tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89859131341409229632024-03-12T20:40:04.964-07:00THE MIDNIGHT MAXThe Movie Reviews and Pop Culture Picks of an Everyday Average Goon...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-55955398714388067902018-04-04T01:32:00.000-07:002018-04-04T01:32:40.703-07:00The Midnight Max Review; My Favorite Films of 2017 - All things considered, from the guilty pleasures to the greatest films
of the year, my final cut - 42 films from 2017 that I felt were truly
worthwhile...<br />
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In Alphanumeric order -<br />
<ol>
<li><i><b>1922</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Annabelle: Creation</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Atomic Blonde</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Baby Driver</b></i> </li>
<li><i><b>Better Watch Out</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>The Big Sick</b></i> - Best Comedy</li>
<li><i><b>Blade Runner 2049 </b></i>- Best Tent-pole Release, Best Sci-Fi Film, Best Sequel/Prequel, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography<br /><b></b><i><b></b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Brawl in Cell Block 99</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Bright</b></i> - Biggest Personal Guilty Pleasure</li>
<li><i><b>Bullet Head</b></i> - Most Unnecessarily Trashed Film</li>
<li><i><b>Coco</b></i> - Best Animated Film</li>
<li><i><b>Dunkirk</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>The Exception</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>The Florida Project</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Gerald's Game</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>A Ghost Story</b></i> - Best Overall Film, My Favorite Film, Best Ending</li>
<li><i><b>Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 2</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>The Hitman's Bodyguard</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Hounds of Love</b></i> - Best Thriller</li>
<li><i><b>I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore</b></i> - Best Film You Did Not See</li>
<li><i><b>Lady Bird</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Logan Lucky</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Logan </b></i>- Best Superhero/Comic Book Film<br /><b></b><i><b></b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Lucky</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Mudbound</b></i> - Best Drama</li>
<li><i><b>Okja</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Only The Brave</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Our Souls At Night</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Raw</b></i> - Best Horror Film</li>
<li><i><b>The Shape Of Water</b></i> - Best Creature Feature</li>
<li><i><b>Small Town Crime</b></i> - Biggest Surprise</li>
<li><i><b>Spider-Man: Homecoming</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Split</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>A Taxi Driver</b></i> - Best Foreign Language Film</li>
<li><i><b>Thelma</b></i> - Biggest Mind Trip</li>
<li><i><b>Thor: Ragnarok</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>What Happened To Monday?</b></i> - Best Action Film</li>
<li><i><b>Wheelman</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Win It All</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Wind River</b></i> - Best Crime/Mystery Film</li>
<li><i><b>Wonder Woman </b></i>- Best Fantasy/Adventure Film</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-24044096702888888252017-04-14T17:24:00.001-07:002017-04-15T02:53:11.490-07:00The Midnight Max Review; My Favorite Films of 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From the Very Best Films of the Year to the Guilty Pleasures, here are my favorite films of 2016 -<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><i><b>13 Hours</b></i> - Best Action Film</li>
<li><b><i>The Accountant</i></b></li>
<li><i><b>Allied</b></i></li>
<li><b><i>Anthropoid</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>The Arrival</i></b> - Best Science Fiction Film</li>
<li><i><b>The BFG</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Blood Father</b></i></li>
<li><b><i>Captain America: Civil War</i></b></li>
<li><i><b>The Conjuring 2</b></i></li>
<li><b><i>Deadpool</i></b> - Best Superhero/Comic Book Film</li>
<li><i><b>Deep Water Horizon</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>The Edge Of Seventeen</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Elle</b></i></li>
<li><b><i>Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Finding Dory</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Forsaken</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Goldstone </i></b>- Best Sequel/Prequel (Sequel to "<i><b>Mystery Road</b></i>")</li>
<li><b><i>Green Room</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Hacksaw Ridge</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>The Handmaiden</i></b> - Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography</li>
<li><b><i>Hell Or High Water</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>The Hollow Point</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>The Hunt For The Wilderpeople</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Hush</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>In The Valley Of Violence</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>In Order Of Disappearance</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Ip Man 3</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Jane Got A Gun</i></b> - Best Western, Most Unnecessarily Trashed Film</li>
<li><b><i>The Jungle Book</i></b> - Best Reboot/Remake, Best Fantasy/Adventure Film</li>
<li><b><i>Kubo And The Two Strings</i></b> - Favorite Animated Film</li>
<li><i><b>Kung Fu Panda 3</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>LaLa Land</b></i> - Best Romantic Comedy, Best Musical</li>
<li><i><b>The Legend Of Tarzan</b></i> </li>
<li><i><b>Lion </b></i>- Best Drama, Best Ending</li>
<li><i><b>Live By Night</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Loving</b></i> </li>
<li><i><b>Manchester By The Sea</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Marauders</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Midnight Special</b></i> - Best Original Score</li>
<li><i><b>Moana</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>A Monster Calls</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Moonlight</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>My Blind Brother</b></i></li>
<li><b><i>The Nice Guys</i></b> - Best Comedy, Favorite Film of 2016</li>
<li><b><i>Paterson</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Patriots Day</i> </b>- Best Thriller, Best Film of 2016</li>
<li><b><i>Pete's Dragon</i></b> </li>
<li><b><i>Remember</i></b> - Biggest Surprise</li>
<li><i><b>The Shallows</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Standoff</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Rogue One: A Star Wars Story</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Tale Of Tales</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Toni Erdmann</b></i> - Only Film of 2016 To Make Me Laugh Out Loud <i>AND</i> Shed a Tear...</li>
<li><i><b>Train To Busan</b></i> - Best Horror Film</li>
<li><i><b>Triple 9 </b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Under The Shadow</b></i> - Best Film You Did Not See</li>
<li><i><b>The Wailing</b></i> - Biggest Mind Trip</li>
<li><i><b>War On Everyone</b></i> - Biggest Personal Guilty Pleasure, Best Soundtrack</li>
<li><i><b>X-Men: Apocalypse</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Zootopia</b></i> - Best Animated Film</li>
</ol>
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<u>Honorable Mentions:</u> <i><b>Eye In The Sky</b></i>, <b><i>Bridget Jones's Baby</i></b> and <b><i>Lights Out</i></b> <br />
<br />
<u>More Guilty Pleasures:</u> <b><i>Ouija: Origin Of Evil</i></b>, <b><i>Criminal</i></b>, <b><i>The Magnificent Seven</i></b>, <b><i>Jason Bourne</i></b> and <b><i>Secret Life Of Pets</i></b><br />
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<u>The Most Overrated:</u> <b><i>Nocturnal Animals</i></b>, <b><i>Don't Breathe</i></b>, <i><b>Doctor Strange</b></i>, <i><b>Star Trek: Beyond</b></i>, <b><i>10 Cloverfield Lane</i></b> and <b><i>Captain Fantastic</i></b><br />
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<u>The Worst:</u> <i><b>Gods Of Egypt</b></i> was the runaway worst, followed by <i><b>Nocturnal Animals</b></i>, <b><i>Hail, Caesear!</i></b>, <i><b>London Has Fallen</b></i>, <i><b>Central Intelligence</b></i>, <b><i>Suicide Squad</i></b>, <b><i>Jack Reacher: Never Go Back</i></b>, <b><i>I Am Wrath</i></b>, <b><i>Neighbors 2</i></b>, <b><i>Ghostbusters: Answer The Call</i></b> and <b><i>Batman v Superman</i></b> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-80286629365918685212016-07-03T11:00:00.000-07:002016-07-03T11:00:23.931-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films of 2016, Thus Far...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1g5d-fAuAICFs2Zku9Fs8w9RUHTScXWCDdUWjdBME8aFoa_4iTCwBGTZplXXAm7Wh8pEQmARsdb1I9PwPac6gnmreYoNXQ3AkMq8kOlSXC4GOMOhyw-VMit7_i4rM0C5ykbS1hjAuICS/s1600/Poster+AAA+13+Hours+2016-tileFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1g5d-fAuAICFs2Zku9Fs8w9RUHTScXWCDdUWjdBME8aFoa_4iTCwBGTZplXXAm7Wh8pEQmARsdb1I9PwPac6gnmreYoNXQ3AkMq8kOlSXC4GOMOhyw-VMit7_i4rM0C5ykbS1hjAuICS/s1600/Poster+AAA+13+Hours+2016-tileFB.jpg" /></a></div>
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From the Very Best to the Guilty Pleasures, here are my favorite films of 2016, thus far...<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b><u>13 Hours</u></b> - Most Unnecessarily Trashed Film (Critics), Best Action Film, Best Overall Film*</li>
<li><b><u>Captain America: Civil War</u></b></li>
<li><u><b>The Conjuring 2</b></u> - Best Horror Film, Best Sequel/Prequel/Reboot*</li>
<li><u><b>Deadpool</b></u> - Best Super Hero Film*</li>
<li><u><b>Finding Dory</b></u> - Best Animated Film (If only because of "Hank")*</li>
<li><u><b>Hush</b></u> - Best Thriller*</li>
<li><u><b>Ip Man 3</b></u> - Best Foreign Film*</li>
<li><u><b>The Jungle Book</b></u> - Favorite Film*</li>
<li><u><b>Kung Fu Panda 3</b></u></li>
<li><u><b>Midnight Special</b></u> - Best Sci-Fi Film, Best Original Score*</li>
<li><u><b>The Nice Guys</b></u> - Best Comedy, Best Film You Did Not See*</li>
<li><u><b>The Shallows</b></u> - Biggest Personal Guilty Pleasure*</li>
<li><u><b>Standoff</b></u></li>
<li><u><b>Tale Of Tales</b></u></li>
<li><u><b>Zootopia</b></u></li>
</ol>
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* Again, Thus Far (From January 1st 2016 thru June 30th 2016)
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-38398111845829645512016-03-28T06:14:00.000-07:002016-04-07T12:06:31.325-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films From The Year 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxdn38IvJ6Tfu642d4VDztl6OCQRA-_83qyffG0PYuynKHIg-arNhkoiezUd5HSoVU6jG1QgyySyxNEK2Ivgc_oZDYQ6pApXsrmPPbqTHWXnUeptvsOBeYq8k1sVOt4Hjm5c7OuKuUHXC/s1600/Poster+AAA+71-tile+blog+1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxdn38IvJ6Tfu642d4VDztl6OCQRA-_83qyffG0PYuynKHIg-arNhkoiezUd5HSoVU6jG1QgyySyxNEK2Ivgc_oZDYQ6pApXsrmPPbqTHWXnUeptvsOBeYq8k1sVOt4Hjm5c7OuKuUHXC/s1600/Poster+AAA+71-tile+blog+1200.jpg" /></a></div>
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In Alphanumeric order-<br />
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(Film Title - Grade - Best of 2015 "Awards")<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><i><b>'71</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>The Age Of Adaline </b></i>- 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Ant-Man</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><b><i>Avengers: Age Of Ultron</i> -</b> 8.5 -<b> </b>Best Superhero Film</li>
<li><i><b>Backcountry</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Black Coal, Thin Ice</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Bone Tomahawk</i> - </b>9.0 - Best Western, Best Horror Film and Favorite Film of the Year</li>
<li><i><b>Bridge Of Spies</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Brooklyn</i> - </b>10 - Best Drama, Best Performance From A Female In a Leading Role (Saoirse Ronan) and Best Film of the Year</li>
<li><i><b>Carol</b></i> - 9.0</li>
