Drive In '77

Film Log: February 2013

Good old February!  Sweet Shorty as I call her, aka, my birthday month;)  What better way to amass a bunch of screenings in the smallest month of the year than to wait a full week to watch anything!! LOL.  Boy, talk about a slow start!  However, the Academy screeners finally arrived from my in-laws and I got to see some wonderful films heading into Oscar weekend, aka my birthday weekend;)  My birthday was the 22nd in case you were confused by all my hints.  My Amazon wish list can also be found here.

Anyhoo.... What I Liked:  Change of Habit is one of the weirder Elvis films you'll ever see, but totally worth it!  Hotel Transylvania was a real treat and Skyfall was a great addition to the Bond lexicon.  Before I get to the Oscars, Fun Size was also a great teen romp with a broad appeal for the whole family.  But the contenders lived up to their billings!  Django was, for me, Tarantino's tightest, most complete script to date and I clapped when he won his statue!  Argo was very well done and highly entertaining and Silver Linings Playbook was incredible times 1000.

What I Didn't Like:  The Master was too long and too meandering to really captivate me.  A very interesting character study, but overall I was disappointed.  But it was a Monet compared to the crappy refridgerator water color your dog made that is Lincoln!  So looking forward to this movie, but it is hands down my least favorite Speilberg effort ever.  The script is so flat and blah, I can't believe the man who thrives on connecting with audiences thought we'd give a shit about endless takes of Daniel Day Lewis sitting at a table.  But don't get me started on that guy because I am over his whole method, never break character schtick!  We get it Danny, you're commited.  From the opening scene I knew I was in trouble as reel after reel I felt like I was watching an SNL skit from one of the down years.  And oh my, Sally Fields.... you're batshit take on Mary Todd was unwatchable!  I actually gave up on this film with about 20 minutes to go, but my wife tells me it only got more ridiculous.  One word review: yuck.

List me!!

2-7: The Adjustment Bureau

2-10: Dredd, Total Recall (2012), Pillow Talk, Change of Habit

2-14: The Brass Bottle, Hotel Transylvania

2-17: The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Skyfall

2-18: Warm Bodies (T), Silver Linings Playbook (T), Goldfinger

2-20: Django Unchained

2-22: Argo

2-23: Lincoln

2-25: The Master, This is 40

2-27: Fun Size, Super 8

2-28: Clueless

Total Films: 20

Year to Date: 48

Fav. Film:  Silver Linings Playbook.  I paid for Warm Bodies and snuck into Silver Linings Playbook and let me tell you, it was the best money I never spent!!  I had no idea what to expect going in and it blew me away.  Maybe it was the lack of expectations, but I freaking loved that movie and found it so touching and funny and Bradley Cooper's performance was perfect.  He was robbed at Hollywood and Highland this month, robbed I tell you!!  Everyone was good and I know it has gotten some blowback from an "indie" marketing push and a cast list of all stars, but get over it and just enjoy what is a truly wonderful example of how you can make a film with a message and still honor the medium of entertainment it inhabits.  SLP is an all star.

Fav. Poster:  Change of Habit

I've got a thing for the design of Hollywood's past and this crazy one sheet for an Elvis movie is so unlike anything he'd ever had done before it is instantly memorable.  Especially the bottom two panels which portray such small moments in the movie you have to wonder what the marketing directive was to include them.  God I miss the studio system.....

Two months down Senor 2013!  I am on pace for just under 300 on the year, which could be an even bigger accomplishment than last year's 400 considering my schedule.  Let's see if I can keep it up and add to the pace a little in March;)  Enjoy your movies!!

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Film Log: January 2013

My task for film in 2013 could be to break the 400 mark I set in 2012.  That took some fortitude, and a real commitment in the face of a computer nowhere near my TV.  But I did it.  I was also self employed.  By the end of January 2013, I have a "day job" and must quickly acknowledge that the frenetic pace of '12 is a rare cinema screening gem that I can not possibly compete with this year.  So what will 2013 bring to me then? 

Well, January brought me quite a bit as I squeezed in 28 flicks including an eye crushing six film marathon to start the movie watching year off right! 

What I Liked: Sleepwalk With Me was brilliant and indie RPG love letter Unicorn City is amazing!  Iron Sky is a new cult favorite.  Moon Nazis? More please!!  Patriocracy is one of the more important docs you could watch dwarfed only by Oscar nominess The Invisible War.  The Inbetweeners Movie also delivered big time on all the elements of the show I love so much.  Highly rewatchable.  Throw in some old favs, and there was a ton to like in January.

What I Didn't Like:  There's two "stand outs" in this category.  The first is Les Miserables, which I found slow and unfocused.  I honestly have no connection to the fanatacism that surrounds this musical.  But let me stoke the fire even more by saying I absolutely hated Beasts of the Southern Wild.  It is a self important stage play poorly translated to film in a series of three very stilted acts.  It leans heavily on it's photography, a silly animal McGuffin, and a lingering well of pro New Orleans sentiment post Katrina to trick people into thinking the movie is something special.  As for the little girl, she just runs around like a child does and then there is voiceover that no one involved will ever admit probably took way longer than needed to get right.  How she got nominated is a complete mystery to me since her performance is a notch below adequate.  I predict Beasts will join a long line of Oscar darlings that no one will give a hoot about in two years time.

On to the list!!

1-3: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Sleepwalk With Me, Unicorn City, Iron Sky, The Heavenly Vintage, Swinging with the Finkels

1-4: Patriocracy

1-7: Just Friends, Caddyshack, The Big Year

1-9: Jingle All the Way, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

1-10: How To Survive a Plague, Iron Man 2

1-11: The Inbetweeners Movie, Ted

1-15: The Invisible War

1-16: Make Believe

1-17: Imaginary Witness, Secrecy

1-18: 200 Cigarettes

1-19: Tazmanian Devil

1-21: Les Miserables (T), Perfect Capuccino, Under the Boardwalk: The Monoply Story

1-22: Boogie Nights

1-25: Valley Girl, The Jerk

Total Films: 28

Year to Date: 28

Fav. Film:  Patriocracy.  I went documentary this month because frankly, the path of political discourse in the country is one of my biggest pet peeves.  I hate bipartisan, propaganda bullshit and the entertainment news media that right and left wingers cling to with heated passion.  When you tlk about oxymorons, "Fox News" has got to be the biggest ever.  These cable outlets don't report or investiaget news, they report on other people's hard work and with fewer and fewer legitimate reporters getting paid to do that work, more and more our society is being informed by false news "professionals" who only care about ratings.  The truth?  All but gone.  And one glance at Twitter or Facebook on election night will show you how mislead and uninformed America really is. 

Patriocracy peels back these masks and traces the birth of political entertainment news from C-SPAN in the late 70s all the way to today.  It is important because regardless of your side on the political debate, this film will show you how important it is to properly vet your news sources and the need for thoughtful, considered reflection on issues, not fear mongering and ratings stunts.  With so much information, it is time to become your own filter and not allow a half empty personality to incite your base fears in order to sell soda.  If this movie doesn't make you want to turn it all off, there's nothing left of your soul.

Fav. Poster: Iron Sky

Like I said earlier, moon Nazis!!!  The film itself is actually really funny and amazing and the poster sums up everything you need to know.  Instant cult classic.

Alright, that's it for month one of 2013.  I am becomig increasingly interested to see how my pace drops off with this job and the catch up on other projects I will have to do in my free time.  Will I even hit 200?  We'll see!!  Enjoy your movies everyone!!

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My Favorite Films of 2012: The Documentaries

This year I am separating the documentary yolk from the scripted whites of the cinematic egg.  Over the last decade I always have a doc high on my list while squeezing one or two out in favor of a more concise overall list, so this time I am giving all of them my respect.  Some incredible stories came to me via documentary filmmaking in 2012, please see these!

Keep in mind detail junkies, some of these show earlier release dates (via IMDB), but they were all widely available in 2012 and for docs that is my main criteria. 

Documentary Favs

1. Bones Brigade: An Autobiography
2. Comic Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope
3. Trek Nation
4. The Queen of Versailles
5. PressPausePlay
6. Indie Game: The Movie
7. Patriocracy

Special Shout Out: Perfect Cappuccino (2008)

Bones is a real no-brainer for me and would sit in the Top 5 for the overall list as well.  I was practically shouting after watching it and even lept to Facebook to urge others to seek it out.  I only wish the subject matter was a bit more "Oscar worthy" so Stacy Peralta could get some much deserved love.  The man has turned out to be an incredible filmmaker and with Bones he has created an important document on the history of skateboarding.

Morgan Spurlock's Comic Con film was my most watched doc of the year.  I bought the DVD (yes with the HeroClix figures like a nerd...) without having seen the movie at all and loved it.  Sure, as a long time attendee of the event, I probably would've made a different version of the movie (Note to everyone: there's still plenty of Con docs that could be made!), but this is a great effort and made me smile over and over again.

Trek Nation was a poignant journey of a son searching to understand his father's tremendous legacy.  For as big an impact Gene Roddenberry had on television and science fiction, to his son he was just dad.  Rod's quest turns out to be a little like an away mission where the unexpected is waiting around every papier mache rock.  It's a great watch for Trekkies, but I think any pop culture fan will find a lot of enjoyment out of it.

The Queen of Versailles was my biggest surprise.  I really queued it to see if my wife would enjoy it as the description was something of a "Real Housewives-esque" documentary.  What actually happend was a film crew starts a movie about the building of the largest house in the U.S. and what they get is a story about how a rich family is affected by the recession.  What makes it work is the fact that the family is incredibly likeable and sane about their life.  The trophy wife has an engineering degree, the kids have a lot but don't act like spoiled Honey Boo Boos, and the father is just a hard working businessman who has clearly earned his fortune.  They are an American success story who trap themselves in all the lavishness, but when the table turns, are capable of adapting and surviving.  You might not relate to the bank account (which is still considerable even through their "hard times"), but the message is surprisingly wonderful.

As someone who has both made films and been involved in bands since high school, the onslaught of the digital revolution is sometimes exciting and often very very scary.  It amazes me how quickly we've abandoned tried and true methods for computers and software.  I recorded a demo in 2011, and the process is ridiculous.  The art of performance is ignored for tweaking towards "perfection."  It's no wonder the industry is tanking.  PressPausePlay takes an in depth look at the way music is produced and consumed in this digital world.  It is a great conversation starter and if you're an artist in any way, a must watch.

On the flip side, Indie Game: The Movie is a great peek into how small game developers and creators can utilize new technology to become huge successes.  You'll follow a couple games in development and see how their process differs while getting a look at marketing, programming, trade shows, Xbox Live, and the overall business of indie video games.  It's great, inspirational, and you connect and cheer for the people involved. 

Do you hate modern politics?  Do you think the entertainment news channels and their absurd 24 hour news cycle of shouting matches, misinformation, and soundbite personalities are killing this country?  Me too!!  In that case you will love Patriocracy, an in depth examination of how the news media has changed and grown into this massive pile of bullshit since the introduction of CSPAN back in the late 70s.  If you watch this and don't get angry, you're dead inside.  Might be the most important political doc you could ever watch if for no greater reason than it should help you realize how often you are misled by imposter newscasters.

On a happier note, I tossed in a special mention for the film Perfect Cappuccino.  If you like coffee, this one woman's journey to at first discover coffee culture in Italy and then get immersed in the local coffee house revolution in America is fascinating and informative.  Not the most well assembled doc, but you can tell she was shooting on the fly and adapting to the curves thrown her way, which is admirable. 

I think all of these except the Comic Con doc are available on Netflix streaming right now as are at least three of the Oscar nominated documentaries.  So far, out of the Academy films, I'd suggest The Invisible War if for no other reason than as a test.  If you're not enraged by military polices and cultural practices after that, you're clearly a robot.

Can't wait to see what 2013 brings!!  I love me some doc!

 

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Film Log: December 2012

And down the stretch they come!!!  47 films to 400, can he do it ladies and gentlemen?!  Can he do it?!!!!  Yes he can;)  Barely, under the wire even, but with a little less than an hour left in 2012, I finished a second screening of Cabin in the Woods and crossed the 400 finish line.  And there was still time to watch the ball drop.

It was an interesting month for sure.  I also unlocked my third midnight premiere achievement for the year with an opening night/morning screening of The Hobbit, which, despite some naysayer party poopers out there, I loved!!  I began my theater year with Young Adult in January and finished it off with Hyde Park on the Hudson on Dec. 29th.  People are calling it Bill Murray's best performance.  I don't know about that, but it is a remarkable one in that I didn't find myself watching him and thinking "hey, that's Bill Murray!!"  As one is prone to do. 

Some highlights for December include Butter which also boasts an insanely good soundtrack, the documentaries Bones Brigade, Perfect Cappucino, Trek Nation, and The Queen of Versailles, Christmas time fav Rare Exports and The Butcher Brothers follow up to The Hamiltons, The Thompsons. 

12-3: Army of Darkness

12-4: Butter

12-5: Thor

12-7: The Hebrew Hammer, Doctor Detroit

12-10: Semi Pro, Die Hard

12-11: The Watch, The Back-Up Bride

12-13: Grosse Point Blank, ExTerminators, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

12-14: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Johnny English Reborn, White Christmas

12-16: Rare Exports

12-18: Young Adult, The Babymakers, Notting Hill

12-19: Cleanflix, The American Scream, Trek Nation, The Queen of Versailles, Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap, The Christmas Consultant

12-20: Bones Brigade: An Autobiography, After Porn Ends, Perfect Cappuccino, Freedom Fries, Christmas with the Kranks

12-21: Four Christmases, Dazed and Confused

12-22: The Santa Clause 2, The Santa Clause 3

12-24: Justice League: Doom, A Christmas Story

12-25: A Christmas Story

12-27: The Avengers, Anchorman, Another Earth

12-28: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1

12-29: Hyde Park on the Hudson

12-30: Paranorman, Seeking A Friend for the End of the World, Batman: Year One

12-31: The Thompsons, Cabin in the Woods

Total Films: 47

Films to Date: 400

Fav. Movie: Bones Brigade: An Autobiography.  Stacey Peralta does it again!  This time, he tackles his own creation, the infamous Powell Peralta skate team, the Bones Brigade.  A team of youngsters that included the tiny likes of Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, Mike McGill, Tommy Guerrero, Rodney Mullen, and Tony Hawk.  As far as modern skating goes, the Bones Brigade could not be more influential on the evolution of the sport.  As a historical document, Peralta has assembled a visual textbook sure to appease skaters and non skaters alike.  The footage is incredible, the interviews are amazing, the sheer insanity that this dream team of future superstars existed is mind blowing.  What Peralta did in assembling the Brigade is borderline psychic, but as both the documentarian and the subject, he never grandstands nor begs for accolades.  This is simply a great subject that he approaches with care and consistency in revealing its foundation and the height of its power.  I don't expect this to win awards as critics dump it in the "skate video" category, but it should.  My favorite doc of the year.

