Saturday, December 5, 2015

Weekend Open Thread


Billy, your mother's right.

Happy December, everyone! Last month of the year. Start getting your Top 10s sharpened this month, plus a new Star Wars! New Tarantino! THE ROAD CHIP!!!

Also, everyone go see Krampus this weekend. It's the best studio horror movie of the year and deserves to be a big hit.

Now talk away!

77 comments:

  1. Looking at the release dates for several big movies, a lot of heavy hitters aren't coming to most of the US of A (outside big cities like New York, L.A., Chicago, etc.) until early January: "The Hateful 8," "The Revenant," "About Ray," etc. Plus there's a ton of them being released between right now and the 25th: "Where to Invade Next," "The Big Short," the new "Macbeth," etc. I guess what I'm saying is, can the 'Best Movies of 2015' podcast/columns get a sequel sometime in early 2016 in which people with lives/families who couldn't have possibly seen all the movies released in late December get a chance to catch them? Not everyone can be as crazy and/or lucky as the few of us that want and can see all the big theatrical releases (because New York, baby!) or get screeners because they're connected (Patrick with the Chicago mob... of critics).

    As fun as the 'Best of...' podcasts/columns are (looking forward to them every year), they'd be better if F-people who wrote incomplete-because-they-hadn't-seen-all-the-movies lists/recorded podcasts got a reprieve to amend the lists during a dead weekend in early 2016. You know, like around the time Warner releases that God-awful "Man of Steel" sequel. ;-)

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    1. Not to mention us poor bastards outside the US. All the movies you mentioned, plus Steve Jobs, Creed, Spotlight, Room and Joy come out in Finland in Jan/Feb.

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  2. So I bought Arrow's Blu-ray of Mario Bava's Black Sabbath, which includes both the European version ("I tre volti della paura") and the re-edited and re-dubbed AIP version ("Black Sabbath"). Any advice on which one I should watch first? Does it matter?

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    1. Which one is Mario Bava's preferred cut?

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    2. Watch which ever one has the story order of the phone call one first, the Karloff zombie one second and the drop of water story third which is the European version. The American one has them out of order and it throws the whole movie off.

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    3. No problem. Once you watch the movie you'll see how important it is to see them in the right order. It's a really good anthology.

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    4. I could not agree with you more, Travis.

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  3. Guys I need your help I can't decide what to see on December 18 Star Wars or Alvin and the Chipmunks The Road Chip? It's gonna be a tight race for the number one spot at the box office that weekend for sure!

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    1. Stop being ridiculous. You're obviously seeing The Road Chip like everybody else.

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    2. Nice try, you two. As if "Sisters" doesn't stand a chance of breaking multiple box office records in December 2015 and early '16. ;-)

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    3. Hey somebody's gotta show Road Chip some love. It ain't gonna be any of us, but somebody.

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  4. So glad you liked Krampus Patrick! I saw it Thursday night. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but I had tons of fun. I'm planning on seeing it again for sure.

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    1. Second the happiness over your Krampus fandom. I also saw an early Thursday screening, and from the opening credits "battle," I knew we were in very good hands.

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  5. RIP Robert Loggia

    I hope I make it to 85! I like to be happy when an actor reaches a good age and we have all that work, not that any age is good to die but im sure you know what I mean, working for so many years there is so much to remember Robert for so I will just mention two of my favourites,

    Dancing on the oversized piano with Tom hanks in Big

    And the most memorable scene in Lost Highway, "Don't ever fucking tailgate Robbert Loggia!"


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    1. And who would of thought Mercedes made a car with 1400 bhp!

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    2. Just by pure chance today I heard the Lost highway podcast on my way to work, where Patrick played the "tailgate" sequence. Loved that growling voice of Loggia, who was one of my favourite tough guy actors since I first noticed him in An officer and a gentleman, Psycho 2 and of course Scarface. Most memorable to me were his roles in Lost Highway, Jagged Edge and The Believers. And I follow Dennis with his choice of Big, which surely is the sweetest scene he ever had.
      RIP

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  6. Has anyone seen Accidental Love by David O Russell? I wonder if that was good.

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    1. Yep. I saw it a while ago under a different title (nailed?) And thought it was pretty good. It was really odd cause I didn't see any press for the film and I only knew of it cause I was looking up O Russell in IMDB

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    3. Oh, great! Thanks, Chaybee! Ya I feel like I have to see it as part of the beginning of David O's legacy.

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    4. No doubt. It's forgettable but I still enjoyed watching it. It reminded me of a 90 minute Mr. Show skit although not as good.