<li><i><b>The Connection</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Cop Car</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><b><i>Creed</i> - </b>8.5 - Best Sports Film</li>
<li><i><b>Everly</b></i> - 7.5 - Biggest Guilty Pleasure</li>
<li><b><i>Ex Machina</i> </b>- 9.0 - Best Science Fiction Film and Best Mind F@ck</li>
<li><b><i>Extinction</i></b> - 7.5 </li>
<li><i><b>The Gift</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>The Hallow</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><i><b>Inside Out</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Kingsman: The Secret Service</i> </b>- 8.0</li>
<li><b><i>Mad Max: Fury Road</i> - </b>9.0 - Best Action Film and Best Sequel/Prequel/Reboot</li>
<li><b><i>Man Up</i> -</b> 8.5 - Best Romantic Comedy</li>
<li><i><b>The Martian</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Mississippi Grind</i> </b>- 8.5 - Best Film That You Did Not See</li>
<li><i><b>Mr. Holmes</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>The Peanuts Movie</i> - </b>9.0 - Favorite Animated Film and Best Animated Film</li>
<li><b><i>People Places Things</i></b> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Pitch Perfect 2</i></b> - 8.0</li>
<li><i><b>Predestination</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><b><i>The Revenant</i> - </b>9.5 - Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Performance From a Male in a Leading Role (Leonardo DiCaprio)</li>
<li><i><b>Shaun The Sheep Movie</b></i> - 9.0</li>
<li><b><i>Sicario</i> - </b>9.0 - Best Thriller</li>
<li><i><b>Slow West</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><i><b>Son Of A Gun</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Southbound</i></b> - 8.0</li>
<li><i><b>Spectre</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><i><b>Spring</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Creature Feature</li>
<li><i><b>Spy</b></i> - 8.0</li>
<li><i><b>Star Wars: The Force Awakens</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Fantasy/Adventure Film</li>
<li><i><b>What We Do In The Shadows</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Comedy</li>
<li><b><i>Wild Tales</i> - </b>8.5 - Best Foreign Film</li>
</ol>
<u>Honorable Mentions:</u> <i><b>The Big Short</b></i>, <i><b>Room</b></i>, <i><b>Spotlight</b></i>, <i><b>The Hundred Foot Journey</b></i>, <i><b>In The Heart Of The Sea</b></i>, <i><b>The Good Dinosaur</b></i> and <i><b>The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel</b></i><br />
<br />
<u>More Guilty Pleasures:</u> <i><b>The Gunman</b></i>, <b><i>Tales Of Halloween</i></b>, <i><b>Seventh Son</b></i>, <i><b>Minions</b></i>, <i><b>Tomorrowland</b></i> and <b><i>Krampus</i></b><br />
<br />
<u>The Most Overrated:</u> <i><b>It Follows</b></i><br />
<br />
<u>Biggest Disappointment:</u> <i><b>Crimson Peak </b></i><br />
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<u>The Worst:</u> <i><b>The Voices</b></i> comes in at #1, followed by <i><b>Jupiter Ascending</b></i>, <i><b>Maps To The Stars</b></i>, <i><b>Manglehorn</b></i>, <i><b>Strange Magic</b></i>, <i><b>Chappie</b></i>, <i><b>Into The Grizzly Maze</b></i> and <i><b>The Assassin</b></i> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-89741567625690047722016-02-17T11:49:00.002-08:002016-02-17T11:49:51.370-08:00The Midnight Max Review: The Best Albums (and Soundtracks) Of 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0-rIBXheuQcrbjlad-13Lt1XnsKYN_PCpbjrFe7pV22O3-VxPPlE9XvvUCALU2jgCDDsIF01cyCd2XgsWwEAqyrc5EpMepEN4V_2sxY6uVoN-RY-tvB_AJom-hPozdBCmLK3IVqCqMDs/s1600/AAA+Adele+25-tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0-rIBXheuQcrbjlad-13Lt1XnsKYN_PCpbjrFe7pV22O3-VxPPlE9XvvUCALU2jgCDDsIF01cyCd2XgsWwEAqyrc5EpMepEN4V_2sxY6uVoN-RY-tvB_AJom-hPozdBCmLK3IVqCqMDs/s1600/AAA+Adele+25-tile.jpg" /></a> </div>
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Click on the supplied links below (Artist and Album Title are highlighted yellow) for a song selection from each album...</div>
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<ol>
<li>Adele - 25</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUSLN-9_LhQ">Andrew Combs - All These Dreams</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxBjA4STGkk">Ashley Monroe - The Blade</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyWdXez59Wg">Brandi Carlile - The Firewatcher's Daughter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c">Chris Stapleton - Traveller</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9v8jLBrvug">Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rfSHisyHdc">Halsey - Badlands</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcBooA_-Yvs">Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXn_O8yECCQ">JD McPherson - Let The Good Times Roll</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s-oZALFMZ8">John Moreland - High On Tulsa Heat</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPU8XJcA__k">Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC5Lisj1hGI">Leon Bridges - Coming Home</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytWfa2Pacw">Lindi Ortega - Faded Gloryville</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZMV1M8gID4">MSMR - How Does It Feel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9T2q2W0LsA">Sam Outlaw - Angeleno</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SRvKM4A5O0">Mad Max: Fury Road - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Music By Tom Holkenborg and Junkie XL</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4oEhmvaC4I">The Revenant - Original Score - Music By Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFh71_ftxLE">True Detective - Season 2 Soundtrack</a></li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-28262119285618930222015-07-04T02:29:00.000-07:002015-07-05T07:10:00.464-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films of 2015, Thus Far...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6UEv63YSrH3PiRI6lJAKxutWOBZ8papAtXNaYHCkhyRwkuAb_ZCs7k-GjihTy9wZpNhYJN0IEz2xzB5XaTdnL31sOofBKm_33xYv3Ee_-RyZg7oWCtxoH7bGsGgGjno37ZIW-d8aCfZO/s1600/Poster+Age+Of+Adaline-tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6UEv63YSrH3PiRI6lJAKxutWOBZ8papAtXNaYHCkhyRwkuAb_ZCs7k-GjihTy9wZpNhYJN0IEz2xzB5XaTdnL31sOofBKm_33xYv3Ee_-RyZg7oWCtxoH7bGsGgGjno37ZIW-d8aCfZO/s1600/Poster+Age+Of+Adaline-tile.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
From the Very Best to the Guilty Pleasures, here are my favorite films of 2015, thus far...<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><u><b>The Age Of Adaline</b></u> - Best Drama*</li>
<li><u><b>Avengers: Age Of Ultron</b></u> - Best Comic Book Film*</li>
<li><u><b>Backcountry</b></u> - Best Film You Haven't Seen*</li>
<li><u><b>Everly</b></u> - Biggest Personal Guilty Pleasure*</li>
<li><u><b>Ex-Machina</b></u> - Best Sci Fi Film and Best Overall Film*</li>
<li><b><u>Inside Out</u></b> - Best Animated Film*</li>
<li><u><b>Kingsman: The Secret Service</b></u></li>
<li><u><b>Mad Max: Fury Road</b></u> - Best Action Film*</li>
<li><b><u>Paddington</u></b></li>
<li><u><b>Predestination</b></u></li>
<li><u><b>Seventh Son</b></u> - Most Unnecessarily Trashed Film*</li>
<li><u><b>Slow West</b></u> - Best Western*</li>
<li><u><b>Spring</b></u> - Best Horror Film*</li>
<li><u><b>Spy</b></u></li>
<li><u><b>What We Do In The Shadows</b></u> - Best Comedy*</li>
<li><u><b>Wild Tales</b></u> - Best Foreign Film*</li>
</ol>
* Again, Thus Far (From January 1st 2015 thru June 30th 2015) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-74144465289911660722015-06-11T06:51:00.000-07:002015-07-05T07:09:38.816-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films featuring the late Christopher Lee (1922-2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCLWZ0dmrwz2b3Qe3C2bTjbPBBimbFJm3upMxJGmYRbs9cEz3qJNejDy5XjimJodGH3mqeW0izHjRwzm5eVwB5n0W34BZ38DUviHO5ZWXKLU29UIZyGADXsLKWs3mbx7A2zpqe5s7Gh6B/s1600/CLEE+TOP+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCLWZ0dmrwz2b3Qe3C2bTjbPBBimbFJm3upMxJGmYRbs9cEz3qJNejDy5XjimJodGH3mqeW0izHjRwzm5eVwB5n0W34BZ38DUviHO5ZWXKLU29UIZyGADXsLKWs3mbx7A2zpqe5s7Gh6B/s1600/CLEE+TOP+12.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In Alphanumeric order-<br />
<ol>
<li><i><b>1941</b></i> (1979)</li>
<li><i><b>The Curse Of Frankenstein</b></i> (1957)</li>
<li><i><b>Dr. Terror's House Of Horrors</b></i> (1965)</li>
<li><i><b>The Gorgon</b></i> (1964)</li>
<li><b><i>Gremlins 2: The New Batch</i></b> (1990)</li>
<li><i><b>Horror Of Dracula</b></i> (1958)</li>
<li><b><i>The Hound Of The Baskervilles</i></b> (1959)</li>
<li><i><b>Hugo</b></i> (2011)</li>
<li><i><b>The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers</b></i> (2002)</li>
<li><b><i>The Man With The Golden Gun</i></b> (1974)</li>
<li><b><i>The Mummy</i></b> (1959)</li>
<li><i><b>Sleepy Hollow</b></i> (1999)</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-42846879389207105022015-05-19T05:47:00.000-07:002015-05-19T05:47:39.070-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films From The Year 1983<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidiFiSwq1y9Vs8SVDGuyU-IdAOGP5P5RN8dSIRfguwSCtOLnKbQ9FJ8sJ86TZ41u6U6idUDB9rParGkXxXG7jcdj0g3r70Bt30OfbQc86Fb1JsADyFr9gmgw7rOyDn20BfRpdFZMfX6O_/s1600/AAAA+1983+FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidiFiSwq1y9Vs8SVDGuyU-IdAOGP5P5RN8dSIRfguwSCtOLnKbQ9FJ8sJ86TZ41u6U6idUDB9rParGkXxXG7jcdj0g3r70Bt30OfbQc86Fb1JsADyFr9gmgw7rOyDn20BfRpdFZMfX6O_/s1600/AAAA+1983+FB.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
In Alphanumeric order...<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><u><b>The Big Chill</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Amazing tradition. They throw a great party for you on the one day they know you can't come." - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3m0NBbq1o">Gimme Some Lovin'</a>" by Spencer Davis Group and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdIF1lrIxXc">I Heard It Through The Grapevine</a>" by Marvin Gaye (A Highly Recommended Soundtrack Purchase)</li>
<li><u><b>Blue Thunder</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Catch you later!" - JAFO</li>
<li><u><b>Christine</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Whoa, whoa. You better watch what you say about my car. She's real sensitive." Memorable Soundtrack/Original Score Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmC8RTcL7Sw">Christine Attacks</a>" music composed by John Carpenter</li>
<li><u><b>A Christmas Story</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs-S4Rq8EbI">Santa Claus Is Coming To Town</a>" as performed by Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters</li>
<li><u><b>The Dead Zone</b></u> - ""Bless me"? Do you know what God did for me? He threw an 18-wheeled
truck at me and bounced me into nowhere for five years! When I woke up,
my girl was gone, my job was gone, my legs are just about useless...
Blessed me? God's been a real sport to me!" </li>
<li><u><b>Fire and Ice</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Don't hunt for death, boy. It finds us all soon enough." </li>
<li><u><b>Gorky Park</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Goodbye, pretty lady." - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky</li>
<li><u><b>High Road To China</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "I should have sold you when I had the chance."</li>
<li><u><b>The Hunger</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "You'll be back. When the hunger knows no reason! And then you'll need to feed, and you'll need me to show you how." - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKRJfIPiJGY">Bela Lugosi's Dead</a>" by Bauhaus </li>
<li><u><b>Krull</b></u> - Memorable Quotes: "Freedom? We have it! And fame? Nah. It's an empty purse. Count it, go broke. Eat it, go hungry. Seek it, go mad!" - " Power is fleeting; love is eternal." and "Rocks in our pockets and gravestones above our heads is all we'll get from this journey." - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RllRPZw--9Q">Krull Main Theme</a> by James Horner </li>
<li><u><b>Mickey's Christmas Carol</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "And so, as punishment, I'm forced to carry these heavy chains for eternity! Maybe even longer." </li>
<li><u><b>Nate and Hayes</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Are you putting down in that book that I'm a pirate? Good! Because I am!
Oh, I never flew the skull and crossbones. That's for your fictioneers.
But I have sought pleasure and profit all my life at sea without regard
for any man's law. That's not to say I didn't have my morals and
standards! Sure, I had morals and standards. I never killed anyone who
didn't have it coming. I never cheated an honest man. I never pillaged
and I never raped." </li>
<li><b><u>The Osterman Weekend </u></b>- Memorable Quote: "The truth is just a lie that hasn't been found out."</li>
<li><u><b>Return Of The Jedi</b></u> - Memorable Quotes: "It's a trap!" "I have a really bad feeling about this." "Obi-Wan has taught you well." "And now, young Skywalker... you will die."- Memorable Soundtrack: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMHFsnw5P3Y">Battle Of Endor</a>" by John Williams</li>
<li><u><b>The Right Stuff</b></u> - Memorable Quotes: Opening Narration: "There was a demon that lived in the air. They said whoever challenged
him would die. Their controls would freeze up, their planes would buffet
wildly, and they would disintegrate. The demon lived at Mach 1 on the
meter, seven hundred and fifty miles an hour, where the air could no
longer move out of the way. He lived behind a barrier through which they
said no man could ever pass. They called it the sound barrier." and "Fuckin' A, bubba." </li>
<li><u><b>The Star Chamber</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "Someone has taken justice and hidden it in the law."</li>
<li><u><b>Sudden Impact</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flt9K8vlJGE">Go ahead, make my day!</a>"</li>
<li><u><b>Tender Mercies</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "I don't trust happiness. I never did, I never will." - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD1222dgErA">It Hurts To Face Reality</a>" as performed by Robert Duvall </li>
<li><u><b>Terms Of Endearment</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "If you wanted to get me on my back, all you had to do was ask me." and "Don't worship me until I've earned it."</li>
<li><u><b>Michael Jackson's Thriller</b></u> -Memorable Quote: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32iKMXrLeek">Vincent Price's Narration</a> - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEHsIcsjtdI">Thriller</a>" by Michael Jackson (of course)</li>
<li><u><b>To Be Or Not To Be</b></u> - Memorable Quotes: "Ladies and Gentlemen: In the interest of clarity and sanity, the rest of this movie will not be in Polish" and "If it wasn't for Jews, fags, and gypsies, there would be no theater."</li>
<li><u><b>Tough Enough</b></u> - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjqeNokqojo">Rainbows Never Touch The Ground</a>" as performed by Dennis Quaid</li>
<li><u><b>Twilight Zone: The Movie</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETC6NSxpFFE">You want to see something really scary?</a>" - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00eJSQimIk">The Midnight Special</a>" by Creedence Clearwater Revival</li>
<li><u><b>Uncommon Valor</b></u> -Memorable Quote: "Boy, you usin' that oriental martial bullshit on me's gonna get real expensive." - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJuj0TEY4jw">Brothers In The Night</a>" by Ray Kennedy</li>
<li><u><b>National Lampoon's Vacation</b></u> - Memorable Quote: "I think you're all fucked in the head. We're ten hours from the fucking
fun park and you want to bail out. Well I'll tell you something. This is
no longer a vacation. It's a quest. It's a quest for fun. You're gonna
have fun, and I'm gonna have fun... We're all gonna have so much fucking
fun we're gonna need plastic surgery to remove our goddamn smiles!
You'll be whistling 'Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah' out of your assholes! I must be
crazy! I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose. Praise Marty Moose! Holy
Shit!" - Memorable Soundtrack Selection: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTsgqvmUPn4">Holiday Road</a>" by Lindsey Buckingham </li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-7886362327578351292015-04-11T10:31:00.001-07:002015-04-12T06:17:05.889-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films From The Year 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnxA6BV9b7A_DxtLEQru4c_BpP58fqLy2ublMn5dZ3vSxZcUaEUL_ghoJy7Kqi8iw-5wRNZAJdgehQ-r1dkGesm2Je4ybyX4gck-nb5CrLh0Nq3wdHa_xBhkD-SF8AzfKf82-j7V8sZIE/s1600/BEST+OF+2014+FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnxA6BV9b7A_DxtLEQru4c_BpP58fqLy2ublMn5dZ3vSxZcUaEUL_ghoJy7Kqi8iw-5wRNZAJdgehQ-r1dkGesm2Je4ybyX4gck-nb5CrLh0Nq3wdHa_xBhkD-SF8AzfKf82-j7V8sZIE/s1600/BEST+OF+2014+FB.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In Alphanumeric order-<br />
<br />
(Film Title - Grade - Best of 2014 "Awards")<br />
<ol>
<li><b><i>300: Rise Of An Empire</i></b> - 8.0 - Most Unnecessarily Trashed Film</li>
<li><b><i>Big Hero 6</i></b> - 8.5</li>
<li><b><i>Birdman</i></b> - 9.5 - Best Film/Best Drama/Best Performance From A Leading Actor: Michael Keaton </li>
<li><b><i>Blue Ruin</i></b> - 9.5 - Best Thriller/Best Film You Didn't See</li>
<li><b><i>The Boxtrolls</i></b> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Calvary</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Cinematography</li>
<li><i><b>Captain America: The Winter Soldier</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Cheap Thrills</b></i> - 8</li>
<li><i><b>Chef</b></i> - 9 - Best Comedy</li>
<li><i><b>Cold In July</b></i> - 9 - Favorite Film - Best Original Score</li>
<li><i><b>The Dark Valley</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Western</li>
<li><i><b>The Double</b></i> - 8</li>
<li><i><b>The Drop</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Edge Of Tomorrow</b></i> - 8</li>
<li><i><b>Enemy</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Ending</li>
<li><i><b>Ernest & Celestine</b></i> - 9 - Best (Animated) Film You Didn't See</li>
<li><i><b>Godzilla</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Creature Feature/Best Reboot or Remake</li>
<li><i><b>The Grand Budapest Hotel</b></i> - 9 - Only Film of 2014 To Make Me Laugh Out Loud <i>AND</i> Shed a Tear...</li>
<li><i><b>Guardians Of The Galaxy</b></i> - 9 - Best Comic Book Film</li>
<li><i><b>The Guest</b></i> - 8 - Biggest Guilty Pleasure/Best Soundtrack</li>
<li><i><b>The Homesman</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>Housebound</b></i> - 8.5 - Best Horror Film</li>
<li><b><i>How To Train Your Dragon 2</i></b> - 9.5 - Best Animated Film/Best Sequel/Best Fantasy Film</li>
<li><b><i>In Your Eyes </i></b>- 8</li>
<li><b><i>Joe</i></b> - 9 - Biggest Surprise</li>
<li><i><b>John Wick</b></i> - 8.5 - Best American Action Film</li>
<li><i><b>Muppets Most Wanted</b></i> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>The Raid 2</b></i> - 9.5 - Best Overall Action Film/Best Foreign Film</li>
<li><b><i>The Rover</i></b> - 8.5</li>
<li><i><b>The Salvation</b></i> - 8</li>
<li><i><b>The Skeleton Twins</b></i> - 8</li>
<li><i><b>Under The Skin</b></i> - 9 - Best Sci-Fi Film/Best Mind Trip</li>
<li><b><i>What If</i></b> - 8.5 - Best Romantic Comedy</li>
<li><b><i>Wild</i></b> - 8.5 - Best Performance From A Leading Actress: Reese Witherspoon</li>
<li><b><i>X-Men: Days Of Future Past</i></b> - 8.5</li>
</ol>
<br />
<u>Honorable Mentions:</u> <i><b>Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit</b></i>, <b><i>Veronica Mars</i></b>, <i><b>Locke</b></i>, <b><i>The Two Faces Of January</i></b>, <b><i>Automata</i></b>, <i><b>Fury</b></i>, <b><i>Stretch</i></b>, <i><b>Horns</b></i>, <i><b>The Fault In Our Stars</b></i>, <b><i>Whiplash</i></b>, <i><b>Song Of The Sea</b></i>, <b><i>The Book Of Life</i></b> and <b><i>Tracks</i></b><br />
<br />
<u>The Guilty Pleasures:</u> <i><b>The Interview</b></i>, <i><b>I, Frankenstein</b></i>, <i><b>Pompeii</b></i>, <i><b>Sabotage</b></i>, <i><b>Grand Piano</b></i>, <i><b>Neighbors</b></i>, <i><b>The Amazing Spider-Man 2</b></i>, <b><i>Inherent Vice</i></b>, <i><b>Hercules</b></i>, <b><i>The Expendables 3</i></b> and <i><b>The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies</b></i><br />
<br />
<u>The Most Overrated:</u> I didn't like them, nor did I hate them- I just couldn't figure out what all the buzz was about: <b><i>Nightcrawler</i></b>, <b><i>The Babadook</i></b>, <b><i>Interstellar</i></b>, <b><i>The Lego Movie</i></b>, <b><i>A Most Violent Year</i></b>, <b><i>Obvious Child</i></b>, <b><i>Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes</i></b>, <b><i>Boyhood</i></b>, <b><i>The Imitation Game</i></b>, <b><i>American Sniper</i></b>, <i><b>The Theory Of Everything</b></i>, <b><i>A Most Wanted Man</i></b>, <b><i>Snowpiercer</i></b>, <b><i>Noah</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>Rudderless</i></b>, <b><i>Begin Again</i></b>, <b><i>Laggies </i></b>and <i><b>Gone Girl</b></i><br />
<br />
<u>The Worst:</u> <b><i>Winter's Tale</i></b> narrowly beats out <b><i>The Legend Of Hercules</i></b> as my pick for absolute worst of 2014 followed by <b><i>The Captive</i></b>, <b><i><i><b>In Fear</b></i></i></b>, <b><i>Dracula Untold</i></b>, <i><b>The November Man</b></i>, <b><i>Maleficent</i></b>, <b><i>Whitewash</i></b>, <b><i>Transformers: Age Of Extinction</i></b>, <i><b>In The Blood</b></i>, <i><b>Transcendence</b></i>, <i><b>3 Days To Kill</b></i>, <i><b>Adult World</b></i>, <i><b>Non-Stop</b></i>,<i><b> </b></i><b><i>Raze</i></b> and <b><i>Labor Day</i></b>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-90726238623079818462015-02-28T17:39:00.000-08:002015-04-05T05:30:20.593-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films From The Year 1975<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62QNFl89Ke_dGAxJaPxrPwbWtgh8W7nMuakvaeV5Clh7yjlnqbVZsHds10rfG67_fotiZ_4PYQmEqxO0VHvW-2bxz8fzLqT5SjdVgHhYDZ3lZXaAzME_SUPhQFWVBlu0YIGapXak0t5R/s1600/AAA+Favorite+Films+of+1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62QNFl89Ke_dGAxJaPxrPwbWtgh8W7nMuakvaeV5Clh7yjlnqbVZsHds10rfG67_fotiZ_4PYQmEqxO0VHvW-2bxz8fzLqT5SjdVgHhYDZ3lZXaAzME_SUPhQFWVBlu0YIGapXak0t5R/s1600/AAA+Favorite+Films+of+1975.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In Alphanumeric Order...<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073802/?ref_=rvi_tt"><u><i><b>3 Days Of The Condor</b></i></u></a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJ1EPuYkZQ">Advice from an Assassin</a> - Tagline: <i>His code name is Condor. In the next twenty-four hours everyone he trusts will try to kill him.</i>
- Memorable quote: "<i>Boy, what is it with you people? You think not getting caught in a lie is the same thing as telling the truth?</i>" - "<i>I don't remember yesterday. Today it rained.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072653/?ref_=rvi_tt"><u><i><b>The Apple Dumpling Gang</b></i></u></a> - Tagline:<i>Wanted: For chicanery, skulduggery, tomfoolery and habitual bungling!</i> - Memorable quote: "<i>You know something, Amos? The Lord poured your brains in with a
teaspoon, and somebody joggled His arm. I keep trying to tell you we
ain't got no lead to throw, and no powder to throw it with.</i>"- Memorable Soundtrack/score selection: <i>The Apple Dumpling Gang</i> by Shane Tatum</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072705/?ref_=rvi_tt"><u><i><b>Bite The Bullet</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>We came out of the jungle and there it was - San Juan Hill. The Spanish
guns lookin' right down our throat, the sharpshooters pickin' us off and
we just charged right up that hill</i>! <i>... That's not the way it happened at all. It wasn't anything like it was in
San Antoine where we did our trainin'. That's where I ran into Luke and
a lot of other men from every other country who wanted to be
Roughriders. Bakers and barbers and Congressman, cattlemen, ballplayers,
farmers and porters... cowboys. No, we didn't rough ride up that hill,
'cause we didn't have any horses. We didn't charge up there, either. We
crawled up there on our scared bellies. There was only one horse and one
rider - that was Colonel Teddy. He went chargin' up that damn hill and
they shot his glasses off. He put on another pair and they nipped him in
the elbow, and he said, "Follow me!" And we did, 'cause we was too
damned ashamed not to.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072735/"><u><i><b>Breakheart Pass</b></i></u> </a>- Tagline: <i>Death rode the rails to Breakheart Pass</i> - Memorable quote: "<i>When a man is a killer, arsonist, a cheat and a coward, it's hardly surprising if he turns out to be a liar as well.</i>"</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072912/?ref_=tttg_tg_tt"><u><b><i>The Drowning Pool</i></b></u></a> - Tagline: <i>Harper days are here again...</i>
- Memorable quote: (Last Lines) "<i>Harper, you're not such a tough guy.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072926/"><u><i><b>The Eiger Sanction</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Don't for get your trench coat. How's anybody gonna recognize you without your disguise?</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072973/?ref_=rvi_tt"><u><i><b>Farewell, My Lovely</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quotes: "<i>Now wait a minute. I've been slapped, scratched, punched, knocked
unconscious, drugged, and shot at, looking for your Velma, so quit
trying to make a milkshake out of my insides, will you?</i>" - "<i>This past spring was the first that I felt tired and realized I was
growing old. Maybe it was the rotten weather we'd had in L.A. Maybe the
rotten cases I'd had. Mostly chasing a few missing husbands and then
chasing their wives once I found them, in order to get paid. Or maybe it
was just the plain fact that I am tired and growing old.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073092/?ref_=rvi_tt"><u><i><b>Hard Times</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Well, you know Chick, like old momma said, next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/"><u><i><b>JAWS</b></i></u></a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmLP0QQPqFw">Quint's Last Stand</a> - Memorable quotes: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I91DJZKRxs"><i>You're gonna need a bigger boat.</i></a>" - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9S41Kplsbs">Quint's account of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis</a> - "<i>Smile, you Son Of A Bitch!</i>" - "<i>This was no boat accident!</i>" - "<i>That's some bad hat, Harry!</i>" - Memorable Soundtrack/Score selection: <i>Main Title (Theme From JAWS)</i> as composed by John Williams - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RSuv8hroc"><i>Show Me The Way To Go Home</i></a> as performed by Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmeeYwEiQw"><i>Spanish Ladies</i></a> as performed by Robert Shaw</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073341/"><u><i><b>The Man Who Would Be King</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quotes: "<i>Now listen to me you benighted muckers. We're going to teach you
soldiering. The world's noblest profession. When we're done with you,
you'll be able to slaughter your enemies like civilized men.</i>" - "<i>God's Holy Trousers!</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073453/"><u><i><b>Night Moves</b></i></u></a> - Tagline: <i>Maybe he would find the girl... maybe he would find himself. </i>Memorable quote:
"<i>Listen Delly, I know it doesn't make much sense when you're sixteen.
