What was the last movie you've seen?

[sabrage]

I haven't seen Drive or Melancholia, so I can't comment on those. Both are foreign directors, right? The Academy isn't usually real good at nominating int'l films or directors, so i don't hold them in much esteem there. For domestic stuff they are pretty good, though.

Well, my full response to that would likely devolve into a discussion on foreign vs. domestic films. Suffice it to say that the films I like (Tarantino-esque violence, Westerns, mindfucks and foreign horror) rarely get any recognition, so I basically ignore the show except to laugh at the nominations, harder at the winners and then deal with another year of Oscar gifs. If it were up to me, 13 Assassins would win "Best Everything" from 2011 through 2020.

And honestly, I didn't even like Drive, but Refn is astonishingly talented.

[dsheinem]

I haven't seen Drive or Melancholia, so I can't comment on those. Both are foreign directors, right? The Academy isn't usually real good at nominating int'l films or directors, so i don't hold them in much esteem there. For domestic stuff they are pretty good, though.

Well, my full response to that would likely devolve into a discussion on foreign vs. domestic films. Suffice it to say that the films I like (Tarantino-esque violence, Westerns, mindfucks and foreign horror) rarely get any recognition, so I basically ignore the show except to laugh at the nominations, harder at the winners and then deal with another year of Oscar gifs. If it were up to me, 13 Assassins would win "Best Everything" from 2011 through 2020.

I enjoy those films quite a bit, and I feel like the Academy does do a pretty decent job of nominating the kinds of films you mentioned (especially Westerns) when they do something to break the mold. For example, Tarantino saw a lot of Oscar nominations for both Pulp Fiction and Basterds, and certainly many canonical horror films have gotten attention from the Academy over the years. That said, as a rule they generally ignore genre film (horror, sci-fi, romantic comedies, fantasy, cop movies, etc.) unless it really innovates or finds a wide audience. Instead, they opt to focus on more straightforward dramas, films of a strong technical quality, and strong acting performances (especially if an established actor plays against type).

[Bootaaay]

Oh goody another commie-era Polish scifi flick for me to watch!! Thanks!

Btw, seen O-Bi, O-Ba - The End of Civilization (1985)? Highly recommended.

Nope, but I'll definitely check it out - a weird Polish post-apocalyptic film sounds right up my street, and I generally love sci-fi from that era, no matter the country.

[sabrage]

I haven't seen Drive or Melancholia, so I can't comment on those. Both are foreign directors, right? The Academy isn't usually real good at nominating int'l films or directors, so i don't hold them in much esteem there. For domestic stuff they are pretty good, though.

Well, my full response to that would likely devolve into a discussion on foreign vs. domestic films. Suffice it to say that the films I like (Tarantino-esque violence, Westerns, mindfucks and foreign horror) rarely get any recognition, so I basically ignore the show except to laugh at the nominations, harder at the winners and then deal with another year of Oscar gifs. If it were up to me, 13 Assassins would win "Best Everything" from 2011 through 2020.

I enjoy those films quite a bit, and I feel like the Academy does do a pretty decent job of nominating the kinds of films you mentioned (especially Westerns) when they do something to break the mold. For example, Tarantino saw a lot of Oscar nominations for both Pulp Fiction and Basterds, and certainly many canonical horror films have gotten attention from the Academy over the years. That said, as a rule they generally ignore genre film (horror, sci-fi, romantic comedies, fantasy, cop movies, etc.) unless it really innovates or finds a wide audience. Instead, they opt to focus on more straightforward dramas, films of a strong technical quality, and strong acting performances (especially if an established actor plays against type).

Well, I'm an unrelenting Tarantino fanboy so I'd argue that he's fit your three criteria in every single one of his releases (bar maybe Jackie Brown.) As for horror, there hasn't been a significant nomination since... What, The Sixth Sense? And that's barely a horror film. Not to mention that The Thing was totally ignored. But I could name examples all day; Nic Cage in Bad Lieutenant, Let The Right One In for best foreign, Refn's older work on Bronson, year after year of Nolan snubs... The fact alone that Memento lost out on Best Editing to Black Hawk Down still makes me rage a little.

[Michi]

Haxan
Witchcraft Through The Ages

I haven't watched this movie in ages, but I agree it is an interesting film to see and really quite something for 1922. iirc, many point to it as one of the earliest examples of a film with some Satanic and occultist themes (something that didn't really come into its own as a sub genre until some 40-50 years later). I love your reviews on here, and this one was no exception - thanks!

No, thank you. I'm glad people seem to be enjoying them

Still hard to believe that TCM played both this AND Hausu. Maybe they do have a deal with Criterion after all.

That or Robert Osborne has some whacked out secret contract with them that stipulates that they can only show their movies at 2 in the morning.

Also Michi, I've acquired The Town That Dreaded Sundown, and plan to watch it within the next few days.

You did? Sweet!

I'm assuming its a VHS copy (Unless you managed to find a DVD with an English track. If so, share ). If it is the VHS though, I've read that the picture's a pretty dark, so you might want to lighten up the screen so you can pick up more detail. Enjoy the thrill of early slashers!

[BoringSupreez]

It was funny and well-made, but I wouldn't watch it twice. Too gory for my tastes.

[o.pwuaioc]

It was funny and well-made, but I wouldn't watch it twice. Too gory for my tastes.

Shaun of the Dead is the best zombie flick ever.

[Michi]

It was funny and well-made, but I wouldn't watch it twice. Too gory for my tastes.

My friend looooooooooooooooooves this movie.

Loves it.

Seriously, it borders on obsession. I'm a bit concerned for her.

[BurningDoom]

It was funny and well-made, but I wouldn't watch it twice. Too gory for my tastes.

Love this movie! I have seen it more than twice. It's a zombie-movie fan's movie, as many of the jokes are jokes about genre.

[REPO Man]

^ Oh wow, I had no idea...

I've been meaning to see Scanners.