Hopefully a lot of us are seeing IT this weekend, but be sure to respect those who haven't and steer clear of spoilers in the comments.
More importantly, we are thinking of our friends and family in Florida (I'm looking at you, Ale and Josh and John Murphy, etc.). Please be safe and take care. We always have room for you in Chicago. Mostly Ale. You other guys have to find a reasonable hotel.
Saw both versions of The Beguiled this week, the Don Siegel original from 1971 and the Sofia Coppola remake. I don't recommend seeing them both so close to each other. I wasn't watching the remake as its own movie, the whole time I was comparing it to the original and finding it lacking. I had problems with character motivations, how plot elements were (or weren't) introduced and pacing, but I feel they wouldn't have been problems, had the original not been so fresh on my mind.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, the HBO mockumentary 7 Days in Hell was fun, as was Patrick & Heather's Friday 5 commentary. And I bought 15 tickets to Helsinki International Film Festival, which starts a week from now.
if you liked 7 Days In Hell, i strongly suggest you see Tour De Pharmacy. on HBO also. made by the same people.
DeleteJust watched it. I did like it, but really it was just more of the same. The novelty did kinda wear off a little. But at 40 minutes, at least it wasn't boring. And anything with Goldblum is worth seeing.
DeleteIt's okay, I'll just seek out the most luxurious hotel I can find and you all can foot the bill. ;)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, I'm sure all of us Floridian F-Heads appreciate your words of well wishing and support! I do! :)
And now to bide my time with movies as long as the electrical power gods will allow. I rented Streets of Fire, which I've never seen, so I'm looking forward to checking that out!
I guess I'm just stuck in the hurricane lol jk
ReplyDeleteSorry, William. Forgot you're down there too. You can totally share a hotel room with J-Murph.
DeleteI hope you all are okay and don't get anything damaged
DeleteDon't worry, William. You and J-Murph and I can crash with L.A. Doug since we're not welcome in Chicago. At least if there's an earthquake The Rock can save us.
DeleteYou are all welcome in Chicago! We just don't have room to put everyone up. And you don't want to stay with L.A. Doug. He hogs the covers.
DeleteIT (2017) was great. can't wait for the sequel.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking myself back to film school, starting by watching every Spielberg film I haven't seen in chronological order. This all started with CLOSE ENCOUNTER a few days ago, in the theaters no less, and that was an experience. Seeing it for the first time, like that, honestly changed me. It's now a top five movie for me. Moved to 1941 next, and I'm not the audience for that movie. I just found it to be garish and strange. I even read JB's old column on it, and I just can't get behind that one. I couldn't decide if I should watch POLTERGEIST now or when I watch all of Hoopers films, so instead of making a choice I just moved on to E.T., which is seen but not in a very long time. I've never cared about a little puppet robot more. Next up is TWGHLIGHT ZONE, which I'm pretty excited about, but after that I think I have to watch always, which seems like it's going to be a chore.
ReplyDeleteI also saw IT, which was incredible. Really one of the best, if not the best, King adaptation, period. And it had some really neat practical effects. All in all, just a great movie. I think my biggest problem is the beginning of the 2nd act, where structurally it gets pretty repetitive, but everything after that is pretty phenomenal.
You would probably like EMPIRE OF THE SUN better than ALWAYS. ALWAYS was on TV a few months ago. Regardless of the story, film does look good and the firefighting scenes are put together well.
DeleteSo, i got the Arrow release of Re-Animator a couple of weeks ago, which i only saw once
ReplyDeleteAnd i just received the 40th anniversary edition of Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which i've never seen before
My friends are all busy tonight, so it's gonna be a great saturday night, i think
Strong!
Deletewhat version of Re-Animator should i watch. the Unrated or the Integral version?
Deletei've only seen it once a while ago
well, i watched the Unrated
DeleteSorry man, was tied up all day. I would've said "unrated" version. Hope you dug it!
Deletei did a bit of research before starting the movie, and the conclusion was to watch the Unrated because it's the director's version. now i have to go through the tons of bonus that are on the blu-ray
DeleteWatched "The Ghoul" (2016) (not the pretty-bad Horror film from earlier. This is the one produced by Ben Wheatley). It was and an interesting watch. Would have been much more interesting if the whole idea of the film wasn't just executed in Twin Peaks Season 3. Bad timing I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWatched "The Atoning". Much in the same school directly to "The Others" and somewhat, but nowhere near as stylized or envisioned "I Am a Ghost" about a family trapped in purgatory. I applaud the use of simple, practical techniques for the scares but the third act and some bland acting make this just okay.
