What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972)

I was really looking forward to this film. It was the reason i bought this Western Collection Box set One in the recent 101 Films sale.

The last days of the James and Younger Gang with Robert Duvall and Cliff Robertson... what could go wrong?

Well, everything. It was to put it mildly, bloody awful. The direction from Philip Kaufman was all over the place as was the editing (at one stage a car drove past for god sake). The characterization which should have been the basis of the film was nowhere to be seen and the soundtrack is horrible and screechy making the whole tone of the film, well, all over the place really, like the worst excesses of spaghetti westerns.

Fortunately the other three in the set i've watched so far have been okay with two more to go...plus another two box sets totaling twelve films to go.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Wild Hunt (2009)

An unusual and interesting film which depicts when live role play games go too far.

It's all so realistic that at times you forget the Celts, Vikings etc are not actually in the middle ages and it's all just re-enactment. It's when the modern day, in a young man searching for his girlfriend, gate crashes the cosplay party that the whole thing becomes deliciously creepy.

Set entirely outdoors, there's an air of pessimism throughout this tale of doomed love and primal instinct, i haven't seen anything like it for quite a while. I really enjoyed it.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Casablanca (1942)

An absolutely wonderful film and my all time favourite.

It has everything you would wish for in one film. A story which involves love, action, Nazis, intrigue, sadness, jubilation, scenes which bring a tear to the eye, followed by moments that make you grin insanely, and dialogue to kill for spoken by actors we wish we could be.

One day i'll type a proper review for Casablanca. However i doubt i could put into words my love for the film.

[Justin101]

I love Casablanca too, it’s been a little while since I last watched it though!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

I love Casablanca too, it’s been a little while since I last watched it though!

Yeah, six years last month wasn't it?

[Justin101]

Stop spying on me haha

[Justin101]

I’ve seen it since then but not logged it! Probably about 2 years ago.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

Stop spying on me haha

When i rate a film Letterboxd always tells me what my friends thought of it so seeing as i only have seven friends (Definitely a case of QUALITY over quantity though) your massive one line review stood out like a sore thumb.

Or maybe you should just close your curtains when you watch stuff.

[gag]

I haven't signed in letterboxed for sometime around 2 yr i think or longer I'll sign in tonight and start re-using it again, chances are I forgot how to use it

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Mark of the Witch (1970)

Low budget regional product from Texas. Totally lacking in anything remotely exploitative unless you think a young woman sitting next to a fire by a tree chanting various names of the Devil to be exploitation.

It gained my interest immediately because bizarrely during the prologue, the soon to be hanged witch curses the people of Lanc-a-shire...then ends up in Texas in the present day persecuting those who hanged her. Don't ask, i don't know.

The end result is an interesting schlocky story made badly.