The DP for this film should be shot. The constant zooming was so distracting. You have amazing actors, you don’t have to fucking tell me how to feel with your zooming. I can see it on John C. Reilly’s face.

In other news, John C. Reilly should stop doing those shitty comedies and do more movies like this. With a different cinematographer. 

-Dan

Ladies and gentlemen, Kevin Corrigan.

Today’s viewing: Joseph Mangine’s Neon Maniacs (1986)

“When the world is ruled by violence
And the soul of mankind fades
The children’s paths shall be darkened
By the shadows of the Neon Maniacs.”

I received a Best Buy gift card this holiday season, so I waddled on down to the local store and after gasping at all their outrageous prices and searching like items on Amazon and gasping more, I found a couple cheap gems on sale.

Unforgiven (1992) for $16 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) for $10 on Blu Ray.

Gift card well spent.

-Dan

peterostrander:

Recording a podcast for Counter Cinema (Taken with instagram)

I know a lot of people hate this movie, but I am a fan of it. I think the suspense is well done, I like that it gives an old War of the Worlds/Invasion of the Body Snatchers feel, the score is great and Joaquin Phoenix is hilarious.

I do, however, hate the ending. I don’t mean the “twist” that happens. That’s lame as well. But I hate that M. Night showed the alien. The scene at the Mexican birthday party is well crafted and everything is out of focus enough that it works, but the end shows the shitty CG alien and it ruins all the suspense that has been built up. If Shyamalan would have just shot the whole final scene with the alien in the family room from the reflection of the television, instead of a full body shot of the invader, it would be a much better movie. He’s an idiot. 

Signs (2002)

-Dan

Top Ten Christmas Movie

10. Bad Santa (2003) - It’s a nice change of pace from the normal Christmas film, with Billy Bob cursing a little kid and genuinely staying a piece of shit throughout the entire film. Plus, Thurman Merman is the most pathetically adorable kid ever.

9. While You Were Sleeping (1995) - One of the few rom coms I commend, Sandra Bullock is adorable in this Christmastime romance about a woman infatuated with a man (Peter Gallagher) and saves him when he is mugged on the El train (Chicago!) and falls on the tracks, then lies to the hospital and his family that she is his fiancée when the hospital won’t let her see him. Of course, it’s even more complicated than that, with her falling in love with the brother instead (played by Bill Pullman, can you blame her?!?) and sticky situations ensue. This film is truly great because of the family, as she falls in love with them, the viewer does too. Watch. Enjoy. Love.

8. Elf (2003) - I am very much over Will Ferrell and his one-note-wonder ways, but this film is possibly him at his best. His blind optimism leads to much hilarity. Because when Santa smells like beef and cheese, Christmas is in trouble.

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) - No, not the the piece of shit with Jim Carrey that crushed the soul of this film, the Boris Karloff narrated animated short that brings my heart nothing but Christmas cheer. All those Whos down in Whoville make me go, “Woo Hoo.”

6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) - Just this: 

“Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.”

That is all.

5. Love Actually (2003) - It’s just pleasant. And very Christmas-y. And one of the few ensemble casts that doesn’t blow ass. It makes me smile. To me, you are perfect. Also, Liam Neeson.

4. Die Hard (1988) - Because nothing says Christmas like bullet holes. Welcome to the party, pal!

3. Home Alone/the end of Home Alone 2 - I use to argue to the death my belief that Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was a superior film to it’s predecessor. But mostly I think I just love that Talk Boy and thoughts of running around the Plaza Hotel. But I came to the realization this year that Home Alone is the superior film overall, but Home Alone 2 has the better ending. This may just be me, but the fact that every hit or trick pulled on Harry and Marv in the sequel is so over the top and ridiculous just rockets the film to greatness. Getting hit in the head with bricks thrown from 4 stories up? Priceless. It would also render you a vegetable or dead. And that’s why it’s better. Also, watch out for tool chests falling down the stairs.

2. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) - A top on most lists, but there is a reason for that. It’s actually a very dark movie for the majority of it. George Bailey contemplates suicide and thinks his life is worthless. It takes the aide of an angel to show him that “no man is a failure with friends.” It warms the soul. I am also comfortable to announce that every year, I get choked up when Harry Bailey says, “A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town.” Tear.

1. Scrooged (1988) - Bill Murray is the only one who could pull off this role this well. The first two ghosts are hilarious (Buster Poindexter as the Ghost of Christmas Past giving Murray shit and Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present beating the shit out of Murray - classic). It’s funny, it’s the best representation of the story and the end is Christmas sappy and great. God bless us, everyone.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Whatever You Believe. And Holy Shit.

-Dan

Honorable Mentions: The Shop Around the Corner (1946), White Christmas (1954), A Christmas Story* (1983), A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

*I am aware that everyone considers Christmas Story the best holiday film ever, but I’m over it.

2 films surprised me this weekend. How glorious.

Easy A (2010) is the Mean Girls of 2010. It surprised the shit out of me.

The writing is great, the supporting cast is incredible (Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Hayden Thomas Church, Malcolm McDowell, Fred Armisen) and Emma Stone is adorable and awesome with the quit fire dialog. Go see it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. 

-Dan

I watched this film last night with the family, it was one of those situations where we didn’t really have anything else to watch and for some reason my mother had rented it on Netflix and wanted to ship it back asap. 

I laughed my ass off. The main story is decent, but the supporting cast is really what makes the movie. T.J. Miller (known for a great short-lived show called Carpoolers and “The Guy That’s Holding the Camera” in Cloverfield) plays the asshole friend, Nate Torrence (Get Smart) plays the creepy buddy) and Kyle Bornheimer (he’s been in an episode of just about every show) plays the douche bag brother. They really sell the movie and make it better than the majority of the rom-com type crap out there. 

The R-rating really helps out the film, giving it a more adult feel, and allows for some of the jokes to go a little further (and more surprising) than a teeny setting would have allowed. Plus, I just like hearing people say “fuck” a lot, it’s more like real life. 

Just see it. I never would have, either, but was very pleasantly surprised. You’ll get a few laughs at the least.

-Dan