Quote from: online prowler on January 29, 2022, 01:58:45 AM
ConcreteMascara...
You mentioned
"First up, Night of the Demon"
Did you ever see director Jacques Tourneur's 1957 'Night of the Demon'? Mandatory.
I have not, I'll have to put it on my "to watch list". Haven't had much time for movies lately but here's a few thoughts on a few from the last month...
Titane - [dir. Julia Ducournau, 2021] - very enjoyable. it was not what i thought it was going to be. there is some extreme stuff early on and one scene that had me turning my head away, but on the whole it's an almost heart-warming film about broken people. best to go in blind if you can.
RoboCop - [dir. Paul Verhoeven, 1987] - every time I watch it I am reminded how perfect this movie is. Truly perfect.
Asylum - [dir. Roy Ward Baker, 1972] - I think this is my 3rd Amicus anthology film? I'm really enjoying this horror anthology set up with an overarching and unifying story. Yeah the violence and tits quotients are way down but it makes up for it with fun and British/European actors, some of whom are very good. Peter Cushing is always welcome but this one has Patrick Magee, Herbert Lom, Charlotte Rampling, and Britt Ekland too. This film won't change your life but it's certainly a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning.
Raiders of the Lost Ark - [dir. Steven Spielberg, 1981] - I haven't seen this one in ages. Somehow my wife had never seen it at all. Enjoyed it more than the last time I watched it. This is the definition of a romp.
The Friends of Eddie Coyle - [dir. Peter Yates, 1973] - this is the antithesis of a romp. another one I haven't watched in probably a decade. I have to imagine this had some influence on Scorceses's
The Departed and maybe Tarantino in general. Although this is an almost entirely quiet and desolate affair. A matter of fact portrayal of the rigged game that is criminal enterprise. Robert Mitchum is of course amazing but I also really really enjoy Richard Jordan's performance as a slimy-ish ATF agent. The late '60s but really the '70s was the best era for miserable and depressing crime movies.
The Street Fighter - [dir. Shigehiro Ozawa, 1974] - finally watched this one for the first time but it was not an ideal viewing session. It was an old DVD with a lousy transfer. English dub only. and my buddy and I were so tired we couldn't really enjoy it. still a positive viewing experience but definitely one i need to upgrade and re-watch.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer - [dir. John McNaughton, 1986] - an absolute classic of gritty depravity carried largely on the shoulders of Michael Rooker. However, Tracy Arnold and Tom Towles do a lot of heavy lifting as well to make this more than just an exercise in misery, with Arnold especially brining in the human warmth and tragedy needed to make it even better.
Stage Fright aka Deliria - [dir. Michele Soavi, 1987] - second viewing, still love it. My only complaint is the lead actress. she doesn't do much for me and I don't find her terribly sympathetic. David Brandon on the other hand is fucking great and I need to see more of his films.
and that's all she wrote.
