What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Are they really big selling points? The original was in monochrome as an aesthetic choice by Hitchcock which was an extremely wise decision,

I could be wrong, but I thought the b&w was to keep costs down and use the crew from his Alfred Hitchcock Presents tv show, more than an aesthetic choice. It does work better in b&w though I think.

Originally Posted by InDogWeTrust

The remake is scene by scene but in colour, with different actors and you get to see Anne Hache's butthole!

And Vince Vaughn rubbing one out.

[Make Them Die Slowly]

I hated "Dead Shit" or whatever it's called. Then again I'm not a fan of horror comedies but I do like snow, zombies and Nazis(in a dramatic sense!) but even they couldn't save this one for me.

[napalm-in-the-morning]

Agree that Dead Snow was hugely overrated. Totally unfocused between horror or stupidity. I realise I'm in a minority on this though!

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Three discs arrived from Lovefilm yesterday, two of them were cracked or snapped, so the only one I watched was High and Low, a superb drama/thriller by Akira Kurosawa with an immense central performance by Toshiro Mifune as a businessman who believes his son has been kidnapped and held for ransom only to realise his son is alive and at home and the kidnappers have his chauffeur's son. If you like Kurosawa's films, this is highly recommended.

[Slippery Jack]

The Funhouse
Ugh, rubbish! How do you make a film set in a sideshow carnival so damn boring?! Sets itself up for a fall with an opening scene that not only references Psycho and Halloween, but features posters of classic Universal monsters! Unforgivable that nothing really happens for almost a whole hour, as our intrepid bunch of stock ‘kids’ wonder from tent to tent, in a series of bland encounters that have no bearing on the eventual story. Along with that, you have a subplot with one of the kids’ little brother on his own at the carnival, but again, that strand goes nowhere and ends with a whimper well before the climax. Not just poorly written too, I found it pretty inept on a filmmaking level too (was Tobe Hooper asleep?!). Seemed every other scene there was something to take me out of the film – shots that go on too long, characters set up for a jump scare that never comes, very forgettable kill sequences. Very difficult to find positives here.

Pieces
Once I’d got over the initial disappointment of Lovefilm not sending me the new Arrow release, I really enjoyed the film! The poster aint lying – “you don’t have to go to Texas for a chainsaw massacre!” Utter rubbish of course, but, unlike Funhouse, rubbish in all the right ways. This film is so damn entertaining, with quotably hilarious bad dialogue and acting, and a handful of solid gold WTF moments. My favourite: a potential victim is jump scared, not by the killer, but by a random passing ‘kung fu professor’ (no University campus is complete without one!), who proceeds to do kung fu on her till she knocks him over! Another bit that had me in stitches was the undercover cop’s calm and professional response to the latest killing: “BASTARD!!!!!.... BASTARD!!!!.... BASTARD!!!!!” On top of that, the kill sequences are actually very accomplished, and totally deliver with the squishy chainsaw-lopping effects. I can’t recommend this enough, the Arrow edition is definitely on my wish list.

[napalm-in-the-morning]

Agree about High and Low. It is truly excellent. I am amazed it hasn't had a contemporary Hollywood remake! Anybody read "King's Ransom" by Ed McBain that it is based on? I think the film is better.

[nekromantik]

saw a really good thriller called The Entitled last night.
It stars Ray Liotta and Keven Zeagers and is about this guy that along with 2 other kids decide to kidnap some rich kids.

you can tell whats gonna happen in the end from 30 mins into the flick but its still a enjoyable movie. if ya like your thrillers then check it out.

[pedromonkey]

got home from work last night and to relax decided to watch She's All That, yes a chick flick from the 90s, just to unwind...

Followed that with a hammer double of...

HORROR OF DRACULA: brilliant telling of Stoker's story with a great central performance from Cushing. Menacingly evil Christopher Lee as Dracula and Michael Gough equally as good as Cushing. Great atmosphere and Direction by Terence Fisher too.

THE VAMPIRE LOVERS: boobs, fangs and blood abound in this sexy, eerie vampire film from Roy Ward Baker, Ingrid pitt delectable as always as the sexy vamp making her way through george Cole's house after killing Peter Cushing's daughter. some great visuals and cleavage...

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Three discs arrived from Lovefilm yesterday, two of them were cracked or snapped, so the only one I watched was High and Low, a superb drama/thriller by Akira Kurosawa with an immense central performance by Toshiro Mifune as a businessman who believes his son has been kidnapped and held for ransom only to realise his son is alive and at home and the kidnappers have his chauffeur's son. If you like Kurosawa's films, this is highly recommended.

I have the Criterion BD of High and Low, Nos - Highly recommended.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

I have the Criterion BD of High and Low, Nos - Highly recommended.

I really wish I didn't know that as I now feel compelled to buy one now!