Nightcrawler (2014)

Nightcrawler IMDb

Woke up this Halloweeen morning to this psychothic drama.  It was the closing film at Fantastic Fest this year but I missed it due to work.  I thought it was okay.  I was wanting something else.  It's psychotic, alright.  It gets pretty damn crazy towards the end.  But, it didn't do it for me and I usually like these types of movies.  Maybe it has something do with my work.  I cover crime scene stuff and see some crazy shit every once in a while with work.  The story here didn't feel too authentic.  Then again, I'm not a freelancer in Los Angeles driving around looking for crazy shit to videotape.  So the story was entertaining for what it was but nothing special that left me satisfied.  Jake Gyllehaal plays one mean heartless bastard.  Kudos for that.

Man, when a movie kind of leaves me not fully satisfied, I tend to write less.  If a movie blows my mind away, I usually can't stop writing about it.  I'm done.  Happy Halloween!!!!!

Room 237

Room 237 IMDb

I been wanting to do this documentary paired as a double feature with The Shining for a long time.  Well, since Fantastic Fest 2012.  Today, the opportunity came.  Woke up this Halloween's Eve morning with hot tea (it's been a while since I had hot tea) and experienced this mystery.  I heard a lot of bad shit about Room 237 and I can see why.  Most of the things presented here are just pure coincidences, I think. Some people take them very seriously.  I, personally, feel that some of the stuff are just interpretations.  I don't think Kubrick had a lot of secrets up his sleeve.  There are some stuff on here that I do find interesting and I do believe Kubrick was saying something.  But, majority of it are just b.s.  We're all humans and we make mistakes.  Some stuff on here are movie mistakes like certain continuity errors.  The people narrating this, which we never see who they are, are just fanatics over analyzing things.  That's just my opinion.  Now this was okay if you're a fan of the movie.  I enjoyed some of what these people tried to explain.   It is entertaining.  The Shining experience with forwards and backwards part was interesting.  I believe Kubrick didn't do that intentionally.  It is the same notion as playing Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon with The Wizard of Oz.  There's a cut out there, and it played at Fantastic Fest in 2012, where the movie screens forward normally with a cross dissolve the whole way playing backwards. It shows how most scenes reveal lots of mysteries.  I would love to see that version one day.  

I would only recommend this to fans of the movie just for entertainment purposes.  Nothing to take seriously.  Not a documentary to buy.

Watching The Shining again after this documentary was awesome.  Fucking Classic!

John Wick (2014)

John Wick IMDb

How can an action packed revenge flick go wrong?  Well, there are some out there that kind of do but this movie here delivers the action b-movie goods.  It's almost comic book like.  It was a hit at this year's Fantastic Fest but I knew it was going to come out in the theatre so I decided to skip it there and see something else that I'll probably never get to see on the big screen.  Keanu Reeves plays John Wick, an ex hitman who is mourning his wife.  He gets one last gift from her: a precious dog.

Well, some assholes invade his house to steal his car and they end up killing his dog. 

That's it.  They mess with the wrong dude.  Coincidentally, these assholes belong to a Russian Mob that John Wick used to work for.  It's an all out bullet fest from here on out.  Those were my favorite moments:  all the smooth but hard gunshots to the face

of everyone standing in his way.  It gets a little weak towards the end there but I can't expect a big masterpiece for this kind of movie.  Awesome late night action flick.  Kudos for the awesome new Marilyn Manson track on here. 

Recommended for a good action night.  Not a priority to buy unless there's a special packaging for it.

Crave

Crave IMDb

This indie thriller wasn't good.  It had potential but the performances ruined it and the story became too predictable.  I did like some of the violent scenes here.  This was shown at Fantastic Fest two years ago.  It was on Netflix so I figured why not.  I'm planning on seeing Nightcrawler at the end of the week.  So I wanted to start this week with another movie about a crime scene photographer.  I didn't like the ending to this.  Edward Furlong and Ron Perlman are on here.  They were okay.
I guess I was wanting more out of a psychotic vigilante story.