Fav. Poster: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Butter also had a great one sheet, but the moment I saw a giant standee version of this Hobbit poster, it was clearly a favorite for the year!  All the dwarves in all their bearded dwarven glory are there like a hipster guide to facial hair!  I kid, but this must have been really popular in Portland...

There it is, my first successful attempt at documenting every movie I watched in a calendar year!!  I plan on keeping it up in 2013 and beyond, but let's take it one month at a time shall we?  Soon to follow, my "Best of" for 2012 and a look back at the 400 movies I chose and how and why I watched them.  Fun stuff to come, thanks for checking in!!

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Film Log: November 2012

 It's crunch time at Drive In '77!!!  With only two months left and a yearly count under 300 come November 1st, I had to kick it into overdrive!!  Anything less than 365 by New Year's would be failure, but I want 400.  I've done it in the past, far more really, so I knew what had to be done; at least 60 movies this month.  Mission is A to the complished!

I started off the month with a three pack of soccer movies and slowly slipped into some old favorites before ramping up for Holiday movie season which has already included three of my Top 10!  Sidenote: have you watched the original Dirty Dancing lately?  I forgot how smoking Jennifer Grey is in that thing.  Just me?  Anyway, highlights of the month include documentaries Indie Game: The Movie, Hit So Hard, PressPausePlay, and Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam.  All of them should be watched, but PressPausePlay raises some great questions about the state of digital media and the way it has altered, both good and bad, the entertainment industry.  I for one find it really odd how quickly we've abandoned film after perfecting it to take up digital cameras and software that can be painfully incompatible and require post production processes that are unreliable at this time.  The doc also covers music and is a wonderful conversation starter.

On the scripted side, I was pleasantly surprised by the latest Spider Man and Wreck It Ralph was a great time.  Zack Galifianakis was awesome in both Visoneers and The Campaign and Arthur Christmas is a new Holiday fav.  A trio of small budgeters to check out include Stay Cool, the twisted serial killer tale Lucky (with a great performance by Ari Graynor), and the ensemble movie A Good Old Fashioned Orgy which has too many actors to name and was pretty funny.  But the stand out discovery for me was Drones.  A delightful indie romantic comedy that mines it's humor from an unexpected source.  The film's description is a bit of a misdirect, so I won't spoil anything, but everyone is so deadpan and wonderful in their roles, it's the kind of thing I wish I'd written!  And then there was the 8th, which should speak for itself as a day of comfort food;)

One word, no, two words, no..... two words as one word: ThanksKilling.  See it.

Oh yeah, then there's Moonrise Kingdom, the current leader on my board for film of the year.  Like most people my age, I adore Wes Anderson's work, but this could be my favorite of all of them.  Embarassingly good.

Bring on December 2012, I'm in fighting shape and, with Christmas movies abound, ready to take you down!!  List'd:

11-1: The Four Year Plan, Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story, The Football Factory

11-2: In The Crease

11-4: Dirty Dancing (1987)

11-6: The Billionaires' Tea Party, Mansome, Comedians of Comedy, Answer This!

11-7: Mouth to Mouth, Adult Entertainment: Disrobing an American Idol, Indie Game: The Movie, The End, Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven

11-8: Zack & Miri Make A Porno, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Superbad

11-9: The Amazing Spider Man

11-12: Wreck It Ralph

11-14: Last Days Here, Birdemic, Until the Light Takes Us, PressPausePlay

11-15: Hit So Hard, Daydream Nation

11-16: Prometheus, Arthur Christmas

11-18: Snow, Snow 2: Brain Freeze, Christmas Cupid, Snowglobe, Holiday High School Reunion

11-19: Star Trek Insurrection, The Girl, Rope, Philadelphia

11-20: Chelsea on the Rocks, For The Bible Tells Me So, Winter's Bone, MST3K: The Movie, ThanksKilling

11-21: Wallander: The Dogs of Riga, Wallander: Before the Frost, Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam, Stay Cool, Palo Alto CA, Lucky

11-24: Santa Claus (1959)

11-25: Visioneers, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

11-26: The Campaign, Love Actually, Bridget Jones's Diary

11-27: Pink Ribbons Inc., A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, Orgasm Inc., My Future Boyfriend

11-28: Bernie, Fubar: Balls to the Wall

11-29: Drones, Finding Bliss

11-30: Barney's Version, Trading Places, Jerry Maguire, Magic Mike, Mirror Mirror, Moonrise Kingdom

Total Film: 67

Films to Date: 353

Fav. Film:  Moonrise Kingdom.  I sort of spoiled the lead here on my favorite movie, but I can't say it enough how magical and amazing Moonrise made me feel.  Notice how I put that, "made me feel."  This wasn't some passive film going experience, it affects you, it puts it's arms around you and leads you down a sweet path of emotion.  It makes you smile.  The film is gorgeous, perfectly cast, perfectly written, are you sensing a pattern here?  I love movies, even mediocre ones, but when you see something like this, it just diminishes all other attempts at story telling.  Not intentionally, it is just so... "elevated."  And Robert Yeoman, sheesh, master your craft much?!!  Google this guy, he is the best DP working today and remember my comment about the move to digital above?  Yeah, watch Moonrise and you'll understand my stance.  Super 16 my friends... film stock'd! 

Fav. Poster: Moonrise Kingdom.

It's a sweep!!  When you Google "Moonrise Kingdom Poster" there's like a million awaesome images that come up and while the theatrical release one sheets are also amazing, I love this one from artist Alex Quinn that graces the Criterion release.  It jumps on the minimalist style so many after market artists are creating for films these days, but instead of simplying outlining an iconic image it depicts a truly touching moment between our young lovers.  I loved that he made her these earings and the piercing scene is one of my favorites in the whole film.  Hence, this poster;)

Alright, November was truly epic, so let's hope I can keep it up in December to close out 2012 and my first full year of actually keepiing an accurate film log!! 

