Track the Films You Watch (2005) - Page 2

Roderick Gauci · 01-03-2005, 07:11 AM

POST DELETED

Michael Elliott · 01-03-2005, 08:08 PM

01/01/05

Stooge, The (1953)

Dean Martin plays a singer wanting to make it on his own but he needs the help of a stooge (Jerry Lewis) in order to hit the big time. Once there, Dean decides he can make it solo. This was the first Jerry Lewis film I’ve enjoyed outside of The King of Comedy and I was surprised to hear Paramount kept this on the shelf for two years. The film features all sorts of wonderful gags including a scene inside a diner and another were Lewis takes his first drink of alcohol. The songs aren’t too bad either.

Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, The (1971)

Bruce Dern plays a scientist who enjoys putting one head onto another body. He puts the head of a psychopath onto the body of his stupid, yet huge gardener and it goes on a killing spree. This here is certainly far from a “good movie” but the cult level is high enough to keep it entertaining. Dern is quite good but the film mostly works due to the laughs it gets from the two headed killer.

Pretty Models All in a Row (1969)

An old pervert (Ed Wood) pretends to be a photographer so that modeling agencies will send beautiful women to his house. One day, ten women show up so they all jump on a bed and start messing around. This here is a silly softcore film, which has Wood giving a funny performance and his screenplay has the usual funny dialogue, which makes this a slice above the normal.

Zodiac Killer, The (1971)

A “what if” take on the Zodiac Killer who stalked San Francisco in the late 60’s. The film is somewhat interesting but some bad acting, laughable dialogue and the overall slow pace really kills it from being any better. The violence is quite graphic and looks very realistic, which does help the film a bit.

Sex Killer, The (1967)

After a successful date with a mannequin head, the shy and lonely Tony decides to move towards the real thing. After being rejected he starts stalking the streets of Manhattan strangling women and then humping them. This early shocker is actually very well made and the acting isn’t too bad. There isn’t too much dialogue, which is good thing but there are plenty of naked women and a nice music score.

Zero In and Scream (1970)

A lonely guy finds women to be very beautiful until he sees another man on top of them. When a woman isn’t “pure” they are ugly so the guy goes around killing any man who would turn a woman ugly. The actual story of this film is rather interesting but sadly we’ve got around fifteen minutes of story and the rest of the running time is nothing more than strip scenes and a pool orgy. I love nudity but after a while this turns boring. The ending is a very nice tough however.

01/02/05

He Walked By Night (1948)

Gritty film noir has the police trying to track down a master criminal who killed a cop. This is the film that had a major influence on Dragnet. Some of the narration really doesn’t help things but the suspense is very high including the final fifteen minutes under the streets of L.A.. The way technology helps catch the criminal is very interesting even though it might seem dated today.

Ed Wood: Look Back in Angora (1994)

A somewhat interesting documentary about Ed Wood, the man and his movies. Features interviews with Dolorus Fuller, Kathy Wood and Conrad Brooks and tells Wood’s story using clips from his movies. Nothing really new is learned here but as usual, the life of Wood is rather unique and sad.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls (2003)

Brilliant documentary about the studios crumbling in the late 60’s only to be picked up by directors like Scorsese, Coppola, Hooper only to fall again with the success of Jaws and Star Wars. A lot of detail is given to the sex and drugs of the era but the way Hollywood worked then is wonderfully brought out in this very funny documentary.

Rawhide (1938)

After finishing the baseball season, the real Lou Gehrig travels to Montana to visit his sister where he learns an evil banker is stealing all of their land. This really isn’t a good movie but it’s quite fun seeing the baseball legend act. I wouldn’t say he gave a good performance but it’s worth watching either way. I’m not sure if Gehrig was acting or just playing himself but he’s always got a smile on his face.

Jigsaw (1949)

After his reporter friend is murdered, a D.A. goes off looking for the killers. This film noir has a pretty good reputation but I found it way too slow and it really didn’t interest me. The performances are good but the style is lacking. Several “A” list stars including John Garfield and Henry Fonda make cameo appearances but I didn’t spot Fonda.

Number, Please? (1920) B+

Harold Lloyd two-reeler has Lloyd trying to mend a broken heart by going to an amusement part where he meets a lovely young lady but he must compete with her boyfriend. The first reel is wonderfully funny with all sorts of great gags including one where Lloyd is in the last cart of a ride with everyone else’s hats hitting him. The second reel loses a lot of its punch but overall this was still a pretty good short.