Not recommended!  Let's move on.

Birdman (2014)

Birdman IMDb

I Am Birdman!  No, that's not a quote from this movie but it's something I been saying out loud since watching this trippy insane drama.  This was one of my most anticipated movies this year and I'm proud to have seen it at the Alamo Drafthouse. It has a similar vibe and tone as the movie, "Black Swan."  Instead of Natalie Portman and her psychological issues, it's Michael fucking Keaton and his crazy psychological issues.  Keaton delivers an awesome performance.  I think everybody else did as well.  It's a serious movie dealing with serious issues but with a touch of comedy in there as well.  I love the way they shot this.  It was shot as if it were all done in one long continuous take.  Almost like a play itself.  Awesome experience all the way through.  Now, the ending was a trip and it's one of those that are left for interpretation.  This is directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu (director of Amores Perros, 21 Grams).  Keaton plays a washed up actor trying to make a comeback by writing, directing and starring in a play in Broadway.  He's known only for a superhero character he played 20 years ago:  Birdman!  He has to fight his personal demons throughout the whole thing.  Fucking great.

Worth watching and worth buying.  Now knowing what happens, I can't wait to watch this movie again for another trippy awesome experience.

Robot Friday: Hardware

 Hardware IMDb

This robot movie was pretty cool.  It's a little different, which I love.  It takes place in a post apocalyptic world.  Someone finds a robot arm and a head.  This other person takes the head to his girlfriend who does sculptures.  Little do they know that this robot head is a certain prototype that has the ability to rebuild itself.  So let the nightmare begin.  It mostly takes place at the girlfriend's apartment.  It's a fight for survival with some cheesy moments here and there.  I enjoyed it as a late night movie.  

I wouldn't necessarily buy it unless I ever start a Robot section.  Good to check out, though.

Neighbors (2014)

 Neighbors IMDb

This was pretty funny especially the setup and the first half.  The second half kinda got old.  Cool stoner moments, though.  Love the Batman comparison debate and the Robert DeNiro theme party.  Seth Rogan is pretty much Seth Rogan. That Zac Efron guy is, well, I've never seen anything he's done before but he plays good as a fraternity brainless leader. I think this is okay to see just one time.  Nothing special.

I am a little too drunk to write some more so I'll just call it a night and pass out.  Good fight and good night.

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer

Very awesome sci-fi thriller.  This is written and directed by an awesome Korean director, Bong Joon-ho.  It's his first English film.  It has Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris and few other known actors.  I enjoyed the story.  All takes place in a futuristic world where most humans are extinct because of a failed climate change experiment.  The only survivors are all in this advanced train that goes around the world.  But, there is more to that.  This train is so long and it is divided by different class of people.  The poor unfortunate souls are in the tail end of the train and they are practically slaves to the rest of the people on board.  Chris Evan's character leads a revolution.  The mission is to get to the front of the train and take over.  Lots of twists and turns and some awesome action sequences.  This is freaking great.  Hell, if this was a 2014 movie, it be a contender for my personal top 10.  Damn my ocd film guidelines!  Damn you to hell.

It's official!  Bong Joon-ho is now in my director's shelf.  I've enjoyed all his films.  My most favorite to least favorite:  The Host, Memories of Murder, Snowpiercer, Mother, and Barking Dogs Never Bite. 

Batman

Batman IMDb

Holy Shit, Batman!  I finally saw this cheesy Batman movie from 1966.  This year my son insisted on being Batman for Halloween.  So for fun, I promised him that I would be his arch enemy for Halloween.  "Wait, until they get a load of me!"  We decided to watch this classic just for kicks and to get into our characters. Haha.  The story is basic but this is not a story to take seriously.  It's fucking Batman on tights for crying out loud.  I like that we have The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, and Catwoman all in one movie.  The movie kind of makes fun of itself just like the classic shows which I haven't seen since I was a kid.  There's an awesome scene where Batman is fighting a rubber shark.  Another scene where he's trying to get rid of a bomb and it takes him forever.  Funny stuff.  Overall, not special but a good cheesefest to see once in a great while.

My favorite Joker is the one played by Jack Nicholson.  I'm going to reinvent my own version but inspired by Nicholson's Joker.

My son Nates the Shakes aka Little Batman at Vulcan Video showing his skills!  

French Cinema Night: The Bride Wore Black

The Bride Wore Black IMDb

This is a straight up French revenge film.  I liked it.  The story is basic.  It's about this one lady whose husband gets killed right on her wedding day.  Five people were responsible for this.  She was about to kill herself but she decided to take revenge instead.  Oh yeah!  So she tracks them all one by one.  The story gets interesting because her husband's death wasn't intentional.  The bride doesn't care though.  She'll have her revenge.  Man, I gotta tell you, the shots were pretty amazing here.  I think the majority of the French films I've seen this year share that same trait.  Love the ending to this.

Overall, recommended if you're in the mood for a little bit of revenge.  Surprisingly, French Cinema Night has been my favorite monthly special this year. Next to Zatoichi Night, of course.  I've enjoyed most of the French films I've seen this year.  I got two more French Cinema Nights left.  I'm already thinking about next year's monthly specials.

The Time Machine

The Time Machine IMDb

Saw this at the last minute at my friend Casey's place.  Went to catch up with him and we decided to watch this movie for kicks.  I love time travel movies.  I only wish I can go back in time myself and change things but everything happens for a reason.  This is a classic time travel movie from 1960.  It was a little cheesy in the second half but overall, it was a sweet simple story about mankind's future and about love.  I couldn't help but making fun of some of the scenes.  For some reason, I had Planet of the Apes in my head the whole time I was watching this.  "You maniacs! You blew it!  Damn you!  Goddamn you all to hell!"

Pretty good for its time.  If I ever start a time travel section, I'll add this. Now, it would be badass to own the actual time travel machine chair and set it in the corner of my living room. Imagine the possibilities!

Willow Creek

Willow Creek IMDb

I usually stay away from found footage movies but this is from Bobcat Goldthwait.  I enjoyed every film I've seen from him.  Well, the streak is over.  I didn't like this one.  Not because it was found footage.  In its defense, this is the way found footage films should be: just one camera.  That's why I didn't mind Blair Witch Project and the first [REC] movie,  Quarantine also (which is the U.S remake of [REC]).  Hate it when found footage films start going crazy with multiple cameras, phone cameras, and etc.  Okay, enough with my take on found footage films.  This movie is basically the Blair Witch Project but with Bigfoot instead of a witch.  Nothing original about it.  I did like the long uninterrupted 15 minute take of the couple scared inside the tent.  That was an original move.  Other than that, no big surprises and no payoff.  

Not recommended.  If you like dark comedies, check out Bobcat Goldthwait's other films: World's Greatest Dad, God Bless America, Sleeping Dogs Lie, and Shakes the Clown.  They're nothing like this one.

The Outlaw

The Outlaw IMDb

My Korean fest triple feature ends with this fucking movie.  It's a detective turned vigilante movie.  That part takes place in the last 30 minutes though.  To be honest, this started okay but it got worse by the minute.  I didn't like the climax.  This is coming from the guy who loves his revenge.  I thought that part was a bit sloppy.  It just looks like they were trying too hard.  Lots of violent scenes.  I don't mind that.  The story though...fuck it.  I didn't like it.

Not recommended.  There, my unofficial Korean triple feature is over.  Love The Thieves.  The Suspect was okay.  The Outlaw sucked.  Went downhill.  That's life.  Time to pick myself up with one of my favorite Korean movies: The Man From Nowhere.  

Ended my triple feature with some Korean BBQ takeout from Hanna Korean restaurant.  Hit the spot.

