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Track the Films You Watch (2007) - Page 10

post #271 of 2529
1/30/07 at 11:09am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

The Black Cauldron

A Disney animated, ahem, "classic," from the tween years after the "Snow White" and "Bambi" era, and before the later heyday of "The Little Mermaid" and "Lion King."

Only the barest wisp of a plot attempts to hold the film together. Something about a black cauldon that will give power, somehow, to the Horned King, who will then do...something bad, apparently, but it's not clear exactly what. The animation is decent, but not up to Disney's usual quality. Very dark tone, too, for a Disney film (though I kind of liked that).

Also, though this came out before the filmed LOTR trilogy, there seemed to be many similarities. I'm not sure if Peter Jackson was a fan of this film, but much of the artistic vision seems similar between the two films, while Disney seems to have cribbed a fair amount from the original themselves. There was a Gollem-like character (the voice even sounded like Andy Serkis, same inflections and diction), the Horned King looks very much like the Morgul Lord, the castle and surrounding lands look very much like Mordor, the King commands two dragon-like beasts that seem very much like the Black Riders' winged Fell Beasts, the Cauldron is a source of great evil power (much like the One Ring), it is finally destroyed through the sacrifice/death of the Gollum like character, the King's minions were portrayed very like Orcs and Goblins.

At a short 80 minutes, it seems they could have fleshed out the story a bit more with another 10 minute or so and it would have increased the logic and coherence of the plot. It's kind of a mess, as is.
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post #272 of 2529
1/30/07 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

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Unfortunately, I have seen my share of modernized remakes to films that were already modern enough in the 1970s, which is how I've arrived at my general feeling on modernized remakes.

And if I recall, you enjoyed most of them.

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You keep mentioning the F13 series, but when it comes to those sequels, that type of formula is all the fans wanted and expected from them. If modernized remakes are going to be so "different", they ought to find their own separate identity with a brand new title.

I'm not sure why you get so caught up on titles. So, if the upcoming HALLOWEEN had the title changed to HALLOWEEN NIGHT or DEVIL'S EVE then you'd be okay with it? Hell, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, APRIL FOOLS DAY and various others had different titles but they were still nothing more than F13 clones.

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I'm referring to the post where I proved that you do have certain expectations out of films, and that even you may sometimes judge a movie based on what you want it to be other than what was intended (which is something you have said you don't believe in doing). Since I've known you for the past five years we've always had discussions on every subject and I've never known you to ignore one. You're saying we're "just covering the same grounds" but that hasn't stopped you from talking about me and remakes/sequels/BEN-HUR/Friday the 13th again...

Oh, that post. Forgot about that one.

Not to drag that topic out but I'm sure you remember my little review of DEATH WISH 2 where I said I enjoyed the R-rated theatrical cut more than the uncut, X-rated version. The bottom line in all these films is that yes, we expect something from them but at the same time I feel the film needs to deliver on something other than just torture. Even by the torture standards the SAW films and HOSTEL can't compare to various Japanese horror films where there's nothing but torture. I don't think cheap exploitation should be mean spirited. It should be entertaining. DEATH WISH 2 was cheap exploitation so seeing someone raped by seven different guys was just too much as we got the point after the second guy. Seeing five additional guys take a turn pretty much spoils any fun to have with the film. Does that mean you can't show a rape scene like that? Of course not but the subject matter should fit the crime.

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I forget - did you see FLAMING STAR yet? If you would also list your viewed films at an indexed site like IMDB I would have checked it out. If you haven't seen it, it's a good dramatic western.

It's on my DVR as we speak actually.

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although I have no trouble admitting that I have to have something to make me want to see certain films.

That was my point. There has to be something special for you to watch a silent and that's why I said I didn't think you'd enjoy a melodrama like THE SHOW without something you liked (Chaney in that case).

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(I watched BIRTH OF A NATION for it's rep and THE DEERSLAYER for Bela Lugosi, but both films stunk up my house).

Which is a different subject all together but I think this only leads to disappointment. If someone isn't interested in a film outside of its rep then that rep usually never lives up to the "thought" that viewer has already put into it. Kinda like people hearing KANE is the greatest film ever made and then being disappointed when it's not THE great (even though they enjoyed it).

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I didn't think you'd already seen the movie, as I checked over in the "director polls" section and you haven't listed it as a film you've seen yet.

2/23/06

Show, The (1927)

Rare and nearly forgotten film from Tod Browning that would play a major influence on his film Freaks. Set inside a Budapest carnival, a love triangle develops between a handsome actor (John Gilbert), a crazy Greek (Lionel Barrymore) and the woman (Renee Adoree) they both love. Browning’s direction is top notch here and I might go as far to say this is the best directing I’ve seen from him. As usual with his silent pictures, the mood and atmosphere is very rich and thick. The meanness and weirdness of the characters and story leaps right off the screen with some very memorable scenes including a decapitation. There’s a scene on the stage where Barrymore plots to kill Gilbert that is highly intense and perfectly staged. The three leads are all terrific and the inside jokes about Gilbert’s good looks are funny as well. “Freaks” like the Human Spider, the Half Woman and a mermaid also make an appearance.

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Life's too short to watch every film ever made for the sake of it, and I have no problem saying that I have my own requirements for what I'll check out or not.

Or as I like to say, there are way too many great films out there to see that there's no point in watching something 15-20 without checking out major classics. Having seen most of the majors, I can slip into the B's now.
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post #273 of 2529
1/30/07 at 1:51pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

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Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
And if I recall, you enjoyed most of them.

But I'm pretty sure I've explained before that films I have enjoyed like HOUSE OF WAX '05 and DAWN OF THE DEAD '04 weren't remakes at all. They were totally new movies which only capitalized on their old forerunners' success by using their popular titles for guaranteed box office power.

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I'm not sure why you get so caught up on titles. So, if the upcoming HALLOWEEN had the title changed to HALLOWEEN NIGHT or DEVIL'S EVE then you'd be okay with it?

It would be only a tad easier to take, as I pretty much like having films with their own individual identities which are simpler to tell apart. But still, if there is a new Dr. Loomis and Laurie Strode in "HALLOWEEN NIGHT", that doesn't exactly help.

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Hell, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, APRIL FOOLS DAY and various others had different titles but they were still nothing more than F13 clones.

"Clones", "remakes", "ripoffs".... we're just getting our lines tied up in semantics. No, I think all the films you mentioned are their own, despite simialr themes to F13. Now, if APRIL FOOL'S DAY featured a character with a mask called Jason Voorhees, that'd be a remake to me. But can you use any other examples apart from those repetitious "slasher" films to make the argument? You can use THE WICKER MAN, THE PINK PANTHER, THE LITTLE RASCALS, or something else.

