Saturday, November 4, 2017

Weekend Open Thread

It's back, baby!

After taking #ScaryMovieMonth off, we're bringing back the Weekend Open Thread for you to talk about what you've seen lately, what you're looking forward to, movie news, recipes -- you name it. The floor is yours.

67 comments:

  1. Yesterday was the craziest day!


    I went to London to meet Marc Morris And Jake West from Nucleus Films, I spent all day on off being filmed for my part on the new Bluray for Xtro. Also I sat in on the interviews and joined in with the questions with the producer Mark Forstater. A genuine lovely chap. The model and Actor Suzie Silvey who was the unfortunate lady who gave birth in the cottage to Sam in the best birth scene ever. And also Bernice Stiegers who played Rachael the Mum in the film.

    Patrick Bromley and Fthismovie got lots of shout outs and plugs and I also even got Mark Forstater the producer to mention the column he read at Fthismovie and how he loved us all giving love to his film which is how me and him became friends.
    So next year the brand new UK Bluray is coming out frim Second Sight with a nice extra feature onnit called "The World of Xtro" by little old me!

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    1. Dennis that is SO very awesome! I am crazy happy for you. As soon as there's a US/all region Blu I'm all over Xtro! Cheers and I'm convinced Mr. Atherton made it so.

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    2. Crazy days can be delightful days! It sounds like the ultimate fan experience.

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    3. I'm grinning ear to ear as I read this Dennis. So awesome! Thanks for introducing me (us) to this special movie. Can't wait to buy the Blu.

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    4. Wow, Dennis is the man with the master plan to get maximum exposure to both his favorite horror film and online community. Maximum cheers. :-)

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    5. Much love to both Xtro and Fthismovie, Hell Yes

      I even made sure the BreXtro joke was in there too

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    6. ...Until they edit it out, haha :) Really happy for you buddy.

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    7. This is so great, Dennis. Nice work!

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    8. Congrats Dennis! May all F-Heads get the same treatment for their favorite movie.

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    9. What a day! I forked out for the German blu ray, unsure if there would be another release. Do you know if they will differ in quality regarding transfer/restoration?

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    10. This did come up as I asked are they using the same HD master for the new release?


      There will be all the new extras for a start also but..

      The Producer is hoping this will be the Definitive version. Second Sight are using the same HD scan from the new Print but they don't like what DigiDreams have done with it. They think it has been over DNR ed Digital Noise Reduction, I can see what they mean. DigiDreams have a reputation for over smoothing scenes to look pleasing by removing all the film grain buy this also destroys details. There needs to be a balance. So Second Sight are remastering the film again and doing a New 5.1 HD master Audio Soundtrack. Hopefully getting a better balance between the details and grain. The colours are great on the German release but you can see the over smoothing of scenes. Interesting Harry does not like the clean version and his 35Th cut has kept the details but darkened a lot of scenes to keep the tone he wanted. Shadows have been added in scenes and some strange effects too. It's a weird cut but I'm glad we have it

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    11. Woah Dennis! That is awesome! So happy for you! You still in London mate?

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    12. It was just a crazy one day visit. Back to the cold up North again now

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    13. Hope you find your layers from last year! I am already pulling mine out. I hope you had a fun fireworks night too!

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    14. Once the clocks go back my SAD kicks in, dark and cold nights suck, roll on spring

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    15. I'm sorry to hear that Dennis. I know what you mean. I feel this is the time of year my depression takes over from anxiety.

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  2. Good weekend to all you.

    It was a fun Scary Movie Month, watching around 20 horror films. THE FOG (1980) was my favorite watch among them. The atmosphere of dread created in that film is terrific. MAD LOVE and DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS tie for second.

    The most horrific film I watched in October, though, was a documentary called A FILM UNFINISHED (2010). In 1942, a few months before the Warsaw Ghetto was exterminated, a German film crew was sent to the ghetto to shot footage for a film that was never made. Over sixty years later, several survivors of the ghetto were shown the footage. The doc captures their reactions and explores the history behind the film shoot. Needless to say, this will not make you feel good, but it is fascinating.

    A couple of notable non-horror watches were DEATH WATCH (1980) and LEILA (2002). Beyond its cast (Harry Dean Stanton and Harvey Keitel), DEATH WATCH is interesting because it depicts reality tv well before it ever came into being. LEILA is a wrenching story about an Iranian couple unable to have children enduring family pressure to divorce. The treatment of the wife by her mother-in-law is one of the cruelest things I have seen in a film in long time.

    I have not been able to watch anything since Tuesday night.
    Are any of you dealing with an SMM hangover?

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  3. Did anybody go to the Chiller Theatre convention last weekend?

    I had a good time at it. It definitely was the largest I have ever gone to; the crowd was overwhelming at times. Not being an autograph hound, I largely stayed away from the guest areas. There are only a handful of people I would pay an autograph for. (I wish Edwige Fenech went to cons.) I did attend a few panels, however.

