Friday, September 26, 2014

Netflix This Movie! Vol. 96

When next we recommend, it will be #ScaryMovieMonth.

Adam Riske: 3 Days to Kill (2014, dir. McG) Admittedly, I have a weakness for Kevin Costner movies, but this one is something else. It's goofy and fun in a way that someone can only witness, not describe. Even Amber Heard is kind of good in this movie (she's terrible, but it's so over-the-top I have to think she knows what she's doing). I had low expectations going into this movie (considering it's directed by McG) but came out pleasantly surprised. Give it a look. I'm curious what you all would think. A true guilty pleasure.
Adam Thas: Bad Milo! (2013, dir Jacob Vaughan) Imagine if you take something unfunny like the Bridesmaids “shitting” scene, but after the girls got sick, their feces ran around killing people. Okay, I may be the only person on this site who enjoyed this movie, but I also enjoy guys getting kicked in the nuts…and Ken Marino. The plot is about a guy who finds out he has an angry monster living up his ass. Most would just stop there, thinking that is funny enough to watch or stupid enough to pass on. However, I thought the movie walked the line between horror and comedy really well, a lot having to do with Ken Marino. The movie is filled with some off-the-wall characters that are almost too ridiculous to be believed, but through it manages to say something about relationships. Sandwiched between the craziness is actually some interesting commentary on the way different people cope with disease. At the very least, the movie is incredibly short (1:25), so if you hate it, at least you didn’t spend a lot of time with it.
Erich: Young Sherlock Holmes (1985, dir. Barry Levinson) I don't normally recommend movies that aren't fresh in my mind, but this one is for me as much as for you (I really need to see it again). I went an entire childhood without seeing this gem from '85, finally catching up with it on DVD a few years back. Made at a time before Sherlock Holmes adaptations roamed the TV plains in large herds, this kids' adventure movie has several things going for it. Young Sherlock Holmes was directed by Barry Levinson, written by Chris Columbus, and features early CG special effects courtesy of a pre-Pixar John Lasseter. It also has the distinction of being one of the first batch of films to get a PG-13 rating. Like all good '80s kids movies, Young Sherlock Holmes isn't worried about feel-good lessons and shielding children from danger. It's full of youth in peril, pitting boarding school versions of Holmes and Watson against a human sacrifice cult -- not unlike a certain Indiana Jones movie that earned a PG-13 for similar themes, and was made by many of the same people a year before Holmes was released. I haven't seen either in years, but Young Sherlock Holmes might be the better of the two movies. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Heath Holland: Troll Hunter (2010, dir. Andre Ovredal) Since it's not quite Scary Movie Month yet, how about a movie that's not quite full-blown horror? Troll Hunter is a found footage movie from Norway about three student filmmakers investigating a man who claims to be a troll hunter. Utilizing a host of clever camera techniques and wisely never giving the audience a long, clear view of the trolls themselves, the whole thing works so much better than it has any right to; meanwhile, the mix of unknown actors and beloved Norwegian comedians ensure that Troll Hunter is just serious enough to bring you to the edge of your seat, but fun enough to bring you back again and again. This has become an annual favorite of mine.
Patrick: The Hole (2009, dir. Joe Dante) Get ready for #ScaryMovieMonth by dipping your scare toe in the scare pond that is my beloved Joe Dante's family-friendly horror movie that does it's best to recall the Amblin movies of the mid-'80s. Two brothers and their single mom (of course) move into a new house and find a hole in their cellar. Inside the hole is...well, you'll see. This is a tricky one to recommend, because it's a movie I often like in theory more than in practice; if you are a fan of Joe Dante and can understand what he was going for, you can be more forgiving of the shortcomings...of which there are several. Shot in 3-D before 3-D really became a thing, the movie faced budgetary obstacles and languished unreleased for years in America (despite getting a good release in Europe) before getting dumped to VOD. I was lucky enough to see one of its few theatrical screenings in Chicago and was happy that a lot of it played; there's some good atmosphere and a few sequences that are effective. I like that Dante is using genre to explore how scary the world can be for kids (because the movie is about child abuse). It's the kind of movie where you can complain about its faults or you can be thankful we got another Joe Dante movie, even one that's compromised.

19 comments:

  1. Nice different selection. All good in there own way. Troll hunter would be my top choice

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  2. I'm kind of in a Joe Dante phase right now so i wouldn't mind catching up with The Hole which I didn't even know was a Joe Dante movie. Troll Hunter sounds fun and 3 Days to Kill... Well we will see haha

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  3. Oh yea! I love this list! So good! I recently watched 3 Days To Kill and didn't expect much either, but actually enjoyed it. Not to mention the main villain loves taking off peoples heads with such things as elevators, and tube trains, the relationship growth between the main character and his daughter was actually made the movie far more likable. It gave some decent character development while being able to give the expected cheesy violence which I love so much. I cannot say enough good stuff about Troll Hunter. The first time I watched it I did not know what to expect, and was blown away by how original, funny, and intense it was. The main character who plays the Troll Hunter is one of my favorite in a long time. This movie refreshes my faith in found footage, or even horror documentary. Shit this isn't even a horror movie more of a kick ass fantasy mixed with realism. Highly recommended. As for The Hole...well just watch it...it is a gem. I did enjoy Bad Milo but pretty much left any expectations at the door, it does what should be expected which is make you laugh at the absurd nature of the story. None the less I am a huge fan of ridiculous horror, and the acting is reminiscent to the 90's. In the end it was entertaining but not great. Out of all these moves Troll Hunter is the way to go! Great list! and of course watch watch Invaders From Mars...Classic!!!

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    1. This is the kind of enthusiasm I can get behind. Thanks, Andrew!

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    2. My pleasure Patrick! I love the Netflix suggestions! It is always great to see that others are enjoying the movies I recommend to friends. Though I love going to the theater there are some truly amazing films that go straight to Netflix. Thanks for the great "The Mummy" Episode, and review Europa Report already! Whatever you do don't watch The Sacrament for your horror marathon, talk about total let down. But I do recommend Frankenstein's Army. Some Really awesome practical effects, and just the right amount of nazi silliness.

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  5. I mentioned previously that during Scary Movie Month I'm going to do ChaybeeFest, which is an all day horror movie marathon with some people over. Being a horror genre fanatic as well as this being the first binge watching "fest" with somewhat of a large group, I'm learning that hosting an event like this is different then just having someone over to watch a movie. There are many horror films that I would love to show but when a group is involved I think you have to make it a bit more "fun".

    So, I was thinking about Trollhunter being one of the later films in the evening. I think it's a perfect film that will please anyone who hasn't seen it. ChaybeeFest includes surprises like old trailers, bumpers, theater policies, intermissions, food and movie style popcorn and candy. Does anyone have any advice when hosting something like this? First time so I'm trying to do it right!

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  6. Sounds like an awesome even you are planning. I give you props for evening attempting it. I can imagine it would be stressful if you are organizing the whole thing by yourself. I suppose the best advice I could give is try to enjoy it yourself and don't get caught up if something doesn't go exactly as planned. Good luck!

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  7. I have no advice for the event Chaybee but for films in a crowd Evil dead 2 and 3 are both a non stop riot. These always go down well when I have a few people round. Also Scream 1 is a blast. Another crazy Crowd pleaser is Brain dead aka Dead alive. I played Lake Placid recently since I got the new American bluray set up and I think that film is a classic. Its also short and fast which is also good in a marathon. Maybe stick in an 80s style slasher like The Burning. Or something like The Exorcist

    Good luck. Ps wheres my invite? ;)

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    1. Thanks for the thoughts, Dennis. I'm going pretty deep with this one. The group coming are all horror fans so I'm pulling out some gems that I know they haven't seen. I do love all of the films you mentioned and I would go to THAT fest if it existed.

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    2. Are you gonna show us the list or is it a surprise ?
      Im going for the lesser seen movies. I'll just tease you with a few but I dont have a list. Stuff like Happy Birthday to Me. Madman. Scared to Death. Xtro. The Bogeyman. The House By the Park. Superstition. Zombie Holocaust.

      I think you get the idea ;)

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    3. All great films - Superstition (I assume you're talking about the 80's Australian film) has been on the list to show since I conceived this stupid idea to host an all day movie event. Since it's during Scary Movie Month, I'll make sure to post what we watched with my 7 word review ('m guessing it will be that unless Patrick flips the script this year).

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    4. SUPERSTITION aka THE WITCH 1982 Canadian-American horror film directed by James W. Roberson . A Canadian production filmed in LA. It might have links to Australia I dont know of. Its got some Classic deaths. head in microwave shot. Man chopped in half by window in opening scene. And priest killed by spinning circular saw. Its great

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    5. Yep, that's it! I love that film. I'm an idiot btw - I bought it the same time I bought "Next of Kin" a.k.a "Hell House" which is a Tony Williams 1982 Aussie film. If you don't know it - check it out!

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  8. Holy crap. You lucky people. I just seen that Evil Dead the Musical is coming to Chicago. I really want to see that. Its never travelled to the UK. The soundtrack album is brilliant. I hope some of you are going to see it and will report back here. Or even better send Riske and lets have a column. I would love a review

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  9. Also if you go. Front 4 rows are the splatterzone. Wear old clothes and buy front row tickets

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  10. I went to a local production of Evil Dead the Musical - and sat in the splatterzone - It didn't work for me on any level - but that could have been the lame actors

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