Don't worry. When you get to be forty, it isn't any better.</i>"- "<i>When the president got shot, I was on my way to San Diego. Football
game. When Bobby got shot, I was sitting in a car waiting for a guy to
come out of a house with his girlfriend. Working on a divorce case. One
of those times I wish I was in another business.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073486/"><u><i><b>One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest</b></i></u></a> - Tagline: <i>If he's crazy, what does that make you?</i> Memorable quotes: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pZYU8OGO6Q"><i>Mmmmmm, Juicy Fruit.</i></a>" - "<i>But I tried, didn't I? Goddamnit, at least I did that.</i>" - "<i>They was giving me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to
trot! The next woman takes me on's gonna light up like a pinball machine
and pay off in silver dollars!</i>" - "<span id="lblQuote"><i>Goddammit chief, you fooled 'em all!</i>" - Memorable Soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8VbAFF5HWE"><i>One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (Closing Theme)</i></a> by Jack Nitzsche</span> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072081/"><u><i><b>The Return Of The Pink Panther</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quotes: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKHLqQ_Hi5Q"><i>You fool! You raving Oriental idiot! There is a time and a place for everything, Cato! And this is it!</i></a>" - "<i>Compared to Clouseau, Attila the Hun was a Red Cross volunteer!</i>" - Memorable Soundtrack/Score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPc7MRm4Y8"><i>The Pink Panther Theme</i></a> by Henry Mancini</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073636/"><u><i><b>Rooster Cogburn</b></i></u></a> - Memorable quotes: (Last Lines) -<span class="character"> </span>Eula Goodnight (Katharine Hepburn) : "<i>Reuben, I have to say it. Livin' with you has been an adventure any
woman would relish for the rest o' time. I look at cha, with your burned
out face and your big belly and your bear-like paws and your shining
eye, and I have to say you're a credit to the whole male sex, and I'm
proud to have ya for my friend.</i>"
<span class="character">Rooster Cogburn</span> (John Wayne):
"<i>I'll be damned if she didn't get the last word in again. Well...</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073373/"><b><u><i>Terror Of Mecha-Godzilla</i></u></b> </a>- Tagline: <i>Metal Meets Monste</i>r - Memorable quote: "<i>All right, we'll let them fight. Titanosaurus will be killed and
Godzilla badly hurt; then, Mechagodzilla will be alone and we will march
on Tokyo unopposed, and then we'll destroy it utterly!</i>"- Memorable Soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr-XXAbDO08"><i>Main Title (From Terror Of Mechagodzilla)</i></a> Music composed and conducted by Akira Ifukube.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073906/"><b><u><i>The Wind And The Lion</i></u></b></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Mrs. Pendecaris, you're a great deal of trouble.</i>" - "<i>To Theodore Roosevelt - you are like the Wind and I like the Lion. You
form the Tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the Ground is parched. I
roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a
difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like
the wind will never know yours. - Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the
Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates.</i>"- Memorable Soundtrack/Score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSa2dv0-dhQ"><i>The Wind And The Lion Suite</i></a> by Jerry Goldsmith</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-2184160842724426992015-02-25T06:36:00.001-08:002015-05-05T15:22:18.821-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Films From The Year 1986<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qkmgN4j6tXC4HO7EoaNEZhl4J9ZJ20JT7OgXQhFgJNa2EVyaQ5iLoCK2VyWtt1Kx4_2P0tVnk128UkYjJNKNc5zW2poB0oDmkr60atellC9l0VlsD5mm-XmGJFAMXP3lP9SmCU9JkH8z/s1600/AAA+Favorite+films+of+1986+tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qkmgN4j6tXC4HO7EoaNEZhl4J9ZJ20JT7OgXQhFgJNa2EVyaQ5iLoCK2VyWtt1Kx4_2P0tVnk128UkYjJNKNc5zW2poB0oDmkr60atellC9l0VlsD5mm-XmGJFAMXP3lP9SmCU9JkH8z/s1600/AAA+Favorite+films+of+1986+tile.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<ol>
<li><i><b> </b></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090568/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>8 Million Ways To Die</b></i></a> - Tagline: <i>There Are Eight Million Stories In The Naked City...</i>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090567/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>52 Pick-Up</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>So long, Sport!</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>Aliens</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Get away from her, you BITCH!</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygrUcbrZ8XA"><i>Bishop's Countdown</i></a> by James Horner</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090633/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>An American Tail</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Qu'est-ce que c'est? A little immigrant. Now they are coming by bottle.</i>"- Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85wScnsMPI"><i>Somewhere Out There</i></a> as performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092654/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>The Big Easy</b></i></a> - "<i>Just relax, darlin'. This is the Big Easy. Folks have a certain way o' doin' things down here.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090728/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>Big Trouble In Little China</b></i></a> - Memorable quotes: "<i>When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the
back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you
crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare
that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack
Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?"
"Yessir, the check is in the mail.</i>"-" & "<i>It's all in the reflexes.</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=613RrA2M4j8"><i>Pork Chop Express</i></a> by John Carpenter</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090887/"><i><b>Critters</b></i></a> -Tagline: <i>They bite!</i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090555/"><i><b>Crocodile Dundee</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWl8EbNN8NM">That's not a knife... THAT's a knife!</a></i>" Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m3tqLKbV9s"><i>Theme from Crocodile Dundee</i></a> by Peter Best</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090927/"><i><b>The Delta Force</b></i></a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrDHsO0bXXs">Chuck Norris kicking ass!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090966/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Down And Out In Beverly Hills</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Call 9-1-1, call 9-1-1, call 9-1-1!</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFLiKLoxWD8"><i>Once In A Lifetime</i></a> by The Talking Heads</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>Ferris Bueller's Day Off</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81ZtmBAA_NE"><i>Twist & Shout</i></a> by The Beatles</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091059/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt"><i><b>Flight Of The Navigator</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>See ya later, Navigator!</i>"</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>The Fly</b></i> </a>- Memorable quote: "<i>I'm saying... I'm saying I - I'm an insect who dreamt he was a man and
loved it. But now the dream is over... and the insect is awake.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089118/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>F/X</b></i></a> - Tagline: <i>Murder by Illusion</i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091149/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>The Great Mouse Detective</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>From that time on, Basil and I were a close team. We had many cases
together, but I'll always look back on that first with the most
fondness; my introduction to Basil of Baker Street, the great mouse
detective.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091187/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>Heartbreak Ridge</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>This is the AK-47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy; and
it makes a distinctive sound when fired at you, so remember it.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091203/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Highlander</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>There can be only One.</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection(s): Queen's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkeGMaq0O98"><i>Princes Of The Universe</i></a> & <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Qe6yDz1HI"><i>Who Wants To Live Forever?</i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091278/"><i><b>Iron Eagle</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>This one's for you, Chappy.</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3m0NBbq1o"><i>Gimme Some Lovin'</i></a> by The Spencer Davis Group</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091400/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>Let's Get Harry</b></i></a> - Tagline: <i>An Adventure about the Hero in all of us</i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091419/"><i><b>Little Shop Of Horrors</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Feed me, Seymour!</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPs8SZZTg68"><i>Mean Green Mother From Outer Space</i></a> as performed by Levi Stubbs and The Four Tops </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091474/"><i><b>Manhunter</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>It's just you and me now, sport. And I'm going to find you, God damn it.</i>"- Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <i>Inna Godda Davida</i> by Iron Butterfly</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091538/?ref_=nv_sr_2"><i><b>Mona Lisa</b></i></a> - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvhhbnMaxBI"><i>In Too Deep</i></a> by Genesis</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091554/"><i><b>The Morning After</b></i></a> - Tagline: <i>Last night she drank to forget. Today she woke up to a murder. Is he her last hope or the last man she should trust?</i>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091605/"><i><b>The Name Of The Rose</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>...And yet, now that I am an old, old man, I must confess that of all the
faces that appear to me out of the past, the one I see most clearly is
that of the girl of whom I've never ceased to dream these many long
years. She was the only earthly love in my life, yet I never knew, nor ever learned, her name.</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091630/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Night Of The Creeps</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Thrill me!</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYKn3FL6zjY"><i>The Stroll</i></a> by The Diamonds</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091637/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>No Mercy</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>I know the secret to happiness...a girl with freckles on her tits.</i>"</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091680/?ref_=rvi_tt"><i><b>One Crazy Summer</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Why am I talking to you? You're not a man, you're a cat! Go back to your feline world!</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091763/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Platoon</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Somebody once wrote, "Hell is the impossibility of reason." That's what this place feels like. Hell.</i>"- Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfxqZagHXbM"><i>Adagio For Strings</i></a> as composed by Samuel Barber</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091949/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Short Circuit</b></i> </a>- Memorable quote: "<i>Number 5 is alive.</i>"</li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091983/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Something Wild</a> </b></i>- "<i>I'd rather be a live dog than a dead lion.</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRXt2A7inIU"><i>Wild Thing</i></a> by The Troggs</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092005/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><b><i>Stand By Me</i></b></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZNL7QVJjE"><i>Stand By Me</i></a> by Ben E King </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092007/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Admiral, there be whales here!</i>" </li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092086/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Three Amigos</b></i> </a>- Memorable quote: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mTUmczVdik"><i>Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?</i></a>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL65FLrjQnY"><i>Blue Shadows</i></a> as performed by Martin Short, Steve Martin and Chevy Chase</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092099/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Top Gun</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>I feel the need...the need for speed!</i>" - Memorable soundtrack/score selection: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_6x3EW3FC0"><i>Take My Breath Away</i></a> by Berlin</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092147/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1"><i><b>Vamp</b></i></a> - Memorable quote: "<i>Formica, go figure.</i>"</li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094293/?ref_=nv_sr_2"><i><b>Wanted: Dead Or Alive</b></i> </a>- Memorable quote: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHU-osY5O-I"><i>Fuck the bonus!</i></a>"</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-82914590415903936022014-12-30T15:42:00.000-08:002014-12-30T15:42:28.126-08:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels of 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92OMC5uu0yHC6DdmQcVqVcHFqancLMf-CPma8bnZODRIePESeqSdHnjV0hGJlzy5J-i-EzIyEd9So7Ns50J3xOCX2dpXUQIqt8qyG5P89mYjt9oPc3EFqvtuf-Cf6GRrswUkHt7L_wmVH/s1600/GN+TILE+MM+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92OMC5uu0yHC6DdmQcVqVcHFqancLMf-CPma8bnZODRIePESeqSdHnjV0hGJlzy5J-i-EzIyEd9So7Ns50J3xOCX2dpXUQIqt8qyG5P89mYjt9oPc3EFqvtuf-Cf6GRrswUkHt7L_wmVH/s1600/GN+TILE+MM+BLOG.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
