What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) ★★★★

It's difficult to go back to when this was released and the main characters were played by actors (ogan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller) whose names were almost synonymous with Percy Jackson, Hermione Granger, and Kevin Khatchadourian, respectively.

The film is brilliantly written by Stephen Chbosky, based on his critically and commercially successful novel of the same name, very well directed by Chbosky, and sensitively performed by the cast so you know and grow to like the characters and become emotionally invested in their relationships.

Music is a big part of the film and it has a great soundtrack, with David Bowie's 'Heroes' particularly prominent and evocative. Other songs by New Order, The Smiths, Dexys Midnight Runners, and Sonic Youth are prominent and well placed (as are songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and it is really well scored by Michael Brook.

It's a film I remember liking when I rented it from Lovefilm sometime around 2014/15 and this second viewing reinforces all the positive views and memories I have from that this feeling. It's one of the better high school films made this century.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Phase IV (1974) ★★★½

This is a different type of film from Them!, Night of the Lepus, and Attack of the Giant Leeches because the humans are confronted with nature which has not been super-sized or mutated in any obvious version – they are studying ants which have been affected by a cosmic event and developed an advanced hive mind with the ability to communicate with other insects.

The only feature film directed by Saul Bass, a man is known for his work on title credits for films such as Psycho, North by Northwest, The Man with the Golden Arm, The Age of Innocence, Goodfellas, Seconds, and Casino, plus iconic posters for Anatomy of a Murder, The Shining, Vertigo, is one where Bass's visual storytelling is key because there is so much of the film which is told in images rather than words.

The performances from Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, and Lynne Frederick are very good but it's a film where the macro photography of the ants and other insects is key to making this such an interesting film. Aside from the macro photography, it's very well edited by Willy Kemplen who keeps a decent pace throughout,

I completely understand why it failed at the box office because it's not your typical 'creature feature' and the lengthy scenes involving scientists looking at the logistics of using mathematics to communicate with insects isn't particularly cinematic! I'm glad has been given such a good Blu-ray release by 101 Films because it is a curio which I probably wouldn't have seen without this release.

[Dave Boy]

^ Excellent! I am blown away by the macro photography and all the things the ants were doing.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Prom Night (1980) ★★★½

Prom Night is unlike slasher films like Black Christmas, Halloween, and Friday the 13th because it doesn't have a 'body count' element with a consistent, regular number of kills throughout the film. Instead, there is an investigation into the killing we see at the beginning of the film and then everything builds to the titular event.

Watching it now, it might seem a bit strange to have Leslie Nielsen in one of the main roles, but at the time he was a 'straight' actor because he had yet to make Airplane! or other comedy films which would ensure he was widely known as a comedic actor. This came out the same year as Terror Train, so Jamie Lee Curtis appeared in two slasher films in 1980 as well as The Fog.

The first time I saw this, I correctly guessed the killer's identity very early on but it didn't reduce my enjoyment – it's a film I'd put on the same tier as Terror Train (released the same year) and a level below the aforementioned Halloween and Black Christmas, though one I enjoy watching.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Dave Boy

^ Excellent! I am blown away by the macro photography and all the things the ants were doing.

It's incredible, isn't it? It's almost as if they were trained!

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) ★★★★

It's difficult to go back to when this was released and the main characters were played by actors (ogan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller) whose names were almost synonymous with Percy Jackson, Hermione Granger, and Kevin Khatchadourian, respectively.

The film is brilliantly written by Stephen Chbosky, based on his critically and commercially successful novel of the same name, very well directed by Chbosky, and sensitively performed by the cast so you know and grow to like the characters and become emotionally invested in their relationships.

Music is a big part of the film and it has a great soundtrack, with David Bowie's 'Heroes' particularly prominent and evocative. Other songs by New Order, The Smiths, Dexys Midnight Runners, and Sonic Youth are prominent and well placed (as are songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and it is really well scored by Michael Brook.

It's a film I remember liking when I rented it from Lovefilm sometime around 2014/15 and this second viewing reinforces all the positive views and memories I have from that this feeling. It's one of the better high school films made this century.

I still can't get over the fact that 'Heroes' is supposed to be the song that no-one knows all the way through the film! I know that a film has to resolve stuff like that while the book doesn't, but they could have chosen a song that is less likely to be known by everyone, there are so many 80's songs that could have fit the bill.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

I still can't get over the fact that 'Heroes' is supposed to be the song that no-one knows all the way through the film! I know that a film has to resolve stuff like that while the book doesn't, but they could have chosen a song that is less likely to be known by everyone, there are so many 80's songs that could have fit the bill.

I also find it bizarre that high school students have never heard the song nor recognise the person singing it.

If I understood him correctly on the commentary tracks, Stephen Chbosky said he was unfamiliar with Bowie's music from that time when he was younger (he knew Bowie's early music) so chose a song which he wouldn't have known.

[nicholasrope]

Originally Posted by gag

The first 3 then the reunion are classed as the proper American pie films, the other 4 after the 3rd aren’t classed as true sequels more just cashing in on the franchise.

But the original and the reunion are very funny and highly entertaining.

Ps there another Spin off due out this year Called girls rule.

Can't say I'm a fan of the spin-offs, I gave the 1st 2 a shot but didn't like them.

I especially didn't like the fact that Jim and Michelle had a baby and it was mentioned casually during Band Camp.

American Baby would have made a great addition to the Theatrical releases.

[nicholasrope]

Originally Posted by Nostalgic

Watching Code Red's blu of Jungle Holocaust. The print is stunning, but the commentary (by Ian Jane & Horace Cordier) is boarderline unlistenable. Sounds like they are doing it over an internet call & the sound keeps screeching. Got the sound turned up to 65 as it's so low, but really wanted to hear this commentary (so far it consists of listing people's filmographies & talking about the plane)

Is this Last Cannibal World?

[nicholasrope]

American Pie 2

The gang are back together, this time they go on a vacation to a Beach House. This is probably the under-rated of the Cinema releases and it's just as great as the others. Very funny scenes and some touching scenes especially the ones where Jim says to his Dad that he wonders why things happen to him and Kevin realizing that he hasn't moved on (Which are things that are relatable) I also love the scene where Jim goes to the Band Camp where Michelle is and confesses his love for her (The song Be Like That by 3 Doors Down is awesome).

American Pie: The Wedding

After Jim proposes to Michelle (In a very funny scene) The gang (Minus some characters unfortunately) prepare for The Wedding.

This is my favorite film of the series, there are so many funny scenes especially The Dance-Off, The Bachelor Party...etc and one very gross out scene involving a so-called chocolate. Also has a great scene where Michelle gets advice from Jim's Dad which is touching. This is also the 1st film where Stiffler is a jerk but does things that help his friends.

This was the 1st Film in the series that I saw since working in a Cinema and the reactions from the audience enhanced the viewing. Saw it many many times.

American Pie: Reunion

It's time for the gang to attend their reunion, thankfully all the characters are back for this one.

Even though I really like this film, I still feel it was the weakest as I believe that it wasn't as constantly funny and the big set-piece wasn't as strong. It was also good to have all the cameos from the characters and references from the previous movies.

One of the final lines was "Till next time" and considering the situation we are in with Production Companies probably not wanting to spend mega-budgets on films, I can't help thinking that another American Pie Theatrical Release might not be a bad idea. With all due respect to the cast, they can't be charging vast amounts of money as well as it's not a F/X movie either so it's a franchise with fans which could turn a nice profit on a modest budget.

Plus I'm incredibly biased