Not much going on outside of the norm. I've been working, and Elizabeth and I had a good weekend off together. Saturday we went to the movies with Dave, and then had dinner over at a friends house. They grilled steaks, which were delicious! I'm going over to Dave's shortly, to catch up on movies. But I wanted to write for a bit before I get myself backlogged.
Before I get into the movie reviews, I've noticed that when I watch the special features on a movie, I tend to appreciate the movie a little more afterwards. I guess its because getting to see how it was done, and the love and effort that was put into it, it's hard not to appreciate. Over the weekend, I watched most of the features that were on the Scream Factory BR of Phantasm II, and then I went back and watched what was on the Phantasm DVD release I have. Very interesting stuff, and it just made me like the movies more.
So, what have I viewed recently?
78) Furious 6 - AKA Fast & Furious 6. Furious 6 is what the opening title states, and that is why I'm using it here. It's funny, a franchise over a decade old, and 6 movies in, but this is a franchise that I find keeps getting better & better with each film. I love that is ties into previous films, and even ties in Tokyo Drift nicely, with the character of Han. Some great actions sequences, and a post-credit teaser that I can not wait to see unfold. I really do hope that FF7 happens for next summer. Not a work of art, and it probably won't win any awards, but that's not why I watch movies like this. It's so I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
79) The Last Stand - Schwarzenegger returns to the screen, his first starring role post-Governor, and surprisingly, it's not that bad of a film. It was a little predictable, but overall I enjoyed it. Had some people I didn't realize were in it (Forest Whitaker and Peter Stormare), and some good action scenes, including a cool shoot-out and a car chase through a corn field.
80) Prison - My newest acquisition from the Scream Factory catalog, and it didn't disappoint. A creepy little horror film from the late '80s that didn't really get to see the light of day because of studio problems. Starring Viggo Mortensen and Lane Smith (who does a fabulous job as Warden Sharpe). The deaths are creative, and the atmosphere is perfect, which is probably due to them filming in an actual prison. The extras are nice on the BR, which a pretty good making of documentary.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
05-22-2013
So, Eliz is out of town til Thursday night for work. Her first work-based trip for the company. And one of the associates I work with is on vacation this week, so I'm scheduled for a full week of shifts. It worked out nicely, as I've got Saturday off, so we can catch up with one another then. Even though we already have some plans, which include us seeing Fast & Furious 6 and dinner with the Rathbones.
I've been on a horror kick recently, and have started picking up some of the recently released Scream Factory Blu-Rays, so I don't fall too far behind. I've acquired Phantasm II and Prison over the past week. So, onto the movie coverage!
75) The Hand - A early '80s horror film, starring Michael Caine and directed by Oliver Stone (one of his first feature films). It wasn't too bad actually. Caine stars as an artist who loses his hand in an accident, and the hand soon returns, following him and killing people who wrong him. I had a few complaints with it, especially at how Caine wasn't angry at his wife for creating the accident in which he lost his hand, but overall a fairly decent film. Very atmospheric, and Caine is great in it, as per usual.
76) Phantasm - Two things make this movie great: the score (the main theme for this franchise is beautifully haunting. I currently have the Phantasm II blu-ray menu up playing the theme as I write), and Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man. I truly feel The Tall Man is a horror icon who does not get the recognition he deserves. The first film is a tad slow, and I'm not a huge fan of the kid actor, but overall it's a pretty solid horror film. I love that Don Coscarelli never sold the franchise and kept it his own. I've yet to see III or IV, but I look forward to viewing them.
77) Phantasm II - As much as I like the original, II is superior. A lot of that has to do with having a major studio backing it (Universal), and a budget. The character or Mike was replaced, and I don't feel like it changed much. I actually liked him a lot more than I did the kid in the first one. As I told Dave, the difference between the two films is just like Evil Dead/Evil Dead 2 or Alien/Aliens. Phantasm II has more action, more gore, more humor. I look forward to watching the extras on the Scream Factory release, as there are quite a few. A task that will probably begin tomorrow.
I've got Phantasm III & IV in my Netflix queue, but I might drop by MovieStop tomorrow and see if they have a copy of either cheap. If not, my Phantasm marathon will have to wait.
