Bullets 'n' Babes

The Hunger (1983): 3/5

Eerie and atmospheric horror/love story - it's an interesting idea with a good story, but I felt the pacing was off - the build up was far too slow, making the ending feel rushed. Catherine Deneuve seemed a lonely, tragic figure. Her performance was good. I found the dialogue very muffled & quiet so it was sometimes hard to understand what was being said. Occasionally too avant garde for its own good (like in the beginning disco sequence) or when snatches of other action interrupt what we're seeing.
I liked the use of music particularly the beautiful "Flower Duet". I didnt understand why:
Miriam (Deneuve) and Sarah (Sarandon) die in the end when they both have everlasting life? Even though Miriam did evil things she seemed very sad and lonely until she met Susan Sarandon's character. Did she decide to die (stabbing herself with the pendant), and so Miriam couldnt live without her?
I think they must be connected - Miriam ages when Sarah killed herself

Cowboys and Aliens (2011-USA) **½

Escapist fantasy doesn't entirely work; a fun, if overlong ride though.

Note: I watched the 135m dir's cut (only version on the disc). Quite of a few of additional scenes do add to the film's character. I expect there's stuff left in the theatrical cut that could've been taken out.

Giallo (2009) - 1/5

Nice to see Emmanuelle Seigner, but otherwise awful and made me laugh out loud a couple of times. I watched this on Netflix (free trial) through my PS3 and the HD streaming was impressive (5.1 sound as well), but their film selection is quite poor.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986-USA) **

Off-the-wall musical is fun for a while... but runs out of steam too soon.

I really enjoy that film

Drive Angry (2011) - 2.5/5

Thought it would be terrible but a friend of mine really likes it so I've checked it out on Netflix, it's OK because it's being bad on purpose and Nic Cage is rather amusing.

The Hangover: Part II (2011) - 3.5/5

On a par with the first, but with a better setting.

Equilibrium (2002) - 3/5

Better than I was expecting, although I'm pretty sure anger is an emotion

Waiting... (2004-USA) *½

There's a funny comedy to be made about the food service industry... this crude, smug mess isn't it.

And Now the Screaming Stars (1973-UK) **

Amicus horror in which a pregnant bride is haunted by a severed hand. Fair of its type with straight-faced performances.

Surviving Evil (2009-UK-South Africa) **½

A documentary crew are stranded on a Filipino island with shape-shifting monsters. Above average budget horror generates some suspense and characterisation, though it's all too predictible in the end.

Dune (1984) - 4/5

Such a shame the studio fucked with this, very crazy film with stunning production design, if Lynch had got final cut it would be a sci-fi masterpiece.

gasteropod wrote:Dune (1984) - 4/5

Such a shame the studio fucked with this, very crazy film with stunning production design, if Lynch had got final cut it would be a sci-fi masterpiece.

Fair scoring! Like you say, there is a better film on the inside trying to get out!

luckystars wrote:Fair scoring! Like you say, there is a better film on the inside trying to get out!

It would be so cool if they discovered the assembly cut Lynch made, I'm sure he'd love to supervise getting a finished version done, he's upset about the way the theatrical cut turned out.

gasteropod wrote:

luckystars wrote:Fair scoring! Like you say, there is a better film on the inside trying to get out!

It would be so cool if they discovered the assembly cut Lynch made, I'm sure he'd love to supervise getting a finished version done, he's upset about the way the theatrical cut turned out.

Funny I was just thinking that.

It was possibly to restore the Bladerunner workprint for Blu-Ray so anythings possible.

Goon: 2.5/5
Passable sports underdog comedy with added bloody violence. Pity then that ice hockey doesnt really mean to much to me and I suspect most of the UK audience.
Alison Pill is sweet and cute as the main character Doug (Sean William Scott)'s crush Eva, and Doug seems an OK guy despite what he does on the ice, sometimes I got the feeling he didnt really want to be a goon (his family thought he was an outcast and wouldnt achieve anything) but I laughed a few times. As a bonus, memorable use of music, such as Pavarotti's stirring Nessun Dorma punctuates the film.

Friday the 13th (2009) - 2/5

Mehh seen it all before, but competently made.

SPARROWS (1926)

Wonderful silent film, with Mary Pickford (playing a teen at the age of 34!) liberating her "family" of children from an evil baby farmer. Gripping, moving, scary and humourous, with a marvellous villian in Gustav Von Seffryitz. And to think the director, William "One Shot" Beaudine, later worked with everyone from Bela Lugosi to Bruce Lee! 9/10


THE WIZARD OF OZ (1925)

Only barely following the original story, this is mostly a madcap showcase for ill-fated star comic Larry Semon, who is sort of the Scarecrow, whilst Oliver Hardy (yes, THAT Oliver Hardy) is sort of the Tin Man and the most un-PC "G. Howe Black" is (how most un PC) sort of the Cowardly Lion. Very impressive production design and some good comic routines and stunts, but mostly a passable mess. And if you though Judy Garland was too old to play Dorothy...5/10

Darkman (1990) - 2.5/5

Its tone and performances were too silly, and some of the effects were really bad.

500 Days of Summer (2009-USA) ***

Refreshingly tart (but not unpleasent) and honest 'romantic' comedy-drama.

Imaginatively directed with winning performances from both leads.

Defendor (2009) - 3.5/5

On a par with Super.

National Treasure (2004) - 3/5

The Spirit (2008) - 3.5/5

One to add to my 'criminally underrated films' list.

My Bloody Valentine (2009) - 2.5/5

Creep - 2.5/5
Messages Deleted - 3/5
Confessions Of A Porn Addict - 2/5

Super 8 - 3/5

Lots of individually good bits that combine together to make a film weaker than the some of its parts. Parallels are made in the various plot threads that aren't parallel, we're wanted to feel sympathy for something that is killing lots of people, things happen without any explanation given for them. So many things are wrong with the construction of the film, but the ideas that are contained within it are good. This should have been so much better.

Vampires (1998) - 2.5/5

I was expecting it to be terrible but it was fairly enjoyable, I'd like to see it again not cropped to 1.78:1 and with sound synch issues though (thanks, Netflix).

Habit (1995) - 3/5

Interesting vampire relationship drama.