Ryan McNeil
This was the week peppered by homework.
I’ve said before that going too far in watching films for blogging/podcasting purposes can take the fun out of it, and I came kinda close to that this week. Eight titles are listed below, and all but two of them were watched for a project of some sort.
Of course, I never meant to assign that much homework in a week, it just happened to be a freak occurrence where three separate projects overlapped (The Horror Syllabus, The Blind Spot, and the podcast). I had enough time to get through it all at a leisurely pace, but I still came pretty close to getting burnt out on assigned viewing.
I think next week should be nothing but old favorites.
Here’s The Week at Hand…
Screenings
WRECK-IT RALPH – I could say something about it now, but then what reason would you have to read the review tomorrow?
Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Never Seen
SUSPIRIA – Oh so delightfully batshit!
FRANKENSTEIN – Gonna have to track myself down a copy of this soon, and rewatch GODS AND MONSTERS.
DEAD AGAIN – You’ll hear more thoughts about this film in a few days.
THE INNOCENTS – many thanks to Bob and Jandy for pressing this film upon me.
NOSFERATU (1922) – Went pretty well with the REQUIEM FOR THE DREAM OST.
Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Watched Before
THE FOUNTAIN – Speaking of Aranofsky…
E.T. THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL – If any part of you likes this film, you must get yourself a copy of the blu-ray
Boxscore for The Year
214 First-Timers, 196 Re-Watched
112 Screenings
410 Movies in Total
Screenings:
The Exorcist – Don’t know why I held off for so long
The Story of Film: An Odyssey – You know the drill
Creepshow – Made for some great Halloween night entertainment
Manborg – An über-cheesy, ultra low-budget, and very fun sci-fi film
First Time:
Poltergeist – You can see the Spielberg in this one
Re-Watches:
The Innkeepers – Fast becoming a favourite
Trick ‘r Treat – A Halloween tradition
Am I losing my mind, or didn’t MANBORG play TAD last autumn?
MANBORG was indeed a Toronto After Dark selection last year.
It is currently playing for a week-long run at the Royal.
Take a look at Bride of Frankenstein too.
I’ve had a busy week, went to the cinema four nights in a row:
The hard drive didn’t arrive for Room 237 so chose to see Beasts of the Southern Wild; good but I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
Argo; loved it.
The Shining; Halloween special – as great as ever and it was the longer US version, not the UK cut I have seen before.
Skyfall; Amazing, I can’t decide if it’s the best Bond film but its certainly a contender.
Confession time, I have never seen ET, it was my second choice for a classic/essential film when I was on your podcast!
Definitely check out E.T., I’d actually be curious to know what you think of it as a first-timer.
Funny you should mention BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD as I just had a screener dvd arrive from Fox yesterday. I’m thinking I’m going to have to give it another look this week. As for all the fuss, give my review a look – might give you an idea of where my head was at with it.
I have taken your advice. Comments given after the review.
I will get round to ET one day and let you know what I think about it.
Got the comments. Fox actually sent me a screener dvd so I’ll be re-watching it soon. I’ll give it another look with your questions in mind and get back to you then.
First time:
12 Angry Men – Loved it.
Detroit 9000 – I needed a break after Toronto After Dark, so I went back to the mindless fun of the blaxploitation genre. This was one was pretty forgettable though.
Scream Blackula Scream – Pam Grier Alert! The film is cheesy fun…which is what you would expect from a film like this.
Graceland – Reel Asian screener. Love this film. It is a smart and well made thriller.
It’s Not What You Think – Reel Asian screener. One of the short programs at the festival. A good selection of films though the best one is at the beginning.
Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings – Reel Asian screener. A charming documentary that will make you want to buy a ukulele.
Re-watched:
Super Fly – Far more serious than I remembered. It is like the art house of blaxploitation films.
Have you been following along with Filmspotting’s blaxploitatio marathon? They just talked about SUPER FLY this week. I think they’re covering COFFY next episode.
I have fallen behind in my Filmspotting episodes but I will definitely have to catch now. Though I have seen Coffy several times, I am always looking for new blaxploitation films to check out. The genre is becoming my go to post-festival cleanser.
They’re halfway through it – here are the titles they have covered/are going to cover:
Shaft (done)
Super Fly (done)
Coffy (done)
Black Caesar
Cooley High
Ganja & Hess
First time screening:
Diana Vreeland, The Eye Has To Travel: Pretty forgettable movie about an unforgettable personality.
Samsara: OH MY! Shot in 70mm, with a gorgeous 4k Digital print, must see theater experience
Flight: Very good movie, didn’t quite reach greatness, IMO. Denzel is good as always.
Re-watch
Went to the Bond Exhibit last weekend, it’s a highly recommended experience, and something I would love to do again. It inspires me to rewatch some old Bond films. Alas start my own Bond Marathon. I did the Sean Connery stuff this week.
Dr No: More of a spy film than an action film
From Russia With Love: Connery comes to his own here. I still think he is the best Bond.
Goldfinger: The best Bond movie, IMO. Can Skyfall beat it?
You Only Lived Twice: Lazy.
I haven’t been to the Bond exhibit yet, but that’s definitely happening. I was totally mesmerized looking at the wall of title sequences when I was at Lightbox this week. I had better do some Bond homework this week in advance of SKYFALL, hadn’t I?
(A screening of THE SPY WHO LOVED ME will certainly help that)
You’ve also piqued my interest in SAMSARA, a film I was ready to skip over.
My brother was just asking about E.T.. The boy needs to be educated.
Firsts: Manhunter– Yeah I did not like this much.
The Trip– Hilarious. Also have to go on a north England tour pronto.
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter– Lolwut?
Halloween– Did not find this v. scary.
Manhattan Murder Mystery– The funniest Woody Allen performance I have seen so far.
Interiors– Just devastated by this film. It’s going to haunt me.
Rewatched:Blue Valentine– Was not that into it the first time. This time however I have been beautifully frightened to my inner romantic core. Gosling deserved some awards.
The Silence of the Lambs– Educating my brother. He loved it.
Skyfall– Yes I saw this. Again 😛
Educate him!
I love that you’ve seen SKYFALL repeatedly while everyone over here is anxiously awaiting being able to see it once. Friday can’t come soon enough.
As for Vampire Hunter, how can you not love a film where a bad guy throws a horse??
First-Timers: Cloud Atlas, Alvin & the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked, Haxan, Empire of Passion, Pariah, and earlier today, Jack & Diane.
Re-Watches: True Romance, Oscar, Alive, Big Trouble in Little China, and The Breakfast Club.
How did you like CLOUD ATLAS? (asking because I’m editing the next Matineecast right now and that’s the film we review)
I thought it was pretty good. It was hard to get into at first but then I started to enjoy myself once I realize what it was aiming for in terms of its narrative.