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Post by Pharozonk on Jun 21, 2014 22:41:33 GMT -5
I rewatched Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) and I think it has grown to be my favorite animated version of the Justice League. I haven't read the Darwyn Cooke series yet so I have no idea how well of an adaptation it is. Still if there's a better Justice League animated movie I've yet to watch it. It's fantastic! The actual comic series is even better. To me, it's the definitive Hal Jordan story. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jun 22, 2014 5:20:45 GMT -5
Finally got around to watching Blood Feast and Two Thousand Maniacs tonight, after having purchased them a full year ago.
Blood Feast was ridiculous. Seriously more laughable than anything Ed Wood ever produced.
Two Thousand Maniacs was a lot more fun, but it didn't feel like "classic" material to me.
So is the primary appeal of these films that, at the time, they were considered shockingly gruesome? Because, some really fun black humor in Two Thousand Maniacs aside, they don't seem to have much else going for them.
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Post by Jesse on Jun 22, 2014 5:57:10 GMT -5
I thought Mal Arnold's performance as Fuad Ramses was actually pretty creepy and despite how laughable the acting is I think both films are actually pretty good stories. So is the primary appeal of these films that, at the time, they were considered shockingly gruesome? That's pretty much the appeal of all splatter films. |
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Post by shaxper on Jun 22, 2014 6:24:31 GMT -5
Then why are people still drawn to these? If you're looking for straight shock and gore, both have come a long way since the mid 1960s.
I personally prefer style and tone in my horror films. It's why I'll still choose the Universal Classics over anything made today.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Two Thousand Maniacs, but I'm not sure I'll be checking out anything more from Hershall Gordon Lewis.
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Post by Jesse on Jun 22, 2014 6:26:14 GMT -5
Some interesting documentaries worth mentioning Fellini: I'm a Born Liar (2002) explores the career of Federico Fellini and uses tons of great footage from his films. If you've never watched his films before this is a good starting point. Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005) discusses influential low-budget films that became successful when they were shown during midnight matinees such as the original Night of the Living Dead (1968), El Topo (1970), Eraserhead (1977) , The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), etc. It also contains interviews with George A. Romero, John Waters, Jodorowsky, David Lynch, etc. Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade (2004) is a fascinating look at his films as well as a must see for any fan of his movies. You're Gonna Miss Me (2005) is about influential musician Roky Erickson, his work with the band The 13th Floor Elevators and his ongoing struggle with schizophrenia that led him to be wrongfully institutionalized. Coffin Joe: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins (2001) is really interesting and I would definitely recommend it to fans of the horror genre whether they are familiar with his work or not. Though I should point out this documentary is mostly in Portuguese so you'll likely be reading subtitles. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) is about the career of another musician with metal health issues. Crossing the Line (2006) narrated by Christian Slater is a surprisingly objective look at a couple of Americans who defected to North Korea in the early '60s. Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006) is a really interesting look at the sub-genre and I would also recommend it to any horror fan. His Name Was Jason: 30 Years Of Friday The 13th (2009) hosted by Tom Savini is pretty fun look at the film series. I have watched over a dozen of ESPN's 30 for 30 series and have yet to be disappointed. My favorites so far have been... - June 17, 1994
- Kings Ransom
- Silly Little Game
- Four Days In October
- Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?
- Jordan Rides the Bus
- The House of Steinbrenner
- Broke
- The Band that Wouldn't Die
- Muhammad and Larry
- Run Ricky Run
- The Birth of Big Air
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jun 22, 2014 6:51:55 GMT -5
Fellini: I'm a Born Liar (2002) explores the career of Federico Fellini and uses tons of great footage from his films. If you've never watched his films before this is a good starting point. I love La Dolce Vita. Did you watch the supplemental feature where he is reunited with his crush? It's pretty much the culmination of the entire story. |
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Jun 22, 2014 9:24:28 GMT -5
That's a great title,Hellevator I've seen 2 Argento films- Bird With The Crystal Plummage.I saw that in the theaters when it was released.I image it was his homage to Hitchcock's Psycho. I also watched SuspiriaI'd recommend both of those, as well as Deep Red and Tenebre. Us spirit is justin the cusp of when he starts to go off the rails. But I like the earlier, more Giallo, flicks. Four Flies on Gray Velvet and Cat o' Nine Tails are two more. I'm trying to find a streaming version of Screaming Mimi, which is based on the same book as Bird With The Crystal Plumage, by Frederic Brown. i watched New Tale of Zatoichi last night, the third in the series about the blind swordsman. Enjoying the series very much. Netflix only has them on DVD but I have all three coming to me in release date viewing order ... Suspiria Bird with the Crystal Plumage Phenomena Thanks for the recommendations guys |
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jun 22, 2014 15:10:35 GMT -5
Hell's Angels (1930)
Ben Lyon,James Hall,Jean Harlow
D-Howard Hughes
Brothers Monte (Lyon)and Ray (Hall)leave Oxford to join the Royal Flying Corps to battle in WWI. Ray loves Helen (Harlow); Helen enjoys an affair with Monte; before they leave on their mission over Germany they find her in still another man's arms.