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The bottom line in all these films is that yes, we expect something from them but at the same time I feel the film needs to deliver on something other than just torture. Even by the torture standards the SAW films and HOSTEL can't compare to various Japanese horror films where there's nothing but torture. I don't think cheap exploitation should be mean spirited. It should be entertaining.

But to some people, torture scenes are entertaining, for whatever their reasons. Hey, I am AGREEING with you -- I also think there should me "something more". But this goes back to a previous discussion where you (and other big film fans) were saying that "people should try to enjoy films for what the director intended and for what they are, and not criticize them for what they're not." I'm saying that sometimes ALL us film fans do this - we want "something else, or something more, or something less" from a film, even though that wasn't the filmmaker's "intent". And we do judge it by how we feel, as you're demonstrating.

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That was my point. There has to be something special for you to watch a silent and that's why I said I didn't think you'd enjoy a melodrama like THE SHOW without something you liked (Chaney in that case).

I like Browning, but I didn't like that movie.

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Which is a different subject all together but I think this only leads to disappointment. If someone isn't interested in a film outside of its rep then that rep usually never lives up to the "thought" that viewer has already put into it. Kinda like people hearing KANE is the greatest film ever made and then being disappointed when it's not THE great (even though they enjoyed it).

I see what you mean there - advanced expectations and so forth. All I can say in my case is that there have been many films which I've felt completely lived up to their legendary reputations (CITIZEN KANE, SUNSET BLVD.) and some which didn't (SHANE, GONE WITH THE WIND). I do think that for some people a "too great" rep can get in their way though.

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2/23/06

Show, The (1927)

Well, at least we both were impressed by the great Barrymore/Gilbert stage moment, and even went so far as to mention it in our notes.

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Or as I like to say, there are way too many great films out there to see that there's no point in watching something 15-20 without checking out major classics.

Yes, that too. Though it could be said it's up to any individual and there's no "rule" about how to watch, what to watch, etc. I always ask: why own so many movies (as I and so many here do) if we're not going to enjoy them over and over (which is the point of owning them in the first place)? Since I have branched out in the past few years with so many new titles, I am constantly buying even MORE discs for an already-overstocked collection! Today I just picked up the double feature of DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK and ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK because I just saw the former on TCM and enjoyed it enough to own it!
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post #274 of 2529
1/30/07 at 2:19pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Blue Hawaii (1961)

Elvis is a G.I. returning home to Hawaii after a 2 year stint in the service but remains a kid at heart who doesn't want to grow up. His parents want him to work a good job at his father's pineapple business (!) but all Presley wants to do is have a good time, so he becomes a tour guide (ho-hum). This was really the film that would take Elvis into a silly direction for most of his future movies in the '60s. Here we also get a heaping helping of corny twangy throwaway Hawaiian songs from "the King", with embarassing titles like "Ito Eats". One saving grace music-wise is his featured classic tune "Can't Help Falling in Love", but unfortunately it's an abbreviated version and is sung to an old lady. Angela Lansbury puts in a good effort as Presley's flighty mom, but it doesn't help matters any. I do, in fact, enjoy some of Elvis' later goofy 1960s fun flicks for what they are, but this one was just too standard and aimless.

Rock Around the Clock (1956)

Though it wasn't the first film to mention "rock and roll," this is known as the "first real rock film" and it's a mixed bag. Basically it's a vehicle for rock and roll pioneer Bill Haley and his band, The Comets. In the very thin story, two older music managers realize that their old type of traditional dance music is dying out in favor of the latest "rock 'n' roll" fad. When they see Haley and the Comets perform their classic "See You Later Alligator" at a small town dance and witness all the kids dancing up a storm, they decide to try and get this group to play full-time and make it big. The film's not very interesting when it veers away from the music, but along the way we get several more Haley songs (the famous title hit, plus "Razzle Dazzle," "Rock Rock Rock" and others), and we're also treated to The Bellboys. But the main attraction is easily The Platters, who perform two big hits - "Only You" and "The Great Pretender". The latter sends chills up the spine.

Grumpy Old Men (1993)

I love Lemmon and Matthau but never caught up with this one. At first I was worried because the first 50 minute half of this movie seemed to do nothing but showcase the comical pair insulting each other and little else of any substance. They're two senior citizens who live next to each other and have known each other since dhildhood, fighting throughout. But just when it looks like that's the whole story, things luckily come alive and a narrative takes shape with widow Ann-Margret as a new neighbor who moves next door and then the retirees have something new to argue over. But we come to learn more about everyone, and the movie becomes somewhat endearing.
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post #275 of 2529
1/30/07 at 2:56pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Wild Guys (2004)

Mildly entertaining story about 4 guys who get lost in the woods. Adequate enough to warrant 3 stars. I found one of the characters extremely annoying, but I guess that was the point. I found myself with a smile on my face when the movie was over and comedies rarely do that for me anymore.

Baby for Sale (2004)

A couple who hopes to adopt, becomes part of a sting operation to take down a baby broker. If I'm in the right mood this kind of movie will tug at my heartstrings. The acting was generally good and the baby was just adorable. Not bad for a made for tv movie.
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post #276 of 2529
1/30/07 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

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weren't remakes at all.

Yes, when you enjoy the film then you claim they aren't remakes. Either way, I actually got TOURIST TRAP sitting here but your negative review has kept me from actually putting it in the player.

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It would be only a tad easier to take, as I pretty much like having films with their own individual identities which are simpler to tell apart. But still, if there is a new Dr. Loomis and Laurie Strode in "HALLOWEEN NIGHT", that doesn't exactly help.

IMO, I've always seen CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN as FRANKENSTEIN with blood and more sexuality. As for Zombie, I'm not a fan of his but I'd much rather have his reworked version (ala Carpenter's THE THING) rather than a MTV director doing part 9.

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"people should try to enjoy films for what the director intended and for what they are, and not criticize them for what they're not."

The director intended for SAW to be unpleasant, which he did. He just failed to deliver anything else, which is why the film(s) only got 2 1/2 instead of 3 (like the third). Still far from a bad review.

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Well, at least we both were impressed by the great Barrymore/Gilbert stage moment, and even went so far as to mention it in our notes.

Knowing the rep of Gilbert (especially with Garbo) added to a lot of the sly humor about his good looks, which I found quite funny. Plus, Browning's just at home with the carnival nature.

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I do think that for some people a "too great" rep can get in their way though.

Well, I've seen the majority of the "great" American films but when it comes to foreign titles, I always go in with low expectations so that the film can take me on its journey without my brain wrapped around what the film is suppose to be like.

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I always ask: why own so many movies (as I and so many here do) if we're not going to enjoy them over and over (which is the point of owning them in the first place)?

Which is why I've totally quit buying DVDs. I can't think of any "all time favorties" that I don't already own so I don't buy anything new. In fact, I'd say I only bought maybe five or six titles last year, which was normally what I bought in one week. With Netflix, Wild and Wooley (a store in Louisville) and TCM there's really nothing I can't see. I just got a DVR and this allows me to catch anything that's on TV, which is why you've seen and are going to see a lot more shorts. I can set the program to just record the shorts so these are going to be easier to spot now.

In reality, the only thing I buy are things that will never get an official release. The Franco titles, various Z horror films and I've gotten into ordering some rarer Mexican horror films.

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Today I just picked up the double feature of DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK and ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK because I just saw the former on TCM and enjoyed it enough to own it!

I recorded all these rock films the other day on TCM but they'll be fine on DVD-R. If I'm only going to watch these once every ten years then I'll pay for a $0.10 DVD-R rather than $15 for the DVD.

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I love Lemmon and Matthau but never caught up with this one. At first I was worried because the first 50 minute half of this movie seemed to do nothing but showcase the comical pair insulting each other and little else of any substance.

Now this is the most shocking thing you've said in this years thread. I could have sworn you had seen this and its sequel before. In an older thread I criticized THE ODD COUPLE 2 because it was more like the GRUMPY films rather than a sequel to the original. I enjoyed both GRUMPY films because, well, it's funny to hear two old people insult one another.
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post #277 of 2529
1/31/07 at 3:12am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
Yes, when you enjoy the film then you claim they aren't remakes.

If I see a modern remake and it's good, I'll say so. For example, I did like 1998's MIGHTY JOE YOUNG and it was certainly a remake. It's a needless and already forgotten film, but it's still a remake.

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Either way, I actually got TOURIST TRAP sitting here but your negative review has kept me from actually putting it in the player.

After I'd seen and enjoyed HOUSE OF WAX (2005) I learned it was similar to TOURIST TRAP, which I hadn't seen. When I finally got around to TOURIST TRAP I found there are similarities, as with any "wax" film of this type, but is the 2005 film an actual remake? If it was, these days I don't think they'd have any trouble calling it TOURIST TRAP (2005), straight up. And the commercial title HOUSE OF WAX was itself a misnomer; it has nothing whatsoever to do with the old 1933 and 1953 versions. It qualifies as one of your "slasher" examples more than anything else! But don't let me keep you from seeing TOURIST TRAP; I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority when it comes to horror fans' reviews on that one so the odds are more with you.

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IMO, I've always seen CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN as FRANKENSTEIN with blood and more sexuality.

More repetition we've long discussed -- because as I always say, for one thing, I don't really have a problem with the various takes on literary characters like Frankenstein, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, etc. Second, the CURSE film you mentioned is (again) an older remake from 1957 when I believe they could still make them right, not like today. Third, they're not remaking the Karloff film, they're doing another take on Mary Shelly's classic. Fourth, the film is completely its own separate entity, being called THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN.

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As for Zombie, I'm not a fan of his but I'd much rather have his reworked version (ala Carpenter's THE THING) rather than a MTV director doing part 9.

Well if I had to choose, I'd rather have Zombie doing HALLOWEEN than someone else... but even better, I'd rather have nobody touching the original HALLOWEEN, which stands on its own as an already classic film of its genre. There is no need whatsoever to "update" this already-modern film.

As for a HALLOWEEN 9, this franchise became a joke many years ago already. It didn't even know what direction it wished to go in for many years and I'd be happy personally if there weren't ever anymore HALLOWEEN movies made. The very satisfying conclusion of HALLOWEEN: H20 should have put the lid on the whole thing. Having said this, if I had to choose I'd still rather them do another sequel than try to remake a classic that works perfectly as it is.
As I asked last time, why always go to the horror remakes in your points? There are plenty of others in different genres.

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Now this is the most shocking thing you've said in this years thread. I could have sworn you had seen this and its sequel before. In an older thread I criticized THE ODD COUPLE 2 because it was more like the GRUMPY films rather than a sequel to the original. I enjoyed both GRUMPY films because, well, it's funny to hear two old people insult one another.

As I was watching those two geezers swearing at each other I kept thinking to myself, "I bet Michael Elliott loves this stuff". Well, comedy's completely subjective when it comes to what we all find funny and nobody's right or wrong, but I don't think that getting cheap laughs by cussing or hurling insults at one another constantly is very good comedy writing, and it pretty much demeans the great Lemmon and Matthau, who didn't need to do that stuff to be funny. Oh, don't get me wrong -- I'm not a total prude or anything and it can be humorous to see an old lady tossing out a good old fashioned "screw you, a--hole!", say if a man is trying to be nice and help her across the street -- but I think the main things required are that the writing be good in how the moment is presented, and the biggest of all is that it should be used sparingly; too much becomes a bore. I'm glad the film got on a better track for its second half.
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post #278 of 2529
1/31/07 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

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And the commercial title HOUSE OF WAX was itself a misnomer; it has nothing whatsoever to do with the old 1933 and 1953 versions.

The press release from the producers as well as the studio said it was so perhaps it was just pre-release press junk. I do find it strange that there's a homage to Vincent Price since it has nothing to do with the earlier films.

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they're doing another take on Mary Shelly's classic.

Adapted screenplay or original screenplay. Both lead to remakes.

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There is no need whatsoever to "update" this already-modern film.

It's modern to film dorks like us who watch these old films and relive past memories of them. I believe you only gave the film three stars so apparently there is room to improve. You loved REJECTS so Zombie seems like the right selection.

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As I asked last time, why always go to the horror remakes in your points? There are plenty of others in different genres.

You bet your last dollar. I hope you didn't pass up seeing THE DEPARTED, one of the best reviewed films of the year as well as having a legendary director work with a legendary star, just because it's a remake. I'm also glad Woody Allen has such a strong fan base even though many of his classics are simple reworkings of various Bergman films. Heck, I'm glad nutty Cruise didn't keep people away from WAR OF THE WORLDS.
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post #279 of 2529
1/31/07 at 1:30pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
You loved REJECTS so Zombie seems like the right selection.

Although Zombie may be the lesser of the evils, I feel NO director is really the right selection to remake the first HALLOWEEN.
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post #280 of 2529
1/31/07 at 6:04pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Malcolm, the Black Cauldron is an adaptation of two books from the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander, a children's fantasy book series that was influenced by the Lord of the Rings.

