Milk (2008) - 4.5/5

Gus Van Sant has done it; he's harnessed his passion for total creative control and intertwined it with absorbing story-telling, and the result is one of the finest pictures of the year. It must be said that Sean Penn's portrayal of Harvey Milk is flawless- he completely inhabits the man and his spirit. It isn't Penn carrying the film, though; the entire cast is phenominal, especially James Franco. This story is fantastically told via a breed of documentary and narrative style of cinema, and everything about it is not only accessable but totally human.

Black Christmas (1974) - 4.5/5

Scary as hell. This is a horror movie for adults; though it takes place at a sorority (which would now be cliche ground), it takes time to set up distinct characters and a uncomfortability around the house. Bob Clark never rushes the story, and it pays off; the last twenty minutes are some of the most frightening ever made. The most admirable thing about the film is its brave ending, one that does not go off with a bang but instead a cold shiver. Also, I could watch Olivia Hussey paint walls.

Three...Extremes (2005) 2.5/5

Sometimes interesting but never compelling, this anthology is a colaboration of three of Asia's most influential modern directors- which has me wondering why the stories were so bland and one-dimensional. This is all familiar ground; two of the three stories go for flat-out shock value, but unfortunately, when that layer is peeled off, there's nothing left. The tales do get better as they go along, and the stark imagery and creepy finale of Miike's tale leave a better taste in the mouth than the other two, but after the film is done it doesn't linger.

The Pink Panther 2

My buddy took my son and I to the press screening last night.

i knew it was going to be bad - went for the sake of my son who thought it was awsome that he'd be seeing it before anyone else - but holy hell was this movie shit.


steve martin doesn't have a clue (no pun intended) how to play clouseau ..


fucking travesty.

My kid thought it was ok though .. he took the 'reserved' sign off his seat to show the kids at class today :)

Oh yeah, it's definetly a must see. I expected an average thriller but it was so much more.

Over the course of two weeks.

Superbad, Basket Case, Zombi Holocaust, Repo Genetic Opera, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Kung Fu Panda, Pieces, Nightbreed, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Evilspeak, Madman, Slashers, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1&2. The Hamiltons, Night of the Creeps, Shorts on Fear net..(Spooked, Skin and Bones(only one I liked), New Years Day), Hostel, Penny Dreadful.

The Happening

it wasnt a 100% solid movie but it did have effective moments.

Mark W was weird though ... i dont think he has any range outside of a 'tough guy' as a teacher he just didnt click. The girl (Zooey) was just frigging weird for the most part as well. she played it like the character was nuts to begin with.

better than signs ... but miles below 6th sense and unbreakable

Have you seen I Heart Huckabees? The man actually can act. I just think that he was poorly directed in The Happening (big surprise knowing who was at the helm).

The Happening could and SHOULD have been good.

i got the impression that he was directed to be the opposite of a tough guy - he just came off as weird ..

yep - i have Huckabees .. saw it ages ago - liked it - but i cant remember him being in it !


i think the movie was terribly cast - for what the director wanted out of them...
the events were unsettling enough - they didnt need distracting disjointed performances ... it took away from the film ...

Pocket Money.

A strange modern day western starring Paul Newman (doing this weird vocal thing), Lee Marvin, Strother Martin & Wayne Rogers.

Worth watching for the performances.

Turned on the TV to watch some horror last night and NOOOOOOOOOOOO





my Sony 36inch Wega died:(

Actually, Mark W was great in Boogie Nights, too.