HALLOWEEN (1978)
(Second Viewing)

On a cold Halloween night in Haddonfield, Illinois in 1963, six year old Michael Myers brutally murdered his teenage sister after she had sex with her boyfriend. Michael is then locked inside Smith's Grove Warren County Sanitarium where he is placed under the care of Dr. Sam Loomis who is the only one who sees the pure evil within the soul of Michael. In October 1978, Michael escapes from the sanitarium. After witnessing the escape, Dr. Loomis heads back to Haddonfield where he knows Michael will kill again on Halloween night. Michael begins stalking three teenagers, Laurie Strode and her friends Annie and Lynda. With the help of the town sheriff, Loomis hunts for Michael and hopes to put an end to his grisly murder spree.

Ok, I like the John Carpenter version more than the Rob Zombie version. The film was made in 20 days on a budget of a little over $300,000 (sounds like the first SAW film too). What really worked for this film was its simplicity. Released in 1978, standards back then would be pretty tame compared to today (see SAW or HOSTEL if you think I'm joking). No teenage drug use, not a lot of sex, gore or brutality. Just a classic film which scared the audience with a tremendous score and a superhuman killer. Compared with the first FRIDAY THE 13TH and NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, I think this film beats them out as the best.

HALLOWEEN II
(First Viewing)

It's October 31, 1978 - Halloween - and Haddonfield is awakening to the horror that Michael Myers (who escaped from a mental institution) has returned to the sleepy little town, murdered three teenage students and attempted to murder student, Laurie Strode before being shot by Dr. Loomis only to walk away (events from "Halloween"). Laurie is taken to the Haddonfield Clinic to get her injuries doctored and to rest from the shock but she starts to question about why is Michael after her? She also starts to fall in love with Jimmy, a driver at the clinic. Meanwhile, Dr. Loomis and the Haddonfield police search the town looking for Michael who, upon hearing that Laurie is still alive, makes his way to the clinic and starts to murder the small clinic's staff in an attempt to get to Laurie. Marion Chambers arrives and gives Loomis the key answer to Michael's madness but is also there to order him back to Smith's Grove (to stop the officials looking bad.) Can Loomis find Michael and stop him from succeeding in his plans by killing Laurie?

Not as affective as the original. The score was remixed from the original, which wasn't as enjoyable. Also, I think this is the beginning of trying to shock audiences rather than scare them. The body count was obviously higher for this film but some of the deaths were more gruesome as well. John Carpenter co-wrote and directed the original and only co-wrote the sequel. Probably a good thing because even having him direct II I don't think would have been enough to save it.

THE KING OF KINGS (1927) 1/2
(First Viewing)

Mary Magdalene becomes angry when Judas, now a follower of Jesus, won't come to her feast. She goes to see Jesus and becomes repentant. From there the Bible story unfolds through the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

I'll save you the trouble and say it for you, I'm spoiled. I never really have and probably never will enjoy silent films. I gave this a shot to see if my feelings would change any and while they've loosened up a bit, they're still there. Although, I will give DeMille props for making this picture as impressive as it was, especially for 1927. The sets were pretty impressive too and it definitely had that big budget Hollywood nostaligia feeling to it. I think the 1931 version is the same film, just about 40+ minutes shorter.

Does it have background music or is it completely silent?

There's a score but still

HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH
(First Viewing)

Conal Cochran, the evil head of the Silver Shamrock Corporation, has implanted his company's new masks with computer chips, each containing a small piece of a boulder stolen from Stonehenge. On Halloween, when the Silver Shamrock jingle is played, Cochran's plans for the deaths of all who wear the masks will come to fruition.

Yes this is one of the silliest halloween movies I've seen and it ruined the franchise. However, even though it had nothing to do with Michael Myers and is just using the franchise name, it was enjoyable in a humerous sort of way. The television commercial for the masks was catchy.

The best thing to do when one is trying to get used to silent film is stay away from those period or biblical epics like the one you just watched.

I'd go for suspense or thrillers like Hitchcock's The Lodger and or Blackmail. There's a great gangster silent movie called Regeneration by Raoul Walsh.

You can never go wrong w/ the thrill-stunt comedies of Harold Lloyd. Try Safety Last and The Freshman found on the awesome Haroly Lloyd Collection DVD boxset.

Buster Keaton and Bruckman's The General can entertain anyone. Anyone. I defy you not to find the train sequences thrilling!

Of course, we have Charlie Chaplin. Try Modern Times. Can't beat the boxing match in City Lights.

You still enjoy sight gags or visual jokes in modern comedy movies, right? The Lloyds, Keatons, and Chaplins are full of them.

A second thing to do is play a favorite instrumental music piece that you think fits. I honestly can't stand most of the orchestral accompaniment on silent movie DVDs. I know someone that plays trip-hop instrumentals or modern electronic music. I watch most of them literally silent.