Well, I've caught up on the movies. I think I'm going to head to bed now. Hopefully I can hit the comic book store tomorrow before going into work, but we shall see.
I've been on a horror kick recently, and have started picking up some of the recently released Scream Factory Blu-Rays, so I don't fall too far behind. I've acquired Phantasm II and Prison over the past week. So, onto the movie coverage!
75) The Hand - A early '80s horror film, starring Michael Caine and directed by Oliver Stone (one of his first feature films). It wasn't too bad actually. Caine stars as an artist who loses his hand in an accident, and the hand soon returns, following him and killing people who wrong him. I had a few complaints with it, especially at how Caine wasn't angry at his wife for creating the accident in which he lost his hand, but overall a fairly decent film. Very atmospheric, and Caine is great in it, as per usual.
76) Phantasm - Two things make this movie great: the score (the main theme for this franchise is beautifully haunting. I currently have the Phantasm II blu-ray menu up playing the theme as I write), and Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man. I truly feel The Tall Man is a horror icon who does not get the recognition he deserves. The first film is a tad slow, and I'm not a huge fan of the kid actor, but overall it's a pretty solid horror film. I love that Don Coscarelli never sold the franchise and kept it his own. I've yet to see III or IV, but I look forward to viewing them.
77) Phantasm II - As much as I like the original, II is superior. A lot of that has to do with having a major studio backing it (Universal), and a budget. The character or Mike was replaced, and I don't feel like it changed much. I actually liked him a lot more than I did the kid in the first one. As I told Dave, the difference between the two films is just like Evil Dead/Evil Dead 2 or Alien/Aliens. Phantasm II has more action, more gore, more humor. I look forward to watching the extras on the Scream Factory release, as there are quite a few. A task that will probably begin tomorrow.
I've got Phantasm III & IV in my Netflix queue, but I might drop by MovieStop tomorrow and see if they have a copy of either cheap. If not, my Phantasm marathon will have to wait.
Well, I've caught up on the movies. I think I'm going to head to bed now. Hopefully I can hit the comic book store tomorrow before going into work, but we shall see.
Friday, May 17, 2013
05-17-2013
Once again, time to catch up on movies!
72) Beetlejuice - I've been wanting to rewatch this one for a few weeks now, and finally got around to doing so. It hold up well. It's probably one of my favorite Burton films. Keaton in the title role steals the whole movie, even though the character in on screen for about 18 minutes. I've not always beeen a fan of Alec Baldwin, but I've watched a few movies starring him this year and he has grown on me. I really like him and Geena Davis as the Maitlands. My favorite scene is the dinner table possession. It's a fun film, with a great cast all around.
73) Attack of the Killer Tomatoes - First off, my main reason for watching this was because it's the retrospective in the new issue of HorrorHound and it has been over a decade since I have watched it. Funny enough, the cover story for the new issue of HH is animated horror shows, with "Beetlejuice" being the main focus. Onto the movie: It's bad. But it was made that way, which makes it entertaining. Which really, doesn't make much sense. I enjoy it, and probably next time I watch it it'll be with the trivia track (Yes, I own this on DVD, in a special collector's edition.) Not that I'll be viewing it again anytime soon. I did queue the rest of the movie series at Netflix though, so I might be investing some time into the sequels soon!
74) Star Trek Into Darkness - Dave and I went to the Midnight showing Wednesday night, in which attendance was sparce. But then again, we both thought the midnight opening was Thursday night. I enjoyed the film, but it could've been better. I wish Abrams was creating his own Trek universe, instead of rehashing characters and ideas. I won't go into details, since they fall into the spoiler realm, but a new villain would of been nice. I did like Peter Weller, who I didn't even know was going to be in the film. But I did end up coming home and watching some Original Star Trek episodes on Netflix. I did feel there was some ser-up for continuing this new franchise, and I look forward to seeing how that gets explored. And the Klingons were a welcomed surprise. But all in all, I felt a little robbed once the credits started to role.