For what it's worth, here's a list of my favorite comics and graphic novels of 2014...<br />
<ol>
<li>All Star Western, Volume 4: Gold Standard (DC Comics)</li>
<li>Aquaman, Volume 4: Death Of A King (DC)</li>
<li>Baltimore, Volume 4: Chapel Of Bones (Dark Horse Comics)</li>
<li>Batman: The Dark Knight, Volume 3: Mad (DC)</li>
<li>Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 4: The Wrath (DC)</li>
<li>Batman: Eternal, Volume 1 (DC)</li>
<li>Batman, Volume 3: Death Of The Family (DC)</li>
<li>The Goon, Volume 13: For Want Of Whiskey and Blood (Dark Horse Comics)</li>
<li>Hellboy In Hell, Volume 1: The Descent (Dark Horse Comics)</li>
<li>Justice League, Volume 3: Throne Of Atlantis (DC)</li>
<li>King Conan, Volume 1: Hour Of The Dragon (Dark Horse Comics)</li>
<li>Lobster Johnson, Volume 3: Satan Smells A Rat (Dark Horse Comics)</li>
<li>The Lone Ranger, Volume 7: Back East (Dynamite Entertainment)</li>
<li>The Punisher, Volume 1: Black & White (Marvel Comics)</li>
<li>Robocop, Volume 2: The Last Stand: Part 2 (BOOM! Studios)</li>
<li>The Shadow, Volume 3: The Light Of The World (Dynamite Entertainment)</li>
<li>Superman: Action Comics, Volume 3: At The End Of Days (DC)</li>
<li>Superman: Unchained, Volume 1 (DC)</li>
<li>Swamp Thing, Volume 5: The Killing Field (DC)</li>
<li>Thor: God Of Thunder, Volume 1: The God Butcher (Marvel Comics)</li>
</ol>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-61239828729489743192014-12-25T12:31:00.000-08:002015-07-05T07:10:36.491-07:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Christmas Films...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My All-Time Favorite Christmas Films... (In Alphanumerical Order)<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078723/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><b><i>1941 (1979)</i></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040064/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>3 Godfathers (1948)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024852/?ref_=nv_sr_3"><i><b>Babes In Toyland (1934)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307987/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Bad Santa (2003)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039190/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><b><i>The Bishop's Wife</i> <i>(1947)</i></b></a></li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059026/?ref_=nv_sr_1">A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)</a> </b></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>A Christmas Story (1983)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Christmas Vacation (1989)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1"><i><b>Die Hard (1988)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099423/?ref_=tt_rec_tt"><i><b>Die Hard 2 (1990)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087363/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Gremlins (1984)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107050/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Grumpy Old Men (1993)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0400525/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>The Ice Harvest (2005)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>It's A Wonderful Life (1946)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373469/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093409/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Lethal Weapon (1987)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1"><b><i>Love, Actually (2003)</i></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085936/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039628/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Miracle On 34th Street (1947)</b></i></a></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104940/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1"><i><b>The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107688/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401143/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Rare Exports (2010)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058536/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer </b><b>(1964)</b></i></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066344/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2"><i><b>Scrooge (1970)</b></i> </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096061/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Scrooged (1988)</b></i></a></li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033045/?ref_=nv_sr_1">The Shop Around The Corner (1940)</a></b></i></li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046359/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_45">Stalag 17 (1953)</a></b></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025878/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1"><i><b>The Thin Man (1934)</b></i></a></li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028367/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Three Godfathers (1936) </a></b></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048801/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>We're No Angels (1955)</b></i></a></li>
</ol>
<br />
I may as well begrudgingly reveal my affinity for the admittedly atrocious <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0184858/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><i><b>Reindeer Games (2000)</b></i></a> as a tacked-on guilty pleasure- then again, maybe it's just one particular pool scene in the movie that keeps it rattling around in the conscience...<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-80719827856219231562014-12-11T15:03:00.002-08:002014-12-11T15:03:55.804-08:00The Midnight Max Review: My Favorite Albums of 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
My Favorite Albums (and Soundtracks) of 2014 -<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DouPf-UDY4c">Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL9T42SVnN0">Banks - Goddess</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g4TkugrmdQ">Jessie Ware - Tough Love</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSk2RySqKg">Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGlXOEkiXVM">Lori Mckenna - Numbered Doors</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIruwzhozTc">Lykke Li - I Never Learn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3uH8ipVEmA">Marissa Nadler - July</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rC8RRXcfeo">Sam Smith - In The Lonely Hour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exgMW_ZaORI">Jeff Grace - "Cold In July" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5-DW6HHH5E">Various Artists - "The Guest" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYgTU1QAjE">Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds In Country Music</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2xc_d8uUw">The Black Keys - Turn Blue</a></li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-48049816261898861062014-11-23T18:21:00.003-08:002014-11-23T18:21:37.602-08:00Just Because- King Kong 1976 Promo Art Poster (3D Conversion by MVRAMSEY)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnbIyrT_dYoBsLz_Ldd7iNKJR1Z899ocmPUmu4s8ApWbeqW0lhYRJwnpPMDpNEURxgW78l8tXaF2gKY3tCcjXCGmjdWEyooWQu1njpPrDXPZKZuuMZg4wBeDXO-my3GT64I2Os-PSjsIz/s1600/king_kong_poster_3_d_conversion_by_mvramsey-d5z6o9l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnbIyrT_dYoBsLz_Ldd7iNKJR1Z899ocmPUmu4s8ApWbeqW0lhYRJwnpPMDpNEURxgW78l8tXaF2gKY3tCcjXCGmjdWEyooWQu1njpPrDXPZKZuuMZg4wBeDXO-my3GT64I2Os-PSjsIz/s1600/king_kong_poster_3_d_conversion_by_mvramsey-d5z6o9l.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-30975969146709963292014-11-13T01:08:00.000-08:002014-11-13T01:18:22.814-08:00HOT STUFF: 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gFG8_gmvQ3iCTeSC0AvddFOJGQQFe-QjBWIzRVCehk3kkKcn_fVw9W-QWSPPXwCP7y7KgWHwr6VjvULWWlW6kijbo_tZ2M5uZkqVy10Gh7aHiLLF90RdXeoVxIUHhoGv0pw2LSx3kfli/s1600/Hot+Stuff+2014+MMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gFG8_gmvQ3iCTeSC0AvddFOJGQQFe-QjBWIzRVCehk3kkKcn_fVw9W-QWSPPXwCP7y7KgWHwr6VjvULWWlW6kijbo_tZ2M5uZkqVy10Gh7aHiLLF90RdXeoVxIUHhoGv0pw2LSx3kfli/s1600/Hot+Stuff+2014+MMB.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-7893128597696466622014-11-09T08:09:00.001-08:002014-11-09T08:15:43.795-08:00A Photo List - The Sweet 16 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
My 16 favorite actresses (for various reasons) from a bygone era and two selections from their filmography that you should definitely check out...<br />
<ol>
<li>Ava Gardner - <i><b>The Killers</b></i> 1946 and <i><b>The Bribe</b></i> 1949</li>
<li>Carole Lombard - <i><b>My Man Godfrey</b></i> 1936 and <i><b>To Be Or Not To Be</b></i> 1942</li>
<li>Deborah Kerr - <i><b>From Here To Eternity</b></i> 1953 and <i><b>The Innocents</b></i> 1961</li>
<li>Gene Tierney - <i><b>Laura</b></i> 1944 and <i><b>The Ghost and Mrs. Muir</b></i> 1947</li>
<li>Greer Garson - <i><b>Goodbye, Mr. Chips</b></i> 1939 and <i><b>Mrs. Miniver</b></i> 1942</li>
<li>Ingrid Bergman - <i><b>Casablanca</b></i> 1942 and <i><b>Gaslight</b></i> 1944</li>
<li>Irene Dunne - <i><b>The Awful Truth</b></i> 1937 and <i><b>Love Affair</b></i> 1939</li>
<li>Judy Holliday - <i><b>Adam's Rib</b></i> 1949 and <i><b>Born Yesterday</b></i> 1950</li>
<li>Julie Adams - <i><b>Bend Of The River</b></i> 1952 and <i><b>The Creature From The Black Lagoon</b></i> 1954</li>
<li>Lillian Gish - <i><b>The Wind</b></i> 1928 and <i><b>The Night Of The Hunter</b></i> 1955</li>
<li>Mae West - <i><b>I'm No Angel</b></i> 1933 and <i><b>My Little Chickadee</b></i> 1940</li>
<li>Maureen O'Hara - <i><b>The Hunchback Of Notre Dame</b></i> 1939 and <i><b>The Quiet Man</b></i> 1952</li>
<li>Maureen O'Sullivan - <i><b>Tarzan The Ape Man</b></i> 1932 and <i><b>Tarzan And His Mate</b></i> 1934</li>
<li>Myrna Loy - <i><b>The Thin Man</b></i> 1934 and <i><b>After The Thin Man</b></i> 1936</li>
<li>Rita Hayworth - <i><b>Gilda</b></i> 1946 and <i><b>The Lady From Shanghai </b></i>1947</li>
<li>Veronica Lake - <i><b>Sullivan's Travels</b></i> 1941 and <b><i>This Gun For Hire</i></b> 1942</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-33947449660570190402014-10-11T10:10:00.000-07:002015-07-17T23:48:25.532-07:00"A Little Horror" - Version: October 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My picks for the best Horror films, Sci-Fi/Horror, Thrillers/Supernatural Thrillers, Supernatural Romances, Horror Comedies and Horror-themed Fantasy Films...<br />
<ol>
<li>13 Ghosts (1960)</li>
<li>28 Days Later</li>
<li>30 Days Of Night</li>
<li>Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein</li>
<li>Abominable (2006)</li>
<li>Alien</li>
<li>Aliens</li>
<li>Alligator</li>
<li>Altered States</li>
<li>An American Werewolf In London</li>
<li>Army Of Darkness</li>
<li>AVP</li>
<li>The Awakening (2012)</li>
<li>The Bad Seed (1956)</li>
<li>Below (2002)</li>
<li>Big Bad Wolves (2013)</li>
<li>Big Trouble In Little China</li>
<li>The Birds (1963)</li>
<li>Black Swan (2010)</li>
<li>Blade</li>
<li>Blade II</li>
<li>The Blob (1988)</li>
<li>The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)</li>
<li>Byzantium (2012)</li>
<li>The Cabin In The Woods (2012)</li>
<li>The Canterville Ghost (1944)</li>
<li>Carrie (1976)</li>
<li>Cat People (1942)</li>
<li>Cat's Eye (1985)</li>
<li>The Changeling (1980)</li>
<li>Child's Play (1988)</li>
<li>Christine (1983)</li>
<li>Citizen X (1995)</li>
<li>The Conjuring (2013)</li>
<li>Constantine (2005)</li>
<li>The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)</li>
<li>Creepshow </li>
<li>Creepshow2</li>
<li>Critters</li>
<li>Cronos (1993)</li>
<li>Curse Of Frankenstein (1957)</li>
<li>Curse Of The Demon (1957)</li>
<li>Curse Of The Werewolf (1961)</li>
<li>Daimajin (1966)</li>
<li>The Dark Half (1993)</li>
<li>The Dark Night Of The Scarecrow (1981)</li>
<li>Dawn Of The Dead (1978)</li>
<li>Day Of The Dead (1985) </li>
<li>The Day Of The Triffids (1962)</li>
<li>Daybreakers</li>
<li>Dead Calm (1989)</li>
<li>Dead Man's Shoes (2004)</li>
<li>Dead Of Night (1945)</li>
<li>The Dead Zone (1983)</li>
<li>Death Proof</li>
<li>Deep Rising</li>
<li>Deliverance</li>
<li>The Descent</li>
<li>The Devil's Backbone</li>
<li>Disturbia</li>
<li>Dog Soldiers</li>
<li>Donnie Darko</li>
<li>Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931)</li>
<li>Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1941)</li>
<li>Dracula (1931)</li>
<li>Dracula (1979)</li>
<li>The Edge (1997)</li>
<li>Evil Dead II</li>
<li>Evolution (2001)</li>
<li>The Exorcist</li>
<li>Face Of Fire</li>
<li>The Fly (1958)</li>
<li>The Fly (1986)</li>
<li>The Fly II (1989)</li>
<li>The Fog (1980)</li>
<li>Frankenfish</li>
<li>Frankenstein (1931)</li>
<li>Frankenweenie (2012)</li>
<li>Frenzy (1972)</li>
<li>Friday The 13th Part 2</li>
<li>Friday The 13th Part III</li>
<li>Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood</li>
<li>Fright Night (1985)</li>
<li>Fright Night Part II (1988)</li>
<li>Gamera</li>
<li>The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)</li>
<li>Ghostbusters</li>
<li>Ghostbusters II</li>
<li>Ginger Snaps</li>
<li>Gojira</li>
<li>Grabbers</li>
<li>Gremlins</li>
<li>Gremlins 2: The New Batch</li>
<li>Grizzly (1976)</li>
<li>Halloween (1978)</li>
<li>Halloween II (1981)</li>
<li>Halloween (2007)</li>
<li>Hellboy</li>
<li>Hellboy II: The Golden Army</li>
<li>The Hidden (1987)</li>
<li>The Horror Of Dracula (1958)</li>
<li>The Host (2006)</li>
<li>Hostel</li>
<li>Hot Fuzz</li>
<li>The Howling (1981)</li>
<li>The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1939)</li>
<li>Identity (2003)</li>
<li>The Innkeepers (2011)</li>