;

The Suspect

The Suspect IMDb

My Korean Feast and Triple Feature continues with this second movie.  This is a thriller/revenge movie.  Not a lot is focused on the revenge.  It mostly focuses on the hunt for this special government trained killer.  This is easily just like one of the Bourne movies.  Might as well call it a Korean remake of the Bourne Identity or something.  It was pretty cool, though.  Long and dramatic moments but still decent to watch.  Filled with action and crazy chase sequences.  It's about a guy on the run trying to clear his name but the government is after him.  His family were murdered and he's also after justice.  It didn't feel original.  Nothing special.  Just a movie to pass the time with.

Not worth buying but if you're a Korean Cinema enthusiast like me, this is worth seeing for some cool sequences.  Kudos for an action scene that takes place in Puerto Rico.  That was different.

Halfway through this movie, I started with some Korean booze.  A Hite beer and some soju.

The Thieves

The Thieves IMDb

I had me an awesome Korean feast all day along with a triple feature.  This is the first movie I saw after coming home from a Korean restaurant.  At first glance, this seems like an Ocean's Eleven rip-off.  Well, it kind of is.  I mean, it's a heist action movie with some comedy that deals with a casino (but only about less than half of it takes place there).  This one is a lot more violent and has deadly consequences.  And since we're talking Korean here, there is also a little bit of revenge here too.  Overall, a bad ass heist movie.  Cool ass characters.  A little long but most of it is entertaining.  Lots of twists and turns.  

This is worth checking out.  Hell, it's worth buying too.  Fry's currently has the blu-ray on sale for 4 bucks.  I know what I'm getting this week.

Had me Yougaejang (spicy shredded beef soup) before the movie at Hanna Korean restaurant.  Hot and spicy for this cool weather.

Wake in Fright

 Wake in Fright IMDb

 This is a crazy Australian classic.  It was shown at Fantastic Fest in 2012.  It is a film from 1971.  The original negative film print was lost for decades and was found not so long ago.  I thought it was a decent trip into madness.  I actually didn't know what to expect.  It is a slow driven psychotic movie.  It's about this teacher who is on a holiday vacation.  He goes to this small Australian town.  He plans to stay there just for one night but that one night turns into days.  Non-stop drinking with the locals all day and all night.  So all we see is drunken bastards doing crazy shit.  This movie made me not want to drink but I was drinking anyways.  The kangaroo hunting scene was fucking crazy.  During the ending credits, they mentioned that the kangaroos were real but were hunted by actual kangaroo hunters.  Donald Pleasence plays one of the drunken bastards.

If you're in the mood to watch a movie about a guy that goes crazy during his alcohol consuming spree, then look no further than this.

 

Had me some Foster's with this.  I immediately regretted this decision, but fuck it, we only live once. 

Western Wednesday: Hang 'Em High

Hang 'Em High IMDb

Awesome.  Probably my favorite western I've seen this year.  I think this is Clint Eastwood's first major Western role.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love revenge films?  Well, I fucking do a lot.  And this here is a revenge film.  Right in the beginning, a group of 9 no good idiots spot Eastwood's character and they think he's responsible for a double murder and for stealing cattle.  Well, instead of taking him to be tried, they beat him and hang him.  But, they made one fatal mistake, they should have made sure he was completely dead before taking off.  Thank goodness they didn't because I was in for an awesome ride.  I noticed a few technical errors but fuck it, I ain't going to complain.  I love the story and that's it.  Bruce Dern is in it and he plays a mean son of a bitch.  He's the guy that comes out in a cameo in Django Unchained and he's the main character in the movie, Nebraska.

Definitely adding this to my Western section.  Highly recommended if you haven't seen it.

Hellion (2014)

Hellion IMDb 

I never heard of this movie until recently.  I was told by a Vulcan Video clerk that the director of this movie is a regular customer of theirs.  Shot in Texas.  It's a drama about a broken family and the troubles they go through.  Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad plays a widow father with an alcoholic problem.  His two kids are alone most of the time.  We focus on the 13 year old son and his mischief life.  One day, CPS finds out about the conditions these kids live in and they take the 9 year old kid to his aunt (played by Juliette Lewis).  It's a harsh little indie drama.  There were some okay performances.  Kudos for making Fireman's 4 the official beer of the movie.  Love that one. Anyways, shit goes up in flames in the climax with consequences. 

