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Post by loverofbeers on Jul 2, 2013 23:14:02 GMT -5
Yep Jake, I liked that month too, and thank you for giving me the lead this month. You are a scholar and a gentleman.
Credit the great Wikipedia, again:
The Motion Picture Production Code was the set of industry moral censorship guidelines that governed the production of most United States motion pictures released by major studios from 1930 to 1968. It is also popularly known as the Hays Code, after Hollywood's chief censor of the time, Will H. Hays.
The Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors Association (MPPDA), which later became the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), adopted the code in 1930, began enforcing it in 1934, and abandoned it in 1968, in favor of the subsequent MPAA film rating system. The Production Code spelled out what was acceptable and what was unacceptable content for motion pictures produced for a public audience in the United States. The office enforcing it was popularly called the Hays Office in reference to Hays, and also later the Breen Office, named after its first administrator, Joseph Breen.
Many film purists consider the best years of American Cinema to be these pre-censorship years and the seventies which saw the decline of the power and influence of The Hollywood Studio System.
The Rules..... Fuck censorship of films and our grey matter. Hurray Liberty and Freedom of Speech! And a Boo-Jeers! to the Un-American acts of OUR flawed government and the police state we are facing now and must stand up against. To America! Cheers!
Honor system at work.
American made movies from 1930-1934 and 1968-1980 count.
"Regular films" are worth a point.
Horror is worth two.
Let's have a good time with this one!
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Post by loverofbeers on Jul 4, 2013 17:51:44 GMT -5
Happy Fourth of July! Take a moment to think of our country's founding and also the anniversary of the end of the Battle of Gettysburg today. We have a great legacy that we inherited and that we must always uphold and consider. It was handed to us, and we must protect and cherish it dearly. That is our battle of today; 2013 must not become 1984. Not in our country. Not in our time. Not on our watch. And, remember Fredrick Douglas' words of advice to a young black man, and as far as I'm concerned for all Americans, "Agitate, agitate, agitate". And to stick with the Alan Moore references, "Who watches the watchmen?" WE ALL HAVE TO. It is part of our American inheritance and responsibility that stretches all the way back over 137 years to our Patriot forefathers' sacred graves. Photo credit to Politico.com.
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Jul 6, 2013 3:59:03 GMT -5
Warning Spoilers Below:
First I watched George A. Romero's 1972 horror movie Season of the Witch, which is about a housewife and mother, who begins to believe in witchcraft. The acting was ok-good, the soundtrack was good especially "The Season of the Witch" song, the gore was good, and the cinematography was ok. It reminded me of Martin, in that it spends a good deal of time suggesting that the events could either be normal or supernatural and by the end you know what's happened without it explicitly telling you. It spends a good amount of time and gender roles and sexism as well, with the male characters coming off as assholes and the women as nuts. The most normal character is the protagonist's 19 year old daughter of all things. It's pretty heavily implied that the cause of events in the film is brought on by the fact that the protagonist's husband respects her daughter more than her and the fact that she's undergoing a midlife crisis, because she realizes she hasn't really done anything with her life. It also shows how people have the tendency to think the grass is greener on the other side. Overall it's a pretty good movie, but nothing special.
Second I watched a film I found out about ,while looking for a film I have still not found anything about, and I knew I wanted to watch it. George Barry's 1977 horror movie Death Bed: The Bed That Eats, which is sort of self explanatory. The acting ranged from bad-good, the soundtrack was good, some of the outdoor cinematography was good, the gore was good, and I found the movie to be funny as I was hoping. One of the things I liked was that it wasn't an intentional horror comedy and that it played the subject matter completely straight. You have Death Bed who eats people by absorbing them into this yellow acid slime, can talk, has telepathic powers, snores stereotypically, is a pervert, and can play the organ really well. You have this David Bowie looking artist who's stuck behind a picture above death bed who makes this sort of understated, completely serious commentary throughout the movie. There's a funny scene where newspapers show how Death Bed goes on a rampage in a city and kills the mayor when he declares he'll catch whoever's committing all the murders. You also have the fact that Death Bed is spawn of a tree demon and a human mother and the reason he can't kill one of the hippie girls is because it looks similar to his mother. This is a fun and entertaining so bad it's good movie, but with surprising quality for a movie about a man eating bed.