I'm conflicted, I Just got my copy of The Funhouse and was planning on kicking off October by watching it. Then I found out it's going to be playing at the Music Box of Horrors. Do I wait the extra week to watch it on the big screen or not?
ReplyDelete100% wait. Especially if the print looks as good as it did last time.
DeleteWill do! I'll save the Blu-ray for your commentary!
DeleteIt was not a busy week for viewing movies. With life as it is and the somber news of the last few weeks, I was not motivated to do much, anyway.
ReplyDeleteWERNER HERZOG EATS HIS SHOE (1980) - Les Blank directed this short film about Herzog cooking (with a lot of garlic and hot sauce) and eating his shoes largely as a publicity stunt for a screening of Errol Morris' debut, GATES OF HEAVEN. Along the way, Herzog gives his views on various matters in his inimitable way. A great portrait of a passionate filmmaker at the peak of his career.
THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER (2016) – I really enjoyed this. Cass Canton’s article highlights the aspects of the film I liked, particularly the narrative structure. The non-linear storytelling is central to maintaining the film’s suspense. When the story threads come together, the result is simultaneously horrifying and sad.
THE PSYCHIC, a.k.a, SETTE NOTTE IN NERO (1977) – Right before Lucio Fulci made the career turn toward becoming a legend of gore, he directed this very restrained gem of a film. The story centers on a clairvoyant woman who has a vision of a murder. Although the film unfolds in gialloesque style as she investigates the veracity of the vision, this is not a giallo. Though not without flaws (an out of place opening and too many zooms), the coherent mystery; deliberate pacing; subtle visual style; and the soundtrack made this the most satisfying Italian horror film I have watched recently. Major spoilers abound on IMDB.
I was also exploring some of the food documentaries and shows on Netflix. JAPANESE STYLE ORIGINATOR has an interesting episode about sushi. RAJA RASOI AUR ANYA KAHANIYAN delves into the regional cuisines of India. (I love Indian food.) These particular programs will challenge even the most seasoned subtitles reader. TODO SOBRE EL ASADO is a shallow and tedious documentary about Argentinian barbecue.
I watched Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. I loved the deliberate pacing and it was beautifully shot. There was surprisingly little action but that fit the story and themes perfectly, as most Samurai are poor and downtrodden in this period.
ReplyDeleteWatched Cool Runnings with the kids, Get him to the Greek which was more funny than I remember. And I am just about watch Blue Ruin for the first time.
Stay safe all you f headz in Florida.
Also looking forward to watching Mikke's 100th movie, Blade of the Immortal, when it becomes available! Wrong Reel podcast did an excellent episode on his work. He's kind of a phenomenon.
DeleteThe original HARAKIRI, directed by Masaki Kobayashi in the early 1960s, is an excellent film, Paul. I have not seen Mikke's version.
DeleteThanks! I had another paragraph saying I wanted to watch the original, but I edited it out. Apparently, Mikke's version doesn't stray very far story wise.
Deleteand then i watched Summer School. i kinda got inspired by Texas Chain Saw Massacre. i really like that movie. i saw it a dozen time at least.
ReplyDeleteThat movie is awesome and totally introduced nerddom to me.
DeleteSummer School is a classic. One of those film my brother and I wore out the VHS from watching over and over. In particular, the classroom horror segment. That tape warped and fuzzed out like crazy during that scene.
DeleteI remember going to see SUMMER SCHOOL in a theater when it first came out. When I revisited the film around six years ago, I thought it held up well. The charming naivete of SUMMER SCHOOL stood out that viewing.
DeleteI had a weird experience with IT. I first saw it Thursday and did not really like it at all. I think I just had something else in mind that the movie wasn't matching up to. However, in the couple days after the first viewing, I couldn't stop thinking about it and it kept growing in my estimation. So I saw it for a second time Saturday and I have no idea what I was thinking the first time. This time I really loved it and can definitely see it being one of my favorite films of the year.
