even released in New York City. What is up with that?

As a movie, the film is an average film with a very good concept. The idea is that people 500 years from now are stupid because they have become sexxed up, reality show-lovin' capitalistic-driven idiots. The movie is entertaining yet after reading about how Mike Judge and FOX got along during production and when it came time to release it, I can't help but notice how the cut of this film is poor. The film is only 80 minutes long which is not standard for most of today's flicks. We all know that when we go to see a movie nowadays it averages about 100-120 minutes in length. So where is the 20+ minutes that is missing? I would venture to say if you pay attention you can see how some of this seems choppy where there are undeveloped sections of the movie that were doctored. The film was cut. And Mike Judge did not have final cut.

I did some research on this because the fact that FOX would play games with something that could be successful (IT'S MIKE JUDGE WHO DID KING OF THE HILL AND BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD!) is strange. So, here are a some places to read about what happened with the film: Dude Where's My Film? / Mike Judge Should Go Indie / Stupid Fox

The more I think about this film the more I like it because of what Fox did to it. And the more I want to praise it so people will see it. I want people to buy it just so Fox can look extremely stupid for playing games with Judge's movie. But really what I want is to see this uncut like all true lovers of cinema. We want what the director wanted. Fuck the corporation that released it! And see...this is the perfect movie to go with that sentiment.

WHAT ELSE DID I WATCH THIS WEEK?

Looking For Comedy in the Muslim World - C
Lewis Black: Red, White, & Screwed - A-
Lost City - B
Detour- B-
39 Steps - A
Charlotte's Web- B+
Good Shepherd - A-

Outside the realm of film but in the realm of entertainment, I am loving Battlestar Galactica Season One, Extras Season One, and Season Two of Boston Legal right now. I am going back and forth between those. I'd recommend all three shows to anyone as I feel they are all grade A television shows.