HALLOWEEN 4: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS 1/2
(First Viewing)

Fourth in the series and the third to feature the character of Michael Myers. It's October 30, 1988 and Michael Myers has been in a coma since his pursuit of Laurie Strode, 10 years ago, was finally stopped. However when he is transfered from Richmond Mental Institute to Smith's Grove he awakes when he hears that he has a niece in Haddonfield and after killing the transfer crew he escapes. In Haddonfield, the niece, Jamie, has been adopted by the Carruthers family but keeps having nightmares about Michael (but she doesn't know who he is). On Halloween night, Jamie goes out trick and treating, little knowing that her murdering Uncle is following her and her step-sister Rachel. Rushing to her aid is Dr. Loomis and with the help of Sheriff Meeker starts to search the town for Michael and to find Jamie to protect her. But can anything stop Michael this time?

By this time it's 1988 and this became just another usual 80s slasher flick. Still enjoyable with a nice twist for an ending. Also, 11-year-old Danielle Harris did a great job as the main star. She seemed more mature for her age during this.

NEXT
(First Viewing)

Las Vegas showroom magician Cris Johnson has a secret which torments him: he can see a few minutes into the future. Sick of the examinations he underwent as a child and the interest of the government and medical establishment in his power, he lies low under an assumed name in Vegas, performing cheap tricks and living off small-time gambling "winnings." But when a terrorist group threatens to detonate a nuclear device in Los Angeles, government agent Callie Ferris must use all her wiles to capture Cris and convince him to help her stop the cataclysm.

This is what I love about Nicholas Cage and why I think he's an underrated actor. Because he doesn't have to be a smooth talking, cocky, coy kinda guy to be cool. He can be a burnt out magician running from the law with little to no facial emotions. He did another great job with this role which I found very interesting. A guy who can look into the future no longer than 2 minutes and can change that course depending on his actions. The idea is great although it was becoming overused by the end. Unfortunately Biel is kind of buried and Moore doesn't impress.

HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS 1/2
(First Viewing)

It is exactly one year later since Michael Myers returned to terrorize his hometown of Haddonfield, and his long-lost niece, Jamie Lloyd. Now, he wants revenge! Young Jamie, who has lost her ability to speak since attacking her foster mother, has developed a telepathic link with her demonic uncle. The ever resourceful Dr. Sam Loomis has realized this, and plans to use it to finally put an end to Michael's rage. But unbeknownst to them, a stranger has come to Haddonfield, and he is a key factor in the outcome of the madness that has plagued Haddonfield on Halloween for over ten years!

Surprisingly, I think this role was even more difficult for Danielle Harris than in HALLOWEEN 4 and I think she was better in it than this. Same old stuff in terms of the film except a question at the end. Who was the man in black? I guess I'll have to keep watching to find out.

HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS 1/2
(First Viewing)

Six years ago, Michael Myers terrorized the town of Haddonfield, Illinois. He and his niece, Jamie Lloyd, have disappeared. Jamie was kidnapped by a bunch of evil druids who protect Michael Myers. And now, six years later, Jamie has escaped after giving birth to Michael's child. She runs to Haddonfield to get Dr. Loomis to help her again. Meanwhile, the family that adopted Laurie Strode is living in the Myers house and are being stalked by Myers. It's the curse of Thorn that Michael is possessed by that makes him kill his family. And it's up to Tommy Doyle, the boy from Halloween, and Dr. Loomis, to stop them all.

Wow, Paul Rudd in a HALLOWEEN movie. Finally some backstory as to the mythology behind Michael Myers. While it wasn't very in depth, it was still nice to get a reason why for some of the things he does.

BUG
(First Viewing)

Having escaped her abusive ex-husband Goss (Harry Connick Jr.), recently released from state prison, Agnes (Ashley Judd), a lonely waitress with a tragic past moves into a sleazy, run-down motel and her lesbian co-worker R.C (Lynn Collins) introduces her to Gulf War veteran Peter (Michael Shannon), a peculiar, paranoiac drifter and they begin a tentative romance. However, things don't always seem as they appear and Agnes is about to experience a claustrophobic nightmare reality as the bugs begin to arrive.

Where has Ashley Judd and her career gone? Oh that's right, down the drain with flops like this. The category for this film is suspense and I was completely bored throughout it. Judd did a pretty decent job as an alcoholic, afraid of her ex-husband waitress but the film is still terrible. Just a very slow moving story with half of the film setting up her relationship with Peter Evans (played by Michael Shannon) and the other half with a government conspiracy bullsh*t. Whatever you do, do yourself the favor and avoid this on Tuesday!

how many parts is this series ?

9

-HALLOWEEN (1978)
-HALLOWEEN II
-HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH
-HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS
-HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS
-HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS
-HALLOWEEN H20: 20 YEARS LATER
-HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION
-HALLOWEEN (2007)

I12, you really need to get a job, man.

