If it's not horror, it should be old. Classic and retro are what I go for. Especially comedy.
The Odd couple (1968)
One of my favorite movies after just one viewing. Fantastic cast, Lemmon and Matthau, the great comedy team at their best. Spectacular screenplay, great lines, and visual gags. The whole thing is stunning.
Who done it? (1942)
Abbott and Costello were one of the best comedy teams ever, even if they didn't get along off-stage... Their only film sans musical number. The Watts and Volts bit was good. I especially like the line said when Who's on first? was on Costello's radio. Something to the effect of "I hate those guys".
It's a mad mad mad mad mad World (1963)
Everyone who was anyone was in this. You could sit there watching it and point to the screen every five seconds going "OOH, OOH, I know that guy!" I liked it.
Soylent Green (1973)
What a downer! It's a fine film, but pretty disturbing. Everyone ought to see it before someone spoils it for you. I don't know if it's considered drama, sci-fi or horror. It seems to be all three.
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2008
Short reviews
I'm pretty picky about which movies I watch. I'll watch horror from any year, though I prefer pre-1990's. As I've said before, The 30's and 40's were the golden age of horror films, imho. Then the 60's and 70's.
The Ring (2002)
Good, spooky atmosphere. It scared me more than I will admit...
The Ring two (2005)
They should have quit while they were ahead. Not terrible, but unnecessary and predictable. The CGI wasn't so hot either.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Poor, sweet, Edward Scissorhands! I only saw this well-known Burton and Depp film a few weeks ago. It's beautiful, sensitive, and funny. Vincent Price's last film. He actually fainted during one scene and Burton kept it in.
The Time machine (1960)
This one had an odd effect on me. It's interesting, and it makes you think. I came away feeling somewhat ephemeral.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Leslie Nielson (Lt. Frank Drebin did a serious sci-fi thriller?!) stole the show here. I watched it because I was amused by how young he was, and because, to me, sci-fi and horror are often similar.
The Rocky Horror picture show (1975)
Yeah, you won't stop singing after you watch it. Catchy tunes, clever lyrics, funny, and surreal. Definitely a winner.
The Omen (2006)
One of the few things I like about new horror is the atmosphere. The use, not abuse, of special (and visual, and audio...) effects is key. Omen 2006 handles these things well. Fairly decent in it's own right.
Rosemary's baby (1968)
It's a good movie, but I just don't care for it. Odd, I know, but honest.
The Ring (2002)
Good, spooky atmosphere. It scared me more than I will admit...
The Ring two (2005)
They should have quit while they were ahead. Not terrible, but unnecessary and predictable. The CGI wasn't so hot either.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Poor, sweet, Edward Scissorhands! I only saw this well-known Burton and Depp film a few weeks ago. It's beautiful, sensitive, and funny. Vincent Price's last film. He actually fainted during one scene and Burton kept it in.
The Time machine (1960)
This one had an odd effect on me. It's interesting, and it makes you think. I came away feeling somewhat ephemeral.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Leslie Nielson (Lt. Frank Drebin did a serious sci-fi thriller?!) stole the show here. I watched it because I was amused by how young he was, and because, to me, sci-fi and horror are often similar.
The Rocky Horror picture show (1975)
Yeah, you won't stop singing after you watch it. Catchy tunes, clever lyrics, funny, and surreal. Definitely a winner.
The Omen (2006)
One of the few things I like about new horror is the atmosphere. The use, not abuse, of special (and visual, and audio...) effects is key. Omen 2006 handles these things well. Fairly decent in it's own right.
Rosemary's baby (1968)
It's a good movie, but I just don't care for it. Odd, I know, but honest.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Short reviews
Cat People (1942)
A bit slow, not very horror-like, but a decent film for a rainy day.
Curse of the Cat People (1944)
Entertaining though it has very little to do with it's predecessor. Less horror-like than Cat People, but, IMHO, more interesting.
Ghost Busters (1984)
Great film. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on a hell of a lot.
Ghostbusters II (1989)
A rare instance where I like the sequel as much as the original.
Bedazzled (2000)
Not my type.
A bit slow, not very horror-like, but a decent film for a rainy day.
Curse of the Cat People (1944)
Entertaining though it has very little to do with it's predecessor. Less horror-like than Cat People, but, IMHO, more interesting.
Ghost Busters (1984)
Great film. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on a hell of a lot.
Ghostbusters II (1989)
A rare instance where I like the sequel as much as the original.
Bedazzled (2000)
Not my type.
Re-Animator (1985)
The special effects department went through 25 gallons of fake blood during the shoot.
I watched it knowing in advance that I would always like Lovecraft's short story better. The first striking thing about the movie was the score, which was basically Bernard Herrmann's Psycho theme. It was pretty annoying to hear a classic theme passed off as something original. Underneath the added stuff, it still holds the Pyscho charm. (UPDATE: Having watched the making of Re-Animator, the score doesn't bother me at all. It was acknowledged that it was a tribute to Herrmann's theme.)
I've warmed to it after 2 more viewings... Obviously; if I didn't like it, I wouldn't have watched it again. Twice.
I was also lucky enough to get the DVD edition with a fabulous green marker in the shape of a syringe!