I believe the Cauldron is supposed to transform any corpse into an unkillable undead warrior, so the horned king would be able to get an unstoppable army with it in his possession unless it's power were broken by the voluntary sacrifice of a life.

In any event, 80 minutes was far too short to adapt one of the two books. I believe the project was heaviliy cut late in development by the incoming Eisner administration in an effort to get the recent past legacy behind them as quickly as possible.
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post #281 of 2529
2/1/07 at 1:24am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

January Recap

Movies seen: 32 (First timers: 31)
Average rating = 2.64/5

Saw both the "magician movies" from last year (both good!). A couple 2006 musicals with pretty much all black folks doing the singing (both mediocre, though "Idlewild" was the better of the two because it at least had Terrence Howard + gunfights). And...*shudder*..."Clifford" (with the masochistic schmidtt), a far more frightening experience than "Suspiria". I will hear Martin Short's manchild cooing "dearest uncle" in my nightmares.

ALL RATINGS OUT OF (FIVE) STARS

First time viewings in bold.

1/04- Sideways (2004)
1/05- House of the Dead (2003) ZERO STARS
1/05- Clifford (1994) ZERO STARS
1/07- Lassie (2006)
1/08- Blood Diamond (2006)
1/10- Idiocracy (2006)
1/10- Confidence (2003)
1/11- Raising Victor Vargas (2003)
1/11- The Illusionist (2006)
1/13- Apocalypto (2006)
1/13- Old Joy (2006)
1/13- Idlewild (2006)
1/14- Lolita (1962)
1/14- Crank (2006)
1/15- Gilda (1946)
1/15- The Devil's Rejects (2005)
1/16- Cellular (2004)
1/17- Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
1/18- Dead Man (1996)
1/20- Ellie Parker (2005)
1/20- The Good German (2006)
1/20- The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
1/21- Jesus Camp (2006)
1/23- Dreamgirls (2006)
1/25- Sherrybaby (2006)
1/25- The Prestige (2006)
1/27- Tideland (2006)
1/27- Body Heat (1981)
1/28- Funny Games (1998)
1/28- The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
1/29- Reindeer Games (2000)
1/31- Suspiria (1977)

Favorites (first timers): The Prestige, Raising Victor Vargas, Lolita, The Illusionist
Edited by Brian.L - 11/10/09 at 4:22pm
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post #282 of 2529
2/1/07 at 3:28am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Grumpier Old Men (1995)

More of the same for those who enjoyed the first film, nothing great but a decent time killer. The main attraction this time was Sophia Loren who still looks gorgeous at age 60. She winds up hitting it off with old man Matthau, who does not look as good for his age (75). Burgess Meredith is better used in this one in his role as Lemmon's naughty pop.
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post #283 of 2529
2/1/07 at 6:12am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Wild Zero (1999)

Viewed 1/29/2007 (first viewing)

Rock and roll/alien invasion/transgender love story/zombie flick from
Japan has the band Guitar Wolf and their number one fan Ace fighting
flesh-eating zombies and a vindictive music promoter. Along for the
ride are a band of thieves and a hot female arms merchant. Scores of
zombie heads get blown off in this ingratiating if inexplicable undead outing.

out of


The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Viewed 1/29/2007

Revisited Dan O'Bannon's cult classic zombie opus. I'm not as big a
fan of this as others, but it has its moments.

out of


Electric Zombies (2006)

Viewed 1/29/2007 (first viewing)

Bottom of the grave no-budgeter has various low lifes running afoul of
a government plot to control people via their cellphones. (The
victims, upon receiving a coded message over their phones, go on
bloody rampages.) Endlessly talky and poorly executed (to say the
least), with no real zombies. Skimps on the gore too.

out of


Plaga Zombie (1997)

Viewed 1/29/2007 (first viewing)

Low budget living dead flick from Argentina (but set in the U.S.) has
three pals fending off zombies spawned by an alien virus. Lacks
finesse but makes up for it with gory chutzpah; owes a lot to the
splatter films of Peter Jackson.

out of


Plaga Zombie: Mutant Zone (2001)

Viewed 1/29/2007 (first viewing)

Sequel to the above has our three heroes (one of them inexplicably
returned from the dead) deposited by the FBI in a town overrun by
zombies. Goofy, bizarre, and gorier than the original. A tad too long.

out of


Falcons (2004)

Viewed 1/30/2007 (first viewing)

Somber outing from Fridrik Thor Fridriksson stars Keith Carradine as a
lonely ex-con who travels to Iceland, the home of his mother. There
he meets a young artist whom he suspects may be his daughter. After a
run-in with a local cop, the pair hit the road in the company of a
rare Icelandic falcon. Another engrossing study of loneliness and
friendship from the Icelandic director.

out of


Lady on a Train (1945)

Viewed 1/30/2007 (first viewing)

Pleasant little murder mystery stars Deanna Durbin as a mystery fan
who gets tangled up in the murder of a shipping magnate. Good supporting
cast includes Ralph Bellamy, Edward Everett Horton and Dan Duryea.

out of


The Return of Dr. Mabuse (1961)

Viewed 1/31/2007 (first viewing)

Fritz Lang's uber-villain returns again in this non-Lang sequel. This
time he seeks an alliance with the Chicago mob and matches wits with
old nemesis Inspector Lohmann and his new ally FBI agent Joe Como.
Entertaining enough, but a sense of deja vu hangs over the proceedings.

out of


Go, Go, Second Time Virgin (1969)

Viewed 1/31/2007 (first viewing)

Nightmarish film about a young girl who is gang-raped on the roof of a
tenement building. Afterwards she is found by the superintendent's
son who has suffered sexual abuse himself. A tenuous kinship develops
but is threatened when the hoods who raped the girl return for more.
Disturbing, lurid and depressing. Not the kind of film one can like, but it
does have something to say about the casual, destructive use of depravity.

out of


Prison (1949)

Viewed 1/31/2007 (first viewing)

A film director is given by an old professor the story idea that the
devil holds sway over the world. The director then imparts this
information to a journalist friend whose relationship with a troubled
prostitute represents hell on Earth. Early, experimental effort from
Ingmar Bergman is quite interesting and beautifully shot.

out of
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post #284 of 2529
2/1/07 at 6:18am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

January Recap

Ratings range from BOMB to ****

Bolded titles are first viewings.


