Ryan McNeil
It’s another one of those weeks where I don’t know how the tally got quite so high (Even though Andrew Robinson’s tally eclipses mine every week now).
Actually, that’s a lie – I do know.
Lindsay has been travelling for a project that she’s working on, and with her away I’m ruling the roost. To clarify this further, I’m only watching what I want to watch when I want to watch it…and with a whole week of that sort of arrangement coming up, perhaps this week coming will include a sky-high tally as well.
As you can see, much of this month’s scary movie watching was done this week. As in years past, I came away from it quite happy. I believe all of this concentrated horror watching has given me a great appreciation for the genre, while allowing me to sidestep the schlock that drags it down. Maybe I’ll even go get my hands on THE CONJURING to add this year’s biggest hit to the tally! There are many more on that list that I still want to get through, maybe I’ll start scheduling myself a weekly fright night.
Looking ahead, I’m hoping to clear at least a few classics off my DVR. Sitting right there waiting for me are gems like I AM CUBA, L’ATALANTE, and McCABE AND MRS. MILLER.
Don’t be surprised if you see at least a few of them turn up next week.
Here’s The Week at Hand…
Screenings
ENDER’S GAME – I’ll have some thoughts on this tomorrow.
Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Never Seen
THE WICKER MAN – Ew.
SAW – Knowing about who Tobin Bell was sort of a buzzkill.
PERSONA – So…who’s buying me the Criterion blu-ray for Christmas?
THE HOST – Awesome sauce.
AUDITION – Y’all trumped this up to be more disturbing than it was.
THE WOLF MAN – Very gothic.
Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Watched Before
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – Every time I watch the Director’s Cut, I’m further convinced that It’s an underrated masterpiece.
THOR – There’s no way I’m the only one.
THE SHINING – My Halloween Night viewing
ALICE IN WONDERLAND – Oddest. Double Feature. Ever.
I rather enjoyed I Am Cuba, it has one of the all time great tracking shots. Funny enough, I blindly bought a copy of Audition in the summer and still have not cracked it open yet. Still need to see Persona, L’Atalante, and McCabe and Mrs. Miller as well.
All new to me this week:
Escape From Tomorrow – A great concept but limited in its actual ideas. Having never been to Disney, I did not love the film like others seem to.
In the Heat of the Night – Ever decide to re-watch a classic only to realize that you had never actually seen it before?
Farah Goes Bang – Reel Asian screener.
Linsanity – Reel Asian screener.
Now You See Me – Ridiculous, simply ridiculous…however, I am interested in seeing how they plan to pull off the sequel.
Hopefully you’ve had a few moments to listen to Matineecast 98: If so, you know now that you aren’t as alone in disliking TOMORROW as you may think!
Woah, that’s some double feature.
Firsts: Leaving Las Vegas– It was so sad but I really loved it. Such amazing performances.
Night of the Living Dead– It was boring at first but then I got really into it. Kind of happily surprised that it had a black lead.
Dawn of the Dead– Brilliant! Also, never realised that I had seen the remake at some point because the film was very familiar.
Hocus Pocus– Aww, wasn’t that fun?
Captain Phillips– So gripping! Hanks was phenomenal.
Frances Ha– Oh I loved it. #2 of the year as of now.
The To Do List– It was very uneven but some unique perspectives shown.
Rewatched: Stoker– I am kind of obsessed with it.
The Darjeeling Limited– I’m so happy Wes Anderson and Adrien Brody found each other. Also, I need to know how this was shot.
The Rock– Had not watched it in 7-8 years. So funny!!
Starter for 10– Blew my mind because of my current Brit obsession. So many actors!
I watched LEAVING LAS VEGAS for the first time the night before St. patrick’s Day one year.
Suffice it to say, it took all the fun out of drinking the next night.
First-Timers: Captain Phillips, 12 Years a Slave, The Fury, Vertigo, Wreck-It Ralph, and later tonight, The Perks of Being a Wildflower.
Re-Watches: The Goonies, La Luna (Pixar short), and The Birds for Halloween.
Loved your post on WALLFLOWER. Once again – well done, sir.
I’m disappointed you didn’t like Audition more. Oh well. One of these days I’ll see The Host! I hear such good things from everyone who sees it.
As for me, all first-time:
Iron Man 3
Star Trek Into Darkness
Black Magic 2
A Return to Salem’s Lot
I might have misspoke somewhat. I liked AUDITION quite a bit, I just wasn’t all that frightened/shaken up by it the way I thought I would be. Its patience and stillness were a nice surprise.
Not to get too far ahead of myself, but in light of THOR 2, i like IRON MAN 3 even more.
Nothing but rewatches this week. All enjoyable though:
Hocus Pocus
The Exorcist (I love watching this with people who haven’t seen it before)
The Missing
Halloween
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The Guard
THE MISSING!? I’ll take “Films I haven’t even thought about since Autumn of ’03” for $1000, Alex.
What prompted you to reach for that?
Nice double feature there, Ryan! 😀 My favourite of this week was The Road, closely followed by a niiice (fourth) rewatch of Star Trek Into Darkness.
It’s been way too long wince I’ve watched THE ROAD…I think I’m due for another look.
PS – Hopefully you’ve listened to the podcast to hear our thoughts on that glorious double feature.
I only watched two films this week, but they were on back-to-back days over the weekend. So I’m getting back to it! Lots of John Ford on the horizon for me.
SERIES 7: THE CONTENDERS – This was my October blind spot, though I didn’t get to watch it until November 1st. I fail! It had an interesting concept, especially for 2001, but it was just okay overall.
YOUNG MR. LINCOLN – I’m starting my John Ford marathon with this solid film starring Henry Fonda. Some great scenes in this one, and the lead performance is very good.
I did get a bit of a grin seeing a 2001 film as this month’s “Blind Spot” selection. It’s as if you were trying to one-up my use of LOCK, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS.