Lets talk scary movies. Its Halloween and its time.
Ringu - Lisa woke me up in the middle of the night after watching the scene where the Japanese girl with the black hair over her face creeps out of a TV. Lisa doesn't scare easy, so when she woke me up it scared me so much that I couldn't get back to sleep even after she went back to bed.
the Shining All work and no play keeps me up at night.
Blair Witch Project Lisa disagrees, but I think this movie is really tense and scary. It didn't hit me right away but after watching for the first time and coming home to an empty house, I went out to a bar til my roommates came home and turned all the lights on before I would come home.
Jaws Spielberg exploits a primal fear, we may not be at the top of the food chain.
the Birds What is it about the Birds? Anything in massive numbers is scary. Especially when it's not human. King Kong isn't as scary as the Birds because we understand a monkey going crazy. Birds are so foreign to humans, we don't have a way of communicating with birds, they cant be reasoned with, and they are everywhere!
Maybe we fear what we are doing to birds (the love birds in the cage early in the film). Then why wasn't the Happening scary?
Aliens Horror films often recall scary stories. Aliens reminds me of the spider that lays eggs in people, gross and scary. (james cameron, really?)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers My family watched the 70's version of the Body Snatchers in a motel room that had a pay phone and magic fingers on the beds. I kept telling myself "it's ok, movies always have happy endings". gulp.
the Exorcist(director's cut)- The director's cut has additional scenes of a posessed Regan (Linda Blair) that had the whole audience at the theater gasping and hiding their eyes.
Rosemary's Baby "More conspiracy thriller than horror movie, Baby nurses a mother lode of phobias. As Rosemary (Mia Farrow) slowly intuits she's been raped by Satan, she wrestles a myriad of believable demons: uncaring doctors, intrusive neighbors (primarily Ruth Gordon, who copped an Oscar), and a monstrously self-centered husband (John Cassavetes)." entertainment weekly
the Sixth Sense
the Silence of the Lambs Hanibal "the Cannibal" Lector is one of the best drawn and acted of the movie vilans. Anthony Hopkins gave us a a sociopath that we love to hate and can't get enough of.
Jeepers Creepers The first half of Jeepers Creepers is so tense and fun it makes up for the disappointing second half.
Nosferatu
Se7en
Vanishing (aka Spoorloos) Not the underwhelming American version, the Dutch version.
Dead Calm
Night of the Hunter Robert Mitchum predates Hannibal Lector, Jason and Michael Meyers in his portrayal of the highly religous and highly psychopathic Harry Powell. Charles Laughton's only directorial effort is rumored to be so disturbing he wasn't allowed to get behind a camera ever again.
Picnic at Hanging Rock Peter Weir's dreamlike movie about a party of schoolgirls who disappear after being drawn into a mysterious rock formation in Australia in 1900 hangs over you long after viewing. The unresolved story adds to its creepiness.
the Bad Seed The little blonde Damien.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sci-Fi?
Science Fiction is not one of my favorite genres, but there are worthy titles in every arena.
So You've seen Star Wars, all the Star Treks, Close Encounters and Battlestar Galactica. You loved the Matrix and stayed awake for the entire new years day Twilight Zone marathon, now what?
Here are a few suggestions for the Sci-Fi crowd...
Sunshine - Danny Boyle's take on the end of the world.
Primer Two friends invent a time machine in their garage.
Solaris An under appreciated Steven Soderbergh effort of a remake of the 1972 Tarkofvsky film Solarys>
Pi A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature
A Scanner Darkly Richard Linklater does Philip K Dick, successfully!
THX 1138 Somewhere between Logans Run and 2001, George Lucas shows a knack for making a film for adults.
Dune The name "Judas Booth" that appears as the screenwriter in the extended TV cut, is a combination of Judas, the apostle that betrayed Jesus Christ, and John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln's killer. With this in-joke, David Lynch meant that the studio betrayed him and killed the film, but I still like it.
Westworld Written and directed by Michael Crichon, Westworld is important if only because its good for a number of Simpson references.
the Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai A low budget masterpiece, worthy of midnight showings.
Godzilla, King of Monsters! A hollywod rip off before hoolywood ripped things off, with Raymond Burr!
the Man Who Fell to EarthA famed cult classic, David Bowie stars an alien from a dry, dying world who's journeyed to Earth to save his planet.
