Warrior (2011)

Warrior (2011)

Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Screenplay by: Gavin O'Connor, Anthony Tambakis, and Cliff Dorfman

Genre: Action | Drama | Sport
Running Time: 139 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Family is worth fighting for.

[IMDb]

Comments: The only reason that Warrior isn't getting five stars is for the sheer ridiculousness of the plot and how everything came together. You have two estranged brothers, on opposite sides of Pennsylvania, that get included in a 16-man middleweight MMA tournament to determine the best fighter in the world. Oh, and neither man is a full time fighter; one just started fighting and the other is just getting back into it after an earlier career being a .500 fighter. And of course, before fighting each other in the finals, one fights his "enemy" while the other fights the best fighter in the world (aka Kurt Angle). It's crazy how things worked out, isn't it? (I'm not ruining anything, because anyone who has an eighth of a brain/watched the trailer could see this coming twenty miles away.)

Otherwise, this movie fucking rocked.

I was going to end the review here, but I have to add this: If watching Tom Hardy maul people and then walk directly out of the cage like a motherfucking monster didn't make you want to go and beat the shit out of somebody, then, well... I don't know what. But I was so fucking pumped after watching these fights that I can only heap praise onto Gavin O'Connor for how well he filmed those scenes.

Did I mention that Warrior was awesome?

Sugar Cookies (1973)

Sugar Cookies (1973)

Directed by: Theodore Gershuny
Screenplay by: Theodore Gershuny and Lloyd Kaufman

Genre: Drama | Horror
Running Time: 89 Minutes
MPAA Rating: X
Viewed: Owned DVD

Soft... sweet... satisfying.

[IMDb]

Comments: Yeah, this wasn't very good. If you think back a week, I was entranced by Lynn Lowry in Score. I liked the movie and I liked her, so I did a little research and found out she was in an early Lloyd Kaufman-produced film, Sugar Cookies, so I picked it up from Amazon. It also didn't hurt that she was nude in the film, which, as it turns out, was probably the best thing about the movie (mainly because she was barely clothed throughout; think of her as being the opposite of a "never-nude" Tobias in Arrested Development). Seriously. A lot.

There's also a story in Sugar Cookies somewhere, but it's muddled and drawn out - I could've cared less. If you're interested in a little '70s exploitation fare for the exploitation alone, you're in the right place. Otherwise, it's probably best to steer clear of these Cookies.

Special (2006)

Special (2006)

Directed by: Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore
Screenplay by: Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore

Genre: Drama | Fantasy
Running Time: 81 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

He's not your ordinary superhero.

[IMDb]

Comments: I'm lazy and tired, so this is going to be short and sweet. Special is a sad yet good little film about a man slowly starting to believe he has superpowers when he starts an experimental antidepressant. The man is played wonderfully by Michael Rapaport, who is one of my favorite "that guy" actors that just seems to pop up from time to time. There's nothing particularly outstanding about Special, but it's a solid watch and worth the two dollars and change I bought it for.

Another Earth (2011)

Another Earth (2011)

Directed by: Mike Cahill
Screenplay by: Brit Marling and Mike Cahill

Genre: Drama | Sci-Fi
Running Time: 92 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

[IMDb]

Comments: Another Earth was not at all what I expected, but in a good way. I really knew nothing about the film, as I'd only learned about it a few weeks ago after watching Melancholia. A review I read talked about recent films where a new planet was discovered and mentioned Another Earth; I was intrigued and ended up picking up the Blu-ray since it was on sale and I have serious collecting problems.

The film itself isn't nearly as "sci-fi" as I expected; there's not a lot of discussion on why or how Earth 2 appeared, and a lot of the effects that it would have on Earth are ignored (much like Melancholia). However, this didn't bother me as Another Earth is about so much more than science fiction; it's a sad look at how lives are affected after an inadvertent tragedy.

I've been lucky in that I've seen a number of great films over the last few days that have left me thinking about them after the fact. Another Earth is no different. It's a great little "what if?" film that takes a look at loss and how individuals deal with it. It's certainly worth a watch.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Directed by: David Fincher
Screenplay by: Steven Zaillian

Genre: Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 158 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Theater

What is hidden in snow, comes forth in the thaw.

[IMDb]

Comments: As I was creating this post earlier, I thought back to 2008 when going in to see Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler. Due to the positive reviews, my love of Aronofsky's previous films, and the fact that I was interested in the subject matter, I knew I'd probably be watching my favorite film of the year. Similarly, I felt the same way with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo going in - this could be the best film of the year. I think David Fincher has made some of the best films of the last twenty years, and I really like dark shit. This was all set up too well. So for the first time in awhile, I was right.

- Early on in the film, however, I wasn't so sure. I saw the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo back in 2009. While I enjoyed the film, I wasn't blown away and really don't remember much of what happened (and I haven't read the book either). But memories of Niels Arden Oplev's film came rushing back today, as the first hour or so evoked constant reminders of the original film (outside of the sweet title sequence featuring Karen O belting out "The Immigrant Song"). Luckily, Fincher's version soon came into its own and I became 100% invested in what was occurring onscreen (likely because my mind is mush, and I can't remember the second half of the 2009 version).

- The acting was solid all around, but I was particularly drawn to Rooney Mara's portrayal of Lisbeth Salander. I was a fan of Noomi Rapace as well (who was great in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows; I forgot to mention her on Monday), but Mara is utterly compelling in the role.

- My last thought on the film for the evening is that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score for the film was a bit disappointing. It seemed fairly standard compared to the great score for The Social Network. It could be that I was just too engrossed in the film, so I may have a differing opinion on repeat viewings.

- I loved every minute of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Sure, I was reminded of the original early on, but soon the film took on a life of its own. As the credits rolled, I just wanted to stick around and follow the characters for a bit longer. If that's not the sign of a good film, I don't know what is.

30 Minutes or Less (2011)

30 Minutes or Less (2011)

Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
Screenplay by: Michael Diliberti

Genre: Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime
Running Time: 83 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

[IMDb]

Comments: I think something's wrong with me. If you asked me before I watched films like Hall Pass, Your Highness, or 30 Minutes or Less, I probably would've told you they weren't going to be any good based on critic and fan reactions alike. Yet I've enjoyed all of them, popular opinion be damned. In the case of 30 Minutes or Less, there's a high suspension of disbelief required to enjoy the proceedings, but once I got over all that, I really enjoyed the film. It's a quick and fun follow up to Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland (though not nearly as good; I'm eagerly anticipating Zombieland 2) that doesn't need much setup or explanation to enjoy the proceedings onscreen. Plus, I enjoyed the entire cast, although Aziz Ansari needs a little more work because it looked like he was performing stand-up rather than acting half of the time. In any case, 30 Minutes or Less is a fun ride.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Screenplay by: Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney

Genre: Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 129 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Theater

[IMDb]

Comments: Admittedly, if you asked me what to see tonight at the theater, I'd certainly say The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. That would be followed by Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, mainly because I loved Mission: Impossible III. I really had no interest in seeing Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, because two years ago I wasn't all that impressed with the first installment. It was an alright film, but it never quite clicked for me. However, my friends were all about seeing A Game of Shadows tonight, so I tagged along.

And I'm so fucking glad I did. I loved Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. It's a funny, interesting, and most certainly entertaining piece of popcorn. The work between Robert Downey Jr. and Jared Harris (Professor James Moriarty) was enthralling and totally made the film. Guy Ritchie's direction is very stylistic, but it works for the film. To be honest, I don't remember a whole lot from 2009's outing, so I can't really compare the two. I do own the Blu-ray however, so I plan on revisiting it soon.

I'm on vacation this week, so I have a sneaking suspicion both The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol will get their due. But Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was so damn entertaining that even if I don't get to see the other two films, I'm still satisfied. If you like having a good time at the movies, I strongly recommend checking this shit out.

Your Highness (2011)

Your Highness (2011)

Directed by: David Gordon Green
Screenplay by: Danny McBride and Ben Best

Genre: Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy
Running Time: 106 Minutes (Unrated Cut)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Get your quest on.