Action in the North Atlantic ***
All Souls Day **
All These Women ***
Behind the Rising Sun **
Blast of Silence ***
Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror **
The Calamari Wrestler ***
Chopper Chicks in Zombietown *
Cinemania ***
City of Rott **
Daughter of Darkness ***
Day of the Dead 2: Contagium **
Diary of a Male Whore ***
Dragnet Girl ***
Electric Zombies *
Enter... Zombie King **
Falcons ***
The Fascist ***
Final Take ***
Flesh Freaks *
Flowing ***
4 ***
Fragile **
Go, Go, Second Time Virgin ***
Hard Times (2005) ***
Hitler's Children ***
House of Sand ***
The Illusionist ***
In a Glass Cage ***
In My Skin **
In the Realm of the Senses ***
I Stand Alone ***
Jesus Camp ***
Kids ***
Knef - Die frühen Jahre ***
Lady on a Train ***
A Little Trip to Heaven **
Lovers of the Arctic Circle ***
A Lucky Day **
Madame de... ****
Marie Antoinette (1938) ***
Medea ***
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail ***
Mortuary *
My Dead Girlfriend **
Near Death *
Nudist Colony of the Dead ***
One Wonderful Sunday ***
Passage to Marseille ***
Plaga Zombie ***
Plaga Zombie: Mutant Zone ***
Portland Expose ***
Prison ***
Psychopathia Sexualis ***
The Quiet Duel ***
Rancho Deluxe ***
Repast ****
The Return of Dr. Mabuse **
The Return of the Living Dead ***
Samaritan Girl ***
SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis ***
School Girl Killer **
Severed: Forest of the Dead **
Sherrybaby ***
Storytelling **
Sugar Hill (1974) **
Tamara **
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning **
They Were So Young ***
Thirst ***
This Film is Not Yet Rated ***
Time to Leave ***
Topkapi ***
Under the Bridges ****
Voodoo Moon **
Welcome to the Dollhouse ***
Wild Zero ***
The Young One ***
Zombie ***
Zombie Cult Massacre **
Zombie Holocaust **
Zooey ***


Total films viewed: 82

First viewings: 77

Favorites of the month: Blast of Silence, Falcons, The Fascist, Lovers of the Arctic Circle, Under the Bridges, Welcome to the Dollhouse
Reply
post #285 of 2529
2/1/07 at 8:21am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

January Recap

30 films seen, 21 for the first time.

Best films seen for the first time (out of )

Eyes Without a Face 1/2
Graveyard of Honor (1975)
Coffin Joe: At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul
Reply
post #286 of 2529
2/1/07 at 9:44am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

The Guardian (2006)

Kevin Costner plays a member of the Coast Guard who becomes an instructor after a tragedy at sea. Though we've seen this type of story before, it was very well acted and executed. I'm not usually impressed with Ashton Kutcher but he was good in this one. The ending was very predicable, but overall a satisfying movie.
Reply
post #287 of 2529
2/1/07 at 9:48am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

January Re-cap

42 movies seen

29 movies seen for the first time

Favourite movie of those seen in January: LOTR:FOTR

Notable new movies seen: The New World, Little Miss Sunshine, The Guardian


1/2 Nanny McPhee (2005) 1/2
1/3 Cellular (2004)
1/4 Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) 1/2
1/5 Dreamer (2005)
1/6 Failure to Launch (2006)
1/6 Walk the Line (2005)
1/6 Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
1/7 Corinna, Corinna (1994)
1/8 Flightplan (2005) 1/2
1/8 Big Fish (2005) 1/2
1/9 Forbidden Secrets (2005)
1/12 Bright Young Things (2005)
1/13 The Good Shepherd (2004) 1/2
1/13 The Descent (2005)
1/13 Demon Hunter (2005)
1/14 Tsunami, The Aftermath (2006)
1/15 The Pink Panther (2006) 1/2
1/17 Living with the Enemy (2005) 1/2
1/17 All the King's Men (2006)
1/18 Cracker (2006) 1/2
1/18 Firewall(2006) 1/2
1/18 The Family Stone (2005) 1/2
1/20 Flirting with Danger (2006)
1/21 Blade: Trinity (2005)
1/21 The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
1/22 Stage Beauty (2004) 1/2
1/22 'The Burbs (1989)
1/23 Sideways (2004)
1/23 Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
1/23 Tamara (2005) 1/2
1/24 The New World (2006)
1/24 Lies My Mother Told Me (2005)
1/25 The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2004)
1/25 Mister Roberts (1955)
1/25 LOTR : FOTR (2001) 1/2
1/28 Grilled (2006) 1/2
1/28 The Machinist (2005)
1/28 Music of the Heart (1999) 1/2
1/29 Disturbing Behaviour (1998)
1/30 Wild Guys (2004)
1/31 Baby for Sale (2004)
1/31 The Guardian (2006)
Reply
post #288 of 2529
2/1/07 at 10:31am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

January Recap and maybe someday, I'll write about 'em!

Not quite back up to full speed (haven't watched one in 3 days), but getting there. All DVD's unpacked, all HT gear in place, except my rears and because of this I haven't connected any of my speakers yet.

Total Seen: 24

Best 1st Time Viewing: The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

Also Notable: Kes, C.R.A.Z.Y., Paradise Lost

2006 Films Viewed in '07 (Based on NY/LA Release)

The Architect (2006, Matt Tauber) (DVD Rent) - B
Art School Confidential (2006, Terry Zwigoff) (DVD Rent) - C+
Edmond (2005, Stuart Gordon) (DVD Rent) - B-
House of Sand (2005, Andrucha Waddington) (DVD Rent) - C-
The King (2005, James Marsh) (DVD Rent) - C
Once In a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006, Paul Crowder & John Dower) (DVD Rent) - B
Three Times (2005, Hsiao-Hsien Hou) (DVD Rent) - B
Time To Leave (2005, Francois Ozon) (DVD Rent) - B+


Pre-2006 Films Seen for the 1st Time

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989, Peter Greenaway) (DVR Owned) - B+
A Day in the Country (1936, Jean Renoir) (VHS Library) - B
C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005, Jean-Marc Vallee) (DVD Rent) - B+
Illusion Travels By Streetcar (1954, Luis Bunuel) (DVR Owned) - B
Jigoku (1960, Nobuo Nakagawa) (DVD Rent) - C
Kes (1969, Ken Loach) (DVR Owned) - B+
The Lickerish Quartet (1970, Radley Metzger) (DVR Owned) - C+
Panda! Go Panda! (1973, Isao Takahata) (DVD Rent) - B
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996, Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky) (DVR Owned) - B+
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000, Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky) (DVR Owned) - B
The Wild Blue Yonder (2005, Werner Herzog) (DVD Rent) - C


Re-Visits (All DVD's owned unless otherwise noted)