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  7. I just got out of Krampus. First impressions are frustration and disappointment. It becomes insanely slow after the initial setup and I kept getting blue balls every time Michael Dougherty tried to set up a scare and then wouldn't pay it off. It picks up in the last act but it was too little too late for me. The gingerbread men reminded me of the gnomes in the Goosebumps movie which is not a good sign. Krampus doesn't even do much in the movie it just sends other things after the characters (one of which I won't spoil but it's fucking awesome and by far the best thing in the movie.) There's another thing that attacks the characters that is never seen or explained which I found pretty lame considering how much trouble it causes. The movie tries to have a sweet message but it fell flat for me because I never bought into the characters growing at all and Adam Scott and Toni Colette might be one of the most unbelievable married couples I've seen in a movie. I felt cheated by the ending as well. I don't know if this was originally intended to be a pg-13 but I think it really softens the movie. I wouldve liked to have seen an R rated version that went all out with the premise but instead it just feels watered down and can't explore it's full potential. I really wanted to like this and I love Christmas horror and want to support it but to me this was a major missed opportunity.

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  8. Man, I really didn't like Room. About as dull and unmoving as the title. Just a typical cliched indie movie that should've gotten released in summer.

    However, Krampus was totally a redeemer afterwards.

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  9. I loved Krampus. I had no idea it was PG-13 until right before seeing it. I had definite reservations because of it. That was some of the craziest shit in a PG-13 movie I've ever seen. I could see so many influences from different holiday horror movies. It felt a lot like a Joe Dante movie and I love Joe Dante. With this and Trick 'r Treat, Michael Dougherty is becoming one of my favorites. Most Christmas horror movies are terrible. This one's great. Go watch it. I said go!

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  10. Krampus was really awesome. Definitely the most fun you'll be able to have in the theater until Road Chip comes out.

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  11. I saw Sinister 2 over the weekend. Well, that movie exists somehow.

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    1. Hey Chaybee have you heard of a horror movie called Baskin? I think it's Turkish and it's supposed to be the most fucked up movie of the year. Curious if you knew anything about it.

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    2. Most definitely. It's on my watch last but last I checked I didn't see a release date yet. Again, I've read very little because I like to go in as blind as possible for Horror flicks but I have heard quite a buzz for it.

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    3. Yea I just read it hasn't gotten an American release date yet. I will have to keep my eye out for it.

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  12. I need to say that the Robert Loggia commercial is freaking genius. I hadn't seen it before and I love that they are having us believe that some kid knows who Loggia is AND I love that Robert seems really disinterested. I love that guy. I haven't felt a Hollywood loss like this since Farina.

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  13. Well Riske, I watched Somm on netflix. You're right. It's incredible and is one of the most entertaining and engaging documentaries I've ever seen. It's also a bit stressful at points. I loved it! Many thanks for the recomendation!

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  14. After listening to episodes over and over at work I got bored and came up with an F This Movie drinking game. Feel free to add your own rules, I think you could get pretty drunk playing this.

    Take a drink everytime....

    1. Patrick says Cynical or Cynicism
    2. Patrick says justify your existence
    3. Anyone says Era!
    4. Doug says fantastical
    5. Adam Riske mentions being Jewish
    6. JB goes off on a tangent
    7. Heath mentions Turner Classic Movies
    8. Anyone does an impression
    9. Patrick gives Mike shit about Friday The 13th The New Blood
    10. Mark Ahns kidnapping is mentioned
    11. Patrick mentions Tobe Hooper
    12. Anytime Dracudoug makes an appearence

    Finish your drink if....
    Erika brings in dessert
    JB calls Adam Ryan

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    1. Take a drink every time Patrick says a movie is terrible but fascinating.

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    2. When JB mentions his "teaching job" in "upper Minnesota", he mentions Patton Oswald or his shmoopy.

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    3. Or when Patrick says "It's good, not great" or "It's a mess" or "It's fine"

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    4. Oh I almost forgot to include "Mean Spirited"

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    5. Hey, you guys try talking for 500 hours and avoid repeating yourselves.

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    6. When Doug says he's not as up to date on new releases as everyone else.

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    7. "Ryan" is my affectionate nickname for Adam; he reminds me of a young Ryan O'Neal.

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    8. He reminds me of current-day Tatum O'Neal.

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    9. That clears up why I'm so attracted to her.

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    10. Weird, he reminds me of a drunken Bad News Bears Walter Matthau.

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    11. You remind me of Cheddar Bob from 8 Mile :P

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    12. Aw, there's literally no one else I'd rather remind you of Mr. Riske.

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    13. Still catching up with all podcast, I have about 30 left to be complete but may I add some rules?