There's 2 reasons to see this movie. First is the aerial sequences which make up close to half the film. After 85 years,they are still exciting and sometimes stunning. Almost $4 million was spent to shoot this movie,the highest budget ever for its time. 70 pilots were employed and 3 died during the production.There are 2 aerial scenes,the first 40 minutes into the film.A German Zeppelin dropping bombs over London and a squadron of RAF fighters trying to bring it down.The 2nd scene involves a bombing mission against a German munitions camp and the subsequent aerial battle involving dozens of planes including German ace Von Richthofen
The second reason is the introduction of Jean Harlow in her first major role.She was 18 years old when this was filmed,before the platinum blonde hair and plucked eyebrows but already exuding sexuality (Howard Hughes knew how to find them).There is an early technicolor sequence at a charity ball,the only color footage of Harlow ever filmed. She had more to learn about acting as she aged but theres no denying she had a natural gift
There were a few other sequences of color tinted effects,the blue dawn of the airfield as the pilots made rady,the orange skies and giant fireball of the exploding zeppelin.
On the downside is the stilted acting of the 2 male leads.It gets very melodramatic as they deal with their broken hearts as Harlow sluts around between them and others.And at the end of the film is a scene where a brother gets shot followed by one of the longest dying soliloquies in movie history.
Worth seeing.Definitely.Its an important film in movie history. 7 of 10 stars
And this ends my personal Jean Harlow viewing I began earlier this year.I have seen 20 of her 22 movies which she had a major role. Only 2 are so far unavailble, Goldie (1931) and Three Wise Girls (1932)
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jun 22, 2014 15:37:34 GMT -5
The Aristocats (1970)
Voices of Eva Gabor,Phil Harris,Sterling Holloway,Scatman Crouthers
D-Wolfgang Reitherman
With the help of a smooth talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country.
A typically enjoyable Disney animated movie. It just misses from being among Disney's best for several reasons. The animation gets a bit too scratchy at times and I could swear I see some of the pencil marks. The sequences with the basset hounds don't quite work for me as well.But besides that,the characterization of Duchess the momma cat and her kittens hit the mark,O'Malley the Tomcat and the Goose Sisters too.The Jazz Band Cats are an extra treat.
This is the 20th Disney animated feature.Louis Armstrong was meant to be in it but had gotten ill and Scatman Crouthers substituted. Eva Gabor and Pat Buttram where both starring in Green Acres while working on this movie. The Goose Sisters were voiced by the same women who played the Pidgeon sisters from The Odd Couple movie.Maurice Chevalier came out of retirement to sing the title song
7 of 10 stars
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Post by Hoosier X on Jun 22, 2014 15:55:30 GMT -5
My niece and I watched The Aristocats a few months ago and we enjoyed it immensely. I haven't seen it since it first came out (I was 6). The most amusing thing, though, was my niece, 13, kept saying "That's racist!" during the scenes with the Siamese cat.
I bet she'd love that Bugs Bunny cartoon with the black Elmer Fudd!