After that I watched Vernon Zimmerman's 1980 horror movie Fade to Black starring Dennis Christopher and Mickey Rourke, which is about a shy young guy who is obsessed with movies, particularly older ones. The acting ranges from bad-good, the gore was good, and the soundtrack was really good. One thing I wasn't expecting was how much of an ass the psychiatrist was, you're expecting him to come out and prevail ,but he never does. I liked how they showed the killer was delusional by swiping in scenes from movies he was reenacting and by showing that what really pushed him over the edge was when some producer stole his idea for a movie and didn't credit him for it, taking away his chance to finally have a big role in making movies. Overall it was an ok movie.
Finally I watched John Flynn's 1977 film Rolling Thunder starring William Devane and Tommy Lee Jones, about a pair of Vietnam POW's who have trouble readjusting to society and their quest for revenge after one's family is killed by criminals for his money. The acting, cinematography, gore, soundtrack, and acts of violence were great. I liked how the protagonists didn't mess around. Tommy Lee Jones' character wasn't the main one ,but he stole the show in the small amount of time he's on screen. Loved how they showed how he's lost and bored at home with his family. How he's immediately ready to fight as soon as he's asked by his friend, the fact that he's smirking and seems to be enjoying what he's doing, and his nonchalant attitude about the whole thing. Great movie and a recommend.
JAS-7
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Jul 7, 2013 8:41:37 GMT -5
This go around I watched a quartet of horror films, three being made the same year, and all dealing with female protagonists.
Warning Spoilers Below:
First I watched George Bowers 1980 horror movie The Hearse starring Trish Van Devere and Joseph Cotton, about a woman who after experiencing the death of her mother and undergoing a divorce decides to go and live in her aunts old home in a small town for a little while. The acting was good, some of the outdoor cinematography was great, the soundtrack was good, and the gore was good. It sort of had the feel of The Changeling (which also starred Devere and was made the same year), but it is different. I kind of liked how the townspeople all didn't trust her and acted weird around her ,but that she was smart enough to notice it even if she wasn't smart enough to get out of town. Seriously so much weird stuff happened that should've just made her get out. Didn't like the sudden ending though, not really satisfying. Overall a good movie though, but nothing outstanding.
Second I watched S.F. Brownrigg's 1973 horror film Don't Look in the Basement (aka The Forgotten), which is about a young nurse who relocates to an experimental mental sanitarium and soon get's embroiled in dangerous and weird events there. The acting was good, outdoor cinematography was great, soundtrack was good, acts of violence were good, and the gore was great. I also liked how intense the screaming was from some of the mental patients. Sam was probably my favorite character, I liked how they showed he was sort of innocent while maintaining and intimidating physical presence, which explains how he cleans house at the end with that axe. I also liked how the movie tried to keep you guessing who was doing the killing and who was sane or insane. Good movie.
After that I watched Brian De Palma's 1973 (and first horror) film Sisters, which is about a pair of twins , with one devolving dangerously. The acting, gore, and soundtrack were good. I liked how it had this dual cinematography at various points of the film showing how various people were trying outmaneuver each other. The protagonist in this film was sort of uppity and presumptuous, and I liked that her attitude got her into trouble as a consequence. Thought the villain did a good job at being self absorbed and unlikeable, but didn't like how lackadaisical the police were being about a possible murder even if you didn't like the person who called it in. Another good movie.
Finally I watched another 1973 horror film, Ted Post's The Baby about a full grown man with the mental capacity of a baby and the ensuing struggle between his family and his new social worker. The acting was good, soundtrack and cinematography were great, most of the acts of violence looked real, and the gore looked good-really good. This was a weird movie, which I think fit considering the premise. There's two different women who are attracted to the baby and you kind of get the feeling that the protagonist has some unnatural interest in him, while the family aren't too well intentioned themselves. I also liked that the subtleties in dialogue throughout the film had a payoff in the ending. This is a movie where you find out there are no good guys by the end. Really good movie.