      Patrick mentions a Devin Faraci piece

      JB mentions a Dana Stevens piece

      One of the guys talking about smooching, cuddling, fingering, touching, kissing, f...ing each other ;-)

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    14. Drink every time it's been a while

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    15. And drink every time Patrick says "it's like reviewing a birthday"

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    16. Drink every time Patrick has a beard.

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    17. I like anyone especially Mike P and Heath doing a British accent

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  15. Has anyone else seen A Christmas Horror Story? It's pretty fuckin great...

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  16. Opted out of a Christmas cookie exchange last night to go see movies by myself. Spotlight was really fucking good. Working in a newsroom everyday, I can become a little desensitized to how wonderful reporters + editors are as characters. But the stereotypes are all true, and I think the entire cast really nailed it. I intended to see Brooklyn afterwards, but got hungry and went home. Not sure I regret that -- I'll probably rent it.

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  17. Just wanted to shout out a little love to you guys. I am sleeping in hospital because I had an accident. My pituitary gland has bled so I have to have an mri. It is times like this when you really appreciate people and things in your life and this place is one of them. I am very grateful for this fantastic group of people. I love you guys. I am hopefully fine but it still puts the important stuff at the forefront.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that you're sick Gabby. I hope you get better.

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    2. Thank you, you do worry a bit when it is your brain but I am being looked after.

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    3. I don't think I'm overstepping when I say we're all wishing you well, Gabby.

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    4. You're the best, Gabby! Get well!

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    5. Get well soon Gabby. We all love you, #GabbyRocks

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    6. I don't know if it means anything to you or not, but I'll pray for you.

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    7. Thank you guys. This means a lot to me. I got sent out of hospital yesterday but will take a while to get back to normal. I have been ordered to sleep and take pain killers. Has anyone got a donut?

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    8. Thank you guys. This means a lot to me. I got sent out of hospital yesterday but will take a while to get back to normal. I have been ordered to sleep and take pain killers. Has anyone got a donut?

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    9. Gabby, I just noticed this. Get well soon. This F-Head has you in his thoughts. I hope you can get a few movies in while you convalesce!

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  18. Finally I watched "Spectre" this weekend. It was disappointing on almost every level. I may write a few more lines on that when I heard the podcast.

    Next I introduced my husband to "Kingsman: The secret service", which I liked as much as on my first viewing. The church massacre is just amazing. I wonder if Vaughn had the crazy creeps of Westboro Baptist Church in mind while filming this...

    Nest I finished the first season of the Wachowski`s "Sense8"...and it was great. It also was funny, violent, interesting, crazy, melodramatic, silly, messy, sexy, bloody and then some with fucking awesome photography and editing to make it work.
    Clearly not everyone´s cup of tea but if you liked Cloud Atlas, I´m pretty sure you will like this too.

    After that I planned to watch "I saw the devil" but the DVD died in my player after about 10 minutes, so I have to get a new one.

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  19. Replies
    1. Actually watching it this upcoming weekend. I love WNUF but have low expectations for CGoC.

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    2. There are parts of the trailer where I'm like "oh, that might be cool". Then there are other parts where I'm like no.

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    4. Brent, had a few hours away from work today so watched CGoC. It's got some good gore and practical effects but otherwise it's just goofy and silly with dumbass sex joke sight gags. I didn't like it too much but that's just me.

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    5. Silly is definitely hit or miss with me. I thought for sure I would love Final Girls but only just like it. I'll probably check it out. I'm trying to get through a lot of this year's horror before the end of the year. Was that this year or last? Do you do a top ten horror every year? I'd love to see it.

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    6. CGoC was made in 2014 but only made available this year. My top ten of the year PERIOD has a lot of Horror in it. When the Weekend Open Thread allows for our top 10 lists, I will post some Horror honorable mentions as well for you. If you haven't seen We are Still Here or Bone Tomahawk, I would say they are a must. Wyrmwood is fun as hell and I absolutely love Hellions although many disagree. I think you watched Horsehead earlier which I really liked as well but most people didn't and I think you were one of them. I loved the homages to Argento and Bava, but, I too hated the stupid dub-step that was in it. I think people who didn't like it need to remember that it's the first feature from the director on a minimal budget and it looks gorgeous not to mention it's exceptionally filmed and edited.

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    8. Right now, I have 6 horror movies in my top ten. I'm trying to get a few in before the end of the year. Bone Tomahawk is in my top ten. We Still Here is in my top ten horror. I'm going to have to revisit Horsehead because it was at the end of a 24 hour marathon. That is not the movie you want at that point. I loved Christmas horror story. I'm watching Stung tonight. I might check out Cthulhu tomorrow. This year has been fucking awesome for horror.

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    9. Absolutely! Great year for Horror! A lot of shit, but a lot of great stuff to outweigh the garbage.

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