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Film Log: October 2012

Let me start off this month by saying, "you know what? I liked Battleship."  Berg knows how to run a solid "blow 'em up" actioner.  Is it silly? Hell yes, but infinitely better than something like Avatar in my opinion.  Rhiannon was dreadful, but poor Taylor Kitsch, his films got dumped on in 2012, but I wouldn't assign blame to him at all.  I'm not gonna tell you to run out and see it, but it's not a waste of your time.  On the flip side of the Liam Neeson coin, I really hated The Grey.  I was actually disappointed in how much I disliked that movie.  It bored the crap out of me and since it's only set up for you to care about one character, you'd hope said person would have a resolution to their story instead of a cop out fade to black!   I digress.

 All in all, probably my weakest month for films this year.  Pitch Perfect was a fun time out at the cinema, but past that is was a lackluster time.  A couple interesting sports docs, one or two old favs, but mostly some time filler while I did other things.  I'm looking forward to making some stronger choices in November!

 10-3: The Grey, The Wizard

10-4: Fast Times at Ridgemont High, A Thousand Words

10-5: Clerks 2

10-10: Battleship, National Lampoon's Vacation

10-11: The Thing (2011)

10-12: Snow White and the Huntsman

10-13: Broke, Exporting Raymond

10-14: Pitch Perfect, Easy A

10-17: Just Go With It, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1, HP:TDH Part 2

10-19: Pumpkinhead, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

10-23: 30 Seconds Over Tokyo

10-24: Catching Hell

10-26: Just Go With It, Ichi, Mean Girls 2

10-27: One Night in Turin, The Exorcist

10-30: Take This Waltz, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Nightmare Before Christmas

10-31: Dead Snow, The Shining

Total Films:  30

Films to Date:  287

Favorite Movie:  Safety Not Guaranteed.  All the heart and creativity that I so enjoyed from indie filmmaking in the 90s and a great cast made this last minute screening my favorite movie of the month.

Favorite Poster:  The Wizard

This was a really hard choice this month.  Vacation is one of the all time great 80s one sheets with it's mix of fantasy and Star Wars and I love some of the cartoon slanted European posters for Fast Times, but in light of current releases, before Wreck It Ralph promoted our love of video games, there was The Wizard!  Power gloves unite!!  The movie doesn't hold up that well, but this poster is a funky mix of 8-bit heroes and the film's stars that just screams at you from your local VHS video rental shelves!  Wait what?  DVDs, streaming, On Demand?  Bradley Video's a what now?!  

November is on tap and that means one thing: Holiday Movies!  I love 'em, even the cheesy ones.  Let's see if I can up my consumption and go on an end of the year, holiday binge;)

Film Log: September 2012

September was awesome!!  Until I had to drive, that's drive, all the way to Spokane for a cousin's wedding!  Why can't they install mini DVD players in the dash of my rental car?  Come on Hertz!!  That trip ate up the final week of September, but knowing that, I really managed to load up on films before I loaded up the car;)  I even had a six movie day, which with my current schedule and computer placement in the house, is impressive for 2012.

Honestly, this was a really fulfilling month for my movie watching habit.  I kicked it off with an all time fav in Hot Fuzz, setting the tone for a great month.  I then went on to discover some amazing new favorites like the incredible documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi  and what is surely a Top 10 horror film for me, Cabin in the Woods.  I watched Conan from the beginning for the first time in maybe 15 years as well as the underrated Casa de mi Padre which is a tremendous send up of tele novelas.  And then there was the stunning and adorable Katy Perry tour doc which packed a surprising emotional punch.  All in all, it was a really fun month!!  Let's list this mutha!!

9-1: Hot Fuzz

9-2: Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Today's Special, Doc Martin (TV Movie)

9-3: Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie (TV Movie)

9-4: Mission Impossible 3

9-5: Eurotrip

9-6: Pirates! Band of Misfits, Casa de mi Padre

9-8: Ginger Snaps, The Hunger Games

9-9: Wallander: An Event in Autumn

9-11: People Will Talk

9-12: Bear Nation

9-14: Conan The Barbarian

9-15: Dragon Force, Red: Werewolf Hunter, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, Pegasus vs. Chimera

9-17: Star Trek: Generations, Sixteen Candles, Cabin in the Woods, Katy Perry: Part of Me, Hysteria, Broken Lizard's Club Dread

9-21: Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters, Clash of the Titans ('81), Back To School

9-22: Auntie Mame

9-30: Drillbit Taylor

Total Films: 31

2012 Films to Date: 257

Favorite Movie:  Cabin in the Woods.  It was a tough choice with favs like Hot Fuzz floating around, but Cabin is exactly the kind of horror/fantasy story that I love!  It is funny and irreverent, not too gory, and if you haven't seen it, I'll just say it made me really want to play Elder Sign;)  And like another recent horror fav, The Violent Kind, I love a movie that ends and has no way to move forward in a half assed sequel.  Literally no way, since, well..... the elders and all.  They could go backwards, but it is a self contained story that fills in enough information of the world it inhabits to make it a complete film.  Definitely added to the buy list as it is very rewatchable. 

Favorite Poster:  Casa de mi Padre

The poster is a great reflection of the film.  The fold lines, the wear and tear, the pulp esthetic all lend to the feeling of the story.  Without the Facebook icon, it looks like something you could pull from the crowded basement of an abandoned theater in Arizona somewhere.  Bonus: eagle vs. snake!

Honorable Mention Poster:  Johnny Cupcakes Ghostbusters

One of my favorite tee shirt companies, they also put on occasional screenings of classic films with their own versions of the originla one sheets.  I love the Ghostbusters poster, it was one of the first ones my brother ever brought home for me from the theater for my room, and I love Ghostbusters so I automatically fell in love with this design from JC and felt it warranted an appearence in this months log.

October is here!!  You know what that means... Halloween!!!  Time for some scary movies!

Film Log: August 2012

Hot August Nights Batman!!!  That is how this month's viewing began, in a Reno hotel room attending a cake convention while they set up for the annual Hot August Nights car show out side in the face melting heat of... well, of Reno!  Hence the opening screening salvo of a Dsiney Channel movie and a "between panels semi-nap time" Serenity relaxer.  Nothing like a little Joss Whedon comfort food for a tired conventioneer!

As has become the trend in the middle part of 2012, I failed to crack 30 movies.  *sadface*  I did manage a five movie day and a four movie one, but with huge gaps in the middle as I did some field work and a lot of writing away from the TV.  And no trips to the theater!  With four months to go in the year, I really need to make an effort to get some movies in!  Anyway, here's the tally for month number nine!

