I've been dragging my heels in movie watching over the past twelve months, some weeks watching nothing, and when I did try something, I often cut it off after just twenty minutes if it didn't impress from the outset. Then again, I've also endured a lot of so-so films, far more than I have in the past, when better stuff was more abundant. Just something to look at when the world seems to be spinning more slowly and drearily, with few decent new flicks to see.
To give you an idea of my movie choices and my thoughts on them, I'll name a bunch from the past month. I've too often struggled to find something to watch, with frequent false starts and consultations with Rotten Tomatoes.
I kicked off April by wrapping up the Deep Blue Sea killer shark series - in reverse. Yes, it's all dumb, but it's dumb fun... if you're in the mood for that. You know, to kill some time on a Sunday afternoon.
Deep Blue Sea 2
Deep Blue Sea (the first)
Citizen Ruth - an entertaining satire of the birth control controversy with Laura Dern as a pregnant, paint huffing addict trying to clean up her act, not very successfully
Pontypool - a talk radio host and his small staff are holed up in their studio while the outside world is beset by a mysterious and bizarre invasion... sort of War of the Worlds, in a way. Cool!
Welcome to Sudden Death - a third-rate, rather lame action flick that is slightly amusing in its weak-ass way. A lone security guard takes on a large terrorist group in a sports arena. Yeah...
The Hunt - comically gory, so it's watchable but unexceptional.
Ready or Not - darkly funny and bloody, a comment on the rich elite, bringing out the scream queen trope in an entertaining story with a twist. A pleasant surprise!
Tales from the Hood 3 - I expected nothing from this, but was a bit impressed with the short tales of horror and the supernatural. Not bad, as these things go.
Jane Wants a Boyfriend - a young autistic woman finds a purpose... get a boyfriend. A sensitive, nicely acted film that got my attention with its warmth and realism.
My Blind Brother - another low-key yet solid comedy-drama, this time about two brothers, one blind, who compete for the affections of the same woman.
Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap: Every Song Tells a Story - excellent musical performance interspersed with fascinating and funny stories of life in the music business, as told by legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist Bachman. What a career... and what a life!
Waxwork - a cheesy and silly horror flick that amuses ever so slightly. Not terrible but not worth ever watching again.
Horror of Frankenstein - either my first or second viewing of this Hammer horror film, this was the second to last of the series. Not great, but entertaining in its oddness. Not a typical Frankenstein movie by any stretch.
Becky - a home invasion gets flipped on its ear by a young teen girl with a knack for vengeful kills. Not for the faint of heart, but fun for the gore hounds. Good for what it is.
Army of One - a vacationing couple is left for dead by a vicious gang, but watch out! Watchable but lame and lazy movie-making. Clumsy story, acting and dialogue. Um, don't bother.
Blade - the "classic" 90's Wesley Snipes vampire superhero flick that influenced so many genre films to come. Some hiliariously gory scenes, not to mention the vampire kung fu fight. So Hollywood it hurts.
Black Pumpkin - could have been a huge miss, but not bad at all. An urban legend comes to life on Halloween years after a series of murders. A pretty effective slasher movie that defies the odds.
Frankenstein Must be Destroyed - far from great, but okay. The doctor is now a vile, creepy, and wicked character. Not at all frightful, but decent action and melodrama dominate. Great brain transplant scene.
The Silencing - a quiet, effective crime drama about the search for answers to a cold case concerning missing and murdered girls. Grim and somber subject set in an atmospheric, isolated small community.
Murder in the Front Row - great little documentary about the birth of thrash metal in the Bay Area, San Francisco. Colourful and detailed look at the early days of the bands that pioneered the extreme music genre.
Act Naturally - two step-sisters inherit their deceased estranged father's nudist resort. Yes, food for many a funny scene. A cool comedy that I expected to fall flat, but it's well-written and acted.
After Dark They Come - a boating accident strands a group of young people on a remote Costa Rican island where a primitive cannibal tribe hunts them down. Okay-ish, not great.
Home Sweet Home- a couple returns home to a psychotic killer lying in wait. Tense and unnerving, with final scenes a symphony of violence and gore. Good for what it is, that's all.
Spookies - a weird horror-comedy cult favourite that I just couldn't appreciate. Farting basement mummies, cave witches, a listless kid vampire? Dull, plotless, weak acting, amateurish in every department.
Tickling Giants - I still need to finish this, but I also need to get this out there... an enlightening, amusing, and infuriating documentary about Bassem, who left his career as a heart surgeon for satirical comedy, eventually becoming the Jon Stewart of Egypt. His TV show, aimed largely at the politics of his country, made him a target for threats, protests, and legal action.
Bullitt - more like bulls**t. Besides some famous chase scenes, which are pretty exciting, this ain't all it's cracked up to be. Director Yates has a decent track record after Bullitt, but I failed to see the big deal about this movie or its star, Steve McYawn. I mean, the ingredients are there for something I'd like: police procedural, some action, some cool other actors, and great setting in San Fran. But this guy in his turtleneck and bland expression (yes, just one) and zero-personality, one-dimensional lack of acting chops... meh. It's fast-paced but lacks a coherent storyline. Gimme Clint any day.
Stowaway - a winner! An engineer is accidentally trapped on board a two-year space mission to Mars, and the small crew must face the logistics of breathable air with this extra body on board. A tense sci-fi drama-adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat through most of the picture. Can't wait to watch this again someday. Breathtaking visuals, fine writing, acting and casting. Finally!
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