72) Beetlejuice - I've been wanting to rewatch this one for a few weeks now, and finally got around to doing so. It hold up well. It's probably one of my favorite Burton films. Keaton in the title role steals the whole movie, even though the character in on screen for about 18 minutes. I've not always beeen a fan of Alec Baldwin, but I've watched a few movies starring him this year and he has grown on me. I really like him and Geena Davis as the Maitlands. My favorite scene is the dinner table possession. It's a fun film, with a great cast all around.
73) Attack of the Killer Tomatoes - First off, my main reason for watching this was because it's the retrospective in the new issue of HorrorHound and it has been over a decade since I have watched it. Funny enough, the cover story for the new issue of HH is animated horror shows, with "Beetlejuice" being the main focus. Onto the movie: It's bad. But it was made that way, which makes it entertaining. Which really, doesn't make much sense. I enjoy it, and probably next time I watch it it'll be with the trivia track (Yes, I own this on DVD, in a special collector's edition.) Not that I'll be viewing it again anytime soon. I did queue the rest of the movie series at Netflix though, so I might be investing some time into the sequels soon!
74) Star Trek Into Darkness - Dave and I went to the Midnight showing Wednesday night, in which attendance was sparce. But then again, we both thought the midnight opening was Thursday night. I enjoyed the film, but it could've been better. I wish Abrams was creating his own Trek universe, instead of rehashing characters and ideas. I won't go into details, since they fall into the spoiler realm, but a new villain would of been nice. I did like Peter Weller, who I didn't even know was going to be in the film. But I did end up coming home and watching some Original Star Trek episodes on Netflix. I did feel there was some ser-up for continuing this new franchise, and I look forward to seeing how that gets explored. And the Klingons were a welcomed surprise. But all in all, I felt a little robbed once the credits started to role.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
05-15-2013
I was going to wait until after work to write, but decided to eat some leftover pizza for lunch, since I'll eat out during my break later. So, going to at least start my new blog post, and if I don't finish, I shall do so after work.
Eliz has been out of town since Monday night. Her grandmother passed, so she flew out to Indiana to attend the funeral and be with family. I wish I could've gone with her, but work and finances did not allow it. Not that money was really an issue. She comes back tomorrow, and I can't wait to see her. We haven't spent much time away from one another in our 4 years of marriage.
I was off yesterday, and actually spent some of my time being productive, as I began moving things around in our bedrooms. Not sure how much I'll accomplish before Eliz returns, but since I'm off tomorrow too, I'm hoping to have a decent chuck moved. We have a lot more than I realized, but if I do a little at a time instead of trying to accomplish the big picture, it's a lot easier.
With Eliz gone this week, being on the internet has been tricky, as I've been trying to avoid spoilers for the season finales that are airing. So far, so good...for the most part.
We had a lot going on last week, between her family situation, just life in general, and then prepping for Rocky's graduation, so I haven't had time to settle in for a movie until yesterday. And I ended up doing a double feature: Beetlejuice and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
TBC
Eliz has been out of town since Monday night. Her grandmother passed, so she flew out to Indiana to attend the funeral and be with family. I wish I could've gone with her, but work and finances did not allow it. Not that money was really an issue. She comes back tomorrow, and I can't wait to see her. We haven't spent much time away from one another in our 4 years of marriage.
I was off yesterday, and actually spent some of my time being productive, as I began moving things around in our bedrooms. Not sure how much I'll accomplish before Eliz returns, but since I'm off tomorrow too, I'm hoping to have a decent chuck moved. We have a lot more than I realized, but if I do a little at a time instead of trying to accomplish the big picture, it's a lot easier.
With Eliz gone this week, being on the internet has been tricky, as I've been trying to avoid spoilers for the season finales that are airing. So far, so good...for the most part.
We had a lot going on last week, between her family situation, just life in general, and then prepping for Rocky's graduation, so I haven't had time to settle in for a movie until yesterday. And I ended up doing a double feature: Beetlejuice and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
TBC
Monday, May 06, 2013
05/06/2013
Movie catch up time!
69) Street Fighter - A rather hokey, yet entertaining, film adaptation of the popular video game. I know fans of the game have issue with the movie, but I found it to be an enjoyable time. Or as Dave said "it's a good bad movie". Yes, there is not a lot of fighting in the film itself (an error MK rectified). But I liked the story and I feel they brought a majority of the characters to a decent representation on film. And Raul Julia totally steals the movie as General Bison.