8-2: Princess Protection Program

8-4: Serenity

8-10: Contagion, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Intolerable Cruelty

8-13: Dream Wife, Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia, Crocodile Dundee II

8-15: Sherlock: The Hound of the Baskervilles

8-16: Man on the Moon, Cheaper by the Dozen, Rock Star, Dragonslayer (2011), The Big Year

8-17: Star Trek First Contact

8-20: Sherlock: The Reichenbach Fall

8-22: Comic Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

8-25: Ocean's 13, Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, All's Faire in Love, American History X

8-26: Mean Girls, The Dictator

8-27: Wanderlust

8-29: Puss In Boots

8-30: Justice League: The New Frontier, Green Lantern

Total Films: 27

2012 Films to Date: 226

Favorite Movie:  The Dictator.  It is almost a virtual tie for new movies this month between Sacha Baron Cohen's latest and the Paul Rudd/Jennifer Aniston comedy Wanderlust.  The later was a great little comedy with some truly funny moments but The Dictator exceeded my expectations and reminded me how incredibly funny Cohen can be in scripted work.  Borat and Bruno were funny (one more than the other), but when Cohen plots out his jokes, his ability to slice apart social maladies and prejudice is borderline genius.  Yes, some of it is silly and not all social commentary, but some of it is a grenade that just sits in your head, waiting till you cease laughter.  I am really glad the "reality" based stuff is behind him and hope more work like The Dictator is coming down the pipeline.

Favorite Poster: Justice League: The New Frontier

This is a little unfair because how does someone compete with Darwyn Cooke?!!  The art of the graphic novel is some of my favorite work in years and the animators on New Frontier captured Cooke's retro style perfectly including this dynamic poster/DVD cover.  And hey, put Green Arrow on the poster for anything and I'm down!

Next month, I make it to the cinema.... I swear!!  Happy film watching everyone!

Film Log: July 2012

Oh July, how you sucker me outside!  Although I did take in some classics this month, I continue to fall behind as life interferes with cinema.  Unfortunately, it was also a month where tragedy interfered with cinema.  After taking in a tremendously fun midnight screening of the latest Batman, I came home to share my enthusiasm only to discover the shootings in Colorado.

If I can soapbox for a brief moment, this story left me with such an ugly knot in my stomach.  The movie going experience ebbs and flows between magic and obnoxious these days, but the shared experience of seeing a film at the theater remains a cultural touchstone across all demographics.  It is a safe place where, even in the face of "texters" ignoring the social contract of the cinema, we band together to take in some entertainment and leave our worries in the parking lot.  In Colorado, that safe zone was violated in the most horrific way and now we have yet another layer of innocence stripped away from us.  My heart goes out to everyone there that night and to everyone who felt the impact of this attack on our civilized world.

So, naturally we segue to the much less important reality of my ongoing film log!  Yesh, no real easy way to make that jump is there?  

7-1: John Tucker Must Die, The Artist, John Carter

7-2: The Pope of Greenwich Village, Hercules and the Lost Kingdom

7-3: Gone With The Wind, The Last Supper

7-5: Worst In Show, Taken, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

7-6: Savages, The Decoy Bride

7-8: Spice World, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

7-16: Spice World, Marigold

7-17: Bad Boys

7-18: Cedar Rapids

7-19: Forbidden Planet

7-20: The Dark Knight Rises, American Reunion, Talladega Nights

7-21: Angus, Bye Bye Love, Batman Begins, I Love You Man

7-22: Sucker Punch

7-24: The Dark Knight

7-28: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

 

Total Films: 29

2012 Films to Date: 199

Favorite Movie: The Dark Knight Rises

I had a really hard time this month picking my favorite movie.  I watched some of my all time favs and while the latest Batman wouldn't necessarily unseat Forbidden Planet, hitting up the midnight on opening night at my favorite theater with a good friend made it one of those great movie experiences.  TDKR also made the last film better for me.  I wasn't the biggest fan of The Dark Knight, I felt it was too long, and while Rises could be accused of the same, I enjoyed the narrative of it more and it's ability to tie up the trilogy.  Sure Bane was hot and cold as a villain, but I was pleasantly surprised by Hathaway as Catwoman and felt the  screen time for the entire cast was well balanced.  Nolan's Batman is a flawed character, sometimes violating the fanboy canon that makes him so popular.  This enrages some and invigorates others.  Me, I can go either way, but all in all I think the series works very well as a whole.  It's film.  Neither perfect nor immune to interpretation.  All you can ever walk away with is that gut reaction and my gut reaction to TDKR was "that was awesome." 

Favorite Poster: Forbidden Planet

This is a no-brainer!  While the U.K. Spice World one sheet hangs in my office, Forbidden Planet is one of the most iconic posters ever to hang in the lobbies of the world!  The movie itself holds so many science fiction firsts, it is arguably one of the most influential works in the genre.  And the art is fantastic!  You have the ship, the sort of gaseous cloud that always made me think of the ID monster and of course the sexy girl in the arms of the most expensive prop of the 50s, Robby the Robot!  Robby is decidedly faceless in the film too, but here the artist tweaks his machinations to give him the appearance of eyes, nose, and a mouth.  You have no idea if he is a villain or a hero!  It's beautiful work for a masterful film.  

Alright, seven months down, five to go!  My goal for August is to crack that 40 mark again, which is why I am currently up late watching Crocodile Dundee II on AMC;)  Happy screenings!

Film Log: June 2012

 6-1: X-Men First Class, Hatfields & McCoys (ms)

6-8: The Chronicles of Riddick, Aladdin

6-12: The Sitter

6-16: In Time, Shaun of the Dead, Vegas Vacation, Office Space, Cars

6-17: The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom

6-19: Amazons of Rome, Jeff Who Lives at Home, This Means War

6-20: The Girl Next Door

6-21: The Adventures of Tintin

6-23: Bridesmaids, Black Death, Ironclad

6-24: Brave, Easy A

6-25: Kung Fu Panda 2

6-26: Immortals, 21 Jump Street

6-28: Bad Teacher

6-30" Bigfoot: "A SyFy Original Movie"

Total Films: 26

Year to Date: 170

Film of the Month: Shaun of the Dead

You know, I really liked a fwe movies this month, but I just gotta go with an old favorite in Shaun.  I never get tired of this film and even on this, my like 15th or so viewing, I was still laughing at all the right parts.  Brilliant stuff.

Favorite Poster: The Bliss of Miss Blossom

Hey, it has some simple line art, a horrible tag line, and Shirley MacLaine's face on a bra!  If I was in the theater in 1968, I'd be sold!!

Okay, so long June, we hardly knew thee!!  Now we move into the meat of the summer season and there's a bunch of interesting smaller films releasing, so here's to some AC in the old arthouse!!  See ya next month!

Film Log: May 2012

May Day!  May Day!! May Day!!!

May was destined to be a slim month.  With almost two weeks scheduled out to travel, I knew my movie watching would suffer.  However, it started with a bang as I attended the AMC theaters Marvel marathon leading up to the premiere of The Avengers.  Six movies, roughly 15 hours plus travel time to and from the theater, three large popcorns, two theater hotdogs, Fuddruckers chicken fingers, botomless soda, and a broken air conditioner.  It was magic.  Stinky, sweaty, slightly uncomfortable magic.  (Read about it here.)

I did manage to see some interesting stuff like the new Audrey Tautou and finally getting to screen The People Vs. George Lucas, which was a very well made doc.  I was worried it would be a bunch of whiny fanboys, but it is a fair examination of the reaction to the prequels.  Even Country Strong surprised me!  I'm not in a hurry to watch it again, but it was not what I expected and I enjoyed my post lunch viewing.  I also got to the actual theater three times.  I'm an economy booster!!

