This was a pretty freaky movie. I say this even after the movie was basically ruined by a friend of mine who thought it was the funniest thing since Bill Cosby. I can definitely see where basically every horror film since then has borrowed at least one thing from this film. Heck, House of 1000 Corpses could almost be considered a remake of this film.
The acting was subpar. Of course, there was no real need for Oscar winning performances anyway. However, I have to say, the leader of the cannibals definitely made me think he was insane. And Leatherface was pretty terrifying. The teenagers were the stereotypical travelers who you know are going to die before the film is over except maybe one.
The visuals were creepy. Skeletons laying all over the place, Leatherface's human skin mask, grandpa. And the fact that this film was made with only $60,000 makes the visuals and camera work even more impressive.
I wasn't scared watching the film. But, as I said, that portion was ruined for me. However, I don't think I would've been scared anyway. I think the scaryness has faded since the release. If i'd watched this in the 70s, I probably would've crapped my pants and left the theater. Today, however, we as movie watchers have been subjected to much more frightening things. Even so, I would definitely recommend watching this film just to see where some of the greats got their ideas.
I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
- John Murphy
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Origin: U.S (Vortex) 1974Length: 83 minutes
Format: Color
Director: Tobe Hooper
Producer: Tobe Hooper, Lou Peraino
Screenplay: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper
Photography: Daniel Pearl
Music: Wayne Bell, Tobe Hooper, John Lennon
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen, John Dugan, Robert Courtin, William Creamer, John Henry Faulk, Jerry Green, Ed Guinn, Joe Bill Hogan
Links: Texas Chain Saw Massacre Trailer, Texas Chain Saw Massacre Wiki, Ed Gein Wiki
Loosely inspired by the real-life story of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein - as was Psycho(1960) before it and The Silence of The Lambs(1991) after it - Tobe Hooper's ultra-low-budget shock-horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre opened to a firestorm of controversy, and since then has continued to generate heated debate over its aesthetic merits and potentially damaging effects on viewers.
It's been called one of the most frightening movies ever made.
It is one of the most profitable independent films in motion picture history.
The Maltese Falcon (Matt)
I was excited going into this movie. I watched the trailer and it looked mysterious and fun.
I was let down however when we started watching it. The movie started strong, I was into it and really enjoying the mood that the old film created, however by the end I had dozed off several times. This could be due to the fact that I was really full of homemade tamales, but even so if it was interesting enough I would not have been falling asleep.
The characters in the movie were the biggest selling point, and they were the reason for most of the interest that the movie got from me. I loved watching all the characters interact. They all had their own motives, and all of them had somewhat exaggerated personalities.
The story just wasn't interesting enough to keep me entertained. I tried, but I failed. It makes me sad too because I wanted very much to enjoy this movie. Alas I have to face facts though, I just wasn't all that into it. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either.
4 fat men out of 10
I was let down however when we started watching it. The movie started strong, I was into it and really enjoying the mood that the old film created, however by the end I had dozed off several times. This could be due to the fact that I was really full of homemade tamales, but even so if it was interesting enough I would not have been falling asleep.
The characters in the movie were the biggest selling point, and they were the reason for most of the interest that the movie got from me. I loved watching all the characters interact. They all had their own motives, and all of them had somewhat exaggerated personalities.
The story just wasn't interesting enough to keep me entertained. I tried, but I failed. It makes me sad too because I wanted very much to enjoy this movie. Alas I have to face facts though, I just wasn't all that into it. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either.
4 fat men out of 10
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Maltese Falcon(John)
This movie was surprisingly good. The Maltese Falcon came out in that 1940s so I was expecting a campy tale about a woman in distress and the man who was going to take care of it. Instead, I was treated with a very enjoyable story with little to no campy-ness.
The acting was good overall. Humphrey Bogart was definitely the shining star in this film. He gave a stellar performance as Sam Spade. A lot of the things he did in this film reminds me of Batman. Spade always seemed to be planned for any eventuality. The scene where he seems to get mad at the Fatman and storms out only to walk away smiling was really awesome. Peter Lorre was another memorable character to me. A lot of this was from watching Looney Toons as a kid. Lorre has a very unmistakable face and voice.
There were limited set pieces in this movie. I believe there were only a handful of different settings throughout the entire film. Of course, I understand that this movie was made 70 years ago so I wasn't too bothered by it. The combination of black and white film mixed with the Noir story were very enjoyable.
The music was pretty good. I wasn't moved by it but I also didn't hate it. It fit well with the story that was being told and nothing that I heard took me out of the story.
Overall, I'd have to say I was surprised that I liked this one even though I enjoy most noir films that i've seen. The acting was good and the movie kept me entertained throughout. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
- John Murphy
The acting was good overall. Humphrey Bogart was definitely the shining star in this film. He gave a stellar performance as Sam Spade. A lot of the things he did in this film reminds me of Batman. Spade always seemed to be planned for any eventuality. The scene where he seems to get mad at the Fatman and storms out only to walk away smiling was really awesome. Peter Lorre was another memorable character to me. A lot of this was from watching Looney Toons as a kid. Lorre has a very unmistakable face and voice.
There were limited set pieces in this movie. I believe there were only a handful of different settings throughout the entire film. Of course, I understand that this movie was made 70 years ago so I wasn't too bothered by it. The combination of black and white film mixed with the Noir story were very enjoyable.
The music was pretty good. I wasn't moved by it but I also didn't hate it. It fit well with the story that was being told and nothing that I heard took me out of the story.
Overall, I'd have to say I was surprised that I liked this one even though I enjoy most noir films that i've seen. The acting was good and the movie kept me entertained throughout. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
- John Murphy
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Maltese Falcon
Origin: U.S (First National, Warner Bros.) 1941Length: 101 minutes
Format: Black & White
Director: John Huston
Producer: Henry Blanke, Hal B. Wallis
Screenplay: John Huston, from novel by Dashiell Hammett
Photography: Arthur Edeson
Music: Adolph Deutsch
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre, Barton MacLane, Lee Patrick, Sydney Greenstreet, Ward Bond, Jerome Cowan, Elisha Cook Jr., James Burke, Murray Alper, John Hamilton
Oscar Nominations: Hal B. Wallis(best picture), John Huston(screenplay), Sydney Greenstreet(actor in supporting role)
Links: The Maltese Falcon Trailer, The Maltese Falcon Movie Wiki, The Maltese Falcon Novel Wiki
By 1941, Dashiell Hammett's great private eye novel had been acceptably filmed twice, under its own title in 1931 with Ricardo Cortez as Sam Spade and as Satan Met A Lady in 1935 with Warren William as the Spade character(and the falcon McGuffin turned into the Horn of Roland). John Huston, having served an apprenticeship as a writer, selected the book from Warner Brothers' catalogue of properties and was so confident in the strength of his material that his script consists essentially of a transcription of Hammett's dialogue. He was fortunate enough to have a letter-perfect cast down to the smallest bit parts, and the restraint not to go over the top. This debut feature has little of the razzle-dazzle of the same year's Citizen Kane, announcing the arrival not of an enfant terrible but of a consummate professional.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Ghostbusters (Matt)
Ok well here we go. Ghostbusters. This movie is one of the reasons that I love movies today. In fact, this was the very first movie that I ever saw in a movie theater (is that weird?). My home town at one time had an old movie theater. It was closed before I was born, however one night when I was somewhere between 3 and 5 years old it opened for a single night to show... Ghostbusters. I vaguely remember screaming in terror at the librarian ghost in the opening scene. Ahh the memories...
So anyway back to the movie. This movie is gold. I love every minute of it. This is one of a very few movies that I never get tired of watching. It's anybody's guess how many times I've seen it and every time I enjoy it. That really says something about the quality of a movie, although to be fair nostalgia most likely has a hand in that.
The comedy/action mix is what keeps me coming back for more. They pace the movie perfectly, giving us plenty of both in ample amounts. Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd and just flawless. The way they carry theirselves on the screen just makes their characters become alive. Try and imagine any other actor as either of these two characters, it just doesn't work. They OWN these characters, and I'm glad they do.
Something else I want to mention is the special effects. These ghost effects still hold up today. That really is amazing. Think about the advancements that the movie industry has had in terms of special effects since that movie was made. The ghosts weren't made with computers, they were done the old fashioned way, and they look spectatular. They still look spectacular. That's pretty neat dang it.
10 scary librarian ghosts out of 10
~Matt
So anyway back to the movie. This movie is gold. I love every minute of it. This is one of a very few movies that I never get tired of watching. It's anybody's guess how many times I've seen it and every time I enjoy it. That really says something about the quality of a movie, although to be fair nostalgia most likely has a hand in that.
The comedy/action mix is what keeps me coming back for more. They pace the movie perfectly, giving us plenty of both in ample amounts. Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd and just flawless. The way they carry theirselves on the screen just makes their characters become alive. Try and imagine any other actor as either of these two characters, it just doesn't work. They OWN these characters, and I'm glad they do.
Something else I want to mention is the special effects. These ghost effects still hold up today. That really is amazing. Think about the advancements that the movie industry has had in terms of special effects since that movie was made. The ghosts weren't made with computers, they were done the old fashioned way, and they look spectatular. They still look spectacular. That's pretty neat dang it.
10 scary librarian ghosts out of 10
~Matt
Friday, July 3, 2009
Ghost Busters(John)
I love, love, love this movie. I've seen this movie so many times, I can probably recite the script from beginning to end. Aykroyd and Ramis were geniuses for coming up with the world of the Ghost Busters and I'm hoping for a third film!
The real star of Ghost Busters is Bill Murray. The way he delivers his lines is hilarious. There is one particular scene in the movie when the Ghost Busters first enter the Sedgewick Hotel. Bill Murray gives a certain look to someone of the female persuasion. It's just a look, but it's one of the funniest moments in the movie I think. If Bill Murray hadn't been cast as Peter Venkman, I'm not sure if many people would remember a movie called Ghost Busters. Another big star of the film is New York City. I've said this many times, but Ghost Busters has a charm and a big part of that charm is the movie's references to New York City. We don't just get a movie with small set pieces. We get a movie where the Ghost Busters are on top of an apartment complex watching a giant Mr. Stay Puft trample downtown New York City while the citizens are screaming and running for their lives. The team members of the Ghost Busters love the city and in turn, they are treated with loving respect by the citizens of NY.
Some of the special effects are dated by today's standards. But Mr. Say Puft still looks pretty amazing and the ghosts actually benefit from aged FX in my opinion. The music is awesome. Anybody who hasn't lived under a rock for the past 20 years knows the Ghost Busters theme song. It's an iconic song that I think will be well known for many more years to come.
I can't give this movie any less than a 10 out of 10 simply because I grew up with this movie. But to back it with actual points: the comedy is still fresh, the visuals are not too outdated, Bill Murray is amazing and the story concept(that I know of) hasn't been duplicated by anyone else. Oh, and if you're a big fan, go get Ghost Busters: The Video Game. It's basically the third movie and it's pretty good!
- John Murphy
The real star of Ghost Busters is Bill Murray. The way he delivers his lines is hilarious. There is one particular scene in the movie when the Ghost Busters first enter the Sedgewick Hotel. Bill Murray gives a certain look to someone of the female persuasion. It's just a look, but it's one of the funniest moments in the movie I think. If Bill Murray hadn't been cast as Peter Venkman, I'm not sure if many people would remember a movie called Ghost Busters. Another big star of the film is New York City. I've said this many times, but Ghost Busters has a charm and a big part of that charm is the movie's references to New York City. We don't just get a movie with small set pieces. We get a movie where the Ghost Busters are on top of an apartment complex watching a giant Mr. Stay Puft trample downtown New York City while the citizens are screaming and running for their lives. The team members of the Ghost Busters love the city and in turn, they are treated with loving respect by the citizens of NY.
Some of the special effects are dated by today's standards. But Mr. Say Puft still looks pretty amazing and the ghosts actually benefit from aged FX in my opinion. The music is awesome. Anybody who hasn't lived under a rock for the past 20 years knows the Ghost Busters theme song. It's an iconic song that I think will be well known for many more years to come.
I can't give this movie any less than a 10 out of 10 simply because I grew up with this movie. But to back it with actual points: the comedy is still fresh, the visuals are not too outdated, Bill Murray is amazing and the story concept(that I know of) hasn't been duplicated by anyone else. Oh, and if you're a big fan, go get Ghost Busters: The Video Game. It's basically the third movie and it's pretty good!
- John Murphy
Ghost Busters
Origin: U.S (Black Rhino, Columbia) 1984Length: 107 minutes
Format: Metrocolor
Director: Ivan Reitman
Producer: Ivan Reitman
Screenplay: Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
Photography: Laszlo Kovacs
Music: Tom Bailey, Elmer Bernstein, Alannah Currie, Joe Leeway, Brian O'Neal, Kevin O'Neal, Ray Parker Jr., Diane Warren
Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Ernie Hudson, David Margulies, Steven Tash, Jennifer Runyon, Slavitza Jovan, Michael Ensign, Alice Drummond, Jordan Charney
Oscar Nominations: Richard Edlund, John Bruno, Mark Vargo, Chuck Gaspar(special visual effects), Ray Parker Jr.(song)
Links: Ghost Busters Trailer, Ghost Busters Wiki
Big budget special effects and comedy are cleverly interwoven in this fantasy adventure written by two of the movie's stars, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd. With Bill Murray they play a trio of paranormal "experts" - in reality, they are lazy, wisecracking ex-science professors, kicked off campus for their antics - who set up a ghost-busting business from an abandoned New York City firehouse. Their timing couldn't be better as the city is suddenly bursting with paranormal activity causing ghostly apparitions to run riot, terrorizing visitors to the library, ransacking an upscale hotel and even taking up residence in a skeptical Sigourney Weaver's refrigerator.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Schindler's List(Matt)
I first watched this movie in high school as part of a fairly intensive study of the Holocaust. I can still remember seeing this in the theater. In the years between then and now I had forgotten a lot of the movie. I am afraid to admit that a lot of the movie back then was lost on me as I was a snotty teenage kid who cared neither for black and white movies nor for movies that were too serious.
