Feature Length Assault Documentation

#19: John Carter

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:00:00 -0500

Here’s a film that I really wanted to love. I don’t have the same love for STAR WARS that everyone seems to have. I think that STAR WARS is an amazing film technically but the more and more I see it now as I grow older, the less enthralled I am with it. However, EMPIRE is still the shit though.

Sadly, JOHN CARTER seemed like a fabricated story of wonderment. All the motions were there but I didn’t feel any emotion to the story. I don’t blame director Andrew Stanton on this but more Taylor Kitsch. The guy was just boring and emotionless. I had nothing invested in him. The film is a bit of an empty pleasure.

#18: Project X (2012)

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:00:00 -0500

For what it is, I enjoyed it. It’s entertaining and is probably every teenager’s dream film. But much like any night of heavy drinking, it will be forgotten in time.

It plays out male fantasy and tends to push the limit to the edge which is something that I appreciated about it in that it is pretty fearless, regardless of any moral responsibility it might need to stand up to.

#17: Act of Valor

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:45:00 -0500

Format: 35mm
First Watch

[thoughts & review soon - embargoed]

#16: Adventureland

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0500

Format: Blu-Ray
First Watch

Like Hesher, this one was a blind buy as well. I really loved Superbad and I heard that people enjoyed this film but then I remember hearing about some people who said it wasn’t that funny. I know the film is semi autobiographical, so I figured I would throw caution to the wind and I threw down $5 for a non-sleeved Blu-Ray Blind Buy.

Unlike Hesher, this film was a bit disappointing. I got some chuckles out of it but ultimately, it fails as a comedy and the drama in here is not that strong either. Heder and Wiig are probably the most memorable out of the whole bunch aside from Martin Starr. Other than that, the film was pretty meh for me. I just wanted Kristen Stewart to close her mouth for the majority of the movie because I was sick of seeing her teeth and the confused look she is known for giving.

#15: Hesher

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:25:00 -0500

Format: Blu-Ray
First Watch

I never got to see this one when it came out in the theaters. It got mixed praise when it premiered at Sundance but I honestly can’t remember a film with JGL recently that I haven’t liked. Add in the great cast and the fact that it was directed by Spencer Susser who made of my favorite short films, I Love Sarah Jane back in 2008.

I recently picked up the Blu-Ray from a Blockbuster that was closing down for $5. Granted it had no case or cover art and came in the same sleeves they rent out to their online members, but I figured $5 was worth a shot.

Gotta say. I loved this flick. The performances, direction and vision of the film is amazing. It’s a demented yet heart warming film that really shows you a true humanity in someone that is externally and maybe even mentally a disaster. Another great performance from JGL. Far underrated & a must see in my opinion.

#14: The Last Circus

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:30:00 -0500

Format: Blu-Ray

I first saw this film at the end of the 20+ films I saw in 6 days theatrically at Austin’s Fantastic Fest 2010. The film felt like a manifestation of all the films I had seen previous. The Last Circus is a crazy film. It’s a hyperkinetic, wild and just such a unique film.

However, while I enjoyed it, I had some problems with it but I believe it was because I was watching the film at 8 or 9 in the morning and I just wasn’t ready for it.

After watching the film there is an admiration I have for the free will at director De La Iglesia had while making this film. It’s unforgettable whether you like it or not.

#13: The Brood

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:05:00 -0500

Format: 35mm

The second show for my Late Nite Grindhouse program for 2012. We had a great attendance with a little over 100 people each night. I was pleasantly surprised by this because I was kind of worried about this one as it isn’t a straight slasher film and it’s just a weird flick.

The audience seemed to really dig it and when I watched it on Saturday night, there was a woman gasping during some of the murder sequences. It was interesting.

This film always was a unique film for me as when I was younger, I didn’t really like it that much. Now that I’m 30, I do like it a bit better but it still isn’t my favorite Cronenberg film but it definitely isn’t is worst or what I consider to be his worst.

It was great seeing this on the big screen and I was super happy to get a 35mm print of the film.

#12: The Woman in Black (2012)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500

Format: Digital Presentation
First Watch

The first theatrical horror film of 2012 for me. Sure, there was The Devil Inside but I never saw it because I heard it wasn’t that great. I was excited to see this one as it was a new Hammer Films production as well as a remake of a TV film that was really well done but could have used some improvements.

While this film reeked atmosphere, it sadly resorted to 90’s horror film sensibilities/habits with cheap musical jump scare cues. No matter how much director Watkins built up a creepy feeling, the music by hack composer Marco Beltrami ruined everything that was built. It’s kind of a shame as it really looked and felt like a classic Hammer horror film when you subtract the music from the equation. That isn’t to say the music took away everything. Watkins also relies on scenes with close up shots on creepy dolls that will evoke a feeling from the audience but it is a false emotion in respect to the film. It’s not a bad film nor is it a film that needs tons of praise. It’s just there. Not a bad watch once it hits video for a rental or a watch on cable.