Got one on Friday. I've been working all weekend

Just watched a thoroughly enjoyable movie for the first time - "Blue Moon" - starring Ben Gazzara and Rita Moreno as an old married couple who re-discover their love for each other through a strange twist of the cosmos (they meet their younger selves).

A very poignant and funny movie which anyone over the age of 40 should be able to relate to and enjoy. Look for small roles by the likes of Burt Young, Vincent Pastore, Lillo Brancatto and Joe D'Onofrio.

And i bet only the first 3 are worth watching.

Actually, as of now, just the two versions of HALLOWEEN are (the 1978 & 2007 versions)

SWINGERS (1996) ***1/2

One of my all-time favorite small budget films.

This movie is "money!"

How do I know? "I'm the guy, behind the guy, behind the guy."

Trust me, watch it.

BORN ON THE 4th JULY

Saw this again last night!
Not a great fan of Tom Cruise but i think this is his best ever movie.

HALLOWEEN H20: 20 YEARS LATER
(Second Viewing)

Laurie Strode is now the head mistress at a prestigious private school, which is attended by her 17 year-old son. On the 20th anniversary of the events that occurred in Halloween I, Laurie begins having nightmares, flashbacks, and visions of her evil brother, Michael Myers, coming to kill her. Myers shows up at the school on Halloween night, setting the stage for a "final" battle between Myers and Strode.

Finally a horror film worthy enough to carry the title of HALLOWEEN in it. The best sequel thus far (still have HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION to watch) and it reminded me a lot of my favorite horror movie of all-time, SCREAM. That's not too surprising since SCREAM writer Kevin Williamson was a co-executive producer on this project. A solid cast, great soundtrack, totally serious (no cheesy or tongue-in-cheek moments) with a blend of scare tactics and brutality. It's also not too surprising I enjoyed this because director Steve Miner also directed one of my favorite horror movies of all-time, FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III. Like HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS introducing us all to Paul Rudd, this film introduced Josh Hartnett to the world.

HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION 1/2
(First Viewing)

When a group of teens win a contest to spend a night in Michael Myers' childhood home to be broadcast live on the internet, they believe they are in for a little fun and some free publicity. But, things go frightfully wrong and the game turns into a struggle to make it out of the house alive.

Unfortunatley the original HALLOWEEN is only afforded one decent sequel in the entire run. Also unfortunate is the fact that this film couldn't build on the momentum from H20. The opening with Jamie Lee Curtis was a nice touch but other than that, the film went down hill. I didn't like the slow motion pace whenever Michael Myers was stalking his victim (overused), nor did I like the look from the contestants perspective. I understand why they used it so much but it still felt like I was watching THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT at times. However, I will give Busta Rhymes some props for providing some comic relief.

The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic screwball comedy starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. Based on a Broadway play of the same name by Philip Barry, the film is about a bride-to-be whose plans are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband and a handsome journalist. It is considered one of the best examples of a comedy of remarriage, a genre popular in the 1930s and 1940s, in which a couple divorce, flirt with outsiders and then remarry - a useful ploy at a time when depicting extra-marital affairs was banned in American film.

The American Film Institute ranked The Philadelphia Story #51 in its list of the 100 best movies in American cinema, #15 among the 100 best American comedies and #44 in the 100 best American romances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philadelphia_Story

***

The dialogue between these three *STARS* is what makes this one of the best movies ever..it has to be one of the 'wittiest' scripts in Cinematic History. Katherine Hepburn is THE STAR and the CENTER OF ATTENTION (of course); Cary Grant is HILARIOUS, and James Stewart won his ONLY Academy Award ever, for his performance as the 'handsome journalist.'

You have to watch it a cpl of times to get all of the jokes--it's great. And the ending is one of the craftiest I've ever seen--not THE USUAL SUSPECTS crafty, but you get the pt.

THE BLACK DAHLIA

Good but not a patch on LA CONFIDENTIAL.

Yeah, its great.

In fact, I think all young guys should see it. Its probably why 11 years after its release, after those L.A. nightclubs and particular moment of the nightlife have died out, guys can still relate to the story of SWINGERS.

Plus, its the one heart-broke tale that doesn't end with the hero getting a replacing spouse or whatever bullshit. Whatever Favreau makes it with Graham or not, who cares? He's gotten over his deep funk, and thats what matters...and Vince Vaughn* is still that loud asshole of a guy you would call a friend.

*=Man, remember when Vaughn was a GOOD actor?

Yeah, it wasn't that good

Considering that LA CONFIDENTIAL is a fucking masterpiece, thats a bit not fair, is it?

Hell, does TEMPLE OF DOOM suck because its not as great as RAIDERS? Of course not.

Yeah Ronnie, I really dug SWINGERS. They just couldn't rekindle it in MADE. Whether it was Fuck Daddy or Favreau coming off as such a wannabe, I don't know, but it sucked.

I don't know, I just know that MADE should have been called MEH.