[IMDb]

Comments: I was so excited when I learned that pretty much everyone behind Pineapple Express was getting together again to make Your Highness (plus the goddess-like combination of Natalie Portman and Zooey Deschanel). However, once the film came out, there were so many negative reviews from critics and fans alike that I lost a significant interest in it. Though I bought the Blu-ray when it came out (mainly because I saved $10 when I bought it along with Paul), I still didn't have much of a desire to see the film. Now that I have seen it, what do I have to say to the haters?

Fuck them. Your Highness was funny as shit. Sure, it's filled with over-the-top stupidity and jam-packed with nothing but dick jokes (come on, tell you didn't laugh when they were trying to prevent "The Fuckening" from occurring), but I'll be damned if I wasn't chuckling for most of the movie. Honestly, I can see why people didn't like it, but then again I'm not most people. Your Highness was funny, so fuck you all.

Score (1974)

Score (1974)

Directed by: Radley Metzger
Screenplay by: Jerry Douglas

Genre: Comedy | Drama
Running Time: 90 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Bring someone you want to excite...

[IMDb]

Comments: Deep Discount is running a sale on some "cult" Blu-ray titles, so I picked up a few, including films like Frankenhooker, The Dorm That Dripped Blood, and Score. I hadn't heard of Score before, but after doing some digging I found that it was a film about exploring... all of your sexuality. Look, I like the idea of doing whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, so I'm a big supporter of gay rights and being with whomever makes you happy. Also, I thought Brokeback Mountain was one of the best films of 2005 (you know you're comfortable with your sexuality when you go to see that movie in theaters alone), so a little "man love" in the movies never bothered me.

Score is about a married and very sexually liberated couple (Elvira and Jack) that try to pick up other couples for a little same sex action. In this case, they're after Eddie and Betsy (Lynn Lowry of George Romero's The Crazies), a sexually naive couple. The first hour is spent watching the seduction of Eddie and Betsy through games, drugs, and various other methods. It's really well done, and Radley Metzger's direction along with the film's score really drew me in. That and the wonderful Lynn Lowry. I mean this as nothing but a compliment when I say that she's very oddly beautiful. Lowry is awesome as the innocent Betsy - so much so that I just ordered the '70s Troma film Sugar Cookies that she stars in.

Anyway, once the seduction is complete, we get this twenty minute intercutting sex scene where Elvira and Betsy go at it upstairs and Jack and Eddie go at it downstairs (pun entirely intended). This is where it got a little uncomfortable for me, because while the ladies' interactions are fully softcore, the gentlemen's... were not. I was watching the Blu-ray on my laptop, so when it got to be too much for me to handle (is everything I'm writing a pun?), I just turned my attention to an NCIS rerun in the background. At least I had the awesome soundtrack to listen to.

Anyway, except for the scenes where I saw a little too much of Jack and Eddie, I really enjoyed Score. It really is an artistic and classy erotic film, something that is rarely achieved. Plus, this film can be completely defined by the term "the swinging seventies." Score certainly comes (pun!) recommended if you can handle the more... explicit nature of some of the scenes.

Subspecies (1991)

Subspecies (1991)

Directed by: Ted Nicolaou
Screenplay by: Jackson Barr and David Pabian

Genre: Fantasy | Horror
Running Time: 83 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

The night has fangs.

[IMDb]

Comments: You know, for what it is, Subspecies isn't all that bad. The direction, script, and score each brought enough to the table to make a mostly competent film. My main complaint was with our villain, Radu, who was so ridiculously over-the-top. It looks like Anders Hove shoved his face in a bucket of white paint before each scene. Plus, he has these ridiculous extensions on his fingers that made me laugh anytime he had to grab anything because they didn't look like they worked at all. Oh, and how can I forget those little creatures that ran around with Radu? Are they even necessary in this film? It shouldn't come as a shock that they're here though, as Charles Band produced the film (he also has been apart of the Puppet Master series, the Gingerdead Man series, and numerous other pint-sized killer movies). Outside of that, the rest of Subspecies is half decent. It's not required viewing by any means, but it's a good enough watch for horror fans.