#11: Chronicle

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0500

Format: Digital Presentation
First Watch

20th Century Fox did a last minute screening of this film for the press at 4pm. Luckily, I was able to get out of work 15 minutes early to make it to the screening.

I remember the hyperbole behind Kick-Ass and I wasn’t too impressed with that film. There was some very quiet hype behind this one and I thought the concept was interesting enough.

I really enjoyed this one. Yes, it had some missteps in logic and maybe even in storytelling but there is a strong film in here that refreshes superhero films as we have become to know them in the past decade.

Read full review here.

#10: 50/50

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:20:00 -0500

Format: DVD
First Watch

I had a couple of opportunities to see this film at some advance screenings in 2011 but I didn’t go for some reason. Either Nicci, my g/f, was working and didn’t want me to see it without her or I was busy.

Like Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is become a favorite of mine. All of his performances bring a certain honest delivery that seems very relatable.

I wish I would have seen this in 2011 as I think it is one of the best of last year. It heartwarming, honest, funny but most of all has a lot of soul in everyone’s performance. Levine did a great directing job with a film that could’ve been a PR nightmare - a comedy about a person that deals with finding out he has a rare form of cancer.

Highly Recommended.

#9: Maniac Cop

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:30:00 -0500

Format: Blu-Ray
First Watch

I’m labeling this as a first watch because I thought I saw this before as a teen, but I really don’t remember most of the film.

Synapse Films recently put out Bill Lustig’s Maniac Cop on Blu-Ray and it just got lost in the shuffle among some other Blu-Ray’s and screeners that were sent to me.

I have seen Maniac Cop 2 within the past year and I have to say that I prefer the sequel more than this inaugural entry. I still dig Lustig’s direction in the majority of his films but this one is probably be my least favorite film. It’s messy and rushed overall. I think Lustig got it right with MC2 or at least the way he envisioned it initially but probably was limited by budget. There are a couple of good scenes and it is always nice to see Tom Atkins in another cop role.

Synapse’s transfer looks great and there are some good special features produced by the king of supplementary material, Michael Felsher.

#8: Haywire

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0500

Format: Digital Presentation
First Watch

Steven Soderbergh has always been an interesting yet uneven director for me personally. While I admire the fact that he keeps pretty prolific and busy, sometimes his movies are a bit too focused on a stylistic delivery so much so that it bogs down the film due to a lack of substance.

With Haywire Soderbergh makes a pretty solid action film. Female MMA fighter Gina Carano takes the stage front and center and Soderbergh does an exceptional job with her for the first half of the film. He balances her rough appeal and general badassery with an expert precision. However, the allure wears off and after the scenes with Fassbender in Ireland, the film becomes monotonous and seems to lose the unique delivery that it started off with.

Haywire is an entertaining action film but after watching the first half of the film, you feel like it could of been something more.

#7: Louis CK: Hilarious

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:45:00 -0500

Format: Netflix Instant
First Watch

Ever since I saw Lucky Louie, I was a fan of Louis CK. The man is pessimistic and hilarious (pun intended). His brand of humor is not for everyone. Ask my girlfriend, she isn’t a fan of him. I have watched it shows Lucky Louie and Louie and I love Louie. That show has made me laugh or smile with every episode.

I’m not sure why it has taken me this long to finally watch this, but I got to watch it this evening and I laughed many times. I’m currently sick, weak and congested and Louis CK tried to break through my sinus problems with laughter and I gotta say, he did it very well.

There are so many bits in here that just really crack me up. I’m so glad I watched this and you should watch this as soon as possible.

#6: Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:25:00 -0500

Format: Cable
First Watch

Being a huge Metallica fan back in the 90’s during my high school years, I remember hearing about this case. My views have changed throughout the years about the case but my belief in these boys, now men, being wrongfully convicted as guilty parties to the murders of three young children has never changed.

Even if you were to believe that Echols, Misskelley Jr. or Baldwin had anything to do with these murders, I find it hard for you to believe that they were not wrongfully convicted given the evidence presented. The story at the base of it is a document of American justice gone wrong. With a town struggling to find reason in the senseless murders of three young boys in 1993, accused and arrested three boys based off of a forced confession by Misskelley and rumors of satanism among the teen’s peers and the town’s population.

The documentary was already in post production when the latest development of the WM3 entering their Alford Pleas happened. I always have liked the documentaries. The second one was a weak representation of the legalities of the case but showed the aftermath and a follow-up of the people affected by this crime and documented the efforts made to free the West Memphis Three.

