05.
The Objective (2008, USA) Daniel Myrick -
worth seeing [C-]
Once again, C- becomes my E for effort grade, Myrick flirts with
the premise that got him his start -- a group of soldiers stranded in Afghanistan
mirroring the backpackers of The Blair Witch Project -- and manages to churn
out a fairly original war film in the process. The effects are poor, but the
ideas are not. I suspect this guy a major film in him, even if this is not it.
06.
Blade (1998, USA) Stephen Norrington -
had redeeming facet
I’ve never seen the Del Toro directed sequel, mainly because
I never saw the first film. I wasn’t missing anything, but now I can move
on to the Del Toro.
07.
Treevenge (2008, Canada) Jason Eisener [short]
-
Excellent
If I had this on DVD I would screen it for every person that
came over to my house. Just
watch it.
08.
Gomorah (2008, Italy) Matteo Garrone -
worth seeing [C+]
It’s not a major breakthrough (didn’t Scorsese rave
that this was a full-blown masterpiece?), but Italian cinema is starting to
bounce back with some very socially relevant films and this is evidence of a
strong pulse.
09.
Violent Midnight (1963, USA) Richard Hilliard
-
worth seeing
For an early 1960’s film this is a very risqué horror/thriller,
and surprisingly ahead of the curve with its use of the “black gloved
killer,” and with some effective uses of chiaroscuro lighting. One might
argue that this is a solid case of film noir evolving into the Giallo.
10.
Big Man Japan (2007, Japan) Hitoshi Matsumoto
-
a must see [B-]
If you don’t have a deep love for classic Japanese Kaiju
films like Godzilla and Ultraman, you probably will hate this film. For those
of you who treasure these (myself included), you will find a lot to enjoy in
this brilliant send-up of the genre that reaches levels of absurdity that are
only found in Asian cinema today. I’m not a huge fan of the CGI, but Matsumoto
explains his choice for this with an ending that is nothing less than perfect.
11.
(500) Days of Summer (2009, USA) Marc Webb -
worth seeing [C+]
The indie romance is becoming something of a trend. Prominently
featuring a soundtrack of current coffee shop musical artists and young actors
verging on breakout star status, there is almost a desperation to these movie’s
desire to achieve “hip” status that I find disconcerting yet can’t
help but enjoy. (500) Days of Summer is everything you’d expect and even
if it tries a little too hard to get there, movies this charming are nothing
to scoff about.
12.
Chocolate (2008, Thailand) Prachya Pinkaew -
had redeeming facet [D+]
Not really a movie, but a series of set pieces (albeit impressive
ones), one of the things that distinguishes masters like Jackie Chan and Sammo
Hung from the likes of this is their ability to seamlessly blend narrative and
action. That little JeeJa Yanin is wonder though.
13.
Tokyo Decadence (1992, Japan) Ryû Murakami
-
had redeeming facet
Apparently the version I viewed is cut – extended and more
graphic scenes of S&M were trimmed to various degrees depending on the print
you happen to see – as if I could really care though. This is an attempt
to create some hype and stir the pot a little. Murakami has no real agenda to
explore the implications of what is presented on-screen (Oshima and Breillat
do), he is merely out to shock and tantalize – and while he does a good
job, and several long-takes show a strong directorial sense hinting at some
worthwhile existential undertones, this is mostly a meandering misfire that’s
not worth the time to decipher.
15.
I Love You Man (2009, USA) John Hamburg -
worth seeing [C-]
16.
District 9 (2009, New Zealand) Neill Blomkamp
-
a must see [B-]
17.
Alien Trespass (2009, USA) R.W. Goodwin -
had redeeming facet [D+]
18.
Konga (1961, UK) John Lemont -
had redeeming facet
20.
Spring Break (1983, USA) Sean S. Cunningham -
had redeeming facet
23.
Hardbodies (1984, USA) Mark Griffiths -
had redeeming facet
24.
Surveillance (2008, USA) Jennifer Chambers Lynch
-
worth seeing [C+]
26.
Bloodsport (1988, USA) Newt Arnold -
worth seeing
27.
The Last Starfighter (1984, USA) Nick Castle -
worth seeing
With some decent special effects this could have really been
something. A childhood favorite nonetheless…
28.
Hardcore (2004, Greece) Dennis Iliadis -
worth seeing [C+]
29.
The Soloist (2009, UK/USA) Joe Wright -
had redeeming facet [D+]
30.
The Hunger (1983, UK) Tony Scott -
worth seeing
31.
Sick Girl (2007, USA) Eben MCGarr [2009 based
on DVD Premiere] -
worth seeing
[C-]
32.
The Last House on the Left (2009, USA) Dennis
Iliadis -
worth seeing [C-]
33.
Sunshine Cleaning (2008, USA) Christine Jeffs
-
worth seeing [C+]
34.
Grace (2009, USA) Paul Solet -
worth seeing [C]
36.
Two Lovers (2008, USA) James Gray -
a must see -
a must see [B]
37.
42nd Street Forever, Volume 2: The Deuce (2006,
USA) [uncredited]
38.
Man From Deep River (1972, Italy) Umberto Lenzi
-
had redeeming facet
39.
Tyson (2008, USA) James Toback -
a must see [B]