What was the last movie you've seen?

[pnicholas]

I just saw "we bought a zoo and it is quite nice actually. I was supposed to check that Lycan movie but the line was just too long just to see a movie. So we opted to go with this movie and just rely on the lazy boy to get us through.

Well, it was actually a good movie though not really one that will get you thinking of how things are going to unfold and all those trivial stuff but more of a light hearted movie.

[Michi]

The Town That Dreaded Sundown



Yet another gift from TCM. Their little "TCM Underground" movies bring me such unexpected joy.

Anyway, The Town That Dreaded Sundown follows the sheriff's department and a Texas Ranger as they try to discover who's been terrorizing the residents of the small town of Texarkana, Arkansas.

No. Not that Texarkana.


Don't worry. The beer is safe.

The movie is actually loosely based on real events that happened in Texarkana in 1946. And I don't mean true as in Texas Chainsaw murdering true. No, there really was a 'Phantom Killer'

http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/e ... tryID=4478

Totally not kidding.

And he really did attack eight people in Texarkana.

The movie is presented in a docudrama style, with the occasional stylistic flourish. This is fitting, as the omniscient narrator gives the film an authenticity similar to shows like Dateline. However, it's also a bit disappointing, as the style of filming itself, by its very nature, takes away a great deal of suspense. There is no question when the killer is going to strike. It's plainly spelled out for you each time with a helpful caption.


Dear God, please help us to control our hormones so we don't die horribly this evening at the hands of that psycho killer we've been hearing so much about.

But that doesn't mean the film lacks suspense. The very intimate scenes involving the killer and his victims are the best in the film and each one of them is so incredibly tense that they're almost uncomfortable to watch. These are the film's strengths. At the time of it's original release, the director was criticized for the film's graphic depictions of violence. Of course, they're down right tame by today's standards, probably not even considered explicit, but it's still disturbing to watch the slow, drawn out scenes of the killer satisfying his murderous impulses.


Not to mention his love of Jazz.

The low points of the movie always, without fail, involve the police. For some reason it was deemed necessary to add elements of slapstick comedy to the film, effectively killing the tense atmosphere created in other scenes. This is usually limited to one character in particular, complete with his own bouncy music que, and you will wonder how he got admitted to the police department in the first place. Luckily these moments are sparce, but believe me, the director took advantage of them more than he should have. Even in moments when they're looking for the killer that should have been strictly serious.


Someone thinks they're getting lucky tonight and I'm not talking about being able to catch the killer. Also, he makes a really ugly woman.

Yet despite these instances of stupidity the film still manages to retain an air of menace.


Thanks entirely to scenes like this.

The actors are about on par with what you'd expect from a film like this. Most of the actors are amateurs and many of the extras were citizens of Texarkana, but there are two exceptions. Ben Johnson, who plays the Texas Ranger, is a veteran of many a western, so he has no issue making his role believable. The other exception is Dawn Wells. If that name doesn't ring a bell, then I'm very disappointed in you.


Did he ask me to buy a coconut radio or did I just smoke too much pot in the car?

Yup. Freakin' Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island. Yeah. I didn't expect to see her there either, but, there she was, and, I've got to say, she had what was probably the best scene in the movie. But I will admit that it was a little unsettling watching Mary Ann getting chased by a psycho with a sack over his face.


You can literally pinpoint the exact moment in the film where she realized she wanted to go back to the island.

Overall, this is a fine example of an early slasher. It takes a couple of cues from it's predecessors, but doesn't rely on them and makes the film it's own. It's definitely a cult classic, if for no other reason than for being the obvious influence of the look of Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th Part 2.


Director: "Maybe giving him a machete would make him more menacing.....Nah, he's probably fine.

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this film, and the actual events it was based on, is the knowledge that the killer was never caught. Sure he's probably dead now, or at least no longer a threat, but the knowing that we will probably never know the truth leaves some nagging questions at the back of your mind.....and probably make you double check the bolts on the doors.

A definite recommend for slasher fans.

[AppleQueso]

The Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy

Before this, I'd never seen the films nor read the books, though I was familiar with various things relating to Tolkien.

I absolutely loved watching these movies and plan to sit down and watch them all again soon.

[Luke]

The Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy

Before this, I'd never seen the films nor read the books, though I was familiar with various things relating to Tolkien.

I absolutely loved watching these movies and plan to sit down and watch them all again soon.

How many days did you spend watching the LOTR Trilogy?

Be sure to watch the appendices; they're chock full of great stuff.

[AppleQueso]

The Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy

Before this, I'd never seen the films nor read the books, though I was familiar with various things relating to Tolkien.

I absolutely loved watching these movies and plan to sit down and watch them all again soon.

How many days did you spend watching the LOTR Trilogy?

Be sure to watch the appendices; they're chock full of great stuff.

I spent about 4 days on and off I'd say.

I'll definitely watch the extras, the sheer amount of them is kinda daunting though

[Luke]

I spent about 4 days on and off I'd say.

I'll definitely watch the extras, the sheer amount of them is kinda daunting though

You'll learn a ton about the movies production, cast injuries....just all kinds of cool.

[Pulsar_t]

13 Assassins

Can't say that I'm a fan of Miike's, but his epic is an undisputed masterpiece.

[noiseredux]

The Town That Dreaded Sundown

wow, I have to see this. I wish I had TCM.

[AznKhmerBoi]

Saw the Watchmen the other night and didnt really enjoy it. I think this is maybe due to the heroes themself not having awesome superpowers. To me they seem like average joes at a Cosplay convention.

My score for this movie is a 6/10

[BurningDoom]

Saw the Watchmen the other night and didnt really enjoy it. I think this is maybe due to the heroes themself not having awesome superpowers. To me they seem like average joes at a Cosplay convention.

My score for this movie is a 6/10

I'm probably gonna get lynched for this, but...not only did I not like the movie, but I didn't like the comic book either, and I'm a comic fan. Everything was just so damn depressing.