#88 / Repo Man (B+)

What a bizarre-ass movie.  Honestly, that was really weird.  There was a plot, but really it was nonsensical however something definitely worth seeing to find out what happens next.  It was a movie full of ambition that went nowhere, but on purpose.  Normally right up my alley and I suppose even though I couldn't quite figure this one out, I still have to admit that liked it a lot.  I appreciated that most of the scenes were in day light.  I appreciated the dialog as the random and motley repo crew drove around together discussing life.  I appreciated the acting and also the effects, which were good considering the age of the movie....all around, pretty darn solid.

I'm surprised so many people talk about this movie as if it were super popular - as in, a must see for an entire generation - I say that because this is something I find hard to believe.  It's a cult classic, I'd have to agree with that, yet I feel like the normal human wouldn't love this piece so I'm perplexed on why it's so notorious.

Emilio did a really good job as well.  I miss him.

The top review on Netflix (c) said something I can't say, something beyond my simple words and it made me laugh (read: I don't speak poetic like this guy does.  It almost reads as a critic's one line review on a magazine cover) "80's Reagan America viewed through LSD and alienation.  A feast for the sick mind!"

#87 Zero Effect (C+)

Bill Pullman is magical.  Ha!  Sorry I'm cynical at times on these reviews, I really don't mean to be mean.  I'm willing to admit however that I'm aware I get this way - and also very critical of a movie's plot/vibe or an actor's performance.  I guess I'm hard to please.  At times I do believe that Pullman looks like Duchovny.

Question: who's better at acting?  Bill Pullman or Cary Elwes?  Please post the answer in the response section.

On to the movie.  It's about a guy that dubs himself as the ultimate observer and gets paid big bucks to solve mysteries.  Mostly he does it out of his office, but occasionally he comes out of his office to go on site to solve items.  This guy is Bill Pullman, actor extraordinaire.  He tries really hard to look eccentric and disheveled, but it actually makes me laugh.  He wears long-johns with a robe and his hair is all over the place, think "the Dude" from Big L.  Kind of like that, but worse.  His sidekick/assistant is Ben Stiller, who plays a serious role in the movie so that's funny too.  He's not bad at being serious and is not a bad actor in my book, but he's definitely better at being goofy so it's hard to see him playing this role.  It took about 35 minutes for me to get interested because prior to that time I was laughing in my head at the Stiller seriousness and the Pullman eccentricness.  AKA "plot building".  The movie was okay in the end, worth watching I guess on a Saturday afternoon on the couch.  Nothing too great and nothing too horrible.  Lots of "girl with the dragon tattoo" random sleuth-work from Pullman.  I guess he's a bit of a savant?  Anyway, there was enough to keep me interested in watching I suppose so I suppose I recommend to folks.  Good day.

#86 Funny Farm / (B-)

I noted something pretty funny while watching the first few minutes of this movie - during Chevy Chase driving scenes he always has the same expression on his face.  Meaning, in all of his movies where he's being that funny dad driving somewhere.  You should know the expression...a forced grin, chin up...unfazed by the world around him.  Goofy almost.  That had me chuckling fo sure.  I enjoyed the movie too.  I've said this before, but good old time comedies sure are hard to come by.  There are only so many actors that can pull acting off like this, the great ones.  This makes me want to see Spies Like Us and others that I've never yet seen...perhaps Canadian Bacon??  Maybe that's too far of a stretch.  Also Stripes...I might have seen a scene or two from that one but never have seen the whole thing.  I miss old time Bill Murray and Chevy Chase, not the cranky guys who are now almost "too good for hollywood" etc.  Too bad.  I sort of get annoyed with them in the modern times, although Bill was funny in that Zombie movie with Woody Harleson.  Anyway, this isn't about that.  Funny Farm was a good movie.

Is that leading lady Mary Steenburgen?  Good night.

85: Hall Pass (A-)

I just larghed my arse off.  This was definitely written by a male.  Seriously, when you see the sharting/sneezing scene in the bathroom, please send me a text so we can laugh together.  Hilarious!!  Might be one of the best scenes ever in a comedy.  Owen Wilson was definitely better in this compared to The Big Year.  Good day.

84 / Hell Night (C-)

This movie is some sort of pledge movie, on "hell night" (I guess halloween), but the pledges are both male and female - I'm not sure I really get that part.  Perhaps a combined frat/sorority thing?  Anyway, it's apparently a cult classic, so I gave it a chance.  Also, Linda Blair is in it...