Melancholia (2011)

Melancholia (2011)

Directed by: Lars von Trier
Screenplay by: Lars von Trier

Genre: Drama | Sci-Fi
Running Time: 136 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Amazon Instant Video

Enjoy it while it lasts.

[IMDb]

Comments: How does one even begin to describe Melancholia? As an apocalyptic drama? As a depressing science fiction piece about a planet hurtling toward Earth? Either way, it's a terrific film - one that doubles as both a character study about a woman with severe depression and how it affects the people around her, and one showing how those people face the possibility of the end of the world (well, it's not much of a question after watching the beautiful first ten minutes). I can't claim to be a Lars von Trier fanatic, as Antichrist was the only movie of his that I'd seen previously. While both have a similar feel, Melancholia is certainly a superior and more affecting film. The final thirty minutes or so are absolutely haunting. I felt this intense sense of dread looming over the entire story, and the last part only intensified that feeling.

I loved the array of actors cast for the film, and all of them delivered wonderful performances. From those I didn't expect much from (Kirsten Dunst and her funbags were great; I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed Kiefer Sutherland seeing as I always expect a Jack Bauer-like performance) to the always solid Charlotte Gainsbourg, John Hurt, and Charlotte Rampling, everyone played their part and played it well. I've read from many online reviews that Dunst really captured the feeling of true depression (something I've not had first-hand experience with), and how she handled and accepted her fate was perfectly executed. It's truly interesting to see how differently Dunst and Gainsbourg accept the arrival of Melancholia.

In terms of the scientific aspect of the film, I was reminded of Danny Boyle's Sunshine. I love that movie, but when I think of the scientific accuracy of what's going on, I can't help but chuckle. In terms of enjoying the film though, I couldn't give two fucks because it fits the story. The same thinking applies to Melancholia. I'm pretty sure that's not quite what would happen if a giant planet was so close to us. But that doesn't matter, because it fits the story so well. Just like Sunshine, Melancholia isn't a film about science, folks.

So yeah, I really enjoyed this film. It has a slow, plodding pace and certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea. But the grandiosity behind the everyday events in the film sucked me in so much that I was engrossed with everything that was occurring onscreen. Von Trier has created a haunting piece of work that stayed with me (while I enjoyed the film upon its completion, I've found myself thinking of it often the following day at work, where I'm writing this review now - shh!). And hey, even if you don't like it, there's Kirsten Dunst's chesticles to look forward to, which makes Melancholia certainly worth the watch.

Everything Must Go (2010)

Everything Must Go (2010)

Directed by: Dan Rush
Screenplay by: Dan Rush

Genre: Comedy | Drama
Running Time: 97 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Lost is a good place to find yourself.

[IMDb]

Comments: Apparently I subconsciously decided that my day off today would be spent watching dark indie comedies. Not that it's a bad thing, as I rather enjoyed myself. And I really enjoyed Everything Must Go. I was surprised with how much I distanced Will Ferrell's Nick from his past comedic roles. I've never been that sold on Ferrell as a dramatic actor, but he's really convinced me here, and the film reflects that. It's funny without really going for laughs, and it's touching without ever being over-dramatic. Does that make sense? Eh, whatever. I liked this movie.

Terri (2011)

Terri (2011)

Directed by: Azazel Jacobs
Screenplay by: Patrick Dewitt

Genre: Comedy | Drama
Running Time: 105 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

We've all been there.

[IMDb]

Comments: I first heard about Terri from the great Filmspotting podcast, where they gave the film a solid review. While I always make a mental note to catch a film that's well-reviewed on the show, I took special note of Terri as the film dealt with an overweight kid in high school. As a former high schooler with weight issues, I've always been drawn to drama films with heavy dudes in the lead roles; it's always great to see us big guys win one. Terri's a bit different than that, and despite being a bit inconsistent at times, it's a solid flick. The relationship between Terri and John C. Reilly's principal character is well-portrayed and excellently done; I really felt like a bond was formed there. Terri's relationship with his peers was a bit different. The friendship with Heather was nice, and despite me lampooning Jonah Hill's women in The Sitter, I found it reasonable given her circumstances that she was drawn to Terri. His friendship with Chad on the other hand felt odd, as the character generally annoyed me and I felt that he only existed to get Terri and Heather to the point they're at toward the end of the film. Otherwise, I enjoyed Terri. If anything, it's great to see John C. Reilly get back into films where he plays a real person. Not that there's anything wrong with Step Brothers though, 'cause that shit's hilarious.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Directed by: Eli Craig
Screenplay by: Eli Craig and Morgan Jurgenson

Genre: Comedy | Horror
Running Time: 89 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Evil just messed with the wrong hillbillies.