ReplyDeleteSome of the most effective Pennywise stuff kept reminding me of Joe Dante's segment in the Twilight Zone movie. That cartoonish nightmare way that Pennywise's face would distort in certain scenes really stuck with me.
And of course the relationship between the kids was just fantastic.
I finally relinquished a blind spot of mine and watched My Blood Valentine (1981). One of the better slashers at the height of slashers, even if the "cancel the Valentine's Day dance or I'll kill you" threat is bizarrely childish. Still, a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI saw Harold and Maude for the first time last night. I don't know what took me so long, because that movie was delightful. I'm glad I finally took the plunge and saw it.
ReplyDeletewhen talking movie blindspots, that one is on top of my list.
DeleteIt's well worth your time. The dark humor and unconventional subject matter had been keeping me away, but am pleased that I decided to check it out. It's ultimately surprisingly uplifting and life-affirming, which I was not expecting.
DeleteIT was good, but definitely not great. Very excessive in multiple ways and a bit too heavy handed. Also, it's not very scary. Oh and it's marred by some dodgy CGI. The kids are great though (especially Sophia Lillis and Jeremy Ray Taylor).
ReplyDeleteAnd in regards to "that" scene which they removed from the film, I'm glad it wasn't included but I can kind of see where it's coming from. Granted, it didn't need to be so excessive (a simple kiss would have sufficed) but it's not completely out of left field.
Overall, a C+ for me.
Haven't seen "It" yet but..."It" also answers your question during the "Pieces" commentary on horror movies that have short periods of time between acts.
ReplyDeleteMr. Mom: that movie is of its time more than anything else. i don't think the 'role switching' happening in there would be well received in today's world. but it was an entertaining 90 minutes, with Michael Keaton being as fun as ever.
ReplyDeleteThey Shoot Horses, Don't They?: a portrait of America during the depression and where people were willing to go for a bit of fame or money. this is a very bleak movie, but a very great one.
Re: Mr.Mom - see my "Summer School"post above. Same deal. All timer.
Deleteit was my first viewing for Mr Mom, so for me it's less of a classic than Summer School, but i get what you're saying
Delete"220, 221 whatever it takes" haha. Glad you liked it man!
DeleteDid anyone here go to the VHS Slashback weekend in Hollywood?
ReplyDeleteI would of loved to go
Watched "The Basement" and "Encounters". Kudos to the filmmakers for getting these made.
ReplyDeleteLast night I watched Takashi Miike's GOZU. I am still digesting the experience.
ReplyDeleteMy second favorite Miike film. Blew my mind.
DeleteGOZU starts out like an ordinary yakuza film, so I was definitely not expecting the surreal turn the film takes. My mind was scrambled at times. That ending is the epitome of cinematic strangeness; it defies any explanation.
DeleteYeah Gozu is great. It's like Miike doing Lynch.
DeleteIt's Miike's Lynch film and he executes it perfectly! Kimika Yoshino is the only reason I watched the "Eko Eko" films, which I actually liked for some reason.
DeleteBoom- Ross.
DeleteI remember Chaybee recommending this movie before. Just saw that it's streaming here (with ads) so this is a nice reminder!
DeleteI didn't kill my wife, Ditka!
ReplyDeleteThanks ESADD and Chaybee for recommending Comet! It didn't really have any themes going on that I normally gravitate to (in Buffalo 66, the whole concept that you can realize you're becoming your parents and are doomed if you follow their road, and hopefully you can change - is more my thing). Knowing Chaybee's love for interesting story structure, though, I think I can see why you liked it. And it was definitely a sour romance, ESADD :) It reminded me of fights I've been in, which made it almost hard to watch. I'm single for a reason (many) thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteSame here, Meredith! I watched it after the end of a three-year relationship during which I'd said many of the same things to the girl that Justin Long said to Emmy Rossum, which gives you a good idea of how insufferable I am to be around in real life. I showed it to a friend of mine who turned to me about five minutes in and said, "So, you wrote this movie, right?" I don't think it was a compliment.
DeleteHAHAHA! Brutal. Relationship movies are hard when there aren't other players/characters to provide context. Meaningful friendships or family members can add at least levels of understanding about the leads, and self awareness that helps them evolve in their story at best. Without that it can feel claustrophobic or like a small mental exercise, or just nightmarish, kind of like this one.
DeleteI'm glad you dug it, Meredith!
Delete