<li>Innocent Blood (1992)</li>
<li>The Innocents (1961)</li>
<li>Insomnia (2002)</li>
<li>The Invisible Man (1933)</li>
<li>The Island Of Lost Souls (1932)</li>
<li>JAWS</li>
<li>JAWS 2</li>
<li>King Kong (1933)</li>
<li>Kiss The Girls</li>
<li>Kolchak: The Night Stalker</li>
<li>Land Of The Dead (2005)</li>
<li>Let Me In</li>
<li>Let The Right One In</li>
<li>Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)</li>
<li>The Lodger (1944)</li>
<li>The Lost Boys</li>
<li>M (1931)</li>
<li>The Machinist</li>
<li>Manhunter</li>
<li>Maniac (2013)</li>
<li>Memories Of Murder (2003)</li>
<li>Mimic (1997)</li>
<li>Misery</li>
<li>The Mist</li>
<li>The Most Dangerous Game (1932)</li>
<li>Mr. Brooks</li>
<li>The Mummy (1959)</li>
<li>The Mummy (1999)</li>
<li>My Bloody Valentine (2009)</li>
<li>Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933)</li>
<li>Near Dark</li>
<li>Night Of The Creeps (1986)</li>
<li>The Night Of The Hunter (1955)</li>
<li>Night Of The Living Dead (1968)</li>
<li>The Nightmare Before Christmas</li>
<li>Nosferatu (1922)</li>
<li>Orphan (2009)</li>
<li>The Orphanage (2007)</li>
<li>The Other (1972)</li>
<li>The Others (2001)</li>
<li>Pan's Labyrinth</li>
<li>ParaNorman</li>
<li>Peeping Tom (1960)</li>
<li>The Phantom Of The Opera (1943)</li>
<li>The Phantom Of The Opera (1962)</li>
<li>The Picture Of Dorian Gray (1945)</li>
<li>Piranha (19778)</li>
<li>Piranha (2010)</li>
<li>Poltergeist</li>
<li>Predator</li>
<li>Psycho (1960)</li>
<li>P2</li>
<li>Rare Exports: A Christmas Story</li>
<li>Re-Animator</li>
<li>Road Games</li>
<li>Rogue (2007)</li>
<li>The Ruins</li>
<li>Salem's Lot (1979)</li>
<li>Scream</li>
<li>Session 9</li>
<li>Se7en</li>
<li>Shaun Of The Dead</li>
<li>The Shining (1980)</li>
<li>Silence Of The Lambs</li>
<li>Silver Bullet (1985)</li>
<li>The Sixth Sense</li>
<li>Sleepy Hollow (1999)</li>
<li>Slither (2006)</li>
<li>Son Of Frankenstein</li>
<li>Spider Baby: Or The Maddest Story Ever Told</li>
<li>Splinter (2008)</li>
<li>Split Second (1992)</li>
<li>Stake Land</li>
<li>Stir Of Echoes (1999)</li>
<li>Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight</li>
<li>The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse</li>
<li>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)</li>
<li>THEM! (1954)</li>
<li>They Live (1988)</li>
<li>The Thing From Another World (1951)</li>
<li>The Thing (1982)</li>
<li>This Is The End (2013)</li>
<li>Topper (1937)</li>
<li>Tremors</li>
<li>Trick 'r Treat (2007)</li>
<li>The Twilight Zone: The Movie</li>
<li>Under The Skin (2013)</li>
<li>Underworld</li>
<li>Underwold: Evolution</li>
<li>Underworld: Rise of The Lycans</li>
<li>Underworld: Awakening</li>
<li>The Uninvited (1944)</li>
<li>Vampyr</li>
<li>Village of The Damned (1960)</li>
<li>War Of The Worlds (1953)</li>
<li>Warm Bodies (2013)</li>
<li>We Are What We Are (2013)</li>
<li>What Lies Beneath</li>
<li>White Zombie (1932)</li>
<li>Willard (2003)</li>
<li>Wolf Creek</li>
<li>The Wolf Man (1941)</li>
<li>The Wolfman (2010)</li>
<li>The Woman In Black (2012)</li>
<li>You're Next</li>
<li>Young Frankenstein</li>
<li>Zodiac (2007)</li>
<li>Zombieland</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-57914259270255163352014-10-06T16:53:00.000-07:002014-10-06T16:53:02.472-07:00Film Review - Cold In July (2014)<br />
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On DVD and Blu Ray - "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179031/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_2"><u><b><i>Cold In July</i></b></u></a>" (2014) - The deadly outcome of a late-night home invasion finds a protective husband and father (Michael C. Hall) incurring the wrath of a vengeful ex-con (Sam Shepard). Matters aren't quite as they initially appear, with a number of worthwhile twists and revelations abound in this ominous, suspenseful tale of a family man who finds himself swept into sinister currents and subsequently developing a taste for danger that may consume him. <br />
<br />
Director/co-scripter Jim Mickle (<b><i>Stake Land</i></b>, <i><b>We Are What We Are</b></i>),
along with screenwriter Nick Damici, has lovingly adapted novelist Joe
R. Lansdale's crime novel into a dark, down and dirty homage to Director
John Carpenter's (<b><i>Halloween</i></b>, <b><i>The Thing</i></b>, <b><i>Christine</i></b>)
prime run, emulating the legendary horror auteur's distinct visual
aesthetic (complete with Albertus MT title and credits font!) while churning out a
pulpy throwback laden with unexpected, engaging detours. <i><b>Cold In July</b></i>
is an involving, slow burn affair that blends genres in impressive
fashion; a Neo-Western, Crime-Drama/Thriller seasoned with a healthy
dose of Mystery and a pinch of Horror, the film defies further
description without venturing into spoiler territory.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiesXi249hwtpZUKgJARBGwIEYckFS__N3EkCKnJ5PKirXIeScygKa9D8K0sC0csXGucHC7nc7JwvDYYRJDxwX3kB-WnebAJlY7ZCv3-TSB-uCVVBDWp51-_LfDCg5jN2euB8wmb96YRC/s1600/aaaa+cold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiesXi249hwtpZUKgJARBGwIEYckFS__N3EkCKnJ5PKirXIeScygKa9D8K0sC0csXGucHC7nc7JwvDYYRJDxwX3kB-WnebAJlY7ZCv3-TSB-uCVVBDWp51-_LfDCg5jN2euB8wmb96YRC/s1600/aaaa+cold.jpg" /></a></div>
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Set in 1989 Huntsville, Texas, Michael C. Hall's (Showtime's <i><b>Dexter</b></i>) "<i>Richard Dane</i>" is awakened by his startled wife (Vinessa Shaw) to confront an intruder in their home. When the incident leaves the invading member dead, the small business owner finds his world turned upside down- troubled with attaining the status as a local hero, he soon becomes the target of the dead man's felonious father, played by Sam Shepard (<i><b>The Right Stuff</b></i>).<br />
<br />
Hall puts in fine work throughout as our conscientious protagonist, and although credibility is never an issue, most will more than likely find themselves having problems buying into the logistics
behind why this mild-mannered everyman would continue to risk his life (and world) when simply letting matters rest would have sufficed. Driven by remorse and a nagging sense of integrity, shaken from the doldrums of a monotonous existence, this everyday Joe feels compelled to see matters through to the very end.<br />
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Shepard brings a smoldering, veteran intensity to his angry and grieving "<i>Russel</i>", with a mid-film change of direction for his character that provides ample opportunity for the septuagenarian actor to mine the conflicted character more thoroughly. This is Shepard's best, most memorable work in many a moon.<br />
<br />
Don Johnson's (<i><b>Miami Vice</b></i>) immensely charismatic Private Detective/pig farmer, "<i>Jim Bob</i>", breezes into the narrative about one-third of the way through and steals the film outright- it's a flashy, fun turn that will leave most wondering why the 65-year-old wasn't able to fully secure super-stardom in film. Johnson's involvement here provides a vibrant dynamic that elevates an already solid experience and cemented my appreciation for the film. There's no good reason as to why this movie wasn't widely released in theaters.<br />
<br />
Vinessa Shaw (<i><b>3:10 To Yuma</b></i> 2007) is solid in a limited role that I wish there had been a bit more material for, while Nick Damici (<b><i>Stake Land</i></b>) supplies a local sheriff harboring a secret. Wyatt Russell (Kurt Russell's son) rounds out the notable cast as the face of pure evil in plain sight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO1PASSOOUKe5YNWc-O3ja3dIkyq9uvz3Sioj36SlK2Hk7x2ZV1jIpVkwr5riGJxwcQ9UiNHY0HBCiYuGsDfYCVLphBv3F-lO-J2lXeeThPfjUoLvA9o-lZT4raaNoYSGLrBnHKzSL9KI/s1600/aaaa+Cold+in+july+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO1PASSOOUKe5YNWc-O3ja3dIkyq9uvz3Sioj36SlK2Hk7x2ZV1jIpVkwr5riGJxwcQ9UiNHY0HBCiYuGsDfYCVLphBv3F-lO-J2lXeeThPfjUoLvA9o-lZT4raaNoYSGLrBnHKzSL9KI/s1600/aaaa+Cold+in+july+a.jpg" /></a></div>
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Potential audiences can expect a narrative that poignantly adheres to father and son themes while veering towards an intensely violent and blood-streaked climactic confrontation- unmistakably adult in nature, the film earns its hard R rating and should please those who crave a story that isn't telegraphed or overtly cliched. Mickle's direction is finely tuned and fully confident- it's his most complete work to date and I'll be sure to keep tabs upon his future endeavors.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Cold in July</b></i> features one of the very best soundtracks of 2014, with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exgMW_ZaORI">Jeff Grace's eerily haunting original synth score</a> (another Carpenter staple) perfectly complimented by a rousing assist from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlESkKwAFIo">Dynatron's "<i>Cosmo Black</i>"</a>.<br />
<br />
My favorite film of 2014, thus far, it delivers a tense and rewarding dose of kick-ass cool that should
rightfully take its place amongst the very best Movies for Guys Who Love
Movies. <br />
<br />
Highly Recommended, it's a Midnight Max Essential<br />
<br />
9.0 out of 10<br />
<br />
Director: Jim Mickle<br />
Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson, Vinessa Shaw, Wyatt Russell and Nick Damici<br />
Run-Time: 109 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for strong bloody violence, brief nudity and language</span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-22178574763086171242014-10-02T13:46:00.001-07:002014-10-02T13:46:49.789-07:00Film Review - Chef (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD7obFsy2vJN-ooYm5icN0NPq2K0yk7Zkkescy4rhyphenhyphenxc4HLyvqCSoUa9DayKXOLS0Cs5W3Hekmm7KVCxdDfeH-wMIBMaDx855pupW7tHT3mWnbpQ2iir9frdhBdkZ9kjseFlzsJ5XJqXj/s1600/Poster+Chef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfD7obFsy2vJN-ooYm5icN0NPq2K0yk7Zkkescy4rhyphenhyphenxc4HLyvqCSoUa9DayKXOLS0Cs5W3Hekmm7KVCxdDfeH-wMIBMaDx855pupW7tHT3mWnbpQ2iir9frdhBdkZ9kjseFlzsJ5XJqXj/s1600/Poster+Chef.jpg" /></a></div>
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On DVD and Blu Ray - "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2883512/?ref_=rvi_tt"><b><i><u>Chef</u></i></b></a>" (2014) - Jon Favreau (<b><i>Iron Man</i></b>) writes, directs and stars in this absolutely delightful comedy about an acclaimed chef who loses his job at a high-end restaurant and subsequently reinvents his career by firing up a food truck. Returning to his smaller-budgeted, indie roots in superb fashion, Favreau has crafted a genuinely funny and uplifting experience that feels refreshingly authentic and natural without a hint of scattershot improv. <i><b>Chef</b></i> is a highly rewarding and thoroughly entertaining passion project that is extremely well-written and acted for a lighter comedy, featuring sharp, hilarious dialogue and fascinating, detailed footage of culinary preparation that will undoubtedly leave mouths watering.<br />
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Favreau's excellent as "<i>Carl Casper</i>", a portly and heavily tattooed professional chef who finds his creativity suffocated under the employment of his restrictive restaurateur boss, played by Dustin Hoffman (<b><i>Marathon Man</i></b>). After a disastrous review from a surly food critic (Oliver Platt) results in a spectacular meltdown, our protagonist finds himself jobless yet eager to revisit what's left of his artistic integrity. A dilapidated old taco truck presents a chance to start anew, while also providing a golden opportunity to repair the fledgling bond between him and the young son (Emjay Anthony) he's been neglecting. Joined by his son and a former colleague (John Leguizamo), the trio embarks on an enlightening road trip across America. <br />
<br />
I wasn't expecting the road picture element, though the film is highly effective as such- stops in Miami, New Orleans and Austin are most notable. <br />
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The film features an impressive cast which includes the lovely Sofia Vergara (ABC's <b><i>Modern Family</i></b>) as <i>Carl's</i> sympathetic ex-wife (she looks amazing as a blonde!), Scarlett Johansson (<b><i>The Avengers</i></b>) as his hostess girlfriend and Bobby Cannavale (<i><b>The Station Agent</b></i>) as a former culinary colleague. There are a couple of worthwhile cameos I won't bother to spoil. <br />
<br />
Maybe it caught me at precisely the right moment, but I had a smile plastered on my face from beginning to end- brimming with appealing characters, memorable lines and outstanding soundtrack selections, the film hits all the right notes and doesn't overstay its welcome. A word of warning: I would suggest to potential viewers that they don't plan on viewing
this on an empty stomach- it will prove to be 114 minutes of torture.<br />
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This is <b>the</b> feel-good film of 2014 and should rocket near the very top of the best food/cooking movies ever made. It would make a great companion piece to Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci's 1996 film, <b><i>Big Night</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Chef</b></i> comes Highly Recommended- it's a celebration of the American appetite and a Midnight Max Essential.<br />
<br />
9.5 out of 10<br />
<br />
Director: John Favreau<br />
Cast: John Favreau, Emjay Anthony, John Lequizamo, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, Amy Sedaris and Robert Downey Jr.<br />
Run-Time: 114 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for language, including some suggestive references</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-36437135879423920032014-10-02T06:36:00.000-07:002014-10-02T06:41:29.333-07:00Shortcut Reviews - Drama Special Edition Volume 02: Before Midnight (2013), The Book Thief (2013), Fruitvale Station (2013) and Philomena (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpUtSBNnyM45XbiZ141JP6WPKKK07a22JBKYMqAE0F50uWbRRyAN1idj7Th9IMq1vj2G2Fxkjk1VB9HntdFOMZtZMsi2NlV_Quk8aCZ7DnPnA3UjKaGAsVR4oD4i9sBg2KWXWLwjFX5J_/s1600/AAAA+DRAMA+TILE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpUtSBNnyM45XbiZ141JP6WPKKK07a22JBKYMqAE0F50uWbRRyAN1idj7Th9IMq1vj2G2Fxkjk1VB9HntdFOMZtZMsi2NlV_Quk8aCZ7DnPnA3UjKaGAsVR4oD4i9sBg2KWXWLwjFX5J_/s1600/AAAA+DRAMA+TILE.jpg" /></a></div>
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All 4 titles are available now on DVD and Blu Ray -<br />