[IMDb]

Comments: I've wanted to see Tucker and Dale vs. Evil for some time now. I remember hearing about it well over a year ago, but goddamn did it take forever for it to come out on Blu-ray. I had the opportunity to watch it On Demand, but I'll be damned if I'm paying $9.99 for a rental, so I had to bide my time.

It's great to see Tucker Labine as I'm a big fan of his. He's hysterical in everything I've seen him in, which prior to Tucker and Dale was the only Reaper and the short-lived Sons of Tucson. He's a great comedic actor who I think could be really popular when given the right roles.

The film itself was rather good, and I found much of the first half to be pretty fucking funny. I found myself laughing a few times, particularly when Tucker and Dale theorized that the college kids were running around committing suicide. I found the end to be a bit dull, as everything that was funny and original about the beginning became clichéd and predictable at the end (Behind the Mask has a similar feel to it). Still, I really liked Tucker and Dale vs. Evil and would easily recommend it to any horror fan. It's fun, and certainly worth your time.

The Sitter (2011)

The Sitter (2011)

Directed by: David Gordon Green
Screenplay by: Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka

Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 81 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Theater

Worst. Babysitter. Ever.

[IMDb]

Comments: If I was an actual film critic, I would no doubt begin my review of The Sitter talking about director David Gordon Green's fall from film greatness. The man who has directed great films like George Washington and All the Real Girls has gone on to make nothing but stoner comedies in recent years - and nothing good after 2008's Pineapple Express.

But I'm not a film critic. I haven't seen George Washington and All the Real Girls (though I most definitely want to). I actually haven't watched Your Highness yet, even though I bought it on Blu-ray the week it came out. The only David Gordon Green films I've seen are Undertow and the aforementioned Pineapple Express - both of which I enjoyed. As such, I approached The Sitter as just another comedy and as not a symbol of Green's spiraling career.

But the critics were right on this one. While The Sitter's not completely terrible, it comes dangerously close at times. When the film's striving to be a mean-spirited comedy, it's actually pretty funny. But then we're force fed this heartwarming bullshit that comes out of left field and has no business being in the film. The Sitter never earns those moments. Not once did I buy that Jonah Hill made a connection with any of these children. But yet, he finds time to have these fucking heart-warming moments with each of them individually, after completely despising them moments earlier. On top of that, we're supposed to believe that Hill, in his last movie as a fat dude (and he's really fucking heavy in this film; I'm so glad he dropped the weight), can land not one, but two hot women. One of which is his girlfriend, who isn't really into him, and the other is this absolutely gorgeous girl. I can't think that anyone - and I really mean this - would find that story believable.

Believe the critics. David, it's time to get your shit straight.

Castle - Season Three (2010-2011)

Castle (2009-????)

Created by: Andrew W. Marlowe

Season: Three (2010-2011)
Genre: Crime | Drama | Mystery
Number of Episodes: 24
Episode Running Time: 60 Minutes
Viewed: Owned DVD

Solving murder has never been so much fun.

[IMDb]

Comments: I am so glad that I decided to pick up Season Three of Castle and not just put it off as something I'd watch down the road. After a mediocre first season and second season that steadily improved, I can definitely say that Season Three was excellent - well, as excellent as a "case of the week" show can be. There's certainly a fair share of filler here - episodes that only serve to pad out a 20+ episode season (which is why I love channels that prefer 13 episode seasons; it's a great number). But when the episodes of Castle were on target, the show was awesome. The Castle-Beckett dynamic was superb; granted, there's not too much longer they can delay the inevitable romance without annoying viewers. And once that occurs, shows tend to lose a step if the whole thing isn't handled properly. Here's hoping that it is.