So the basic premise is 4 newbies have to spend one night in a haunted castle/house in order to get into the club.  I just love how these crazy, HUGE, houses randomly exist near college towns...completely fixed up with about 1,000 candles, already lit of course.  And the place is completely empty, no one lives there.  Here's the super tricky 1981 movie twist, the frat boys and sorority girls are pulling pranks on the 4 newbies while they spend their night in the castle...woah!  Good plot.  Ha!  Anyway, guess what?  There's an actual killa there too....so jokes on the entire lot of them.  I need to ask, is the killa a wolfman?  He's sure relentless.  I think he "came back" about 6 times after you thought he was already dead.  I guess that's why it's a cult classic??  My overall view, it wasn't the worst, yet wasn't the best.  I wouldn't waste my time if I were you even if you like old 80's classics, just not worth it.

Note, about 4 times throughout this epic wonderment, there is a vulture or red tailed hawk cry - in the middle of the night no doubt.  It sounds like something you'd hear in a movie that takes place in a desert.  Otherwise the movie had good music, a la Goblin.

The Next Three Days - #83 (C)

Every scene with Elizabeth Banks - totally couldn't hear.  Volume up over 44.  Ridic.  Good thing she spends 90% of the movie in prison.  I hope that doesn't ruin it for anyone, it basically happens within the first 10 minutes.

This movie could have used a few cut scenes.  1 hour less would have been just about right.  They easily could have shaved that off, seriously.  At 1 hour and 44 minutes in, it started getting semi good.  I don't really know even what to say.  They took so much time building the beginning of the plot, which was Russell Crowe trying to plan out stuff, I ended up becoming bored.  At 44 minutes, they should have been getting to the good part I mentioned above which happened at the 1 hour and 44 minute mark.  Regardless, don't waste your time, that's my opinion anyway.

Liam Nielsen was in this, for 4 seconds.  I wonder why?  Same with Olivia Wilde....about 10 minutes total.  Finally however...I can happily state that I saw Brian Dennehy!!  For real this time!

Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog / 82 (A-)

superb.  very hilarious.  crazy-random happenstance of a flick.

There is some talk about this being an eventual series, on TV I guess...totally agree they should do that.  Neil Patrick Harris and company are non-stop funny.  I love a musical as well...so it makes it better for me.  Especially when the songs are about "ass-kicking".  Might need the score for my iPod.  LOL, but seriously.  Marc, check this one out (read: musical) (also read: it's not better than the 'Wickerman' circa 1973, not sure yet if it's better than 'Repo! The Genetic Opera' because I haven't finished that movie in full yet).

My only issue is...does this qualify as a movie?  I feel like I just watched a show only, a quick 40 minute show.  It's okay, I'm behind in my quota and to get to 200 I need to kick some serious ass for the rest of this month and keep my 16-19 or so per month average to get where I need to be by next July.

Nathan Fillion reminds me of someone.  He might sleep with the same girl for the 2nd time to do the weird stuff...ha!

#81 Edison Force (D)

Question, would I rather watch Edison Force or Ghost Dog.  Probably Edison Force....

Is this movie really just a quick payday for these actors?  I mean...come on, is this for real?  Has anyone ever heard of it before?  Did it even play in the theatres?  Can someone look that up?  Or was it straight to DVD?  I think I have it figured out....Spacey, LL, Timberlake, Morgan Freeman, Dylan McDermont, Piper Posey, John Heard, Cary Elwes...heck even Rachel Spector - all agreed to do a quick 'one-take' movie, where they barely have to try at acting, and then they put in their contract that they will force it to go directly to DVD and no one will promote it or ever see it.  And then they all laugh their way to the bank, somehow.  I guess that doesn't make any sense.  I don't know, it just doesn't seem like they did this movie with passion or even took it seriously.  Actually, it wasn't the worst, but it was pretty clunky.

When you look this up on IMDB, it comes up as 'Edison' only, not 'Edison Force'.  Wonder why that is?

So the opening scene has LL Cool J with mustard spilled all over his face and shoulder all while shooting up a burglary, the blood in this scene looked like small packets of red exploding, and the bullets hitting the taxis looked like those fake grey stickers the people who are cool put on the back of their Aerostar (c) mini-vans.  Flash forward a few scenes...and Morgan Freeman is dancing, for like a minute on screen.  Flash forward again, about 40 minutes elapsed (you barely missed anything during this time)...and Dylan McDermont is dancing and talking about how he's got soul.  The rest of the plot is about a reporter and his quest to publish the story of corrupt cops.  There, now you don't need to see it.

Here's the IMDB breakdown on the cost and the non-USA profit.  Unless I'm looking at this wrong, seems like a loss, eh?

Box Office

Budget:

 $25,150,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

 RUR 3,120,181 (Russia) (9 October 2005)

Gross:

 $4,143,414 (non-USA) (28 October 2007)

80: John Carpenter's Halloween (A)

Damn surround sound and damn the fact that I decided to start the dishwasher prior to starting this movie. Yes, that's also correct...I'm a horror movie snob who watches 4 out of 5 within the genre, and I've never seen the original Halloween.  It's true.  Let's quickly discuss what I know about this movie and the legend surrounding it.  I know for sure that Jamie Lee Curtis lives, at least through the first few movies.  I know that Michael Myers can walk ultra-fast.  I've seen the Rob Zombie take on it - and liked that.  Lastly I know the song.  So, I've pushed play and here we go...