The Brother From Another Planet A socialogical look at race and belonging from writer/director John Sayles.
They Live Lisa wont be thrilled that added this movie, but when South Park recreated the fight scene it was instantly legitimized.
Metropolis Perhaps the most famous and influential of all silent films, and German director Fritz Lang's masterpiece.
Fahrenheit 451Ray Bradbury's cautionary near-future parable of a society where books are banned and firemen start fires was the only English-language film from French auteur François Truffaut.
The Fly Cronenberg's version of the Fly is gross, and scary, and a good time.
So You've seen Star Wars, all the Star Treks, Close Encounters and Battlestar Galactica. You loved the Matrix and stayed awake for the entire new years day Twilight Zone marathon, now what?
Here are a few suggestions for the Sci-Fi crowd...
Sunshine - Danny Boyle's take on the end of the world.
Primer Two friends invent a time machine in their garage.
Solaris An under appreciated Steven Soderbergh effort of a remake of the 1972 Tarkofvsky film Solarys>
Pi A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature
A Scanner Darkly Richard Linklater does Philip K Dick, successfully!
THX 1138 Somewhere between Logans Run and 2001, George Lucas shows a knack for making a film for adults.
Dune The name "Judas Booth" that appears as the screenwriter in the extended TV cut, is a combination of Judas, the apostle that betrayed Jesus Christ, and John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln's killer. With this in-joke, David Lynch meant that the studio betrayed him and killed the film, but I still like it.
Westworld Written and directed by Michael Crichon, Westworld is important if only because its good for a number of Simpson references.
the Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai A low budget masterpiece, worthy of midnight showings.
Godzilla, King of Monsters! A hollywod rip off before hoolywood ripped things off, with Raymond Burr!
the Man Who Fell to EarthA famed cult classic, David Bowie stars an alien from a dry, dying world who's journeyed to Earth to save his planet.
The Brother From Another Planet A socialogical look at race and belonging from writer/director John Sayles.
They Live Lisa wont be thrilled that added this movie, but when South Park recreated the fight scene it was instantly legitimized.
Metropolis Perhaps the most famous and influential of all silent films, and German director Fritz Lang's masterpiece.
Fahrenheit 451Ray Bradbury's cautionary near-future parable of a society where books are banned and firemen start fires was the only English-language film from French auteur François Truffaut.
The Fly Cronenberg's version of the Fly is gross, and scary, and a good time.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Movies Every Musician Should See
There is so much to learn from the movies.
Here are some movies that every rock star can benefit from viewing. This list is an opening salvo to the Musician's Movie Cannon.
Not that you have to be a musician to enjoy them, but in each movie there are specific lessons for keeping your band together, self promotion and seeking the help of the modern medical profession among other life lessons).
so, without further ado, movies every musician should see...
Head - Released after their TV show's cancellation, The Monkees one and only feature film is a surrealist exercise in late-1960s pop art.
Dig - The "feud" between Anton and the Dandy Warhols may be my favorite thing about both bands.Its ridiculous to think that these are the only models for success, or the only tracts for bands to follow, but Dig does point out some very obvious pitfalls about the industry.
Overnight - What not to do when handed the keys to the kingdom. The director of "Boondock Saints" makes every wrong move possible on his rise to the "top".
Hard days Night - Its a nice reminder of why everyone wants to be in a band. mad cap fun!
Purple Rain - It's enough to watch Prince perform "Purple Rain", but there are also lessons about dealing with expectations, artistic credibility and being part of band.
Hype - Just like some kids grow up obsessed with bands and then end up starting a band, I was obsessed with record labels and wondering why they do that and how they do it. Sub Pop was the closest, best thing for me to focus my curiosity on…. I was fascinated by the snarky advertising. There was this post-modern, meta quality to some of it, and this smugness quality to some of it. Twenty years later, I still don’t know if I liked it or hated it, but I was surely fascinated by it. - Slim Moon, founder of Kill Rock Stars Records (Elliott Smith, the Decemberists, Sleater-Kinney)
Gimme Shelter - This is the third film in this informal series, but only the first time we see the Stones in something resembling an interview. In "Sympathy for the Devil," they provide the soundtrack to a political tableau. In "Rock and Roll Circus," they dress like buffoons while singing songs praising the working man and his hard life. In "Gimme Shelter," the Maysles convinced the band to allow them to record their reactions as they sit and watch the rough cut. Not surprisingly, they say little. It's clear that the band is very comfortable performing as The Rolling Stones, but not terribly comfortable being the Rolling Stones. -IFC
Last Waltz - A Scorsese movie chronicling the Band's farewell concert with The Band being joined on stage by more than a dozen special guests, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood and Neil Young. Beyond the music, the very premise of the concert is amazing: A big bang to end the era, thanksgiving dinner for thousands, a wicked lineup, great music and some really enlightening interviews.