Overall, I thought it was alright for an indie drama.  So if you're in the mood, this is worth renting.

Zatoichi Night: Zatoichi and the Doomed Man

 Zatoichi and the Doomed Man IMDb
Zatoichi strikes again.  That's all I have to say every time I have Zatoichi Night! Love the story on this actually.  For the first time, we see Zatoichi in prison.  He gets lashes for his crimes.  While in prison, he meets this other guy who is on death row.  The guy is innocent and he wants Zatoichi to clear his name when he gets out.  So there's the plot.  Zatoichi is free and meets the people responsible for the "doomed man."  Zatoichi does what he does best: gives great massages and shows off his sword skills.  Oh, here we have an imposter who pretends he's Zatoichi.  Great little scenes there.  But, my friend, there is only one Zatoichi and you don't want to fuck with him.

Another Zatoichi movie bites the dust.

Eega (Makkhi)

Eega IMDb

Goddamn, this was an awesome experience.  I'm still tripping out and it's been a few hours since I saw it.  This is a love story, action film, and a reincarnated revenge film from India.  Nothing I've never seen before.  This was shown at Fantastic Fest last year and I missed it for some reason.  A friend of mine reminded me about it the other day when I was talking to her about my love for revenge films.  When my friend Mike invited me to some Indian food today, I immediately thought about this movie and wondered if for some strange reason in the universe, Netflix had it.  They did.  I typed in Eega and the title Makkhi came out.  It's the same movie.  So after a big Indian meal, saw this trippy revenge movie with Mike.  Fucking badass!  At first, it was a cheesy Bollywood romantic movie then shit happens and it turned into a cheesy cgi mean ass revenge flick.  The thing taking revenge is a fly who reincarnated from this one guy who got killed by this other guy all for this cute woman.  The revenge scenes were awesome.  Cheesy but fantastic.  My favorite moment is the car crash scene.  I applauded in many other moments as.    This is also a musical.  Duh, it's a Bollywood film.  For what it is, this shit delivers the fucking goods.

A long conversation was ensued after this, specifically about people that shouldn't watch this.  Inside joke.  As a sucker for revenge films, I'm adding this one to my collection whenever it officially comes out.

Here is the pic of the delicious Indian food I had before the movie at India Palace:

 

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

How To Train Your Dragon 2 IMDb

Took my son Nates the Shakes to see this one at the discount theatre.  I saw the first one back in 2010 and I remember loving it.  This one was also sweet and badass.  For some reason, it takes a lot for me to see movies about vikings and dragons but whenever I do, I end up enjoying them.  This is a clear example.  This movie had its charms but fuck, it also had some emotional scenes.  I think it's that time of the month for me because I shed some tears twice during this.  Even though he didn't understand some of the emotional scenes, it was cool watching this with my son.  Good entertaining movie about dragons and vikings and forces of evil.

So far every Animation feature I've seen this year have been damn good.  My heart still goes out to The Lego Movie.

Gone Girl (2014)

 Gone Girl IMDb

Director David Fincher delivers a hard and very intense thriller.  He made up for his last movie, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo remake (which I wasn't a fan of, obviously).  Here we have some very awesome performances by both our male and female lead.  It's a movie that keeps you going and becomes very unpredictable.  I don't like to spoil very good movies so it's better to discover the surprises first hand.  I can tell you one thing, this movie just made me not want to get married ever again (maybe that's an exaggeration).  Still, marriage can be fucking scary.  Love how they portray the media here and how they twist things around.  Surprise, surprise.  This movie has my favorite theme: revenge.  Then it turns to something else.  A few great psychotic moments.  And, of course, you can't go wrong with a score with Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) involved.  I enjoyed it.  The actual ending was okay, though.  Expected something else but for what it is,  it was okay.  Everything else was perfect in my book. 

Can't wait to add this to my David Fincher section.  Worth watching.