MANIAC (1980)

Watched: 2/8/2011

Grindhouse Releasing recently struck a print of MANIAC in its complete, uncut form. Lustig is on tour with the print and he made a stop in Austin. I’ve always loved this film, Joe Spinell is stunning in it. If you haven’t seen it, it’s the story of a serial-killer with mommy issues told completely from the perspective of the serial killer. Even though he brutally slaughters women and takes their scalps home, there are times when you feel a bit of sympathy for him. Great character study that is also classic horror/exploitation. If you ever get a chance to see a Lustic Q&A DO NOT HESITATE. He’s an incredible storyteller!

Buy MANIAC on DVD here! Or on Blu-ray here!

• 2011 New: 44
• 2011 Re-see: 21
• 2010 TOTAL: 65

Film Score Focus: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)

Watched: 2/7/2011

This was part of the Drafthouse’s new Film Score Focus series. It was actually a fascinating night with a very thorough discussion of John William’s score than a GORGEOUS presentation of the Collector’s Edition (my preferred version) of CE3K. If you’ve never seen this movie, I question your love of film. This is from a time when Spielberg was great and wasn’t some brand name on super-glossy tripe. By far one of my favorite films of all time.

Buy CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND on DVD here! Or on Blu-ray here!

• 2011 New: 44
• 2011 Re-see: 20
• 2010 TOTAL: 64

ANOTHER YEAR (2010)

Watched: 2/6/2011

This is my first Mike Leigh film and I definitely want to see more. ANOTHER YEAR is the about the year in the life of a very happy couple (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen) who have some very unhappy friends. The film simply chronicles their encounters with these people and how little (and how much) changes over a year. The standout here is Sheen’s co-worker/friend/mess of a woman played by Leslie Manville. Absolutely stunning work. This film has a soul-crushing final shot.

• 2011 New: 44
• 2011 Re-see: 19
• 2010 TOTAL: 63

HARDWARE (1990)

Watched: 2/3/2011

I’m never opposed to any reason that leads me to re-watch this film. Severin Films has a guest series going on on their blog and my piece deals with this movie. I’ll link to it once it is up!

Richard Stanley’s cyberpunk horror sci-fi film is wonderfully low-budget. Dylan McDermott brings home the skull of a M.A.R.K.-13 cyborg to his metal-sculpting artist girlfriend. Turns out this cyborg can recharge and regenerate itself. It does so and stalks Jill around her apartment. Wonderful colors, great design on the M.A.R.K.-13, some incredible gore scenes and a bitchin’ Simon Boswell score make for a great piece of cinema. I just love drowning myself in the atmosphere of this film, the killer cyborg is a bonus. There are so many symbols and hidden meanings too and, even if they don’t really add up, they are fun to point out. Love it!

Buy HARDWARE on DVD here! Or on Blu-ray here!

• 2011 New: 43
• 2011 Re-see: 18
• 2010 TOTAL: 61

Terror Tuesday: CRITTERS 2: THE MAIN COURSE (1988)

Watched: 2/1/2011

Wisely keeping things firmly tongue-in-cheek, CRITTERS 2 is every bit as fun as it predecessor without the need for any setup. It pretty much just goes for it as Brad (Scott Grimes) rolls back into town and finds out not all the critters died. Taking over for M. Emmet Walsh in the role of Harv is Barry Corbin who brings a hilarious gruffness and down-to-Earth sensibility when things get batshit insane. There are moments in this movie that feel like they were created by Joe Dante, especially the scene in the Hungry Heifer. There’s also a fair bit of nudity as bounty hunter Ug decides to turn into a Playboy centerfold for a while. Oh and lets not forget the giant critter ball!!! Remember when PG-13 horror was almost always awesome? As far as I can remember you can stop watching the series after this one. I’ll probably go back and watch 3 and 4 this year, though, just to complete the cycle.

Buy CRITTERS on DVD here!

• 2011 New: 42
• 2011 Re-see: 17
• 2010 TOTAL: 59

SANTA SANGRE (1989)

Watched: 1/19/2011

Thanks to Severin Films and their release of this film on DVD and Blu-ray, we were treated to a 35mm print of this movie. This is Jodorowsky’s masterpiece. If you haven’t seen it you owe it to yourself to watch this incredible piece of cinema. You’ve never seen anything like it. I should have a full review of the Blu-ray coming soon, so come back… or just buy it now and watch it for yourself.

Buy SANTA SANGRE on DVD here! Or on Blu-ray here!

• 2011 New: 22
• 2011 Re-see: 16
• 2010 TOTAL: 38

Terror Tuesday: BLOOD RAGE (1987)

Watched: 1/18/2011

BLOOD RAGE aka NIGHTMARE AT SHADOW WOODS was a hit at Horror Movie Night last year and I was very glad we had an opportunity to see it in 35mm at Terror Tuesday. It was slightly cut but still quite fun! Here are my notes from last time!

10 years ago Todd, I mean Terry killed a man having sex with his girlfriend at a drive-in movie theater. It seems his rage was spurred by his mother making out with a man. To cover up for his act, he places the axe (!) in the hands of his brother Terry, I mean Todd. Now, in present day (1987), Terry is a free man and Todd is institutionalized. However, when Todd escapes, Terry takes it as an opportunity to go on a good ol’ fashioned killing spree.

So here’s where the movie lost me. Scene 2. Through bizarre narration that only lasts for the one scene (that I can remember), Todd’s psychologist SUSPECTS TERRY WAS THE ACTUAL KILLER, but doesn’t say anything. So Terry is out living his life and Todd, who is still walking around in almost comatose state, mute and probably quite pissed off at the situation, is stuck in the mental facility. Well, now it’s Thanksgiving and Todd has escaped and in all the confusion Terry gets pissed off again and kills more people (I THINK he is again enraged by his 2-pack-a-day mother making out with another dude). All the while Todd is trying to tell people he’s not the killer but nobody believes him, of course, as the woman who knows he is innocent has told anyone.

Some of the gore here is interesting and the movie itself, while incredibly inept, is quite fun to behold. All of the actors and actresses are uncommonly ugly and the acting at times reminded me of specific scenes in TROLL 2.

A pretty much forgotten slasher pretty much rightfully forgotten. Resurrection for the purposes of horror movie night = good. Fun stuff.

• 2011 New: 22
• 2011 Re-see: 15
• 2010 TOTAL: 37

THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010)

Watched: 1/17/2011

Finally got a chance to check out my Blu-ray. Beautiful stuff. Still in love with it. This will hold up and stand the test of time even if just as a solid drama.

Read my original review of it over at Gordon and the Whale!

• 2011 New: 21
• 2011 Re-see: 14
• 2010 TOTAL: 35

 

BATTLE ROYALE (2000)

Watched: 1/17/2011

A friend had never seen this and I needed a good excuse to watch my new Arrow Films Blu-ray so we got together and watched my preferred cut – the theatrical version. Just as incredible as ever, the movie still packs a huge punch. If you’ve never seen it, track it down, importing it, whatever. Anchor Bay is supposedly releasing this in theaters FINALLY… in 3D. Make a statement and DO NOT GO TO SEE THIS IN 3D. There’s no reason for that nonsense. Wait until they release it domestically if you must but for the love of God, don’t support 3D stupidity. </end rant>

• 2011 New: 21
• 2011 Re-see: 13
• 2010 TOTAL: 34

 

Zzang!!!: THRASIN’

Watched: 1/16/2011

The definitive skating movie. Josh Brolin. Skate gangs. Romeo and Juliet. “Breakin’ is a memory!” Do it.

• 2011 New: 20
• 2011 Re-see: 12
• 2010 TOTAL: 32