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jun 22, 2014 16:10:27 GMT -5
As much as I generally like the Aristocats, one thing I can't get beyond while watching the film is that there is no conflict. They have a problem, but they're not really trying to solve it. They just wander around a whole lot, and things eventually work out.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jun 22, 2014 21:18:23 GMT -5
Going on a Humphrey Bogart Bender.Skipping past his films I've seen in recent years.His earliest movie I own is Three On A Match (1932) which is on the Forbidden Hollywood Vol 2 Pre-Code Boxset which I'll get to when I'm ready to tackle all 5 films.Next up is.. The Petrified Forest (1936)
Bette Davis,Leslie Howard,Humphrey Bogart,Dick Foran,Charlie Grapewin
D-Archie Mayo
A waitress (Davis) and her grandpa (Grapewin), a gas station attendant (Foran),a hobo (Howard) and a well-to-do couple with chauffer are held hostage by bank robber and killer Duke Mantee (Bogart) at a lonely diner in the desert. After a string of small parts for Fox Studios,Bogart lands this breakout role for Warner Bros. His portrayal of Duke Mantee is absolutely stunning.Bogart knew this was his last chance at a career in Hollywood and made the most of it.he didn't move around much in the movie nor deliver long speeches.He just exuded sheer intense evil.An ice cold villian that he patterned after John Dillinger.Duke Mantee is one of Hollywoods greatest bad guys. The Petrified Forest comes from a stage play and 98% of the film takes place within the desert diner. It only adds to the films claustrophobic tension.Bette Davis is a waitress dreaming to go to Paris.Leslie Howard is a wandering hobo,an intellectual whom Davis quickly falls in love with.Very,very quickly but hey,the movie is only 90 minutes and theres lot to do.Dick Foran-a football type- pumps gas next door, in love with Bette,wants to punch the hobo in the mouth and for some strange quirk has a bigger rack than Bette ever had.Then there's Grandpa who likes to tell anyone who stops into the diner his stories about meeting Billy The Kid. Grandpa will later be Uncle Henry in The Wizard Of Oz and Grandpa Joad in The Grapes Of Wrath But this movie is dominated by Bogart.He played in the Broadway show with Leslie Howard but Warners was intending to give this part to Edgar G Robinson.Howard insisted on Bogart,the studio relented and then signed Bogart to a long contract based on this movie. The DVD includes a 20 doc and one of those wonderful Warner's Night at the Movies hosted by Leonard Maltin which includes 1936 coming attractions,a newsreel,a musical short subject and a great cartoon-The Coo Coo Nut Grove,Warner's first cartoon made up of parodies of Hollywood stars I'm giving it 9 and 1/2 stars of 10.There's just something towards the end that bugs me   |
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Post by Hoosier X on Jun 22, 2014 21:23:25 GMT -5
One member of Bogart's gang is black! It is so awesome! There's one scene where somebody starts pouring drinks for the hostages and the black chauffer asks his employer if he can have a drink. The black gang member mocks him and says, "Ain't you heard? We been emancipated!"
I haven't seen it for a loooong time, but I remember it very well. Excellent movie.
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Post by shaxper on Jun 22, 2014 21:44:30 GMT -5
Currently watching Zombies of Mora Tau for the first time, and it's rocking my world.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jun 22, 2014 21:49:27 GMT -5
Skipping past Bullets and Ballots,Black Legion,Marked Woman,Kid Galahad and San Quentin-all fine films I've seen within the last few years we get to..
Dead End (1937)
Sylvia Sidney,Joel Mcrea,Humphrey Bogart,Alan Jenkins,Claire trevor,Huntz Hall,Billy Halop,Bobby Jordan,Leo Gorcey
D-William Wyler
The Dead End Kids are introduced in their intricate East Side slum, overlooked by the high-rise apartments of the rich. Their antics, some funny, some vicious, alternate with subplots: unemployed architect Dave (McRea) is torn between Drina (Sidney) , sweet but equally poor, and Kay, a rich man's mistress; gangster Baby Face Martin (Bogart) returns to his old neighborhood after 10 years and finds that nobody is glad to see him. Then violent crime, both juvenile and adult, impacts the neighborhood and its people.
I'm a lifetime New Yorker,but the intricate set design of the slums built at the MGM studios almost had me fooled.The setting as well as the Dead End kids steal the movie away.Even Bogart falls prey to them.Who cared about Joel Mcrea's love dilemna. More street kids in the slums with Bogey watching was what I wanted to see and thankfully thats what the film gives us
Baby Face Martin returns to his old neighborhood after 10 years to say hello to his mamma and his first sweetheart.He's a nationally known gangster,an 8 time killer with a face job.He loves looking at the antics of the street kids for he was just like them.But his ma wants nothing to do with him,his old girlfriend is a hooker with 3rd stage syphilis (That was made known in the play and hinted at in the movie). That makes Baby Face Martin mean,real mean
Bogart will be doing lots of gangster roles at this stage of his career and will usually be 3rd billed.It will take Hollywood awhile to know he has more to offer.Some interesting notes:
Claire Trevor as Francie the hooker only had 5 minutes in the film but was Oscar nominated
The Dead End Kids ran wild off the set,destroying company property.MGM sold their contract immediately to Warner Bros
Producer Samuel Goldwyn insisted the slums looked too dirty.He was finally over-ruled
George Raft turned down the role of Baby Face Martin.George Raft made these mistakes many times
A scene with a rich woman climbing the stairs within a tenement was not eliciting the look of disgust they wanted the actress to exhibit. So they imported a bunch of big,fat cockroaches.
Hey-the final shootout scene is great too. 9 of 10 stars
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