Mark of the Devil - 1970

Oh boy...not what I remembered when I was a kid.

This was seriously very tough to get through.  I did not like it at all.  Extremely dull, ridiculous, totally out of place music repeating itself over and over, almost like a frolicking around the park-like score.  Poor , fake FX.  Terrible acting.  Really bad dubbing.  And worst of all, very little story, with very little payoff.

And, let's be honest here.  It is a downright crime not to show Vanessa's breasts, after teasing us the entire movie.  Unthinkable!!!

Sorry, didn't like it at all, and am very surprised people praise it.

Quoted from James McClung Exit Through The Gift Shop - A must-see documentary/mockumentary?/doesn't matter for anyone who works in any kind of art form, directed by legendary graffiti artist, Banksy. The less said about the content itself, the better. It seems like a good film to watch cold. I should note that this is a major love-it-or-hate-it film with plenty of people already on both sides. If you fall in the latter category, you'll probably find it pretentious and/or offensive. The likelihood that you'll hate it sort of depends on how you feel about "art" and all which the term implies. Obviously, I loved it, given my recommendation.

I watched this a few months back, and would probably fall more into the love it category.  I wouldn't say it was all out love, but I enjoyed it.  I found it pretty interesting the way it kind of turned around on itself, if that makes sense without giving anything away to anyone, even though it's pretty much laid out in the synopsis.

Dead & Buried - 1981

I saw this in the theater when it was released, 30 years ago.  Although I've only seen it once other than last night, since, it's always stuck in my head as a cool movie.

Boy, how things have changed in my head, I guess.

Although it is a cool premise, and the kind of movie where you're never sure what exactly is going on until the very end, it's also a complete mess In so many ways, mostly, regarding logic, based around the completely ludicrous plot.

There's a ton of great info running rampant on the net about all the troubles this thing went through during shooting.  It was written by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett from a story from 2 others.  Shusett has "story" credit for Alien, while O'Bannon got "screenplay" credit.  They collabed on a number of popular 80's flicks.  The late, great Stan Winston did most of the FX.  Made for $3 Million, it was a box office bomb.

SPOILERS     SPOILERS     SPOILERS     SPOILERS     SPOILERS

It's got a great intro scene as well as a number of memorable moments.  It plays out like a horror mystery and does successfully keep you guessing to the very end...but that's also where it shoots itself in the foot, as the reveal makes zero sense, if you start to think about it.  And the more you think about it, the more ridiculous it all is, which is too bad, cause it didn't have to hinge itself on such a completely non plausible finale and reveal.

I remember it was very difficult to find this on DVD for a long time.  It was finally released on Blu Ray awhile back.  Not sure how the Blu Ray fares, but on streaming, it looks pretty bad...shockingly bad, actually.  It's a very dark film to begin with.  Most scenes are shot in fog, which makes it even darker and harder to make out what's going on.  It has a cheap look to it, as well, which it shouldn't have, based on a budget that was far from low, 30 years ago.

It's definitely worth a look and I can easily see where some will like or even love it, on first viewing.  Just don't try to get too deep and you should be mildly entertained.

I LOVE Dead and Buried.  Great (admittedly, completely kooky) story, great goofy visuals, and lots of truly brilliant work from Stan Winston.  Also, some not so brilliant work from whoever the re-shoots effects team was (the fisherman, the scientist).  Completely worth seeing for the syringe gag alone.

Quoted from Dreamscale Dead & Buried - 1981 I saw this in the theater when it was released, 30 years ago.  Although I've only seen it once other than last night, since, it's always stuck in my head as a cool movie. Boy, how things have changed in my head, I guess. Although it is a cool premise, and the kind of movie where you're never sure what exactly is going on until the very end, it's also a complete mess In so many ways, mostly, regarding logic, based around the completely ludicrous plot. There's a ton of great info running rampant on the net about all the troubles this thing went through during shooting.  It was written by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett from a story from 2 others.  Shusett has "story" credit for Alien, while O'Bannon got "screenplay" credit.  They collabed on a number of popular 80's flicks.  The late, great Stan Winston did most of the FX.  Made for $3 Million, it was a box office bomb. SPOILERS     SPOILERS     SPOILERS     SPOILERS     SPOILERS It's got a great intro scene as well as a number of memorable moments.  It plays out like a horror mystery and does successfully keep you guessing to the very end...but that's also where it shoots itself in the foot, as the reveal makes zero sense, if you start to think about it.  And the more you think about it, the more ridiculous it all is, which is too bad, cause it didn't have to hinge itself on such a completely non plausible finale and reveal. I remember it was very difficult to find this on DVD for a long time.  It was finally released on Blu Ray awhile back.  Not sure how the Blu Ray fares, but on streaming, it looks pretty bad...shockingly bad, actually.  It's a very dark film to begin with.  Most scenes are shot in fog, which makes it even darker and harder to make out what's going on.  It has a cheap look to it, as well, which it shouldn't have, based on a budget that was far from low, 30 years ago. It's definitely worth a look and I can easily see where some will like or even love it, on first viewing.  Just don't try to get too deep and you should be mildly entertained.