May is only three letters, and this list is seemingly as short.  List me!!!

5-3: Marvel Marathon: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America and.....

5-4: The Avengers (it was midnight!), Horrible Bosses

5-5: Arsenic and Old Lace

5-6: Topaz

5-7: Delicacy (La Delicatesse)

5-25: Hall Pass, JFK, Star Wars

5-28: The Avengers

5-29: Country Strong, The People Vs. George Lucas

5-31: Colors

Total Films: 17

Year to Date: 144

Film of the Month:  The Avengers

I actually wrote that down on Cinco de Mayo afer Free Comic Book Day 'cause I just knew there was nothing in May that would equal the experience of my all day Marvel marathon followd by a very rare (for me) midnight screening of The Avengers.  Not only was the whole event special, not only is the accomplishment of Marvel Studios impressive, but the film kicked serious hardcore buttocks!!  The Hulk in the final act is everything you could ever want from a comics character on film.  In fact, more so than any other comic book movie to date, this actually felt like a comic come to life!  The kinetic energy of the fight sequences, the flow between characters and action is world class filmmaking.  Looking at you, Mr. Joss Whedon.  And *SPOILER ALERT*, when Banner says "I'm always angry" and then Hulks out and punches that space whale.... holy shit balls!!  That is my favorite super hero on film moment ever.

Favorite Poster:  The Avengers

I'm not always a big fan of the Mondo line of reimagined poster art.  Some of them are a little too trite; monochromatic rehased versions of 60s themes, but this one by Tyler Stout caught my eye.  Maybe it's the idea of a drawn style to contrast the live action comic book movie, maybe it's the use of the Avenger "A," but whatever it is, I like it more than the theatrical posters.  I mean, if you gave me the Scarlett Johanson character one I might be able to find a spot for it.....  I'd like to have a smaller version of this one to hang by the computer.

Favorite Poster Runner-Up: Delicacy

In case the first cannot perform it's duties, then Audrey Tautou will glady step in and take the crown!  I had to put this in here because it so wonderfully French and Audrey is just so cute.  Plus, I love how Damiens is kind of blurred in the background.  The poster really is a wonderful representation of the story. so for May, I have two one sheets.  Err.. two sheets?  Nooooo!!

Bring on June!!  Nothing like some cool theater houses on hot summer days!

Film Log: April 2012

WTF April?  Oh yeah, let's see.... NHL playoffs started, got a new computer that is no where near the big TV, and like three trips to Disneyland.  Yep, that would explain the appalling lack of movies screened in April 2012!!

19 is the final tally and I am quite embarrassed.  Even the selections are odd, but I can proudly say I enjoyed everything I watched which is not the usual outcome.  Morgan Spurlock's Comic Con doc stands out and as you'll see, with a 48 hour On Demand rental, I watched it twice.  As a 15 plus year veteran of the Con, it was fun to see his take on the 2010 edition.  The Iron Lady was the let down, but I'm still glad I watched it, just not blown away by the narrative choices or editing.  Finally, rounded April out with a real live trip to the movies to see Emily Blunt and Jason Segal in Five Year Engagement.  I agree with the masses, needed some editing, but totally liked it and the Elmo/Cookie Monster argument between Blunt and Alison Brie is amazeballs.  Anyhoo, on to the list!

4-4: Easy A, Eurotrip, Good Burger

4-5: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

4-10: Comic Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

4-11:  Comic Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

4-18: The Breakfast Club, Green Lantern

4-19: Super

4-21: The Groomsmen, Great Expectations (2012) (ms)

4-22: Killing Bono

4-23: The Iron Lady, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Birds

4-24: Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2

4-25: Topaz

4-30: Five Year Engagement

Total Films: 19

Year to Date:  127

Film of the Month:  Killing Bono 

Why?  Because this movie got me to sit there and be interested in something that is essentially about U2, one of the most overratted, overplayed, "grates on my brain" rock bands in history.  I cannot stand U2, and yet, I am a total sucker for the history of music and this take on what could've been for one guitarist who unknowingly ends up struggling with his halfwit brother in club bands instead of living it up on the international stage with U2 is utterly enthralling.  Hell, I even liked the guy playing Bono more than the real life version!!  Can we replace Bonos?

Favorite Poster: Five Year Engagement

If you know me, you know why.  I wanna be Jason Segal!  But no, really it is Emily Blunt.  Okay, it's the cake!  Actually, I just found out I even know the guy who made the cake for this poster, so that's even better!!  I will add it to my collection of posters featuring cake. 

Okay, I pinky swear I will up the movie count come May.  Already I know I'll be six deep come the weekend because I have my Avengers movie marathon at the AMC this Thursday!!  Holy crap is that going to be an epic day of heartburn and bottomless popcorn.  I predict sicky in the bathroom!  But more on that experience later.  Wish me luck!

Film Log: March 2012

Well, March was a slow down in my movie watching.  I shifted gears and spent a lot of my viewing time on ABC's Lost, a show I didn't partake in upon initial broadcast.  I got through about 64 episodes, which if you wanted to think about, is roughly 32 films!!  And, a big shout out to BYU TV for being the only station to show Darby O'Gill and the Little People on St. Patrick's Day!  Seriously networks, have we forgotten what my homeland's beloved holiday is all about?!  Thanks to a bad back, I did manage to squeeze in some last minute titles at the end of the month to bring up the total, so here be the graveyard of my movie watching, March 2012 edition;)

3-1: Cyrus, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Fargo

3-4: Flakes, Love's Kitchen, Greenfingers, Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior, Chocolate

3-6: Love Don't Cost a Thing, Sucker Punch, Cedar Rapids, Good Hair

3-9: Footloose (2011)

3-11: Tilly Trotter (ms), Being Elmo

3-16: Game Change, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, Chasing Leprechauns

3-18: Step Brothers, Game Change

3-23: The Hunger Games

3-25: The Hunger Games

3-29: The Muppets, True Grit

3-30: Special When Lit: A Pinball Documentary, Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade

3-31: The Hollywood Complex, Strictly Background, The Golden Gong

Total Films: 29

Year to Date: 108

Film of the Month: Being Elmo  

I know, I know, how can I not choose the juggernaut of The Hunger Games?  I think expectations won (or lost) out there where as Being Elmo surpassed any idea I had about a documentary on a Muppet.  Don't get me worng, I love The Muppets!!  Jim Henson is a hero to me and I firmly believe you can trace the downward spiral of society to his passing, but I'm more of a Muppet Show guy than a Sesame Street guy, so Elmo is not in my wheel house.  Being Elmo turned out to be a remarkable documentary filled with footage that lead me to believe this doc was in the works for 30 years!!  An amazing story about a man who found his destiny early and worked hard to achieve his goals.  It's rare to see someone doing what the universe meant them to be and Being Elmo is such a glimpse into cosmic kismet.  

Favorite Poster:  To hop bandwagons, for this one I will go The Hunger Games!