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"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2209418/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><u><i><b>Before Midnight</b></i></u></a>" (2013) - This third volume in Director Richard Linklater's "<b><i>Before...</i></b>" films (following 1995's <b><i>Before Sunrise</i></b> and 2004's <i><b>Before Sunset</b></i>) is the best of the trilogy. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy return as the central characters, "<i>Jesse</i>" and "<i>Celine</i>", now married and on vacation in Greece with their two young, twin daughters. Much like its franchise predecessors, the film consists of a series of engaging discussions between the duo and with friends.<br />
<br />
Potential audiences can expect intelligent, worthwhile conversations
concerning life, love, relationships, careers and the pursuit of
happiness throughout- only a moron would miss the point or refer to it as boring.<br />
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I suppose I appreciated this particular film in the franchise most because I found the material more mature and finely tuned than in the previous two films. It's an extremely well-written and impeccably acted affair that's a treat for those who enjoy great dialogue and natural performances. This is an acting clinic that also works as a nice little travelogue, with a wealth of beautiful shots of the Grecian countryside.<br />
<br />
Highly Recommended<br />
<br />
8.5 out of 10<br />
<br />
Director: Richard Linklater<br />
Cast: Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy<br />
Run-Time: 109 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for sexual content/nudity and language</span><br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating">"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816442/?ref_=nv_sr_2"><u><b><i>The Book Thief</i></b></u></a>" (2013) - Based on the bestselling novel (of the same title) by Markus Zusack, this Drama concerning a young girl (Sophie Nelisse) living with her adoptive parents (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson) in WWII era Germany is well-made and aesthetically pleasing enough, though perhaps a bit too sanitized for its own good. </span><span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating"> </span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">Events are seen from the kind-hearted bookworm's perspective as she copes with the strife around her by reading every piece of literature she can get her hands on. Conflict arises as her parents decide to hide a Jewish refugee (Ben Schnetzer) in the basement of their home and the young girl bonds with the charismatic newcomer.</span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">The entire cast puts in solid work, while I'm pretty sure that Nelisse will have quite a career ahead of her. </span></span><br />
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I suspected going in that I would have a problem with a PG-13 rated film concerning the horrors of war, yet I find myself short on things to pick at other than it does indeed handle the material with kid gloves and an intermittent narration from actor Roger Allam (portraying Death) seems out of place. <b><i>The Book Thief </i></b>would make a nice little companion piece to Hallmark Channel-esque war films like Spielberg's <b><i>War Horse</i></b> or Benigni's <i><b>Life Is Beautiful</b></i>. <br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating">7.5</span><br />
<br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Director: Brian Percival</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Cast: Sophie Nelisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, </span><span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">Ben Schnetzer, </span>Nico Liersch, Barbara Auer, Levin Liam, </span><span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">Kristen Block,</span> and Roger Allam</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Run-Time: 131 minutes</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">MPAA: </span><span itemprop="contentRating">Rated PG-13 for some violence and intense depiction of thematic material</span><br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating"> "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334649/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><u><i><b>Fruitvale Station</b></i></u></a>" (2013) - This based on a true story account of the final tragic day of San Francisco Bay area resident Oscar Grant III features an outstanding lead performance from Michael B. Jordan (<i><b>Chronicle</b></i>). It is</span><span itemprop="contentRating"> an interesting and involving character study that is refreshingly void of overtly manipulative fingerprints (given the subject matter) and is an uncommonly sure-handed feature length film debut from Director Ryan Coogler.</span><br />
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The buzz on Jordan is warranted, with his honest, natural portrayal of the flawed, 22-year-old father and ex-convict comfortably amongst 2013's best performances. Octavia Spencer (<b><i>The Help</i></b>) and Melonie Diaz (<b><i>Be Kind Rewind</i></b>) also put in fine work as Grant's mother and girlfriend, respectively.<br />
<br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">The vast majority of this film has a rare authentic feel to it, </span><span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">a testament to Coogler's passionate script/direction and to the film's game cast,</span> </span><span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">that is sure to reel in seasoned film lovers</span>. My only real complaint against the film comes in the form of a late event which thrusts one too many characters from the narrative in one place at the same time- it is a slight infraction of obvious creative license and convenience that I would call the film's sole melodramatic moment. That misstep aside, <i><b>Fruitvale Station</b></i> is compelling and powerful stuff for all the right reasons.</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating"></span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Highly Recommended</span>
<br />
<span itemprop="contentRating"><br /></span>
<span itemprop="contentRating">8.5</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating"><br /></span>
<span itemprop="contentRating">Director: Ryan Coogler</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray, Ahna O'Reilly and Ariana Neal</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Run-Time: 85 minutes</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">MPAA: </span><span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for some violence, language throughout and some drug use</span><br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating">"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2431286/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><u><i><b>Philomena</b></i></u></a>" (2013) - An apathetic British journalist (Steve Coogan) reluctantly takes on the story of an Irish woman's (Judi Dench) 50-year search for her forcibly adopted son only to find a much more complex account than he bargained for.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="contentRating">Coogan and Dench are fine enough throughout, with the best aspects of the film being the conversations and contrasting natures between them- too bad the film never fully realizes this. An interesting turn of events takes place in this based on a true story tale's third act, yet Director Stephen Frears mishandles the material with generic melodrama.</span><br />
<br />
Perhaps<span itemprop="contentRating"> what I found most interesting about the film is how something this undercooked, safe and forgettable could come from the Director of such films as <b><i>The Grifters</i></b>, <b><i>Dangerous Liaisons</i></b>, <b><i>High Fidelity</i></b>, <i><b>Dirty Pretty Things</b></i>, <b><i>The Queen</i></b> and <b><i>Tamara Drewe</i></b>... it's a Lifetime Channel Original in disguise that's nowhere near as moving as it believes it is.</span><br />
<br />
6.5<br />
<span itemprop="contentRating"><br /></span>
<span itemprop="contentRating">Director: Stephen Frears</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Cast: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham, Barbara Jefford, Ruth McCabe, Peter Hermann, Anna Maxwell Martin, Michelle Fairley and Sean Mahon</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">Run-Time: 98 minutes</span><br />
<span itemprop="contentRating">MPAA: </span><span itemprop="contentRating"><span itemprop="contentRating">Rated PG-13 on appeal for some strong language, thematic elements and sexual references</span> </span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-32315686812653183812014-10-02T02:08:00.001-07:002014-10-02T02:08:55.517-07:00Film Review - The Equalizer (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the Theater- "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455944/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><u><b><i>The Equalizer</i></b></u></a>" - Denzel Washington stars as <i>Robert McCall</i>, a former black-ops government operative who relinquishes his quiet, unassuming lifestyle to come to the aide of a teenaged prostitute (Chloe Grace Moretz) being victimized by her Russian mafia handlers. The first two thirds of this film is an intelligent and engaging
Drama/Thriller that falls close to greatness, which makes it all the
more disappointing when the third act devolves into an unwieldy and
over-stuffed action flick that jumps the logistical rails and never recovers. <br />
<br />
Denzel Washington's <i>McCall</i> is a likeable sort, personable yet private while living a solitary, OCD riddled existence in Boston. His days are spent working in a Home Depot-style hardware store while his nights are spent frequenting a nearby all-night diner and reading classic literature. Washington is in fine, enjoyable form throughout, providing a performance that's ultimately far superior to the film he's in.<br />
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Chloe Grace Moretz (<i><b>Kick-Ass</b></i>) fans may find themselves
disappointed with the young actress's lack of involvement here- she's
relegated to a mere several minutes of screen-time, yet puts in solid
work. <br />
<br />
Marton Csokas (<b><i>The Debt</i></b>)
provides a memorable main villain as a Russian cleaner sent into town to
square off against <i>McCall</i>. I do wish the filmmakers had devised a
better send-off for the despicable character...<br />
<br />
Bill Pullman (<i><b>Independence Day</b></i>) and Melissa Leo (<b><i>The Fighter</i></b>) share a painfully brief segment as a married couple with ties to <i>McCall's</i> past, while David Harbour (<i><b>End Of Watch</b></i>) and Haley Bennett (<b><i>Marley & Me</i></b>) round out the notable cast, portraying a crooked cop and an ill-fated prostitute, respectively.<br />
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Director Antoine Fuqua (<b><i>Olympus Has Fallen</i></b>, <i><b>Shooter</b></i>, <i><b>Brooklyn's Finest</b></i>) seemingly has a problem maintaining a quality film, with a filmography littered with offerings that start off very well but ultimately crap the bed with poor last acts. <b><i>Tears Of The Sun</i></b> (2003) and <i><b>King Arthur</b></i> (2004), for instance, were Fuqua-helmed
films that I felt were moving along surprisingly well until disastrous
third acts undermined all that transpired before. The Director and his star reunite here for the first time since 2001's <b><i>Training Day</i></b>, and although that film is powered by Denzel's villainous performance, I'm not so sure anyone can claim it boasts a well-structured conclusion. I guess I should have expected trouble when I was enjoying the hell out of <b><i>The Equalizer</i></b>'s first two acts... <br />
<br />
A poorly rendered, super-imposed shot of Denzel walking in slow-motion
towards the camera as a massive explosion rocks the landscape behind him
is the worst kind of action-film infraction- it seems pulled from a
current Steven Seagal DTV release and marks the very moment in the film where the narrative started to lose me.<br />
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A climactic showdown between Denzel's avenger and several well-armed bad guys, set in a massive hardware store, quickly deteriorates into a ludicrous slasher film- it's a subversive diversion with just a few too many trips to the tool-shed for my tastes; death by pole-saw, death by barbed-wire noose, death by power drill, death by nail-gun, death by microwave oven filled with hydrogen/oxygen bottles... "<i>Jason Voorhees</i>" and "<i>MacGyver</i>" would have been very proud. The timing and pinpoint precision of a few booby-traps in this segment are so excruciatingly exact that it should leave a more intelligent viewer's eyes rolling in utter disbelief. The material is admirably Hard-R in nature, bloody and violent as hell, though needlessly, irredeemably contrived.<br />
<br />
There are positives here: a mid-film altercation between a handful of Russian gangsters is pretty nifty while an extended, MMA-style grappling sequence between <i>McCall</i> and a hulking henchman near film's conclusion is well-choreographed and intense. The film is exceptionally shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Mauro Fiore (<b><i>Avatar</i></b>) while there are several well-placed soundtrack selections- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhv_yFMuwxs">Zack Hemsey's "<i>Vengeance</i>"</a> is utilized rather well during the film's climax.<br />
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For those interested, this film is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Equalizer">based on an American television series of the same name that ran for four seasons during the mid to late 1980's ('85-'89)</a>. English actor Edward Woodward (some also remember him from 1973's Horror/Thriller <b><i>The Wicker Man</i></b>) starred as
<i>Robert McCall</i> in the show, a retired intelligence officer who lent his
special skills out to those good souls being persecuted by the wicked. I
must confess that I cannot recall watching more than a few seconds of
that particular show (I was too enthralled with <i><b>Miami Vice</b></i> and <b><i>Magnum P.I.</i></b> during that stretch), so there's nothing that I can add by way of comparison or contrast.<br />