The Great Moment (1944, Preston Sturges) - B+
Hail The Conquering Hero (1944, Preston Sturges) - A
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1943, Preston Sturges) - A-
The Palm Beach Story (1942, Preston Sturges) - A-
Sullivan's Travels (1941, Preston Sturges) - A
Reply
post #289 of 2529
2/1/07 at 10:37am

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

JANUARY SUMMARY

22 Total Films
16 First-time Viewings
No new 2007 theatricals (yet).

LEGEND:
  • First-Time Viewings in BOLD
  • 2007 Theatricals in RED
  • Ratings are or or (scary bad!)
JANUARY 2007
  • Super-Size Me
  • Die Mommie Die!
  • Casino Royale (2006)
  • Santa's Slay
  • 16 Blocks
  • The World is Not Enough
  • Die Another Day
  • Monster House (marginal)
  • Ladies in Lavender
  • RV
  • Citizen Kane
  • The DaVinci Code
  • The Feeding
  • The Cave
  • Brother Bear 2
  • The Dark Crystal
  • In America
  • Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
  • Labyrinth
  • East of Eden
  • Rebel Without a Cause
  • The Black Cauldron
Reply
post #290 of 2529
2/1/07 at 12:09pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

01/30/07

Meet Boston Blackie (1941)

First entry into Columbia's Boston Blackie series with Chester Morris. In this film, the ex-thief tries to track down a group of spies hiding out in Coney Island. This was a pleasant enough little film with some nice laughs and decent action. With my first viewing of the series Morris struck me as merely good but nothing great ala some of the other crime series like Holmes, Chan and Moto. There were some very good moments and the film got better as it went along but there were a few too many "cheap way out" moments where pieces of the mystery are put together and they seemed too easy. Richard Lane is also very good as the Inspector who never believes Boston has gone straight. Directed by Robert Florey.

Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941)

Second film in the series has the ex-thief (Chester Morris) trying to track down some murderers who are also in the fake sculpture business. This here was directed by Edward Dmytryk and is a highly entertaining little gem. Morris is a lot better this time out and the screenplay gives him much better lines and a much better mystery. The film has some wonderful supporting players, all of which add plenty of laughs. Richard Lane returns as the Inspector and has great chemistry with Morris.

Porn Shutdown (2005)

Interesting and somewhat scary documentary that talks about the 2004 HIV outbreak, which caused the porn industry to close their doors. I can't say I really feel sorry for anyone in this business but it was rather sad to see those who actually get into this business. The term "f*cked up" doesn't even apply to these people. The documentary does a good job at tracking the original outbreak but it veers off into other subjects a bit too much.

01/31/07

Falling From Grace (1992)

Rocker John Mellencamp made his directorial debut here in this laid back but to the point family drama. In the film Mellencamp plays a man who left his small town to become a rock star and millionaire. He marries a L.A. woman (Mariel Hemingway) but when he goes back to his small Indiana town he gets caught up in his families drama as well as starts an affair with his old love who just happens to be married to his brother as well as having an affair with his father. I love the music of Mellencamp and was even lucky enough to meet him one day but I really wasn't expecting too much out of this film. As it started off I was a bit worried that we've seen this story countless times before and we have but the film kept growing on me to the point where I really enjoyed it. Mellencamp does a good job at playing himself, the laid back, rebel rocker we've all seen on TV. The supporting cast is very good as well and they help pull off the familiar storyline. Mellencamp's direction is also pretty good as he seems right at home shooting this in the hometown he grew up. He also adds one song to the soundtrack, which was very good. If you're a fan of Mellencamp then you'll probably enjoy this more than others.

Movie Maniacs (1936)

Three Stooges short has the boys going to Hollywood to become stars. They get thrown out of the studio lot but sneak their way back on and are mistaken for movie execs. Now they try their way to make movies. The most laughs come from the start of the film with Curly trying to cook breakfast and Larry trying to press Moe's pants. The stuff in Hollywood has a few clever lines but no big laughs.
Reply
post #291 of 2529
2/1/07 at 1:05pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Well, I guess I'll jump in here. I dunno if I'll post my capsule reviews in here... I already post them on my personal website, and on another forum. It's a little disheartening that there's almost no discussion in this thread besides the Michael/Joe bickering (yeesh). But I'll start with my January summary:

Best discovery of the month: Sweet Smell of Success
Worst discovery of the month: Clerks II

(Date Watched - Movie Name - Rating out of 10)
(first-time viewings in blue)

1/04 - All the President's Men - 7
1/04 - Fists in the Pocket - 7
1/06 - Violent Cop - 7
1/07 - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam - 7
1/09 - Clerks II - 2
1/11 - Clash By Night - 5
1/12 - Godzilla - 8 (first-time viewing for Japanese version)
1/13 - Farewell My Concubine - 9
1/14 - The Quiet Earth - 6
1/15 - I Wake Up Screaming - 7
1/15 - Children of Men - 8
1/16 - A World Without Thieves - 7
1/17 - He Walked By Night - 8
1/20 - The Flowers of St. Francis - 8
1/20 - Jigoku - 7
1/20 - Sweet Smell of Success - 10
1/25 - Crossfire - 6
1/27 - Two Women - 6
1/27 - Monster in a Box - 7
1/28 - Night and the City - 8
1/28 - Sword of the Beast - 8
1/30 - All Quiet on the Western Front - 9
1/31 - A Scanner Darkly - 6

22 new movies, 1 repeat
Reply
post #292 of 2529
2/1/07 at 1:14pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

January Recap

01/02/07 - Little Miss Sunshine
01/03/07 - The 40-Year-Old Virgin
01/04/07 - Wedding Crashers
01/05/07 - The Good Shepherd
01/06/07 - Jackass Number Two
01/09/07 - Sahara
01/09/07 - Sky High
01/10/07 - Internal Affairs
01/10/07 - Fun With Dick and Jane
01/10/07 - Date Movie
01/12/07 - Alpha Dog
01/12/07 - 16 Blocks
01/13/07 - Firewall
01/18/07 - Ultraviolet
01/18/07 - The Tao of Steve
01/18/07 - The Matador
01/19/07 - But I'm a Cheerleader
01/22/07 - King's Ransom
01/22/07 - Stuey
01/23/07 - Two for the Money
01/23/07 - The Money Pit
01/25/07 - The Three Musketeers

January Total: 22 (20 first timers)
Yearly Total: 22 (20)
Best of the Month: Little Miss Sunshine
Reply
post #293 of 2529
2/1/07 at 2:36pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

The Illusionist (2006)

Good movie with great performances from both Norton and Giamatti. I have to admit that I didn't see the ending coming. I'm looking foward to seeing the Prestige to compare the two.
Reply
post #294 of 2529
2/1/07 at 2:44pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

I might as well join in. I like the "best and worst of the month" idea...