It's because of this that I was excited to approach this movie a second time. The difference was amazing. This movie really was hard to watch. It's not like most of the scary films that you see where some monsters are attacking people in areas of low light. Most of the horrifying things that you see on screen actually happened. I read that to create some of the scenes that Spielberg took accounts from people who saw it happen. People that actually lived through this craziness.
This movie really does a good job of making what happened during the Holocaust become real. It's one thing to hear stories or to read in history books about how the Jews were treated and murdered during this dark period of humanity's history. It's another altogether to actually witness it with your own eyes and ears. To see it happen right there on the screen. It gives me chills just thinking about it. It's much more powerful to me than books or told stories, and I feel like this is most likely the case with most of my generation and those under it. I feel like this movie should be required viewing for every person in the world, once they are old enough to understand it that is.
I was so focused on this movie that I hardly noticed any acting at all. That is a sure sign that it was good. The use of black and white worked really well, as it helped to transport me to that period of time. There is a bit of color in the film, and it is used brilliantly.
I agree with John completely here, I don't have anything bad to say about this movie. Go see it. 10 out of 10.
P.S. Did you know that Spielberg refused to make any money from this movie at all? He donated everything he made.
~Matt
It's because of this that I was excited to approach this movie a second time. The difference was amazing. This movie really was hard to watch. It's not like most of the scary films that you see where some monsters are attacking people in areas of low light. Most of the horrifying things that you see on screen actually happened. I read that to create some of the scenes that Spielberg took accounts from people who saw it happen. People that actually lived through this craziness.
This movie really does a good job of making what happened during the Holocaust become real. It's one thing to hear stories or to read in history books about how the Jews were treated and murdered during this dark period of humanity's history. It's another altogether to actually witness it with your own eyes and ears. To see it happen right there on the screen. It gives me chills just thinking about it. It's much more powerful to me than books or told stories, and I feel like this is most likely the case with most of my generation and those under it. I feel like this movie should be required viewing for every person in the world, once they are old enough to understand it that is.
I was so focused on this movie that I hardly noticed any acting at all. That is a sure sign that it was good. The use of black and white worked really well, as it helped to transport me to that period of time. There is a bit of color in the film, and it is used brilliantly.
I agree with John completely here, I don't have anything bad to say about this movie. Go see it. 10 out of 10.
P.S. Did you know that Spielberg refused to make any money from this movie at all? He donated everything he made.
~Matt
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Schindler's List(John)
This was a powerful film. Any movie that can make me shed a tear is doing a darn good job of being a movie in my opinion. Granted, the movie was about a real tragic moment in history, but the film was still able to bring that sadness and horror across the screen.
Liam Neeson is an underrated actor. I first saw him in Darkman, an old B-movie, and he was awesome in it. But, I never thought he was of the acting caliber that he demonstrated in Schindler's List. I can't help but wonder why he hasn't been cast in more blockbuster films. Ben Kingsley was amazing as usual. These two actors were able to portray the division that was apparent between Nazis and Jews, but also show that everything isn't black and white and that some Nazis had Jewish friends and vice versa. Ralph Fiennes made me hate his character, which is a good thing.
The choice of shooting this film in black and white was a good one I think. It set the scene perfectly. Throughout the whole film, the movie is in black and white, with the exception of a few moments. These moments stand out, I think, because black and white are used to represent despair and tradgedy and the color moments are used to represent hope. It was a unique way of showing pivital moments during the film.
I couldn't find anything I disliked about this film. I was completely moved by it and immersed the entire 197 minutes. Acting was top notch, the unique film style was interesting, the score was amazing and the story gave me an appreciation of what the Jewish people faced during the Holocaust.
I give it a 10 out of 10.
- John Murphy
Liam Neeson is an underrated actor. I first saw him in Darkman, an old B-movie, and he was awesome in it. But, I never thought he was of the acting caliber that he demonstrated in Schindler's List. I can't help but wonder why he hasn't been cast in more blockbuster films. Ben Kingsley was amazing as usual. These two actors were able to portray the division that was apparent between Nazis and Jews, but also show that everything isn't black and white and that some Nazis had Jewish friends and vice versa. Ralph Fiennes made me hate his character, which is a good thing.
The choice of shooting this film in black and white was a good one I think. It set the scene perfectly. Throughout the whole film, the movie is in black and white, with the exception of a few moments. These moments stand out, I think, because black and white are used to represent despair and tradgedy and the color moments are used to represent hope. It was a unique way of showing pivital moments during the film.
I couldn't find anything I disliked about this film. I was completely moved by it and immersed the entire 197 minutes. Acting was top notch, the unique film style was interesting, the score was amazing and the story gave me an appreciation of what the Jewish people faced during the Holocaust.
I give it a 10 out of 10.
- John Murphy
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