Films seen in January 2009
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02. American Teen (2008, USA) Nanette Burstein - worth seeing [C+]
The filmmakers try hard to shoot this from purely a teen perspective, with minimal of adult point of view (Wiseman’s High School is guilty of this at times), and though the intentions are right, the final product reeks of contrivances for narrative sake. There is some good stuff here if you don’t mind sifting through the bullshit.
03. Happy-Go-Lucky (2008, UK) Mike Leigh - Excellent [A-]
Brilliantly acted little film that shows touches of Renoir’s Boudu in its handling of character and tone. I was a little irked by Leigh’s apparent choice of green-screen in a couple of key car ride conversations -- this unnatural intrusion is completely at odds with the realist tone of the performances -- however even with this criticism, Leigh has come up one of his most distinctive, and believe it or not, uplifting films.
05. Baghead (2008, USA) Jay & Mark Duplass - a must see [B-]
This is a nice direction for the “mumblecore” movement, which was beginning to grow more than a tad one note and predictable. To combine this style of acting with the horror movie set-up is incredibly effective, and makes me hope that the Duplass brothers stick around and play in the genre some more.
08. BURN·e (2008, USA) Angus MacLane [short] - average
09. The Puffy Chair (2005, USA) Jay Duplass - worth seeing [C]
10. The Intervention (2005, USA) Jay Duplass [short] - awful
11. Scrapple (2004, USA) Jay Duplass [short] - recommended
12. This Is John (2003, USA) Jay Duplass [short] - average
13. The Deadly Mantis (1957, USA) Nathan Juran - worth seeing
14. Tell No One (2006, France) Guillaume Canet [2007 based on DVD Premiere] - a must see [B-]
16. Eden Lake (2008, UK) James Watkins - worth seeing [C]
18. The Skull (1965, UK) Freddie Francis - a must see
22. Night Watch (2004, Russia) Timur Bekmambetov - worth seeing
23. The Wackness (2008, USA) Jonathan Levine - worth seeing [C+]
24. The Alphabet Killer (2008, USA) Rob Schmidt - worth seeing [C+]
25. Naruto [uncut] Vol.4 (2002, Japan) Masashi Kishimoto [episodes 39-52] - average
26. Mum & Dad (2008, UK) Steven Sheil - worth seeing [C-]
27. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog (2008, USA) Joss Whedon - recommended
28. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008, USA) David Fincher - a must see [B]
29. Suburban Mayhem (2006, Australia) Paul Goldman - worth seeing [C-]
30. My Bloody Valentine - Dir. Cut (1981, Canada) George Mihalka - 2nd viewing [last viewing Feb.'07] Director's cut upgrades from ** to ***
32. Appaloosa (2008, USA) Ed Harris - a must see [B-]
34. Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008, USA) Darren Lynn Bousman - worth seeing [C+]
35. Nightbreed (1990, USA) Clive Barker - worth seeing
36. Day Night Day Night (2006, USA) Julia Loktev - a must see [B-]
37. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008, USA) Patricia Rozema - worth seeing [C+]
38. Mirrors (2008, USA) Alexandre Aja - has redeeming facet [D+]
39. Revolutionary Road (2008, USA) Sam Mendes - worth seeing [C+]
40. American Cannibal: The Road to Reality (2006, USA) Perry Grebin & Michael Nigro - worth seeing [C-] - 2007 based on limited run.
41. Midnight Movie (2008, USA) Jack Messitt - worthless [F]
43. Stone (1974, Australia) Sandy Harbutt - worth seeing
45. Bloodsuckers from Outer Space (1984, USA) Glen Coburn - has redeeming facet
46. El Norte (1983, USA) Gregory Nava - worth seeing
47. Killer Workout (1986, USA) David A. Prior - worth seeing
48. Games Girls Play (1974, UK) Jack Arnold - has redeeming facet

 

 

December '08 Screening Log
November '08 Screening Log
October '08 Screening Log - Halloween Horror Challenge - 27 Features and 5 shorts
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December '07 Screening Log
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October '07 Screening Log - Halloween Horror Challenge - 37 Features and 14 shorts
September '07 Screening Log - Toronto International Film Fest
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