Anyway, it's time to catch up on Season Four so I can start watching the show on a weekly basis. Often, that ruins the spark the show had for me - not being able to feast on multiple episodes on a nightly basis. But after the awesome season finale, I just have to see how everything plays out. So... I'm done here.

But one last thing: My immense lack of posting is due to the fact that I've been watching Castle instead of movies. However, I have a backlog of Blu-rays to watch that I picked up over Black Friday... but I also have the complete series of both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel that I picked up. So... posting may be rather infrequent at times. Not that it matters anyway, because who reads this shit to begin with?

Bridesmaids (2011)

Bridesmaids (2011)

Directed by: Paul Feig
Screenplay by: Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo

Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
Running Time: 125 Minutes (Theatrical Cut)
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Save the date.

[IMDb]

Comments: Just a few quick thoughts, because I'm not really in the blabbering mood at the moment:

- I definitely see why many called Bridesmaids a "female Hangover." It has a few of the outlandish and gross-out moments that made The Hangover such a funny film, but it's just not as funny. However, there's a ton more depth to Bridesmaids - so much so that I enjoyed the dramatic aspects much more than the comedic elements.

- Chris O'Dowd FTW. It's great to see my boy from The IT Crowd get such a big role in a feature film. He has a smaller performance in Dinner for Schmucks, but he's clearly the male lead in this film. And he's awesome.

- Speaking of awesome, I'm pretty sure Jon Hamm is the best character in the film - even though he's in it for a grand total of about five minutes.

- Kristen Wiig tended to annoy me before, but I really enjoyed her performance in the film (she also co-wrote it). Like I mentioned before, I really enjoyed the more dramatic moments, and Wiig was great in them.

- Also, I realize Wiig doesn't want to do any nude scenes, but as a male viewer all I noticed was that she was wearing a bra in every sex scene she had. I didn't notice it because I wanted to see her topless (which I certainly did); rather, it just looked so awkward during the course of the scene. I know this is somewhat of a sexist argument, but it just annoyed me.

- I'm sure that women will probably enjoy Bridesmaids more than I did, but I still had a fun time. It's certainly a fun watch and a much better follow-up to The Hangover than The Hangover Part II. The dramatic elements are well done and for me, the best part of the film. But there's a little something for everyone, including people who like to see fat chicks taking shits in sinks.

Castle - Season Two (2009-2010)

Castle (2009-????)

Created by: Andrew W. Marlowe

Season: Two (2009-2010)
Genre: Crime | Drama | Mystery
Number of Episodes: 24
Episode Running Time: 60 Minutes
Viewed: Owned DVD

She's armed. He's dangerous.

[IMDb]

Comments: Granted, it took me nearly two months to watch Season Two of Castle, but it took me awhile to completely warm up to the show. I love Nathan Fillion, I love the chemistry he has with Stana Katic, and I love their witty banter and unending flirtations, but the "case of the week" aspect drove me crazy. Around two-thirds of the way through the season I took a break and went back to watching other stuff (including The Walking Dead, which is awesome). When I started watching episodes again, it happened to coincide with the show runners really amping up the sexual tension between Fillion and Katic, including the love triangle-esque plot that ran over the last few episodes, which immediately piqued my interest. As everyone knows, I'm a sucker for television romance, so I'm finally understanding why everyone else loves the Castle-Beckett dynamic. I'm sure I'll start to get weary during the middle of Season Three (which I'll likely dive into this weekend) with every goddamn by-the-books "case of the week" episode, but if they can maintain the high level of romance between the leads, I can overlook that.

Speaking of Season Three, I picked it up this weekend at Target for $20. They have a number of ABC shows on sale, and all of them came with $10 coupons for the other recently released ABC seasons. So with the $10 coupon, I picked up Season Seven of Grey's Anatomy for $10 (don't fucking judge me), and with that $10 coupon I picked up the first season of Body of Lies for FREE (it was on sale for only $10; I've never seen the show, but what-the-fuck-ever, it's free), and with that $10 coupon I bought the complete series of Off the Map also for free (it too was on sale for $10; it's a mid-season 13 episode drama about doctors in the jungle that got cancelled, but what-the-fuck-ever, it was free). So yeah, that's what I do with my weekends.