JAS-15
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Post by loverofbeers on Jul 27, 2013 19:17:49 GMT -5
Sorry to have been away. To be honest, this month has sucked and I haven't been in the mood to watch movies but that changed in the last few days, so....
My first movie was John Carpenter's Halloween. Seen this movie dozens of times, and I love the psychology of the "Shape" character.
Second I watched John Carpenter's The Fog for the first time. I liked the acting but the story didn't do it for me. The glowing fog I thought was a weak scare tactic and the ghosts seemed more like zombies. I might re-watch it sometime. Oh yeah, Jamie Lee was great in this movie.
Third I watched Maniac. I'll have to look the movie up later, but the main actor and writer/producer is one of my favorites now (he was in The Godfather, Rocky, and a bunch of movies, but alas my memory fails me at the moment). All the acting was great as well as the story itself and the effects by Tom Savini. My first watch, and I can't believe this movie is not better known by fans of the genre. A big recommend. I know JAS has seen this one....
Last I watched a UFO documentary from 1977, The Overlords of the UFOs. A bit hokey but I like the subject. I was surprised that the huge triangular craft were described starting in 1976, way before the Phoenix Lights. Interesting but a very dated documentary. But a part of Disclosure history....
I have two movies to watch tonight, and my belly fire is coming back. Sorry Jake, don't give up on me yet, my man. Cheers!
LOB-9
[Edit: 2+2+2+1=7. LOB-7. I'm going to "flesh" out this post after the competition]
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Jul 28, 2013 14:35:05 GMT -5
I didn't, I'm pretty sure I won't have access to a computer the rest of this month so I'm just going to list the movies I've watched and add my thoughts about them later if I can.
I watched: Three on a Meathook The Parallax View Tourist Trap Walking Tall The Driver Invasion of the Body Snatchers Let's Scare Jessica to Death Across 110th Street
JAS- 27
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Post by loverofbeers on Aug 1, 2013 0:43:30 GMT -5
I'll "flesh" out this post later. My computer was my focus these last three days which I wanted to devote to movies. Internet problems, but all figured out now.
First I watched It's Alive. Cool movie and great acting. Great acting, I gotta repeat. A recommend.
Second I watched It's Alive 2. Ditto the above.
Third I watched The Texas Chain Saw Massacre for the six hundredth and sixty-sixth time. Golly, I like this flick.
Fourth I watched Satan's Cheerleaders. Fun, hokey, but worthwhile viewing. And boobies, evil boobies. And dobermans named "Diablo" and "Lucifer". Fun times....
Gonna try to squeeze one more movie in. I'm dedicating this Brooklyn Lager to Jake who whomped me good with the ol' whomping stick. But I promise, October is mine! Cheers JAS!
"I'll be back".
LOB-15
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Post by loverofbeers on Aug 1, 2013 2:00:39 GMT -5
I'll "flesh" this one out too. Soon, later today, I promise. Time to be more active here again, but shit, I hate July especially in Texas. The month bums me out and zaps my belly fire. Hot, hot, hot, and no business, and significantly less money.... Grumpiness ends now. I just watched a different movie named "Maniac" from 1934. Holy sheep shit! I never expected this movie, and it grew on me quick. A huge recommend for such a hammy flick, but crap, for 1934 or 1964, it really pushed the envelope. Wow. I bow down to this movie's sinister director. More to come and a spoiler heavy review too. Gonna open up another Brooklyn Lager in a sec, and dedicate it to ol' Jake. Banzai y Salud! [Edit to "flesh" it out]. I won't apologize for the paste jobs: From Wikipedia: Maniac, also known as Sex Maniac, is a 1934 black-and-white exploitation/horror film, directed by Dwain Esper and written by Hildegarde Stadie, Esper's wife, as a loose adaptation of the Edgar Allan Poe story "The Black Cat", with references to his "Murders in the Rue Morgue".