This new entry is probably the better sequel to the first one as it really focuses on how the State of Arkansas is questioned about the conviction and what evidence it based that conviction on. While the first half recaps what has happened in the case’s history by combining footage from the first and second documentary as well as some new footage. Berlinger & Sinofsky convey to viewers of the documentary that the walls of truth and the use of misjustice begin to close in on the State of Arkansas. One could say that the Alford Pleas not only saved the WM3 but saved the asses of the judicial parties of the State. A new trial would have begun in December 2011 and even the State is documented of saying they would have been acquitted. However, there was always the chance of them not being acquitted given the new trial.

Paradise Lost 3:Purgatory is a definite watch but if you never have seen the previous two documentaries, do yourself a favor and watch them as well.

#5: GRANDMA'S BOY

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:55:00 -0500

Format: XBOX Live
First Watch

The film was recommended to me by many people over the years. I just remember it doing so poorly at the box office that I kind of ignored it.

Grandma’s Boy is a pretty funny stoner comedy. I wouldn’t say it lived up to the expectations set by those who told me that I HAD to see the film, but I chuckled a few times. The story itself was kind of heartwarming as well.

There is definitely some quotable lines from the film and I didn’t know Nick Swardson or Seth Rogen were in the film, so that was kind of interesting. Overall, it was fun but I doubt I will watch it again anytime soon.

#4: PEARL JAM TWENTY

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:49:00 -0500

Format: Netflix Instant
First Watch

I didn’t get a chance to catch it in the theaters so I was happy to be browsing in the Netflix instant library and I saw this one. I was really in the mood to get a documentary on metal or punk on Netflix Instant. Mainly, I wanted to see if the documentary The Filth and The Fury was on Netflix Instant, mainly because of my recent viewing of Sid & Nancy. However, the only thing I could find was some four hour film called Punk & Disorderly and after skipping the first couple of bands, I decided I wasn’t in the mood to watch a two/three camera concert.

Back in the 90’s, I was a fan of Pearl Jam. I loved their album Ten. Eddie Vedder’s voice was unique and I admired that but the music was something that I just loved. It was so focused and precise.

The film does a great job in explaining what the Seattle scene was and the commercialism of “grunge” music due to bands like Pearl Jam & Nirvana. The documentation that Crowe introduces us is from footage by MTV and other news outlets as well as mixing in fan footage. It is an intimate look at the band from the beginning to where they are now. While I felt that the doc does hit a lull after the energetic footage of Pearl Jam in the beginning and the coverage of the era of Ten, it wraps up with a sweet story about the band staying together and being independent of the mainstream music industry. They do what they want and they are fine with that.

If you ever liked Pearl Jam, it is definitely worth a watch.

#3: SID & NANCY

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:03:00 -0500

Format: Blu-Ray

I have never seen Alex Cox’s Sid & Nancy. It’s kind of hard to believe when you consider the fact that Cox’s Repo Man was one of my favorite films of the 80’s and the fact that my Dad had some dubbed tapes of both Repo Man and Sid & Nancy in his VHS collection. I remember seeing this on a yellow label and I just never took interest in it because the plot of two junkies didn’t really interest me as a pre-teen.

I received the Blu-Ray to review for Destroy the Brain which is ridiculously called Sid & Nancy: Collector’s Edition even though there are 2 supplemental features and a trailer as far as special features on the disc - far from a Collector’s Edition.

Oldman’s performance as Sid Vicious is amazing. I’m not saying that Webb didn’t do a good job with Nancy but Oldman really steals the show. While it isn’t a factual documentation of the series of events, it is still a good watch. Love Kills.

READ MY REVIEW ON DTB HERE.

#2: CHAINED HEAT

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:15:00 -0500

Time Watched: 12:15
Format: 35mm

This was my first film of 2012 for my Late Nite Grindhouse program. Late Nite Grindhouse is a monthly show that I program at the Hi-Pointe Theatre in St. Louis. We had such a successful year in 2011 that I let the attendees of the shows do a vote for the next film they wanted to see. This was the most voted. Our audience numbers were a bit lower than the average, but everyone always has a good time at these shows.

The film is sleazy, mean and did I say sleazy. Tamara Dobson is a bad ass. Sybil Danning turns out a very odd but sadistic character and Linda Blair is…..Linda Blair. The film is fun as hell and was great to watch with an audience. Especially when Henry Silva was on the screen. The audience ate up the Silva. I’ll try to take pictures and/or video of our future shows.

#1: WARRIOR

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:21:00 -0500

Time Watched: 11:21
Format: Blu-Ray

My second watch of the film made me really appreciate the subtle approach to the story of two estranged brothers and the fight that their father goes through to try to return to normalcy. Nolte’s performance is a heart breaker and one that I personally think should have given him a nomination for at least a Golden Globe. It is possible that the timing of the film’s release might have worked against him. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton turn out great performances as well. Right now, the film is in IMDB’s Top 250 at the #140 spot. While I don’t know if that is really true, the film was one of the better films of 2011.