Johnny Suede - If not just to see Nick Cave as Freak Storm, then maybe the lesson is always have a day job.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster - Oh, Christ. If it ever gets to this, it is time to hang it up.
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis being Elvis? Elvis beats a man to death in a bar, learns to play guitar in prison and becomes an ego maniacal rock star in Hollywood. Lessons learned?
Superstar: the Karen Carpenter Story - good luck trying to find it, but..."A marvelous film made by Todd Haynes, a Brown University student at the time, later the director of "Poison" and the brilliant, hypnotic "Safe" (1995), "Superstar" details the rise and fall of Karen Carpenter entirely through an inspired formal devise: Carpenter, her brother Richard, family, and friends are all "portrayed" by Barbie dolls. The film is not merely about fame or anorexia (the disease of which Carpenter died), but conjures the suburban California of the 1970's, indeed the whole plastic experience of America and American pop culture (of which, of course, The Carpenters and Barbie dolls are most certainly a part)."imdb
Half Cocked - Versus toured with this film for a little while. It's a great portrayal of mid-90's indie rock and what that scene meant and what it could have been.
Decline of Western Civilization - A snapshot of Los Angeles' punk scene circa '79-'81. Penelope Spheris' documentary captures the influence and importance of a scene that included Black Flag, X, Circle Jerks, Germs, and Fear.
Stop Making Sense - The movie that introduced David Byrne's "Big Suit" was financed by the Talking Heads. They raised 1.2 million dollars to have the film made.
Fade to Black - A hip-hop version of "The Last Waltz"? A great insight into a hip hop mogul's artistry.
Don't Look Back - Bob Dylan as he is.
I'm Trying to Break Your Heart - How to keep a band together, or how to keep a "brand" together. Its a heart breaker about the making of Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
Instrument - This documentary is something of a pinnacle for Fugazi and Jem Cohen. Cohen has long been artistically involved with Fugazi, and now he has pieced together this documentary. The film jumps around and swirls with the music, getting more choppy and spacey as the band itself becomes more experimental. -imdb
the Devil and Daniel Johnston - Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.imdb
You're Gonna Miss Me - It's not easy being a pioneer. For proof, just watch this film about Roky Erickson, whose band, the 13th Floor Elevators, coined the term "psychedelic rock" in the 1960s. Targeted for his advocacy of pharmaceuticals, Erickson was busted for possession of a single joint in 1969 and spent three years in an institute for the criminally insane. This film covers his rise and fall, as well as his family's efforts to help him get his life back on track.
Another State of Mind - Youth Brigade, Social Distortion and Minor Threat hit the road an an attempt to hit 30 cities in just 35 days in a school bus. Touring is important, touring "well" is more important.
the Filth and the Fury - "The Catch-22 with punk rock, and indeed with all forms of entertainment designed to shock and offend the bourgeoisie, is that if your act is too convincing, you put yourself out of business" - Roger Ebert (what a dick)
honorable mentions - the mayor of sunset strip, the knack and how to get it, fearless freaks, kill your idols, watch me jumpstart
Here are some movies that every rock star can benefit from viewing. This list is an opening salvo to the Musician's Movie Cannon.
Not that you have to be a musician to enjoy them, but in each movie there are specific lessons for keeping your band together, self promotion and seeking the help of the modern medical profession among other life lessons).
so, without further ado, movies every musician should see...
Head - Released after their TV show's cancellation, The Monkees one and only feature film is a surrealist exercise in late-1960s pop art.
Dig - The "feud" between Anton and the Dandy Warhols may be my favorite thing about both bands.Its ridiculous to think that these are the only models for success, or the only tracts for bands to follow, but Dig does point out some very obvious pitfalls about the industry.
Overnight - What not to do when handed the keys to the kingdom. The director of "Boondock Saints" makes every wrong move possible on his rise to the "top".