I watched it knowing in advance that I would always like Lovecraft's short story better. The first striking thing about the movie was the score, which was basically Bernard Herrmann's Psycho theme. It was pretty annoying to hear a classic theme passed off as something original. Underneath the added stuff, it still holds the Pyscho charm. (UPDATE: Having watched the making of Re-Animator, the score doesn't bother me at all. It was acknowledged that it was a tribute to Herrmann's theme.)
I've warmed to it after 2 more viewings... Obviously; if I didn't like it, I wouldn't have watched it again. Twice.
I was also lucky enough to get the DVD edition with a fabulous green marker in the shape of a syringe!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Shining (1980)
It's shameful that I hadn't seen it until now. For those of you who still haven't watched it, a spoiler-free review.
Jack Torrance, a frustrated writer, is employed as caretaker of The Overlook Hotel for the winter. He, his wife, Wendy, and son, Danny are to live by themselves in the enormous hotel for 5 months. Though another caretaker of The Overlook lost his mind and slaughtered his family, Jack expects to find only peaceful solitude... Perfect for writing. Until the spacious hotel tightens it's grip on the Torrances.
Shelly Duval fit well in the role of pitiable Wendy, a nervous smoker, whos only concern is the well-being of her husband and son. More so the latter. Danny Lloyd was unnerving as an average young boy, with the exception of his invisible friend, Tony. It was Lloyd's first and last big movie. Jack Nicholson was spellbinding. 5 months on the wagon and responsible for The Overlook, Jack is understandably tense. Scatman Crothers (please hold your giggles) played the kindly aging cook who shared a unique bond with Danny.
The "Here's Johnny!" scene wasn't terribly scary. Good shot and catchphrase though. There are slow bits, but they only add to the realism. A new favorite of mine. Definitely deserving of it's place as a Horror Classic.
Jack Torrance, a frustrated writer, is employed as caretaker of The Overlook Hotel for the winter. He, his wife, Wendy, and son, Danny are to live by themselves in the enormous hotel for 5 months. Though another caretaker of The Overlook lost his mind and slaughtered his family, Jack expects to find only peaceful solitude... Perfect for writing. Until the spacious hotel tightens it's grip on the Torrances.
Shelly Duval fit well in the role of pitiable Wendy, a nervous smoker, whos only concern is the well-being of her husband and son. More so the latter. Danny Lloyd was unnerving as an average young boy, with the exception of his invisible friend, Tony. It was Lloyd's first and last big movie. Jack Nicholson was spellbinding. 5 months on the wagon and responsible for The Overlook, Jack is understandably tense. Scatman Crothers (please hold your giggles) played the kindly aging cook who shared a unique bond with Danny.
The "Here's Johnny!" scene wasn't terribly scary. Good shot and catchphrase though. There are slow bits, but they only add to the realism. A new favorite of mine. Definitely deserving of it's place as a Horror Classic.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
OK, I've not posted anything of my own for some time, so I hope you're interested to hear my humble opinion of Sweeney Todd. It's intensely tempting to gush and say IT'S GREAT! OMG! GO SEE IT! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT!!!... it's what I'm bursting to tell you. Let's see if I can come up with an actual review.
I haven't been in a theater for years. There hasn't been anything that looked interesting enough for me to spend $15 on seeing. Seeing once. (Plus popcorn and soda etc.) $15 can buy a DVD. So I usually wait. But this was worth it.
Previews are a pain. Snake things burrowing under people's flesh and crawling around is hardly my sort of movie. And I misread the title... It was The Ruins. Not The Runs.
A fog rolling in with the credits was nicely meshed with the opening scene. The first song was average. But Johnny Depp's rendering of it was intriguing. (A few moments later, there's an amusing lyric) The effects were marvelous. London in all it's cold, gritty indifference to Todd. Also to Mrs. Lovett; maker of The Worst Pies in London. It wasn't the bloodshed, but Mrs. Lovett's bug squashing that made me cringe! (The costumes were gorgeous too.) Later, the special effects are put to work creating shudder-worthy scenes of slaughter, revenge and baking.
Romantic, tragic, thrilling; a mesmerizing musical not for the weak stomached.
I haven't been in a theater for years. There hasn't been anything that looked interesting enough for me to spend $15 on seeing. Seeing once. (Plus popcorn and soda etc.) $15 can buy a DVD. So I usually wait. But this was worth it.
Previews are a pain. Snake things burrowing under people's flesh and crawling around is hardly my sort of movie. And I misread the title... It was The Ruins. Not The Runs.
A fog rolling in with the credits was nicely meshed with the opening scene. The first song was average. But Johnny Depp's rendering of it was intriguing. (A few moments later, there's an amusing lyric) The effects were marvelous. London in all it's cold, gritty indifference to Todd. Also to Mrs. Lovett; maker of The Worst Pies in London. It wasn't the bloodshed, but Mrs. Lovett's bug squashing that made me cringe! (The costumes were gorgeous too.) Later, the special effects are put to work creating shudder-worthy scenes of slaughter, revenge and baking.
Romantic, tragic, thrilling; a mesmerizing musical not for the weak stomached.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
This wasn't what I expected. I guess I was hoping for a little more subtly... Like John Barrymore's Jekyll and Hyde. Being a silent movie, wildy expressive movements are typical. I'm glad I saw it, even if I didn't care much for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