    The search for new movies to watch was the best part of the experience. I easily could have spent double the amount of my movie budget. I picked up a DVD set of Vincent Price films, a copy of the THE DEVILS, and a few titles that would be perfect for Junesplotation.

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  4. Good Time (2017)

    Really good crime drama elevated to "almost great" due to Oneohtrix Point Never's brilliant score. I've been following this guy for years and years and I'm really happy to see him breaking into a somewhat more mainstream environment. Pattinson is really good though I couldn't help but think he looked like Vincent Gallo the whole time.

    "Bad Match" (2017)

    Okay, I absolutely loved this film up until literally the last minute or two. It kind of plays out like a much less Sci-Fi, indie "Black Mirror" mixed with "crazy stalker paranoia" films that were being pumped out in the 90's and still pop up from time to time. I really think the film nailed a lot of what is good about those kind of films and liked that most of it was believable. The end though...it's too rushed and has some awful ADR...it crushed my soul because I was loving it the whole time. Still, it doesn't ruin the film for me and I really, really like what is great about it.

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  5. Any thoughts on Blade Runner 2049? I enjoyed it. Too bad about its lack of revenue generation. There is probably a good model with a talented director leading the effort and Ridley Scott involved but not controlling every aspect of the production. So much better than either of the Alien prequels, by comparison.

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    1. I saw it yesterday, and honestly didn't care for it. I don't like how it ties into the original or what it does to Deckard. I also think the movie has some creepy stuff to do with how it treats women. And to top it off, the story was pretty unoriginal and uninteresting for me. It looks great though, but wasn't for me.

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    2. I had the thought just today that perhaps they could've released a 2 hr cut for the cinema and then kept the 2.45 for a special edition blu, perhaps would've pleased a more general audience that way.
      (I quite liked it BTW but didn't think it was the masterpiece critics did)

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    3. I really liked it. Can't wait to see it again, so that I can determine just how much. (I watched it in the middle of a mini 7 SMM movie marathon, so it's a but muddled).

      Would love for it to be brought up on a "what have you seen lately". Tell me fthismovie how to feel about it! Haha.

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    4. it's a fine movie, i guess. while i freakin' love the original, i didn't care for it all that much, but good for anybody who liked it. it has beautiful imagery, but those don't impress me anymore because of CGI. i'm impressed when there's a challenge. there is none of that anymore.

      though, for the life of me, i can't understand how they expected this movie to make any money with that budget. it's slow and has barely any action. people don't go see those in theater. heck, people barely go to theater at all anymore unless it contains a lot of explosions (yes, there are exceptions).

      but i will buy the blu-ray because i'm a completist OCD freak and there was some bits of it that i liked a lot

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    5. Just got back from finally seeing BR ‘49. Enjoyed it, but feeling a little underwhelmed. I’m gonna process a bit and hopefully see it again in a theater. I thought of a pretty good 7 word review that I can’t let go: Is Vangelis dead, cause what the fuck?
      In worth staying til the end of the credits news: the only other dude that stayed held the door for me on the way out. I noticed he was wearing a crew jacket for ‘The Abyss’. I commented on it and got to chat with him awhile about his experience working on that movie. Way cool!

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    6. I wish james cameron would stop his bullshit with Avatar for 5 minutes and restore and release The Abyss on blu-ray

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    7. I couldn't agree more re: Avatar. What pisses me off is that Avatar is terrible and if he realized that we could be getting better films from Cameron.

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    8. I also want True Lies

      But at this point, anything to get him off this pointless franchise (we have yet to see the franchise part, after 8 years)

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  6. I'm in love with Thor: Ragnarok. Haven't enjoyed a marvel movie that much since..... maybe ever? I'm not sure, but I can't wait to see it again.

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  7. Anyone in the US take advantage of the B&N Criterion sale? I picked up Personal Shopper and Scanners.

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    1. i usually do, even if i'm in canada it's still worth it sometimes. but the last one, this summer, killed me so i'm passing this one

      i'm actually watching one of the criterion i got during the last one as i'm writing this

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    2. Does it run through this Tuesday? I'm trying to hold out until The Philadelphia Story is out, but I want to pick up that and Personal Shopper.

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    3. I am thinking about Seven Samurai. Patrick, the sale runs through November 30.

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    4. end of the month. you have time. unless stock is depleted, of course

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    5. Good call on Scanners, that is an awesome release and a badass movie. I picked up Multiple Maniacs and Sid & Nancy. I’ve watched Multiple Maniacs and let’s just say... LOBSTER!!!

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    6. Multiple Maniacs released through Criterion... the world is indeed changing.

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    7. Well that sale ruined me:

      Blow-Out, Brazil, Stalker, In the Mood For Love, Pan's Labyrinth, Thin Red Line, Days of Heaven, Paris Texas, Seven Samurai

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    8. That’s a pretty good haul there Ryan.

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    9. All amazing films. I don't dare ask what it set you back.

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    10. Personal Shopper fans, why not double down with Clouds of Sils Maria?