House (1977)

House (1977)

Directed by: Nobuhiko Ohbayashi
Screenplay by: Chiho Katsura

Genre: Comedy | Fantasy | Horror
Running Time: 88 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

[IMDb]

Comments: I have no idea what the fuck I just watched. It was pretty awesome, that much I can tell you. But really, I can't even begin to comprehend how much acid was dropped while making this film.

Also Known As: Hausu

Braveheart (1995)

Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson
Screenplay by: Randall Wallace

Genre: Action | Biography | Drama | History | War
Running Time: 177 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

What kind of man would defy a king?

[IMDb]

Comments: I loved Braveheart growing up. It was one of, if not my favorite movie at the time. It was one of the few VHS tapes I owned, and one that got plenty of use (come to think of it, it's only one of three films I've owned on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray - the other two are American Beauty and Fight Club). I just loved everything about the film. However, it's been several years since I've laid eyes on Mel and company, so I decided to give it a whirl this afternoon, and holy fuck, do I still love this movie. Braveheart is emotion. Every scene, every note in the score, every look the actors give - emotion just pours out. If you can't tell, I love this movie as much as I ever did.

Repulsion (1965)

Repulsion (1965)

Directed by: Roman Polanski
Screenplay by: Roman Polanski and Gérard Brach

Genre: Drama | Horror | Thriller
Running Time: 105 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Viewed: TCM HD

The nightmare world of a virgin's dreams becomes the screen's
  shocking reality!

[IMDb]

Comments: I've heard so many good things about Repulsion over the years that I jumped at the chance to record the film on TCM, which was played on Halloween evening. But I won't lie - I found this film very difficult to get into during the first hour. It's extremely slow, none of the characters are particularly likable, and nothing of note really occurs. We just see Catherine Deneuve slowly slipping into madness. Speaking of Deneuve, I had a hard time believing her early on, as she seemed more mentally retarded then psychotic (I realize that's not the PC thing to say, but that's what I kept thinking while watching her). However, once we get into the "meat" of the story, I started to understand why Repulsion has such a devoted fanbase. The last half of the film is excellent, from the portrayal of madness to Polanski's camerawork. Once the final image of Repulsion leaves the screen, the viewer begins to understand why Deneuve is how she is, and why she acts like she does early on. If I ever watch Repulsion again, it will definitely be to my advantage to have this knowledge of her character. It may make the film the masterpiece for me that it is for many.

The Walking Dead - Season One (2010)

The Walking Dead (2010-????)

Developed by: Frank Darabont

Season: One (2010)
Genre: Drama | Horror | Thriller
Number of Episodes: 6
Episode Running Time: 60 Minutes
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

[IMDb]

Comments: I've been kind of slacking this month in terms of what I've been watching. Granted, that means I've been up to date with my DVR (except for Season Two of The Walking Dead), but I haven't been venturing to the theaters much or delving into my growing Blu-ray collection. (But seriously, my theatrical options for films this weekend are Immortals and A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas... I'll pass. I would have seen In Time, but that shit got yanked from my theater already.) So anyway, I really wanted to catch up on The Walking Dead during my three-day Veteran's Day weekend. I caught two episodes when it first premiered last year and loved it; however, the remaining four episodes were condemned to rot on my DVR because I'm an asshole. Eventually, it got to the point where I ended up deleting them because it had been months since those first two episodes, and I knew I'd end up buying it on Blu-ray anyway.

The show itself? It's fucking awesome. After watching episodes of Castle on and off for the last few weeks, it's so refreshing to watch a television show that isn't a "case/monster of the week" type deal. Granted, there's only six episodes, but they're wonderful and totally worth your time. I watched four Thursday night and the remaining two this morning, as soon as I woke up. Plus, I've already burned through three of Season Two's four episodes this afternoon, and I just love how the show plays out. Nothing's rushed, and everything takes it's time, but never to the point of boredom. This shit rules.