Hard days Night - Its a nice reminder of why everyone wants to be in a band. mad cap fun!
Purple Rain - It's enough to watch Prince perform "Purple Rain", but there are also lessons about dealing with expectations, artistic credibility and being part of band.
Hype - Just like some kids grow up obsessed with bands and then end up starting a band, I was obsessed with record labels and wondering why they do that and how they do it. Sub Pop was the closest, best thing for me to focus my curiosity on…. I was fascinated by the snarky advertising. There was this post-modern, meta quality to some of it, and this smugness quality to some of it. Twenty years later, I still don’t know if I liked it or hated it, but I was surely fascinated by it. - Slim Moon, founder of Kill Rock Stars Records (Elliott Smith, the Decemberists, Sleater-Kinney)
Gimme Shelter - This is the third film in this informal series, but only the first time we see the Stones in something resembling an interview. In "Sympathy for the Devil," they provide the soundtrack to a political tableau. In "Rock and Roll Circus," they dress like buffoons while singing songs praising the working man and his hard life. In "Gimme Shelter," the Maysles convinced the band to allow them to record their reactions as they sit and watch the rough cut. Not surprisingly, they say little. It's clear that the band is very comfortable performing as The Rolling Stones, but not terribly comfortable being the Rolling Stones. -IFC
Last Waltz - A Scorsese movie chronicling the Band's farewell concert with The Band being joined on stage by more than a dozen special guests, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood and Neil Young. Beyond the music, the very premise of the concert is amazing: A big bang to end the era, thanksgiving dinner for thousands, a wicked lineup, great music and some really enlightening interviews.
Johnny Suede - If not just to see Nick Cave as Freak Storm, then maybe the lesson is always have a day job.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster - Oh, Christ. If it ever gets to this, it is time to hang it up.
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis being Elvis? Elvis beats a man to death in a bar, learns to play guitar in prison and becomes an ego maniacal rock star in Hollywood. Lessons learned?
Superstar: the Karen Carpenter Story - good luck trying to find it, but..."A marvelous film made by Todd Haynes, a Brown University student at the time, later the director of "Poison" and the brilliant, hypnotic "Safe" (1995), "Superstar" details the rise and fall of Karen Carpenter entirely through an inspired formal devise: Carpenter, her brother Richard, family, and friends are all "portrayed" by Barbie dolls. The film is not merely about fame or anorexia (the disease of which Carpenter died), but conjures the suburban California of the 1970's, indeed the whole plastic experience of America and American pop culture (of which, of course, The Carpenters and Barbie dolls are most certainly a part)."imdb
Half Cocked - Versus toured with this film for a little while. It's a great portrayal of mid-90's indie rock and what that scene meant and what it could have been.
Decline of Western Civilization - A snapshot of Los Angeles' punk scene circa '79-'81. Penelope Spheris' documentary captures the influence and importance of a scene that included Black Flag, X, Circle Jerks, Germs, and Fear.
Stop Making Sense - The movie that introduced David Byrne's "Big Suit" was financed by the Talking Heads. They raised 1.2 million dollars to have the film made.
Fade to Black - A hip-hop version of "The Last Waltz"? A great insight into a hip hop mogul's artistry.
Don't Look Back - Bob Dylan as he is.
I'm Trying to Break Your Heart - How to keep a band together, or how to keep a "brand" together. Its a heart breaker about the making of Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
Instrument - This documentary is something of a pinnacle for Fugazi and Jem Cohen. Cohen has long been artistically involved with Fugazi, and now he has pieced together this documentary. The film jumps around and swirls with the music, getting more choppy and spacey as the band itself becomes more experimental. -imdb
the Devil and Daniel Johnston - Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.imdb
You're Gonna Miss Me - It's not easy being a pioneer. For proof, just watch this film about Roky Erickson, whose band, the 13th Floor Elevators, coined the term "psychedelic rock" in the 1960s. Targeted for his advocacy of pharmaceuticals, Erickson was busted for possession of a single joint in 1969 and spent three years in an institute for the criminally insane. This film covers his rise and fall, as well as his family's efforts to help him get his life back on track.
