list/discuss/rate - your recently watched movies

love the Alien films, the third one has grown on me quite a bit (the director's version is a must see too) and the fourth is a good action movie

caught DaVinci Code and liked it more than I did the first time, still no great film but entertaining

 ^ oh it's almost a completely different film

it's so beyond the original version I can't even begin to explain... cows, dogs, squirrels, you name it

in certain ways I think the original probably moves along and tells a better story, but the Director's is a real treat

I'm Not There - recent movie about Bob Dylan in different stages of his life played by 6 different actors. Man did this movie stink, it could have been interesting if Bob Dylan was played by one actor and the plot was a little more linear in a historical perspective....but no, this asshole had to be artsy and obtuse about it all but failed miserably; why does everyone think they're David Lynch all of a sudden? Yeah, about 20 mins into it I was bored out of my mind and did other things while the movie played out. - 1/10

The Entity (1981) - more of an exploitative version of Poltergeist is an accurate description. Had some kooky parts like Barbara Hershey getting her boobs fondled by invisible hands. The special effects were pretty bad (and not in a good way) and it ran a little too long. But it was okay for some early 80s cheese ball horror on Halloween night. - 5/10

Prophecy (1979) - This was pretty dumb. Trying to work environmental concerns in a horror movie is always a risk, but com'on...a Paper Mill dumping some type of chlorine is going to cause bears to mutate? haha! It took way too long to get into the meat of the film, and by the time the mutations started showing up they ended up being really cheap looking, but there was still a fair amount of madcap gore to had. I think this is one of those cases where the video/dvd cover was much cooling looking than the actual movie. - 2/10

Equinox (1970) - okay, this movie turned out to be a blast! Kind of early take on that Evil Dead theme with young folks off on a trip happen upon an ancient Necronomicon like book and all kinds of supernatural madness ensues. Now this was an example of bad special effects but in a very good way. After all its classic exploitation flick - I think the entire thing was made on a $6,000 budget. I did like the stop motion animation of 3 monsters. I'm surprised how entertaining the entire movie was even if I was just laughing and MST3K-ing it most of the time. - 6/10

The Fall - I think I'm worn out on these type of fantasy movies ie Pan's Labyrinth, where part of the movie is interpreted through the imagination of the child. Although completely different thatnPan's Labyrinth they seems to belong in the same subgenre of movie, if there is one to be had. I think I was cool with it for the first hour, but I started growing a little weary; I guess I was wanting more of the actual fantasy part - although I know that's not what the movie was entirely about. I have more complaints but really wont get into that lest I give away much of the movie. Really though its worth a watch and the visuals during the fantasy/story segments are amazing, and vibrant with color with elaborate settings for some epic camera work. Overall still an above average film. - 7/10

Edited by mithrandir - November 02 2008 at 13:59

mithrandir wrote: Prophecy (1979) - This was pretty dumb. Trying to work environmental concerns in a horror movie is always a risk, but com'on...a Paper Mill dumping some type of chlorine is going to cause bears to mutate? haha! It took way too long to get into the meat of the film, and by the time the mutations started showing up they ended up being really cheap looking, but there was still a fair amount of madcap gore to had. I think this is one of those cases where the video/dvd cover was much cooling looking than the actual movie. - 2/10

Speaking of the mutant bears, the reason the ones shown were so cheap-looking was that the initial mutant bear costumes were rejected by the director as looking too mutated and not bear-like enough.

Pretty badass poster that movie had, though, would make a good album cover.


Edited by Toaster Mantis - November 03 2008 at 04:37

Toaster Mantis wrote: Atavachron wrote: in certain ways I think the original probably moves along and tells a better story, but the Director's is a real treat Please elaborate.

there are sometimes good reasons a director's first cut is edited down, at least in terms of flow and economy of storytelling, and it's possible Alien3 benefited from such a butchering..  however, the directors version is so much more involved and complicated it stands on its own as an almost separate entity   ..bottom line, both great sci-fi, and a return to the dreary and sticky realism of the first film in 1979.     

Deadbirds-
a film with some great potential....set in 1863- a period horror movie, which is sort of unique, as was the gist of the film...but this was one of those ones that was a great idea that was not totally fleshed out.  They could have developed the story much deeper and added more to the end....I had a few ideas of my own.  It does have a cool twist where the cycle continues in a weird sort of loop- the cycle of horror in the movie that is.  worth watching once, but not worth owning.  Nice subtleties in some of the "psychological/quick flash" moments.... not as good as another "satanic rites" type film, like Evil Dead (series) or Hellraiser films (early)....like I said- underdevoloped  6/10

Diary of the Dead-
George Romero continues his saga with new-fangled and hip hand-held shots and multiple angles in the spirit of Cloverfield or Blair Witch....documentary style.  very little depth, especially compared to the classic status of the earlier Dead movies.  There were some great gorey scenes and some nice kills, but that does not make a movie great.  This one barely held my attention- and it seemed like I was just waiting for the next death scene.  pretty morbid, but are'nt most of these films?  anyway..... this one fails and feels more like a made-for-TV SciFi channel movie.  It is somewhat entertaining, but in the long run, nothing to write home about.   4/10

Slither- watched this one around halloween- and I must say it is one of the best recent horror/comedy films!  We were in a group and spent time playing Mystery Science Theater 3000, which makes it even more entertaining!  Great effects, nice twist on the zombie genre...lots of laughs.... this one gets it right where others fail.....It is sort of an homage to The Thing in a way (which may very well be the best horror/scifi movie of all time- aside from Alien)...well at least to me.   8/10

The Man Who Knew Too Little - 

avalanchemaster wrote: Diary of the Dead- George Romero continues his saga with new-fangled and hip hand-held shots and multiple angles in the spirit of Cloverfield or Blair Witch....documentary style.  very little depth, especially compared to the classic status of the earlier Dead movies.  There were some great gorey scenes and some nice kills, but that does not make a movie great.  This one barely held my attention- and it seemed like I was just waiting for the next death scene.  pretty morbid, but are'nt most of these films?  anyway..... this one fails and feels more like a made-for-TV SciFi channel movie.  It is somewhat entertaining, but in the long run, nothing to write home about.   4/10

the sad thing is he's making yet another Dead movie! Island of the Dead, I wish he'd stop but stupid me I'll have to watch it be sad all over again

mithrandir wrote: avalanchemaster wrote: Diary of the Dead- George Romero continues his saga with new-fangled and hip hand-held shots and multiple angles in the spirit of Cloverfield or Blair Witch....documentary style.  very little depth, especially compared to the classic status of the earlier Dead movies.  There were some great gorey scenes and some nice kills, but that does not make a movie great.  This one barely held my attention- and it seemed like I was just waiting for the next death scene.  pretty morbid, but are'nt most of these films?  anyway..... this one fails and feels more like a made-for-TV SciFi channel movie.  It is somewhat entertaining, but in the long run, nothing to write home about.   4/10 the sad thing is he's making yet another Dead movie! Island of the Dead, I wish he'd stop but stupid me I'll have to watch it be sad all over again

I wish he would hang it up and quit.  or get a co-writer or some producers who know how to shape/shake things up!