[1] Esper and Stadie also made the 1936 exploitation film Marihuana. John Wilson, the founder of the Golden Raspberry Award, named Maniac as one of the "100 Most Amusingly Bad Movies Ever Made" in his book The Official Razzies Movie Guide. The footage that is superimposed over the scenes where the actor, having shot the mad scientist, is descending into madness, and while he is bricking the mad scientist into the wall, were from the 1920 Swedish film Witchcraft Through the Ages (Haxen) by Benjamin Christensen and Siegfried, a 1923 silent film by Fritz Lang.] From Bad Movie Report: First, we must realize that producer/director Dwain Esper is a man whose name should be whispered in the same hushed, reverent tones as Roger Corman and Ed Wood. Corman, for his amazing grip of the world of exploitation. Wood, for his astounding ineptitude in the filmmaking craft. Esper (and his wife, Hildegarde Stadie) were responsible for other cultural icons, such as Tell Your Children, one of the most popular midnight movies of the 70's, when it was better known as Reefer Madness; the similarly-themed Marihuana: The Weed with Roots in Hell!; and the wondrously named How to Undress for Your Husband and How to Take a Bath Maniac may be Esper's most outrageous picture, dealing as it does with the various forms of madness, and containing some brief nudity (and the Hayes Code be damned!). These things could all be excused, you see, for Maniac is, above all else, educational! The story often comes to a dead stop while helpful intercards detail to us the mental disease we are (supposedly) seeing acted out on the screen. Sometimes these fact-filled scrawls arrive smack in the middle of a scene! The fact that these intertitles are backed by what sounds suspiciously like the Little Rascals theme does not make them any less jarring. That is how the director got around the Hays Commission, by labeling the film as "educational". Genius!!! My only major complaint (besides that this is a so bad that it is great!) is that the movie like Tod Browning's Dracula needed a musical score. The movie stole from Frankenstein, Dracula, The Body Snatcher, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and the silent film Haxen, but like "Superstar" Billy Graham, was a generation or more ahead of it's time. Oh, and the movie is a total shitstorm of directorial insanity including catfights involving two cats, a cat and a dog, and two women. There was also a "cat lady" type of guy and a cat/rat/dog breeder named Goof with a pet cat named Satan who serves in the role of the Poe-ish Black Cat. Oh yeah, Satan's eye is popped out, shown in a close-up, and eaten by a chuckling Maniac. 1934. I couldn't believe it. Very much like a future Color Me Blood Red with added footage by Russ Meyer. You have to see this crazy fucking movie, a trainwreck of heavenly beauty and hammy performances and insanity. So not obsessing on sex or boobs, but this movie was more racy than King Kong from the thirties. Remember when Kong tries to unclothe Fay Wray, then smells his fingertip? That scene was soon banned in subsequent re-releases. This movie pushes the envelope way past that by showing nipples twice and full exposed breasts, as well as a rape scene between a Hyde-like madman and a revived from the dead walking girl corpse/innocent. Way ahead of it's time, think The Re-Animator and Dead Girl for the gal, and 28 Days Later/The Crazies for the madman on "super-adrenaline" which earlier brought the dead back to life, so confusing yet somehow fascinating...... Anyway, here is one nude scene, the more "innocent" one. The more innocent nipple/boobie scene. The "orangutated" man about to rape and raping the living dead girl. In the following scene, the woman whose back is to the camera in white is about to attach herself to an old exercise machine that would make her ass jiggle, and the camera zooms in for the jiggling. Educational. Genius. Way racy for the 1930s. Lady cat-fight with tearing of dresses. Pre-ECW Francine and Beaulah. Now if you want the best clip, the most over the top acting and the "orangutanging" of a man, here you go: The Cat-Fight. Thank you for the mammary, Joey Styles. If you want to spend an hour watching this weird gem, here ya go: That's a long one! [EDIT ends.] LOB-17 So what is the theme for August, oh Great Whomper?
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Post by loverofbeers on Aug 1, 2013 2:04:09 GMT -5
And in July the fleas make their yearly comeback, mutated and more hardy than the previous year, but I almost have them licked. Little bastards are evil like cockroaches and mosquitoes. May Uncle Satan slay them all. Cheers to that!
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Aug 1, 2013 10:35:22 GMT -5
I'll give you the chance to pick a theme again because of my limited computer access (typing this via phone which is a pain), but I'm going to try and win to get September's .
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