<br />
<i><b>The Equalizer's</b></i> early box-office success (coupled with a relatively modest production budget) indicates that audiences will be getting a sequel sometime in 2016- although I'm still a huge fan of Denzel Washington (always will be), I won't be too interested in a sequel to this film if Antoine Fuqua isn't replaced as Director. If only Washington had found his first career franchise with the criminally underrated, 1940's era Mystery/Thriller,<b><i> Devil In A Blue Dress</i></b>...<br />
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There are indeed similarities between this film and the most excellent <b><i>Man On Fire</i></b>, yet I would consider them topical at best. <i><b>Man On Fire</b></i>
was both soulful and powerful, a kick-ass crowd-pleaser of the first
order that ranks right up there with the very best Guy Movies ever
made. Overall, <b><i>The Equalizer</i></b> is a pale imitation- one in desperate need of a 15 minute trim. I wanted to love this film but ended up faced with a barely passable guilty pleasure that becomes increasingly guilty each time I think about it... <br />
<br />
7.0 out of 10<br />
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Director: Antoine Fuqua<br />
Cast: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloe Grace Moretz, David Harbor, Haley Bennett, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, David Meunier and Johnny Skourtis<br />
Run-Time: 131 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, including some sexual references</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-47183294883976315492014-09-27T05:14:00.001-07:002014-09-27T05:14:09.137-07:00Film Review - A Walk Among The Tombstones (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the Theater - "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365907/?ref_=hm_cht_t2"><u><i><b>A Walk Among The Tombstones</b></i></u></a>" - (2014) - Liam Neeson stars as Matthew Scudder, a former cop turned Private Detective who is hired by a wealthy drug trafficker to track down those responsible for the kidnapping and subsequent murder of his young wife. I had been looking forward to this film for quite some
time and was hoping for a smart, gritty, adult-oriented Crime/Thriller
of the first order, yet found a frustratingly muddled and uninspired
entry- it does start off promisingly enough, though slowly, but surely, devolves into just another mediocre thriller vehicle for its star. Neeson is a fine actor and puts in solid work here, yet he can only carry matters so far.<br />
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The narrative is predictable and slack, hampered by an uneven script, inconsistent tone and fumble-some direction from Scott Frank. Every hint of intelligent, seasoned film-making, every notion of subtlety and nuance is countered with amateurish blemishes. Frank has churned out an impressive resume as a screenwriter (<b><i>Get Shorty</i></b>, <b><i>Minority Report</i></b>, <b><i>Out of Sight</i></b>) and helmed the criminally under-seen "<b><i>The Lookout</i></b>", yet strangely appears bewildered with the heart of the material.<br />
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Upon reflection, I was perplexed with a number of unnecessary segments and insignificant stock characters- there's very little mystery element to speak of, so setting up potential suspects and red herrings is clearly not the intent. This particular tale (set in 1999) is laced with Y2K paranoia references and contradictory anti-gun messages, eating up the precious soul (and run-time) of a narrative that should have spent more time fleshing out characters, particularly Neeson's alcoholic, ex-cop turned gumshoe.<br />
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Nearly every principal player outside of Neeson's lead is woefully miscast, including a tandem of the most generic serial killers (David Harbor and Adam David Thompson) to have ever been featured upon the silver screen in a serious-minded thriller. For what it's worth, the film is void of any notable female characters with more than one line of dialogue.<br />
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Potential viewers can expect quite a bit of footage of our hero pounding the pavement doing old-school detective work, with one memorable rooftop encounter with a hulking graveyard groundskeeper. There is one late film gun battle riddled with an extremely odd and distracting juxtaposition
of AA's 12 step program, while a climactic showdown between good and evil, set in a dark basement, never really should have reached that point. <br />
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For those interested, <i>Matt Scudder</i> is the central character featured in 17 novels (including one collection of short stories) from author Lawrence Block. <i>Scudder</i> has graced the big screen once before, as played by Jeff Bridges in 1986's <i><b>8 Million Ways To Die</b></i> - it's a scattershot affair, but worth a watch. <b><i>A Walk Amongst The Tombstones</i></b> was intended to kick-start a franchise of
<i>Scudder</i> films, though I'm pretty sure a weak box-office turnout should put an end to that... for a while
anyways.<br />
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<i><b>A Walk...</b></i> features a forgettable original score from Carlos Rafael Rivera, though Nouela's cover of Soundgarden's <i>Black Hole Sun</i>, which plays with the onset of the post-film credits, is mighty interesting. Mihai Malaimare Jr. supplies the cinematography- it's fine during night-time sequences though barely serviceable during daytime scenes... figure that.<br />
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The film isn't awful, though it is nowhere near the neighborhood of very good. All things considered, I would chalk it up as one of the more substantial personal cinematic disappointments of 2014. Perhaps HBO's outstanding season 1 of <i><b>True Detective</b></i> has set the bar too high for future theatrically released Crime/Drama/Thrillers for myself...<br />
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Skip it in theaters and wait for rental.<br />
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6.5 out of 10<br />
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Director: Scott Frank<br />
Cast: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour, Robert Boyd Holbrook, Adam David Thompson, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Sebastian Roche, Olafur Darri Olafsson and Mark Consuelos<br />
Run-Time: 113 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, language and brief nudity</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-30624429500648745262014-09-13T09:33:00.000-07:002014-09-15T10:03:57.565-07:00Film Review - Locke (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On DVD and Blu-Ray - "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2692904/?ref_=rvi_tt"><b><u><i>Locke</i></u></b></a>" (2014) - An excellent performance from Tom Hardy drives (quite literally) this Drama/Character Study concerning a construction supervisor and dedicated family man who, on the eve of an enormous career challenge, makes a decision that will irrevocably change his life. The narrative concerns the defining moment of an imperfect, but well-intentioned soul confronting a moral dilemma of epic proportions as he seeks to take responsibility for a past indiscretion. <br />
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It's important to convey that about 99.5% of this film takes place inside an automobile traveling down a lengthy stretch of highway, with Hardy the lone onscreen actor- his character converses with several other characters (sight unseen) via hands-free phone for the entirety of the film. If you're O.K. with this particular setup, then continue on.<br />
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***SPOILERS***<br />
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The night before he's set to coordinate the mother of all concrete pours, our protagonist receives a call from a former one night stand revealing that she is about to give birth to his child- in an attempt to distance himself from the wretched, irresponsible Father that he barely knew, <i>Locke</i> decides to take the two hour trip down a busy highway to attend the delivery. The decision throws the pour into doubt, which subsequently sets off an irate superior and panics an ill-equipped work colleague. Locke's wife and teenaged sons are understandably confused while the woman about to have his baby isn't the brightest bulb in the shed. A series of work-related setbacks ensue while the incessant calls from concerned family members and colleagues finds <i>Locke</i> straining under the mounting pressure. Throw in a severe head cold and you've got one helluva conflict-riddled night drive.<br />
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***END OF SPOILERS***<br />
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Hardy (<i><b>Warrior</b></i>) is first-rate here- this is dialogue-heavy material and most will get a kick out of his interesting accent. This is a pure acting clinic for those seeking natural ability and nuance in their film performances- scenes where <i>Locke</i> is railing in the rear-view mirror towards an empty backseat hint at a talent that may very well be near its peak, professionally. I was on the fence concerning Hardy playing "<i>Mad Max Rockatansky</i>" in 2015's <b><i>Fury Road</i></b>, though I find myself much more comfortable with that now. <br />
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I did have issues with the timeline and couldn't believe that one man would be so very important to such a large build. It would be rather short-sighted and implausible, although not impossible, to have one man's absence destroy a massive construction endeavor.<br />
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The film features a worthwhile musical score and the various shots of nighttime traffic lights as they splay upon the vehicle's windshield makes for beautifully simplistic cinematography. Director Steven Knight (<i><b>Redemption</b></i>) keeps the camera angles and editing fresh and active- although the stage/setting does not change, I don't believe I ever zoned out.<br />
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Although there's very little replay value to speak of, <b><i>Locke</i></b> comes recommended for those looking for an excellent, singular, showcase performance framed in a minimalist setting.<br />
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8.0 out of 10<br />
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Director: Steven Knight<br />
Cast: Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, Ben Daniels, Tom Holland, Bill Milner and Danny Webb<br />
Run-Time: 85 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for language throughout.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985913134140922963.post-24527914384563205452014-09-13T07:16:00.000-07:002014-09-15T10:06:54.423-07:00Film Review - The Rover (2014)<br />
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Currently on VOD, releasing on DVD and Blu Ray on September 23rd, 2014-<br />
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"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2345737/?ref_=nv_sr_1"><u><i><b>The Rover</b></i></u></a>" - Set a decade after a global economic collapse, a hardened loner (Guy Pearce) pursues the men who stole his last remaining possession across a desolate expanse of the sweltering Australian outback. Crossing paths with the young, wounded simpleton (Robert Pattinson) that the gang left behind, the two form an uneasy alliance along the way.<br />
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Director David Michod's (<b><i>Animal Kingdom</i></b>) bleak, violent, contemporary Western is short of being profound, though admirable in its simplicity- I appreciated it as a triumph of the less-is-more approach to film-making. <b><i>The Rover</i></b> is a smaller-budgeted affair, though it is well-filmed and features an interesting musical score- a few small
details nagged at me, though the performances, direction and overall
atmosphere won me over and maintained my interest throughout. <br />
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Guy Pearce's (<i><b>Memento</b></i>) performance as the mangy, world-weary drifter drives the film- he's a dangerous, hollowed-out soul hell-bent on reclaiming what's left of his past. While dialogue is sporadic, there's a fierceness in the immensely talented Aussie actor's eyes that speaks volumes. It bothers me to no end that Pearce doesn't land more higher-profiled, leading roles.<br />
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I haven't considered the 28-year-old Robert Pattinson (The <b><i>Twilight</i></b> films) all that impressive up until now, with the English actor's turn as a fidgety, naive sort surprising the heck out of me. Perhaps it's a testament to the film's Director, or Pattinson has genuinely matured at his craft- I guess we'll know for sure after a few more years/films.<br />
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Though the duo's journey is sparsely populated, there are a handful of engaging encounters with the unsavory dregs and diamonds in the dusty rough that one would expect in a narrative of this nature. There are a wealth of dynamic, lingering shots punctuated by short bursts of tense, bloody gunplay. This is unmistakably adult material, aimed at an apparently dwindling demographic- it's CGI-free and packing a visceral punch that should stick to the ribs. The final scene will more than likely find most reconsidering the film's title...<br />
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Recommended for the guys, it should prove to be a worthwhile companion piece to Director John Hillcoat's 2005 Western, "<b><i>The Proposition</i></b>" (also set in Australia and starring Guy Pearce).<br />
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8.0 out of 10<br />
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Director: David Michod<br />
Cast: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy, David Field, Tawanda Manyimo, Gillian Jones, Susan Prior and Anthony Hayes<br />
Run-Time: 103 minutes<br />
MPAA: <span itemprop="contentRating">Rated R for language and some bloody violence</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296576304940363317noreply@blogger.com0