70) Iron Man 3 - Went and saw the 9 PM showing on Thursday with Dave. I really enjoyed it. Much better than the second, and on par with the first. I had a friend say they enjoyed it more than The Avengers. It has a great story, and lots of action. For an 120 minute film, it didn't drag at all for me. I really love Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark. And the rest of the cast ain't to bad either. I might actually have to get around to adding the Marvel movies to my BR collection.
71) Frequency - Elizabeth and I had a date night Friday, and this was the movie that was pulled from the bowl. It's also a movie from my "40 before 40" list, and one of the few that I haven't seen myself. Which after watching, I'm surprised I hadn't! especially since I'm pretty sure I've owned the DVD since my Blockbuster Video days. I loved it. It has an excellent and different use of the time travel story, and I love how it shows how one small change effects everything. It has great suspense to it, and I really enjoyed the father/son aspect of the storytelling. One most definely worth seeking out if you haven't seen it.
69) Street Fighter - A rather hokey, yet entertaining, film adaptation of the popular video game. I know fans of the game have issue with the movie, but I found it to be an enjoyable time. Or as Dave said "it's a good bad movie". Yes, there is not a lot of fighting in the film itself (an error MK rectified). But I liked the story and I feel they brought a majority of the characters to a decent representation on film. And Raul Julia totally steals the movie as General Bison.
70) Iron Man 3 - Went and saw the 9 PM showing on Thursday with Dave. I really enjoyed it. Much better than the second, and on par with the first. I had a friend say they enjoyed it more than The Avengers. It has a great story, and lots of action. For an 120 minute film, it didn't drag at all for me. I really love Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark. And the rest of the cast ain't to bad either. I might actually have to get around to adding the Marvel movies to my BR collection.
71) Frequency - Elizabeth and I had a date night Friday, and this was the movie that was pulled from the bowl. It's also a movie from my "40 before 40" list, and one of the few that I haven't seen myself. Which after watching, I'm surprised I hadn't! especially since I'm pretty sure I've owned the DVD since my Blockbuster Video days. I loved it. It has an excellent and different use of the time travel story, and I love how it shows how one small change effects everything. It has great suspense to it, and I really enjoyed the father/son aspect of the storytelling. One most definely worth seeking out if you haven't seen it.
Friday, May 03, 2013
05/03/2013
Not much new here. My doctors appointment the other day went well. I was told I was the healthiest person he had seen in a while. A few more tests are going to be run, but it looks like for the most part it's just something to do because of my size.
Work is going well. I haven't mentioned it here, so briefly: I quit Food Lion back in November, and have been working at the LifeWay Christian Store since February. I'm doing Inventory mostly, as after I was hired the person who was doing inventory put in their 2 weeks. Godly timing, I say. :) I love it there. The atomosphere is wonderful, and the people I work with are great too.
Elizabeth's showroom opening was last night/this morning. I went over after work last night, to support her and to see the new place without all the mess of the past 6 months. It looks great, and I can't wait to see where the business goes as it continues to grow! I'm hoping she will be able to leave work before 5 today, and maybe we can get a movie date in or something.
I just got a text from her, saying she is done for the day. Instead of catching up on movies, I'm going to go see my beautiful wife!
Next time: Street Fighter & Iron Man 3!
Work is going well. I haven't mentioned it here, so briefly: I quit Food Lion back in November, and have been working at the LifeWay Christian Store since February. I'm doing Inventory mostly, as after I was hired the person who was doing inventory put in their 2 weeks. Godly timing, I say. :) I love it there. The atomosphere is wonderful, and the people I work with are great too.
Elizabeth's showroom opening was last night/this morning. I went over after work last night, to support her and to see the new place without all the mess of the past 6 months. It looks great, and I can't wait to see where the business goes as it continues to grow! I'm hoping she will be able to leave work before 5 today, and maybe we can get a movie date in or something.
I just got a text from her, saying she is done for the day. Instead of catching up on movies, I'm going to go see my beautiful wife!
Next time: Street Fighter & Iron Man 3!
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