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  8. This week I checked out the Indiana Jones series. As iconic as the character is, I didn't grow up with the movies like I did with Star Wars. I didn't even see Raiders of the Lost Ark til I was in college. So it was a lot of fun checking out the series.

    Watched The Meyerowitz Stories last night. Fun watch if you're into Baumbach's style.

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    1. I’m into Frances Ha, but i have yet to find another Baumbach movie that i like. So i’m not sure about this one

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    2. Check out Squid and the Whale, my favorite of his films.

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    3. The new one is like a more intellectual, less funny version of Royal Tenabaums.

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  9. Mortal Thoughts (1991) - Made back when Demi Moore and Bruce Willis were one of the biggest power couples of the time, the film sees Moore and her best friend played by Glenne Headly (RIP) being interrogated by Harvey Keitel about the murder of Headly's husband played by Willis and all the things that lead up to it.

    It's a very decent dramatic thriller with some good performances from its cast, particularly from Moore, Headly and Willis as the abusive hubby.

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  10. Has anyone seen The Killing of a Sacred Deer yet? I might make a drive to see it tonight.

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  11. I didn't participate on the just-concluded FTM Scary Movie Month festivities because my mother was suddenly diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer. Today mom lost her battle and passed away in her sleep, peacefully and without pain. She was 66. Cancer has touched the lives of many of us in this movie-loving community. I'd be eternally grateful if you could spare a minute to either say a prayer or have a kind thought for my beloved and dearly departed mother, Maria del Carmen Flores (1951-2017). Thank you very much. :'(

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    1. I'm so sorry, J.M. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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    2. Same here, Vargas. So sorry to hear about your loss, man.

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    3. I'm so sorry for your loss J.M.

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    4. Sorry for your loss. Hope you have all the supports you want or need

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    5. Very sad news J.M. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

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    6. Saying a prayer for you and your family tonight
      Much love to you

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    7. I'm not one for praying, but you and your family are in my thoughts, JM.

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    8. Deepest sympathies to you and your family.

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    9. I’m so sorry to hear that news J.M. You are in my thoughts.

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    10. I'm so sorry J.M. Thinking of you and your family.

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    11. I am so sorry to hear that J.M. My Uncle Michael died of liver cancer not that long ago, as well as my Grandma. I really hope we beat cancer someday. I wish you and your family love and condolences.

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    12. J.M. I am terribly sorry for your loss. My Mother died very suddenly on September 26, 2017. I used SMM month as a crutch to get me through the worst month of my life, denial is a powerful thing. I only bring this up to let you know, I think, I have some understanding of how you may be feeling. Nothing I can say is really worth anything in light of your loss. I only hope that you are as sad as I am. The reason being, is that it means your Mom created such an wonderful impact and lasting/loving impression on your life that there is no other option but to be devastated. It’s incredibly painful, sad and lonely to have lost someone whom will most likely be your biggest fan. My sadness is overwhelming but it let’s me know know how amazingly wonderful it was to have had such a loving force in my life. It’s crazy hard, I cry, I get angry, I find myself not caring about things. Then I think about what Mom would really want from me and it’s none of those things. Again, I am truly sorry. Try to see through to the positive. I can’t do it all the time but when I do I find myself in a better place. Good luck to you J.M. and know Ms. Vargas will be in my thoughts.

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    13. Thanks for your kind thoughts and good wishes, guys. :-)

      Gaby, so sorry to hear about your uncle and granny. Guess liver cancer is a particularly nasty form of the disease. Mom started feeling ill in early October, got diagnosed on Oct. 11 and passed away less than a month later. It's the sudden loss of someone I've been Skyping with three times a week for the past ten years that is the most painful. I was so used to hearing her voice, and now I'm sad I didn't tape any voice samples to remember what her voice sounds like. :'(

      Cullen, so sorry to hear about your mother. :-( We reacted differently to how to cope with our losses. You managed to make SMM your escape valve from the pain of losing her. I knew the end was coming (the doctors were pretty cut and dry that her disease was incurable and rapidly advancing) so I just couldn't get my brain to think of anything clever to summarize a movie in seven-word review form. And shoot, when I tried to watch a movie or two to distract me from mom's illness something in the picture would return me to reality. Shoot, I saw Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" ("Braindead") and there's a freaking Oedipus plot in there about a zombie mother trying to get her only son back into her womb. AAARGHHHH! :-P

      I want to publicly thank Patrick for his extra podcasts during SMM. I work overnights and get to listen to podcasts as I work. It was stress-relieving and a little comfort blanket to hear FTM podcasts and Patrick & Co. reading the best of the SMM reviews. :-) It's the first time since we started this nightly ritual that I've missed it. Let's just say my 68-year-old dad better be in excellent health when he retires from work next July, or I'll be pretty mad if he screws up a second SMM in a row for me. ;-) :-P

      Thanks again guys.

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  12. Anybody know where i can get slipcovers for Shout/Scream Factory releases? Just the slipcovers, not the blus

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    1. You might have tried but mahbe eBay? They have boxes of lego with no lego in them om sale sometimes.

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