I watched the BluRay of this title last night.
It's a pretty crisp transfer with a few dark patches.
The film is a mish-mash of good and bad due to production chaos.
This is what happens when reshoots are not handled by the original crew.
Unlike, The Fog, where Avco Embassy went to Carpenter to punch up the gore.
Dead abd Buried has some strong moments undone by shoddy follow up.
Not to mention an intriguing albeit nonsensical plot.

E.D.

Birdemic: Shock and Terror - 2010

I have seen the future of film and his name is James Nguyen.

You've heard the stories, read the reviews, but you can't prepare yourself for the actual film.  You literally have to see it to believe it.  And now, thanks to our good friends at Netflix, it's available streaming.

I honestly believe that all men, women, and children, basically, all humans, should watch this film in its entirety.  I would even suggest strapping your pets down in front of the TV, so they can enjoy and learn from this gem, as well.  If it were possible, I'd recommend having dolphins and whales watch, as well, but setting up giant, underwater TV's, all over the oceans would be tough and just not cost effective, in the long run.

Al Gore must be very proud of James Nguyen.  Maybe they're even lovers...who knows.  This movie is so "deep", and offers so much wonderful information about global warming and fossil fuel burning, I really have to say that it's much more than just entertainment, it's a true learning experience like no class you've ever attended.

What's the story and plot, you ask?  Well, I really don't think it's fair to spoil any of the "shock and terror", but I will reveal that it's 2 movies in 1, and they are literally equal in run time, at about 46 minutes each.  The first half of the movie follows 1 of the greatest love stories you'll ever see.  A courtship of 2 wonderfully drawn, dynamic, and witty characters.  Then, without any warning whatsoever, things turn downright horrific, as waves and waves of photo-shopped eagles and vultures attack the quiet town of Half Moon Bay, CA, where our young lovers are enjoying a romantic weekend in a dirt cheap motel.

Finally, let me make it clear, that any and every aspiring film maker, as well as seasoned film expert MUST watch this masterpiece.  You will learn exactly what not to do, in literally every regard.

You must see this to believe it.  The higher your blood alcohol level is, the better.  If you enjoy weed, mushrooms, or any other hallucinogenics, the more the merrier.

And finally, I have wonderful news.  Birdemic II:  Resurrection 3D, should be out early next month.  In this highly anticipated sequel, the eagles and vultures mysteriously return to wreck havoc in Hollywood!

I'm going to try to check out Birdemic either this evening or tomorrow sometime. A friend of mine told me, quite seriously, that Birdemic is actually worse than The Room and made a rather convincing case at that. This, I have to see.

James, I still haven't "manned up" on The Room yet, but it's approaching the top of my que.

This is shocking...jaw dropping...amazing!  I wanted to quote some of the dialogue, but chose not to.  Here's 1 little gem for you, though.

After the eagles first attack, and "hover" outside our lover's motel window, they suddenly leave, Nathalie (showing camel toe, actually) says to Rod, "Why'd they stop?".  He responds, "I don't know...maybe they got tired."  

But there are so many classic lines and dialogue exchanges throughout.

You'll love the editing, the sound recording, the soundtrack, the acting, the writing...everything.

As I said, you truly have to see it in its entirety to understand what we're dealing with here.

Hobo with a Shotgun is now available.

Quoted from Shelton Hobo with a Shotgun is now available.

Everyone should watch this.

It's definitely not for "everyone".  Actually, I'd say it has a very limited audience.

Quoted from Shelton Hobo with a Shotgun is now available.

I'm going to try to give this one a shot tonight.

Watched Red Corner last night. It was okay. It was basically your standard courtroom drama/thriller, but set in China. Nothing new. Nothing amazing, but still pretty good...maybe it was Gere...I don't know.  

Pia, I actually saw Red Corner in the theater, when it was released awhile back.  I wasn't impressed either. Just didn't have much going for it to make it the least bit memorable.

Quoted from Shelton Hobo with a Shotgun is now available.

Just watched it. I'll say its decent bloody fun if you go in not taking it too serious. It seems as though they tried to emulate QT's type of film making, but failed IMO. The tone of the film actually tries to take itself seriously at times. Those were the funniest parts for me.

Rutger talking to a bunch of new-borns about what they'll be when they grow up. Abbey (The prostitute) speaking to the people of the town who were attacking the homeless per The Drake's request. Two of the most awful monologues i've ever heard.

On the other hand, Quite enjoyed slick torching an entire bus of school children whilst his bro holds up two boom boxes jamming Disco Inferno. If they would've kept it this fun all the way through and not even attempted at some moral messages, I would've liked it a ton better. I'll reccommend it, though. I was never bored.

James

Okay, I'm 30 minutes into Hobo and I think I will end it there. There1's just nothing about it that has held my attention yet and I like the genre, Hauer and 70s style....just didn't work for me.