I actually really do like this "coming soon" one sheet.  It nicely arranges familiar imagery from the books to depict both the first film and hint at what is to come (mainly the idea of the Districts looking up to the "Mockingjay" for inspiration and guidance.)  It was also part of a fun and innovative "puzzle hunt" release in which 100 different websites were each given a small piece of the poster and fans had to collect them and arrange them to see the finished image.  Of course, the lazier among us (myself) just waited till some co-ed with time on their hands posted it.

Such was March my friends!  I see more (the end?) Lost in April as we chug along towards, believe it or not, the Summer movie season!!  I already have my tickets for the all day, six movie, Avenger marathon on May 3rd!!  My butt hurts already. 

Film Log: February 2012

Got off to a slow start in February until I got a bee in my birthday month bonnet and decided to concentrate on watching some of my favorite films instead of the new and unfamiliar.  Sometimes you just need the comfort food.  Hence, the first film of February, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World!!  I watched it this time with the French subtitles on to practice my foreign language skills;)  So congrats Bryan Lee O'Malley, France has virtually no words to properly translate your verve!!

Last month I watched 39 films.  This month I watched 40 films.  I'm sensing a pattern.  That puts me on pace for over 450 movies in 2012.  Pathetic!  I've got to step up my game;)  Probably would've cracked 45 this month if it wasn't silly old short month February... wah wah.  

On to the log, and of course, some random awards await after the list.  Enjoy your accolades people who made these movies whom I will never speak to nor will ever read this blog!!!

2-4: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, National Lampoons European Vacation, State and Main

2-6: War and Peace

2-7: Almost Famous, Mystery Alaska

2-8: High Fidelity, Yes Man, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Get Him to the Greek

2-9: LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition

2-10: Knocked Up, Win A Date with Tad Hamilton, LOTR: The Two Towers Ext. Ed.

2-11: Coming To America, LOTR: The Return of the King Ext. Ed., Something Borrowed

2-13: Dick, Galaxy Quest

2-14: My Best Friend's Wedding, Batman Begins, Prom, Chasing Amy

2-15: Nollywood, American Pie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding

2-16: Trekkies, Trekkies 2

2-19: Ghost World, Punch Drunk Love, Radio Rebel

2-21: Battle Royal

2-23: Darkon

2-24: Oklahoma!

2-27: Goon

2-28: Youngblood, The Contender, The Last King of Scotland

2-29: Drive, What's Your Number?

Total Films: 40

Year to Date: 79

Film of the Month: Drive

Until the last day of the month I was going with Almost Famous because I'd forgotten how much I love that film and watching it again after a few years was pure joy.  It was great to revisit a lot of movies in February, but ultimately, Drive blew me away.  I'd been getting so many recommends from trusted cinema friends and boy were they right.  It's terrific, a wonderful slice of genre pie that steps up the game on heist films.  Plus, it was shot in Los Angeles.  Take that runaway production!  Very well cast, I love Brooks as a gangster, and beautifully shot, it's a buy for me.  

Favorite One Sheet:  Yes Man (German)

I threw in the Mondo Drive poster up top because I love the nod to 80s esthetics throughout the film and while I'm not a huge Mondo fan, they do come up with something once in awhile I really enjoy.  However, not an official release one sheet, so it doesn't win this month.  

Instead, I was intrigued by this German release for one of my favorite comfort films, Yes Man.  I'm always fascinated by the little changes films have to make for international markets.  In this case, if you compare it to the U.S. version, the scooter's headlight is on, Carrey has a different pose which makes me curious about shying away from the big "victory pose" and it's relation to Nazis, and Zooey Deschanel has a black jacket on and is turned towards Carrey.  Which is also turned away from the "viewer."  Did they think Zooey wasn't part of their marketing in Germany?  Are Germans not down with my girl?  Blasphemy!  Those are the kinds of international publicity decisions that fascinate me and made this my favorite poster for the month.  

Favorite Dialog: "Why are you crying?  Did you just watch Rudy?!" - Doug from Goon

Alrighty then.... good month.  Lots of familiar faces and a few new shows, I enjoyed my February quite a bit.  Let's hope I can get out to the actual cinema in March.  I know tickets are secured for one screening already, The Hunger Games on the 23rd!!  I hope it's as fun as the books.  Keep screening my friends!!

2011: My Favorite Movies

Over the years that I've done this, I've never really set myself to a specific number for my "Top" list.  Sometimes it's 10, others 12, it's even been up to 25.  Sometimes I list a favorite documentary or animated movie, it basically comes down to me trying to arrange the movies that I feel strongly enough about to make them "list worthy."  For example, this year I'd say Bridesmaids came in at #16, but I didn't think the movie was strong enough to be on my year end list, so I stopped the list at 15.

Honorable Mention: Rare Exports.  Although a 2010 film, it was very limited in the U.S. and really wasn't accessible till the DVD release in 2011.  If it was a pure '10, I would have to put it in my Top 5 as Rare Exports has also become one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time.  It is twisted and unique and bursting with the ambience and sensibilities of Scandinavian film that I've grown to love.  Come December, you owe it to yourself to add it to your holiday film list. 

Okay, on with the show!!

15. The Devil's Double

14. Paul

13. One Day

12. Win Win

11. Captain America/Thor

10. Crazy Stupid Love

9. The Trip

8. The Guard

7. Our Idiot Brother

6. Midnight In Paris

5. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

4. Cedar Rapids

3. Moneyball

2. The Muppets

1. Super 8

 

Alright, who wants to throw the first flame ball?  I think more so than any other year, my list is quite different from what I've been reading.  Although, 2011 seems to be a year of varying opinions.  that could be a good thing, or it could be the sign of a weak year.  Either way, what you see is what I enjoyed and there was quite a lot to enjoy in '11.  

For me, The Muppets is a very personal pick.  If I had to ditch all other properties and fandoms and concentrate on only one, 9 times out of 10 I'd pick Muppets.  But it was trumped by one thing, and that was the magic of Super 8.  A movie I knew would be at the top n opening day.  I guess I shouldn't be shocked it didn't pop up on any of the major lists since it is so easy for the blogosphere to dismiss something so grounded in the purity of entertaining filmmaking, but you know what?  I am shocked.  Super 8 is a fantastic film and one that made the 8 year old me, the 12 year old me, the 16 year old me, the 22 year old film school me, the 30 year old dude, and of course, the current 36 year old me fall in love.  If you think I'm an idiot, then I'm glad we're not friends, but Super 8 is far and away my favorite movie of 2011.  

And with that, here's to 2012!!!

 

 

Film Log: January 2012

Last year, about the middle of February, I started making a list of all the movies I would watch daily.  I left out TV and mini series or else it would've been more depressing than informative!!  Somewhere around August, I stumbled and lost some days and had these enormous gaps in the list and just gave up.  I knew I wanted to come back to it however, and so here, in 2012, I will attempt once again to catalog my movie watching experience, only this time, I'll post once a month instead of a big long list that makes one's eyes glaze over.  The only bad part is I watched some awesome movies in the final days of 2011 that I can't list!!  

So here is my first Film Log for 2012.  Some call it January.  There's a couple of "awards" at the end.