001) 01-01-07 The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962) ***
002) 01-01-07 Yellow Submarine (1968) ***1/2
003) 01-02-07 A Hard Day's Night (1964) ****
004) 01-03-07 The Deerslayer (1920) *
005) 01-03-07 Night Into Morning (1951) **1/2
006) 01-04-07 She Done Him Wrong (1933) **
007) 01-04-07 Help! (1965) ***1/2
008) 01-05-07 The Unholy Three (1925) ***1/2
009) 01-05-07 The Unholy Three (1930) ****
010) 01-05-07 Terror From the Year 5000 (1958) *
011) 01-08-07 The Dancing Masters (1943) ***
012) 01-08-07 The Bullfighters (1945) ***
013) 01-09-07 Air Raid Wardens (1943) **1/2
014) 01-09-07 Magical Mystery Tour (1967) **1/2
015) 01-10-07 Let It Be (1970) ***
016) 01-14-07 Nothing But Trouble (1944) *1/2
017) 01-17-07 Jailhouse Rock (1957) **1/2
018) 01-18-07 Loving You (1957) ***
019) 01-25-07 Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) *
020) 01-25-07 The Criminal Code (1931) ***
021) 01-26-07 King Creole (1958) ***
022) 01-27-07 G.I. Blues (1960) ***
023) 01-29-07 Flaming Star (1960) ***
024) 01-29-07 Don't Knock the Rock (1956) ***
025) 01-29-07 Let's Rock (1958) **1/2
026) 01-29-07 The Show (1927) **
027) 01-30-07 Blue Hawaii (1961) **
028) 01-30-07 Rock Around the Clock (1956) **1/2
029) 01-30-07 Grumpy Old Men (1993) **1/2
030) 01-31-07 Grumpier Old Men (1995) **1/2

Best Movie Watched This Month: A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Best First Time Viewing This Month: The Unholy Three (1930)
Worst First Time Viewing This Month: The Deerslayer (1920)
Reply
post #295 of 2529
2/1/07 at 2:51pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Teller
It's a little disheartening that there's almost no discussion in this thread besides the Michael/Joe bickering


I agree. How about starting off a new discussion?
Reply
post #296 of 2529
2/1/07 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Quote:
Clerks II - 2

I personally thought this was one of the best film's of the year. Are you a fan of Smith's or do you dislike most of his films? It certainly wasn't as good as CHASING AMY but I doubt Smith ever tops that film. CLERKS 2 certainly went over the top in some of the humor but it also had a very big heart about people who are preceived as losers.

Quote:
Godzilla - 8 (first-time viewing for Japanese version)

After hearing fans talk about how "serious" this film was, I watched it and found it just as stupid as any of the other's in the series. It was certainly better made than follow up films but it still looked silly to me. I can enjoy bad "B" movies and I enjoyed this one on that level but I have to agree with Roger Ebert's review about pretty much everything else.

Quote:
Children of Men - 8

I'm almost tempted to go see this at the theater due to all the good reviews but I'm very cautious when it comes to great reviews and sci-fi. I see the thing is almost done at the box office so I'll probably end up waiting for DVD.

Quote:
Sweet Smell of Success - 10

I've never understood why this film seems to get overlooked so much. I'm not sure if people would call this a noir or not but I thought Lancaster was perfect playing the villain and Curtis is Curtis as usual (but entertaining).

Quote:
Night and the City - 8

I saw the DeNiro remake when it was released in theaters but I've yet to catch up with the original even though I own the DVD. I've got so many unwatched noirs around here that I plan on just making a noir month and going through all of them.
Reply
post #297 of 2529
2/1/07 at 5:28pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Mr. Majestyk (1974) (of 5)
Sluggish Charles Bronson vehicle is standard-issue 70's action fare, which means it's watchable all the way through, but it never really awakens from its low-wattage midsection. I have to say it's a rare film indeed that features a Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
watermelon massacre
...so that's something I guess.

Idiocracy (2006)
Mike Judge's long-in-limbo followup to Office Space scores some big laughs in its first hour with its sadly not so far-fetched future vision of our crumbling culture. Things come to a screeching halt during a would-be action setpiece and the film never quite recovers. Obviously hamstrung by budget limitations and an undercooked script, Judge finally seems to have bitten off a little more than he could chew here even though his withering eye for satire remains pretty sharp.
Reply
post #298 of 2529
2/1/07 at 5:33pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Quote:
Wild Zero (1999)
One of the young guys at my local video haunt insisted I rent this last October during the Scary Movie challenge. It's one of his all time favourite films. I thought it was goofy (the good kind), occasionally fun, but a bit forgettable in the end.

Quote:
Go, Go, Second Time Virgin (1969)

Nightmarish film about a young girl who is gang-raped on the roof of a
tenement building.
Yipes...I added this recently to my zip.ca queue. Hmmm, I'll have to consider that a bit more...

Quote:
C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005, Jean-Marc Vallee) (DVD Rent) - B+
Jigoku (1960, Nobuo Nakagawa) (DVD Rent) - C
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996, Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky) (DVR Owned) - B+
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000, Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky) (DVR Owned) - B
Glad you liked C.R.A.Z.Y. Brook. I thought it was one of the best films that year.

Though I can't really disagree with a 'C' rating for Jigoku overall, I would have to bump it up further just for that wild last half hour or so. No sugar coating on one the best representations I've seen of what Hell might be like if it existed.

The Paradise Lost films are some of the creepiest docs I've ever seen, not to mention terribly sad, head scratching, vexing and just plain infuriating. So I think 'B' ratings are way too low...
Reply
post #299 of 2529
2/1/07 at 7:41pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Borrowing Brook's groovy format...


