“The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series” 6 DVD Set
(Coming January 2009!!!)
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails
(Look at those arms!!!)
“Casino Royale” Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray
(In stores next week!!!)
Mark Sceurman of “Weird U.S.”
(ZOMG!!!)
So, I just finished watching Neil LaBute’s disastrous remake of “The Wicker Man.” I know you are gonna say that I should have known it was gonna be bad going in. Well, I did … but I wasn’t quite prepared for just how bad it is. Poor Mr. LaBute really does need to get some nice female role models in his life as the baddies in this film are a society of male hating (and sacrificing) women. Shocker! The movie definitely does have some camp value to it though. Below you can see the best parts. Oh, the hilarity of it all!
Yeesh. My posting schedule has been waaaaaaaay the fuck off lately. I bet ya hadn’t even noticed.
“Floyd Collins” has FINALLY been completely cast. So unless somebody dies, we should have everyone there tomorrow night. Even the thought of that makes me all smiley!
The Japanese Box Set of “Grindhouse” arrived last week … and it’s so beautiful. I almost cried as I unwrapped the package. The original double bill of “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof” is soooooo awesome. I am still kicking myself that I didn’t see it in the theater.
There are also some movies I have seen that I want to make comments about … but I will save those for a later post. Suffice it to say that the last two movie outings have both been disappointments.
Financial paranoia aside … I am still loving my new Macbook Pro. I got to video chat with Dr. Phibes and Co. this past week and it was totally cool … especially since I usually only get to “see” them once a year.
My big pesky freelance project that I HATE doing is now out of my hair and will be at the printers this coming week. Now, that makes me all smiley.
While mowing the yard today I was all on the lookout after the whole “bee incident” last weekend. Well vigilance didn’t really pay off as I got stung … again. Freakin’ Yellow Jackets!!! At least this time I was able to locate the nest (in the ground of course). A couple of hours ago, I gas bombed those fuckers into oblivion and it felt so good.
Oh, man. Do I feel like a heel for not having seen “Grindhouse” at the movies? Yeah .. I do. “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof” add up to some great exploitation throw-back fun. It’s too bad that you can’t get the original theatrical version of “Grindhouse” on video here in the states. But in Japan, they have a monster 6-disc DVD set that contains the “extended” versions, special features discs (both available in the States) and a disc with the original theatrical cut (including faux trailers) and a special bonus disc. Awesome! My copy should be arriving tomorrow …
“Brand Upon The Brain!” (2006)
Those of you who like to be more adventuresome with you movies might enjoy “Brand Upon The Brain!” Guy Maddin’s semi-autobiographical silent film is steeped in the tradition of films from the 20’s and 30’s. Journey to Black Notch Island and discover its mysteries. Along the way you’ll be treated to a movie that plays like melodrama, comedy and horror with a dash of German expressionism thrown in for good measure. Isabella Rossellini provides excellent narration throughout the film. If you see the new Criterion edition, you get you choice of several celebrity narrators as one of the bonus features. Check it out … if you’re adventuresome that is!
“Antibodies” is a savvy and stylish German thriller. I really dug it!
Plus … Wotan Wilke Möhring (who plays small town cop Michael Martens) is totally handsome!
About the only thing scary about “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning” is just how unoriginal it is. If you have seen the 2003 remake of the original then you have pretty much seen this one. Meh.
The movie does get a few points for having the super hot Matt Bomer in it. Too bad he gets strapped to a table, is gutted and then gets his face peeled off.
I could think of much better things to do with him …
Imagine “28 Days Later” plus “Aliens” plus “Escape from New York” plus “King Arthur” plus “The Road Warrior” plus a few other assorted sci-fi/action/horror films thrown in for good measure … and you will have “Doomsday.” Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Them (“Ils” 2006, France)
This movie was suggested to me by the cute blue-haired guy working in the media section of Barnes & Noble … and I am so glad I Netflix-ed it!
“Them” is a throw back to films like the original “Black Christmas.” It’s all very minimal and a lot is left up to your imagination. The whole movie is relatively bloodless too. It’s nice to see that you can still be scared without lots of blood and gore oozing all over the place.
Maybe part of the scare for me as well with “Them” is that I didn’t know anything about it. I Netflix-ed it without reading the synopsis online. I didn’t read the sleeve when the movie arrived either. Hence, no links here. ‘Cause I think the less you know the better.
I highly recommend “Them.” Check it out!
Frontière(s) (2007, France)
Is France the new Asia when it comes to horror? There certainly have been some great horror films coming from France in the last several years … but I doubt that “Frontière(s)” is gonna sway you towards France being “it” right now.
Don’t get me wrong … “Frontière(s)” works well enough for a horror film. But it owes soooooooo much to the remake of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” that I couldn’t help but make tons of comparisons while watching it.
*Spoilers Ahead*
1. Backwoods France
2. Creepy Family (this time with a hotel)
3. Cannibals!!!
4. Lone Female Left to Battle the Psychos
*End Spoilers*
“Frontière(s)” has some nice set pieces here and there and is very, very violent. I guess you could apply the “torture porn” label to it … though it is much better than it’s silly American counterparts.
Yeah. I bought this and I still think this movie is pretty awesome!
I would be curious to hear what YOU (loyal reader and horror fan) think about “The Ruins.”
Irreversible (2002, France)
Gaspar Noé’s revenge thriller, “Irreversible,” is like a kick in the head. The opening credits set the stage for the camera work of the movie … twisting, turning shots that never really make you feel like you are on “stable” ground. Yes, motion-sick people should beware. The plot works backward from the revenge to the attack to the lead into the evening. The two set pieces of violence in this movie are brutal (the fight at “Rectum” and the rape). Noé is ballsy. His camera doesn’t flinch at all. The rape sequence is almost reverent in the fact that the camera (after all the movement that precedes this scene) settles on the floor of the tunnel and doesn’t move. You witness the horrific rape full-on with no cut, no edits. And that sort of “in your face” film making is what makes “Irreversible” a must-see for movie fans.
Stop-Loss (2008, USA)
While not the greatest movie ever made, I really enjoyed “Stop-Loss.” The story is a little uneven in spots but overall it holds together. Ryan Phillippe does a pretty fine acting job as well (and he’s hot too!). I would recommend checking it out.