I Do (1921) C

After marrying his wife Harold Lloyd then gets the job of babysitting his two nephews who turn out to be a nightmare. This is a seriously unfunny film that has plenty of site gags but none of them work. The only bright spot is the start of the film where Lloyd is trying to cross a busy street. Apparently when released this had a third reel but Lloyd cut it due to all the negative reviews.

Smallpox (2005) BOMB

Incredibly bad “what if” film about a terrorist attack that brings smallpox to the world. For starters, the film takes place in 2002 so there goes the suspense since we know this didn’t happen. The film takes a documentary approach mixed in with a “message” but it just doesn’t work. The performances are horrid, the direction can’t be spotted and there’s simply no threat. This film was made to scare people but it certainly didn’t do that.

01/03/05

Mystery Liner (1934)

The ship is sailing the ocean when bodies begin to pile up. Is it a stowaway? The captain? Another member? The biggest mystery is trying to figure a way to stay awake. Typical overly talkative Monogram film that tries to be mysterious but forgets to be interesting. See The Phantom Ship instead.

Strangers on a Train (1951)

This Hitchcock classic seems to get better and better with each viewing. I think some of Hitchcock’s works appear quite dated today but the suspense in this film still manages to hold up very nicely. The suspense built during the tennis match is incredible as is the finale, which next to Psycho is the best in any Hitch film. I watched the theatrical cut, which is missing some of the sexual undertones but I think it’s quite obvious even in this version.

Demon, The (1981)

A small town is terrorized by a monster who appears to be killing people so that he can suck their blood out. Poor Cameron Mitchell plays some sort of psychic but there isn’t a single thing in this movie that makes sense. I’ve read a couple reviews on the film and even they don’t make any sense out of this “horror” movie, which forgot the horror, the scares and the gore. Thankfully I only paid $1.25 for this.

SteveGon · 01-04-2005, 08:03 AM

Shoot, I'll play.

SteveGon's 2005 Film List

The Tin Star (1957)

Viewed: 1/1/05

Solid western directed by Anthony Mann stars Henry Fonda as a bounty hunter who teaches novice sheriff Anthony Perkins how to survive in the wild west. Nothing really new here, but it's well-crafted with good performances.

out of

The Holy Mountain (1973)

Viewed: 1/3/05 (first viewing)

Another maelstrom of hallucinatory madness courtesy of Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo, Santa Sangre). The plot details the pilgrimmage of a group of politicians and industrialists who are seeking the secret of eternal life from nine immortals sequestered on the titular Holy Mountain. But that's really just an excuse for Jodorowski to indulge his wildest imaginings. So bizarrely off the wall that it's fascinating to watch, despite its near incoherence.

out of

Joe Karlosi · 01-04-2005, 10:12 AM

Mash (1970)

Though I've never been a fan of the TV show (too young to appreciate it at the time I suppose), I quite enjoyed the movie. Very funny black comedy with interesting characters and well-picked actors playing them. Maybe could have been even more potent if it contained more of the "serious" and uglier side of war to contrast the laughs, but either way an exceptional film. Sally Kellerman was perfect and this may be the first time I've enjoyed Elliot Gould.

Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Even though I'm an Opera hater and only semi-tolerant of musicals, I was surprised to enjoy this version which featured breathtaking cinematography and lavish sets. Even with the lesser appealing musical numbers I was still able to enjoy the scenery. I liked the lead girl and thought the Phantom was properly portrayed as a villainous yet pitiable person with a well-defined origin. Minnie Driver was an added hit as the spoiled diva.

The Defiant Ones (1958)

Tony Curtis could have gotten an Oscar for his performance in this film. He and Sidney Poitier make a great pair of escaped convicts handcuffed to one another, learning tolerance and appreciation for each other as they plan an escape. Lon Chaney is also very good in a small role.

Amadeus (1984)

Gets my vote as one of the most Overrated of all the "great films". Way too boring, long, and strangely lacking in strong drama, with Tom Hulce (ANIMAL HOUSE) miscast as the irritating Mozart, as well as Elizabeth Berridge as his 20th Century-like wife. Both speak very much like modern folk (I doubt people were saying "Kiss my ass" or "People fart backwards" in the 1700s). The one saving grace is F. Murray Abraham who is very good as the jealous Salieri; his character and the performance are intriguing - too bad it's historically fictional.

Help Wanted Female (1968)

So-so sixties sexploitation sleaze flick with very trippy scenario.