Total Seen: 74

Best 1st Time Viewing: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, 13 Tzameti

Also Notable: The Boss of It All, Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film, Children of Men, The Middle of the World, Short Night of Glass Dolls

2007 Films

The Hitcher (2007|Dave Meyers) (Cinema) 2/5

2006 Films Viewed in '07

Alpha Dog (2006|Nick Cassavetes) (Cinema) 3/5
Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (2006|Ric Burns) (DVD, Own) 4/5
The Boss of It All (Direktøren for det Hele) (2006|Lars von Trier) (Cinema) 4/5
Children of Men (2006|Alfonso Cuarón) (Cinema) 4/5
Elegy of Life. Rostropovich. Vishnevskaya. (Elegiya Zhizni. Rostropovich. Vishnevskaya.) (2006|Aleksandr Sokurov) (Cinema) 4/5
The Go Master (Wu Qingyuan) (2006|Zhuangzhuang Tian) (Cinema) 2/5
Miami Vice (2006|Michael Mann) (DVD, Library loan) 1/5
Notes on a Scandal (2006|Richard Eyre) (Cinema) 3/5
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006|Tom Tykwer) (Cinema) 5/5
Scoop (2006|Woody Allen) (DVD, Library loan) 3/5
Stay Alive (2006|William Brent Bell) (DVD, Library loan) 1/5


Pre-2006 Films Seen for the 1st Time

3:10 to Yuma (1957|Delmer Daves) (Cinema) 3/5
13 Tzameti (2005|Géla Babluani) (Cinema) 5/5
An American Haunting (2005|Courtney Solomon) (DVD, Library loan) 2/5
The Big Heat (1953|Fritz Lang) (Zip rental) 3/5
Bitter Victory (1957|Nicholas Ray) (Cinema) 3/5
Coney Island (1917|Roscoe Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 3/5
Demons of the Mind (1972|Peter Sykes) (DVD, Own) 3/5
The Descent (2005|Neil Marshall) (DVD, Own) 4/5
Down in the Valley (2005|David Jacobson) (DVD, Library loan) 3/5
Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty Joins the Force (1913|George Nichols) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty's Chance Acquaintance (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty's Faithful Fido (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty's New Role (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty's Plucky Pup (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty's Reckless Fling (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Fatty's Tintype Tangle (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
A Flirt's Mistake (1914|George Nichols) (Zip rental) 2/5
He Did and He Didn't (1916|Roscoe Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
The Insect Woman (Nippon Konchuki) (1963|Shohei Imamura) (Cinema) 3/5
Karayuki-san: The Making of a Prostitute (Karayuki-san) (1975|Shohei Imamura) (Cinema) 2/5
The Knockout (1914|Charles Avery) (Zip rental) 3/5
Leading Lizzie Astray (1914|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Love (1919|Roscoe Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 3/5
Mabel and Fatty's Married Life (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Mabel and Fatty's Simple Life (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Mabel and Fatty's Wash Day (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Mabel's Wilful Way (1915|Mabel Normand, Mack Sennett) (Zip rental) 2/5
The Man of the Year (O Homem do Ano) (2003|José Henrique Fonseca) (DVD, Library loan) 3/5
The Middle of the World (O Caminho das Nuvens) (2003|Vicente Amorim) (Zip rental) 5/5
Moscow Elegy (Moskovskaya Elegiya) (1987|Aleksandr Sokurov) (Zip rental) 2/5
Nanny McPhee (2005|Kirk Jones) (DVD, Library loan) 4/5
Nishi Ginza Station (Nishi Ginza Ekimae) (1958|Shohei Imamura) (Cinema) 3/5
Rebus Film Nr. 1 (1925|Paul Leni) (Zip rental) 2/5
The Rounders (1914|Charles Chaplin) (Zip rental) 3/5
The Rules of the Game (La Règle du Jeu) (1939|Jean Renoir) (Cinema) 3/5
Short Night of Glass Dolls (La Corta Notte Delle Farfalle) (1971|Aldo Lado) (DVD-R, Own) 4/5
Sorry, Haters (2005|Jeff Stanzler) (Library loan) 3/5
Stolen Desire (Nusumareta Yokujo) (1958|Shohei Imamura) (Cinema) 3/5
Story of Marie and Julien (Histoire de Marie et Julien) (2003|Jacques Rivette) (Zip rental) 2/5
That Little Band of Gold (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005|Tommy Lee Jones) (DVD, Library loan) 3/5
Vers Mathilde (2005|Claire Denis) (Cinema) 2/5
The Waiters' Ball (1916|Roscoe Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Waxworks (Das Wachsfigurenkabinett) (1924|Paul Leni) (Zip rental) 3/5
When Love Took Wings (1915|Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle) (Zip rental) 2/5
Wished on Mabel (1915|Mabel Normand) (Zip rental) 2/5
Woman in the Moon (Frau im Mond) (1929|Fritz Lang) (Zip rental) 3/5
You Only Live Once (1937|Fritz Lang) (Zip rental) 4/5


Re-Visits

The Ballad Of Narayama (Narayama Bushiko) (1983|Shohei Imamura) (Cinema) 5/5
The Big Country (1958|William Wyler) (DVD, Library loan) 3/5
The Day of the Triffids (1962|Steve Sekely) (DVD, Library loan) 3/5
Grand Prix (1966|John Frankenheimer) (DVD, Library loan) 2/5
The Grapes of Wrath (1940|John Ford) (Cinema) 5/5
Haute Tension (2003|Alexandre Aja) (DVD, Own) 3/5
A Home at the End of the World (2004|Michael Mayer) (DVD, Own) 3/5
The Howling (1981|Joe Dante) (DVD, Own) 3/5
Jaws 2 (1978|Jeannot Szwarc) (DVD, Library loan) 2/5
Modesty Blaise (1966|Joseph Losey) (DVD, Own) 2/5
Oh! What a Lovely War (1969|Richard Attenborough) (DVD, Own) 3/5
Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988|Alan Myerson) (DVD, Library loan) 1/5
To Live (Huozhe) (1994|Yimou Zhang) (DVD-R, Own) 5/5
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post #300 of 2529
2/1/07 at 8:33pm

Re: Track the Films You Watch (2007)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Elliott
Quote:
Clerks II - 2
I personally thought this was one of the best film's of the year. Are you a fan of Smith's or do you dislike most of his films? It certainly wasn't as good as CHASING AMY but I doubt Smith ever tops that film. CLERKS 2 certainly went over the top in some of the humor but it also had a very big heart about people who are preceived as losers.

Ok, I'll bite. I didn't hate Clerks 2, and I would consider myself a minor Kevin Smith fan and certainly a fan of the original. But the whole thing just seemed horribly forced, and it probably didn't help that the lead "actor" was embarrassingly bad...at least the dude who played Randall could deliver the lines and didn't look like he was wearing mascara. It's not that I don't appreciate lines about never going
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
ass to mouth
or lord of the rings vs star wars debates, but if the delivery is as flatly acted/directed as Smith manages, why bother? And don't even get me started on the ham-handed attempts at sentimentality. I think I mostly appreciated Clerks 2 for what it was shooting for, not what it actually achieved (because as far as I was concerned, it didn't really achieve much). Maybe Smith should stick to scripts and leave the directing to others.
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