1. I never would have suspected THE Michael Myers to drive around (as above, isn't his thing that he's far away and then he gets over to you super fast?), much less in a woody-wagon!  Classic!
2. Have to give props to the now you see me/now you don't part of the movie - which was occurring in broad daylight for a good portion of the beginning.  Love that stuff - especially when it's creepy + in the daylight hours.
3. The scene in the car/garage reminded me a bit of 'Maniac!' (1980)
4. "Death has come to your little town sheriff, you can either ignore it or you can help me to stop it."
5. Is that cop/dad Brian Dennehey?  Apparently not.  But from the side, he looks like it for sure.
6. I thought Donald Pleasance was going to be Donald Sutherland and am upset that it wasn't, although this other guy was good.
7. Could someone please explain the gravestone to me?  Seriously?  I guess that was his sister from the beginning of the film when he was a younger lad?
8. I didn't expect that ending.  Loved that he wasn't there when they looked again.  Nice!

As they say, this movie has lots of slow creepiness to it, very sparse on the actual horror scenes (which is totally okay), and has the feel of great old-school horror slasher scenes (where you don't actually see much, again...that's okay).  The whole thing wasn't very long, I'm surprised.  It basically only takes place on one night in one small part of the neighborhood.  From an "I'm scared" stand-point, I really wasn't too scared.  The opening part with the loonies in the field wondering around was a bit scary, but this one was more visually cool with Michael lurking around slowly, showing up in odd places then vanishing, and waiting for his moment.  The mask left no expression, so that was a cool effect.

Gotta give this one an A.  I'm mad at myself for not having seen it prior to tonight.

Update: here is a picture I was finally able to upload of Michael being awesome:

79: Risky Business (B)

Great line: "he's got such nice friends, clean, polite....quick"

I'll be honest, I thought this was going to be the standard 80's movie - a comedy actually - like Pretty in Pink or 16 Candles.  But this is more of a drama/thriller sort of, a lesson learner of kinds.  I never would have guessed this was what Risky Business was about.  Especially with the "classic" scene, which is/was unfortunately stuck in my head, of Cruise sliding across the floor.  Definitely from that 'splendid' vision I thought the plot would be just another silly knee-slapper full of crazy stunts from crazy kids, instead, they curse a bunch and get into a world of 80's style trouble...all while wearing loafers.  Who knew?  Probably most of the world actually...

At the end of the flick I felt bad for ol' Tom, actually a few times I felt bad for him.  They kept taking his stuff and he almost got in trouble by his parents.  Shoot, he was even in school trying to do the right thing, meanwhile his house was getting looted.  Not cool whores.  Not cool.

I was sure happy to see Balki Bartokomous and Dudley (Booger) Dawson in their epic supporting roles.  Booger wasn't actually even Booger yet...crazy.  He became Booger the next year.  I think that guy (the loser brother) with curly hair from Parenthood is a mix between Booger and Steve Guttenberg.  Booger is still alive - I just looked him up to confirm.  Also, while looking up how to spell Guttenberg correctly, I found the following interesting link about epic 80's legends IMDB list of 80's epic legends ...apparently Guttenberg is #2, with #1 going to none other than Cobra-Kai's main man Johnny.  "Yeah!  Okay, here's your first lesson, how to take a FALL!"  Apparently Balki wasn't even Balki yet when this one graced the screen...damn, pretty crazy.  For Tommy, it was pre-Legend, pre-Top Gun, pre-Color of Money, and pre-Cocktail.

#78 Double Whammy (D+)

I really like Steve Buscemi and I mostly like Dennis Leary.  I'm not against Elizabeth Hurley.  But quite honestly, they are all best when they are cast as supporting actors.  Please note, this movie was lacking overall but had a few funny moments.  I think they were striving to make something excellent like 2 Days in the Valley, but it didn't work.  There was a filmed-on-a-soap-opera-set feel to the movie.  They threw in that guy from Scrubs...Donald Faison...and that pretty much sums up the movie.  As in, if a supporting actor from Scrubs is a main actor in this movie, it's destined to be a clunker.  I did laugh, so perhaps I should have rated this a C-, but didn't laugh enough for this to be considered up there with other C- movies I've watched, like Videodromme, Twilight, Only Human, or Lake Mungo.

FYI, Luis Guzman is awesome!

Lastly, what is Chris Noth attempting to achieve with this IMDB photo?  click here to see Chris Noth trying to be a psycho