Brook K · 01-04-2005, 10:12 AM

First time viewings in BOLD

Film Total: 37

January
01/03/05
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004, Adam McKay) B
01/04/05
Garden State (2004, Zach Braff) C-
Baran (2001, Majid Majidi) B+
01/05/05-01/06/05
Faithless (2000, Liv Ullmann) A-
01/07/05
The Twilight Samurai (2002, Yoji Yamada) B+
Time Of The Wolf (2003, Michael Haneke) B+
International House (1933, A. Edward Sutherland) B
01/08/05
No Such Thing (2001, Hal Hartley) B
01/09/05
Closer (2004, Mike Nichols) B
Finding Neverland (2004, Marc Forster) B+
Code 46 (2004, Michael Winterbottom) B
01/11/05
It's A Gift (1934, Norman Z. Mcleod) B-
The Bank Dick (1940, Edward Cline) A
01/12/05
Youth Of The Beast (1934, Seijun Suzuki) A-
01/14/05
Fighting Elegy (1966, Seijun Suzuki) A
01/15/05
Troy (2004, Wolfgang Petersen) B
01/16/05
House Of Flying Daggers (2004, Zhang Yimou) B+
The Woodsman (2004, Nicole Kassell) B-
01/17/05
Lola Montes (1955, Max Ophuls) C+
01/20/05
The Forgotten (2004, Joseph Ruben) B
01/21/05
Casque D'Or (1952, Jacques Becker) A
The King Is Alive (2000, Kristrian Levering) A-
01/23/05
Rosenstrasse (2003, Margarethe Von Trotta) A
01/24/05
My Little Chickadee (1940, Edward Kline) A-
01/25/05
Sonatine (1993, Takeshi Kitano) A
01/27/05
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004, Danny Leiner) B-
01/28/05
Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow (2004, Kerry Conran) B
Since Otar Left (2003, Julie Bertucelli) B+
01/29/05
Zatoichi (2003, Takeshi Kitano) B+
01/31/05
Bad Education (2004, Pedro Almodovar) A-
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004, Wes Anderson) B

February
02/01/05
You Can't Cheat An Honest Man (1939, George Marshall) B+

02/03/05
Alien Vs. Predator (2004, Uwe Boll) C

02/04/05
She Hate Me (2004, Spike Lee) A-

02/07/05
La Commare Secca (1962, Bernardo Bertolucci) B+
Strayed (2003, Andre Techine) B

02/08/05
Thieves' Highway (1949, Jules Dassin) B+

Jim_K · 01-04-2005, 06:49 PM

First time viewings in Bold
Out of

Garden State (2004)

(8/10)
Bittersweet coming home fable is one of the better films released in ‘04 (of the ones I’ve seen so far that is). Natalie Portman is adorable.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

(7/10)
A day in the life of a pair British slackers as zombies (we don’t call ‘em the z word) turn up in good ‘ol England. Pokes fun at the Dead trilogy & 28 Days Later. Stupid fun.

The Final Countdown (1980)

(7/10)
Interesting What if………? scenario has a modern day (well not anymore) aircraft carrier going through a rift in time back to Dec 6th 1941. I would’ve preferred a more daring conclusion

Spoiler:

vs. the safe route the film-makers took.

Twilight Samurai (2002)

(6/10)
Period drama as a down & out widower samurai is more interested in raising his daughter vs. taking care of his clan’s affairs. While it’s a good film I found myself comparing it (perhaps unfairly) to the superior Kurosawa & Mizoguchi period drama’s of half a century ago.

Birthday Girl (2001)

(5/10)
Nicole Kidman stars as a mail order Russian bride in this pulp fiction wannabe. Kidman makes this worth watching if you’ve got some time to kill, otherwise meh.

SteveGon · 01-04-2005, 07:50 PM

Collateral (2004)

Viewed 1/4/2005 (first viewing)

Slick crime thriller by Michael Mann. Tom Cruise turns in a solid performance as an existential hitman who forces L.A. cabbie Jamie Foxx to help him do his dirty work. Mann's skills elevate this above the norm though it comes up short in the logic department. Would a professional hitman really take on so many jobs in one night? Would he really take a huge risk like coercing someone into working with him? Probably not, but whatever.

out of

Code 46 (2004)

Viewed 1/4/2005 (first viewing)

Thoughtful, low-key science fiction from Michael Winterbottom (Jude, 24 Hour Party People) and starring Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton. In the near future, your life is literally determined by your genes. Very much of a piece with Gattaca.