Red State (2011)

Red State (2011)

Directed by: Kevin Smith
Screenplay by: Kevin Smith

Genre: Action | Horror | Thriller
Running Time: 88 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Fear God.

[IMDb]

Comments: I've been so excited to see Kevin Smith's Red State for months now. I'm an unabashed Kevin Smith fan (I skipped Cop Out, but love everything else) and I love horror films. So what's not to love about this film? Plus, you add in the great talents of John Goodman, Stephen Root, and Melissa Leo? Sold.

- First things first: this is NOT a horror film. Not even close. There's a few elements of horror at the beginning, and pretty much every character in the movie is horrible, but that's where the similarities end.

- Michael Parks and John Goodman completely own this film. The other actors were very good too, but these two just swept the floor with everyone else.

- I can't be the only one that was reminded of No Country for Old Men, can I? The whole second half of the film reminded me of the unpredictability and stylistic changes of the Coen Brothers' masterpiece. Don't get me wrong, Red State isn't nearly as good as that film, but it has a very similar feel.

- Another reason that I wanted to watch Red State is because it was the main film discussed on the Filmspotting podcast last week (which I'll be listening to on my drive into my hometown this weekend). I can't recommend Filmspotting enough; it's a great podcast.

- This is the first film I've seen Kyle Gallner (Jennifer's Body, A Nightmare on Elm Street) in where he didn't completely annoy me. Dude showed off some great acting chops in this film.

- Did I mention John Goodman owns?

- I definitely am recommending Red State. Hardcore Kevin Smith fans may not like it; hardcore cinema fans may not like it. But fuck them, because I liked it. Kevin Smith may be a bit douchey, but he makes some great films (the ones that he writes, at least). Go see it.

The Woman in Black (2012) -- Trailer

The first time I saw this trailer, I thought, "Fuck, that Harry Potter kid is making shitty movies now." The second time I saw this trailer, I thought, "Holy shit, this movie looks amazing!" I'll be honest, the last few Harry Potter films have looked pretty decent, but I've never watched any of them. However, The Woman in Black looks like it could be a really solid horror film. Or, it could be a fucking abomination. But I guess we'll see. And I'll probably see it either way.

The Ring Two (2005)

The Ring Two (2005)

Directed by: Hideo Nakata
Screenplay by: Ehren Kruger

Genre: Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 128 Minutes (Unrated Cut)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Viewed: Owned DVD

Fear comes full circle.

[IMDb]

Comments: I'm a bit torn about The Ring Two. If I really think about the plot, I can't help but laugh. But director Hideo Nakata (director of the first two Ringu films) treats the material very seriously, which allowed me to look past everything that seems so silly. The film doesn't have the same great look as Verbinski's, and it runs a tad too long, but I otherwise found The Ring Two enjoyable.

It's a little weird trying to get into the Halloween spirit here. First, I'm on call this weekend, so there's been no costume party fun for me. To be honest, even if I wasn't on call, there probably wouldn't have been any parties I went to, because I have no life. Secondly, it just snowed like a bitch here yesterday, so it felt more apropros to watch something like A Christmas Story rather than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. But even if I tried to get into that Halloween spirit, holidays stopped being awesome years ago, sadly.

I'm not your fucking Mommy.

The Ring (2002)

The Ring (2002)

Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Screenplay by: Ehren Kruger

Genre: Horror | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 115 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Owned DVD

Before you die, you see the ring.

[IMDb]

Comments: Without a doubt, the best thing about The Ring is the direction of Gore Verbinski. The film looks stunning, and is just plain fun to watch. The color schemes, the dreariness - it all works. In fact, had it not been for Verbinski's approach and overall seriousness he took with The Ring, this film could easily have been awful. The core storyline (to me) is completely silly and ridiculous. There were a couple of times where I wondered if I was supposed to take this "scary" material seriously, yet somehow Verbinski made it all work (and wonderfully so). (Also, I haven't seen Ringu so I can't compare the films.) (Wow, how many parentheses can I use in one shitty review? That's the real mystery.) Anyway, The Ring is incredibly solid despite the storyline, and worth your time (although many have probably seen the film already). And now, it's what everyone's been looking forward to: sequel time!