Another State of Mind - Youth Brigade, Social Distortion and Minor Threat hit the road an an attempt to hit 30 cities in just 35 days in a school bus. Touring is important, touring "well" is more important.
the Filth and the Fury - "The Catch-22 with punk rock, and indeed with all forms of entertainment designed to shock and offend the bourgeoisie, is that if your act is too convincing, you put yourself out of business" - Roger Ebert (what a dick)
honorable mentions - the mayor of sunset strip, the knack and how to get it, fearless freaks, kill your idols, watch me jumpstart
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I like movies
Lisa and I went to the video store to grab a video last week. It seemed like we had seen everything or just had no interest in most of the "new releases".
When we got home I made Lisa sit down and talk alternatives.
The list started with some of the movies off of Netflix's Top 100. We talked about movies that were similar in tone, stlye or theme and listed them next to the Netflix suggestion.
So here are some alternatives if you have seen everything...
The Departed -
Lisa concentrated on the ulcer inducing stress and the brutality and suggested
Glenngary Glen Ross, Dog Day Afternoon
Ben thought about the tense cops and robbers angle and suggested
The Taking of Pelham 123, Snatch, City of God
Little Miss Sunshine -
A warm hearted, friendly comedy had us thinking about
The Philadelphia Story, Kicking and Screaming, Route 66
Walk the Line -
Music Biopics appeal to Ben more than Lisa. Here are some other great music films
Coal Miner's Daughter, Control, Sid and Nancy, Velvet Goldmine, Still Crazy
The Devil Wears Prada-
A fashion movie and an office comedy that had us thinking about
Unzipped, 9 to 5, Office Space, Haiku Tunnel
Babel -
This was a tough one, very specific and not a straight genre film ... so maybe
Traffic, Fast Cheap and Out of Control, Thin Red Line
Millions Dollar Baby -
There are lots of boxing movies but only a few we liked (Lisa is not sold on Rocky)
Girlfight, Rocky, the Boxer, Kid Galahad, Requiem For A Heavyweight
The Aviator -
Epic films about tragic figures
Amadeus, Immortal Beloved
Inside Man -
Movies with a tense bank heist
Dog Day Afternoon, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Bonnie and Clyde
the Llamas suggested we add Sexy Beast cause it's a great "heist" film. we agreed.
Wedding Crashers -
"Funny Ha Ha" like some classic comedies
Some Like It Hot, Small Time Crooks, Bullets Over Broadway
Smart People -
Dysfunctional family movies
the Ice Storm, the Squid and the Whale, Funny Games
What did we miss?
Any films you would like to add?
When we got home I made Lisa sit down and talk alternatives.
The list started with some of the movies off of Netflix's Top 100. We talked about movies that were similar in tone, stlye or theme and listed them next to the Netflix suggestion.
So here are some alternatives if you have seen everything...
The Departed -
Lisa concentrated on the ulcer inducing stress and the brutality and suggested
Glenngary Glen Ross, Dog Day Afternoon
Ben thought about the tense cops and robbers angle and suggested
The Taking of Pelham 123, Snatch, City of God
Little Miss Sunshine -
A warm hearted, friendly comedy had us thinking about
The Philadelphia Story, Kicking and Screaming, Route 66
Walk the Line -
Music Biopics appeal to Ben more than Lisa. Here are some other great music films
Coal Miner's Daughter, Control, Sid and Nancy, Velvet Goldmine, Still Crazy
The Devil Wears Prada-
A fashion movie and an office comedy that had us thinking about
Unzipped, 9 to 5, Office Space, Haiku Tunnel
Babel -
This was a tough one, very specific and not a straight genre film ... so maybe
Traffic, Fast Cheap and Out of Control, Thin Red Line
Millions Dollar Baby -
There are lots of boxing movies but only a few we liked (Lisa is not sold on Rocky)
Girlfight, Rocky, the Boxer, Kid Galahad, Requiem For A Heavyweight
The Aviator -
Epic films about tragic figures
Amadeus, Immortal Beloved
Inside Man -
Movies with a tense bank heist
Dog Day Afternoon, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Bonnie and Clyde
the Llamas suggested we add Sexy Beast cause it's a great "heist" film. we agreed.
Wedding Crashers -
"Funny Ha Ha" like some classic comedies
Some Like It Hot, Small Time Crooks, Bullets Over Broadway
Smart People -
Dysfunctional family movies
the Ice Storm, the Squid and the Whale, Funny Games
What did we miss?
Any films you would like to add?
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