Note: If I managed to watch an entire mini series in one day, I've decided to include it here.  Therefore, any title with (MS) after it denotes a mini series marathon and no doubt, a sore bottom;)

1st:  Straw Dogs, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

2nd: Midnight in Paris

3rd: Hangover Part 2, Cowboys & Aliens

4th: The Debt

5th: Waking Sleeping Beauty, No Strings Attached

6th: Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Story of A Tribe Called Quest, Hesher, The Guard, 30 Minutes Or Less

7th: Hanna, The Devils' Double

10th: Win Win, Rise of The Planet of the Apes, Moneyball

12th: Take Me Home Tonight, American Mystic

17th: Beginners

18th: The A-Team, The Ides of March 

19th: Lombardi

20th: The Dilemma, Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, Battle for Endor

23rd: The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo (Sweden), Land Girls (MS)

24th: The Incredible Shrinking Woman, Fog City Mavericks, Last Night

25th: 50/50, Young Adult

27th: A Summer in Genoa, Those Redheads from Seattle

31st: Catfish, Black Swan, Namath, Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

January Totals: 39

Film of the Month: Midnight In Paris 

It's a tough call this month.  Moneyball was great, so was the Tribe doc and I enjoyed the hell out of The Guard and Young Adult, but Paris was just a special brand of filmmaking.  I'm not one to bow to Woody Allen, not so much because I don't think he's any good, but mainly because I have a hard time connecting to his characters.  This film was different, both entertaining and stimulating.  It surprised me more than any other film this month, so it wins.

Favorite One Sheet:  Young Adult

This pre-release one sheet for Young Adult makes me smile.  I love the blending of the literary and the cinematic and the pose of our protagonist pretty much sums up the film!  I also love loved Dominic Cooper and the gold craziness of The Devil's Double poster, but it was mostly a nice bit of photoshop so my nod goes to Reitman and Cody's latest. 

Only 39 movies?  I'm gonna have to crack 40 next month!!

In Order - Nick Hornby

 Holy smokes, it's been awhile since I did one of these "In Order" posts!  Sorry about that, but having just finished the latest novel from my favorite living author, I felt inspired to organize and valuate his work through a slapdash numbering of his blood sweat and tears on a third tier blog no one reads.  What better way to honor his awesomeness!!

I am talking of course of England's own Nick Hornby.  I was going through a bad break-up in the nineties when my buddy Greg tossed me a copy of "High Fidelity."  It was the perfect cure and I read it three times in a row.  It was life changing and somewhat foreshadowing as the Greg I refer to is the author of the best selling "He's Just Not That Into You," one Greg Behrendt.  It quickly became my second favorite book all time (behind only Orwell's "1984") and my total read count stands around 18 times.  

Since then I make it an appointment to hit the book store the day of release for any of his novels and have seen him at signings thrice.  Hornby's accessible style and lyrical verse speak to me and provide more entertainment than late night HBO specials.  In order, the words and wisdom of Nick Hornby:

1. High Fidelity (1995)
2. Juliet, Naked (2009)
3. About A Boy (1998)
4. Songbook (2003)
5. Slam (2007)
6. A Long Way Down (2005)
7. Fever Pitch (1992)
8. How To Be Good (2001)
9. The trio of essay books Polysyllabic Spree, Housekeeping vs. The Dirt, & Shakespeare Wrote for Money (2004-08)

In Order - Muppet Cinema

Here we go again! My “In Order” series takes on another theme, this time one very close to my heart. Why? Because I freaking love all things Muppet!!! Jim Henson was/is an idol of mine. Never has anyone been so in step with what is funny to kids and yet mind altering funny to adults. The Muppets were pure genius every time out. Their songs and skits are peppered with social commentary, double entendre, and the skills of master craftsmen. I will never get tired of those fuzzy little hollowed out, hands up their pooters creations! And the thought of Jason Segal working on a new movie makes me believe in rainbows again!! In order, my favorite Muppet pictures:

1. The Muppets Take Manhattan

2. A Muppet Christmas Carol

3. The Muppet Movie

4. The Great Muppet Caper

5. Muppet Treasure Island

6. Muppets From Space

This list wasn’t all that tough. I’ve basically had them ordered in my head for years. Manhattan is far and away my favorite. You’ve got the gang going their separate ways, Kermit trying to sell a big musical in NYC to save them all, rats skating in frying pans with pats of butter on their feet, Kermit getting amnesia as the crew reassembles and looks for him, and then a wedding!! Somebody’s getting married today!! So amazing.

Christmas Carol is my favorite version of Dickens’ tale ever made. A must watch every December. The original movie is a marvel when you consider the technical hurdles they had to overcome to get it done and some of the best songs ever written for a major motion picture. Caper and Treasure Island suffer only from not being as mind blowing as the first three, but still some of the best family entertainment imaginable.

Muppets from Space is hard on me. I remember seeing it the day it was released and just feeling weird about it after. I mean, how could I not love a Muppet movie? It took me a day or two but then I realized, there are no songs in it!!!! It wasn’t the Muppets themselves that threw me off, it was that they never sang once, not one original song. And the music is what separates them from all contenders. It was just an odd time for The Henson Company and an odd little film came out of it. It’s not horrible, but not Muppet enough.

In Order - Kevin Smith

Welcome to my first post in the brand new “In Order” category. Somethings I just don’t want to pile into a formatted list, like my “7” series, which is just a bloated top 5 list anyway. Maybe they’re too big or too small or just too specialized to exclude. I love Kevin Smith films. They are exactly the kind of thing I can watch over and over. I listen to the SModcast religiously, and consider myself a big time fan. He makes me laugh, he amuses me, and he seems like the kind of dude you could just hang out with and be a nerd. With the exception of Clerks, I’ve seen all his work in the theater and thought that I might list them in order of "likey likey-ness". In order, here are my favorite Kevin Smith films.

1. Dogma

2. Zack and Miri Make A Porno

3. Clerks

4. Clerks II

5. Chasing Amy

6. Jersey Girl

7. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

8. Mallrats

Do I need to explain? I think #1 thru 6 are really really close. Trying to list them is splitting hairs, but “Dogma” has stuck with me as a really ambitious and gutsy turn at comedy with a superb cast and a plot that really moves. “Zack and Miri” was amazing. Truly funny and a unique entry into the idea of the romantic comedy. It was Smith on top of his game The Clerks twins, pretty obvious. “Amy” And “Jersey Girl” could easily flip flop depending on my mood. As I write this I have just re-watched “Jersey Girl” and enjoyed it immensely. I think it is one of those flicks that more people should give a second chance to. “Strike Back” is funny and over the top and a great send up of his own work, but it is not something I want to see too many times. Out of all Smith’s films, I think this one most lacks staying power. But, I do put it above “Mallrats” because... well, I don’t know. That movie just never worked for me. It is the only one I don’t own and no matter how many minutes I catch on TV here and there, I just find it difficult to like as a whole. There are funny bits, but as a movie it doesn’t capture me.

All that is to say, I "likey." Now go "watchy" with some "friendys" and I’ll stop with the bad "grammary.”