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Post by loverofbeers on Mar 1, 2014 13:26:44 GMT -5
We tied so a continuation to this film competition so as to declare a winner. Plus I wouldacouldashoulda won (but fell asleep) by finishing Hammer's The Curse of Dracula starring the Horror Royalty duo of best friends, Sir Christopher Lee and Peter "God" Cushing. Fell asleep with a mellow pour of bourbon sitting in a glass untouched. It was a brutal Friday, but a good and busy Friday.
Here is a copy and paste job:
Okay, the theme for the month is British related flicks and documentaries.
One point for non-horror British made or British themed movies or documentaries.
Two points for Horror themed British movies or documentaries.
NEW RULE: Directed by a British director like Alfred Hitchcock or filmed in the U.S. but occurring in The British Isles also counts like Universal Horror films.
The rules: Honor system at play and films/documentaries must take place or have been filmed in England. All Hammer films wherever they may have been filmed as well as Amicus films count. And British Lion films too.
I will win this month. Bring it Jake, just bring it.....
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Post by loverofbeers on Mar 19, 2014 23:16:32 GMT -5
I haven't watched shit this month but I am gonna start, tomorrow. But I have farted in Donald Rumsfeld's face, five times. Five times. Best day of my life. I have that going for me, fun times. Cheers!
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Mar 27, 2014 9:25:44 GMT -5
I haven't watched much this month as well so we're on equal footing, I've been sick the whole month ,but now my friend it is on!
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Mar 28, 2014 11:58:39 GMT -5
Hey LOB you been having any trouble with Viooz?
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Mar 28, 2014 18:18:13 GMT -5
Spoilers Below:
First I watched John Moxey's 1960 horror film The City of the Dead aka Horror Hotel, starring Christopher Lee. It's about a history student who goes to the old rural New England town of Whitewood to investigate the legends of witches for her term paper. The cinematography was great, making excellent use of lighting and such simple, yet effective effects (for example fog that happened to look great as well as this vast moving shadow representing Lucifer's power). The soundtrack consisted of jazz (which I thought was great) and the more traditional horn horror soundtrack, mixed in with an organ(which sounds like almost a parody of old horror film scores) that's done in such a way that it's similar to that music I hate ,but manages to not be annoying. The acting and gore were good, while the acts of violence looked ok. It surprised me with the false protagonist, quite similar to Psycho (both made the same year and independently) there's a blonde female protagonist who you follow most of the movie and as a result you're expecting her not to die, but then when she's captured and killed it's a surprise. I thought the ending was a cool idea and in fact there were moments where it looked great (one of the dying good guys lifts up a giant cross and mounts a last stand as both and act of vengeance and protection for his friends, the cross causes the witches to burn). However, the problem was that it made the villains look too weak (the climax came a bit too easily and suddenly. As always Christopher Lee carried himself well and had a good presence. I liked the illustrated title sequence and how the villains would purposely be just obvious enough to lead the protagonists into doing what they wanted them to do. Now for a little background on the film: it is a British Lion film and is also considered by many to be the first (albeit unofficial) Amicus horror film because it was produced by Milton Subotsky and Max Rosenburg (founders of Amicus). While consisting of a British cast, crew, and indeed being filmed there because it's supposed to take place in New England the actors used "American accents" (at one point Christopher Lee goes from his regular voice to a less distinct one). Overall this is a good film, that is a little shy of being great.
Then I watched William Wyler's 1965 American-British coproduction and psychological horror-thriller The Collector, which was based off of John Fowles 1963 novel of the same name. It stars Terrence Stamp and Samantha Eggar and is about a lonely entomologist (who's specialty and passion is butterflies)who wins a lottery and decides to kidnap a woman he loves from a far, keeping her captive until she loves him. The acting is good- great, as is the soundtrack. The cinematography is great, the gore is bad, and the acts of violence look good. Stamp excels in this film, doing a great job as the villain who thinks he's done nothing wrong switching between almost naïve to menacing on a moment's notice. One of the themes of the film is the conflict between social classes, more importantly working class and the wealthy. One of the things that's so great about this movie is how the cinematography and soundtrack reflect Stamp's point of view with happy music playing while he dances in the beautiful British countryside as a celebration for managing to kidnap his "beloved". The ending was great as well, after spending almost two hours obsessing after his victim he buries her after she dies from illness and moves on almost instantly realizing it was a mistake to think his plan would work because after all she was much too uppity and instead finds a new "love" from the same social class as him. This isn't quite a great movie because of the bad gore and Eggar's performance (it isn't that she's bad by any means ,but she's quite outshined by Stamp and her acting just doesn't measure up to his),but it is still a really good movie.
After that I watched a film I'd been meaning to watch since our first American film contest and only found out afterwards that it qualifies for this competition, John Hough's (The Legend of Hell House) American film Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry starring Peter Fonda, Susan George, Adam Roarke, and Vic Morrow. It's about the titular Larry and his partner Deke trying to get away from the police after extorting $150,000 from a Savemart manager (accompanied by Mary against their will). The acting, soundtrack (although barely used),cinematography and chase sequences were all great. This movie is different in a few noticeable ways: first of all Larry is crazy (although not in the way you'd think) and is an unlikeable asshole, there really isn't much character development although you sort of get the gist of the characters, and the small town police are portrayed as reasonable. Fonda and Morrow as Larry and the Sheriff Department Captain excel at their roles Larry has a presence, is delusional, and you can tell he just isn't right. The Sheriff Captain seems arrogant at first ,but ends up being quite skilled and just believes in justice. I liked how despite being a good driver (at least in his mind) Larry is called out for constantly hitting things and swerving all the time. This movie reminded me why I like old school stunts so much. I mean my god there's a chase at the end involving a helicopter that is just amazing and it's made even more impressive because you know there's people actually doing that. And of course like almost any 70's movie there is a downer/depressing ending except in this case it wasn't so much because I was rooting against Larry. Great movie and a recommend.
Finally I watched Andrew Parkinson's (who also wrote and produced) 1998 horror film I, Zombie: The Chronicles of Pain starring Giles Aspen and Ellen Softley. It's about a man who becomes bitten by a zombie and slowly starts succumbing to his infection. The acting is good, the gore is generally great (except for a bad looking severed head), the soundtrack was great (a combination of 80's synth, folk music, and 70's style funk rock), the acts of violence looked ok-good, and the cinematography truly ran the gamut from awful to great (for the most part looking faded and like "one of those movies", although there were a few great shots). Also interspliced with the main character's story is mockumentary style therapy sessions dealing with the people who knew the main character before his disappearance. Similar to Colin (another low budget British zombie film with the protagonist being a zombie that I had described to me as great) I didn't think this movie was that good and was bored near the end of it. However, I think that this film had an interesting twist on the zombie formula because the protagonist is aware of his ailment and in control for various amounts of time all the while combating his hunger (similar to some vampire stories). Also there was an accidental self zombie castration scene in this movie that had me laughing. Overall this was an ok movie that had some good ideas that weren't executed that well. I wouldn't mind seeing it be remade.
I watched the first film and 2nd film on the same days of the month respectively and didn't watch the third film until yesterday to give you an idea of how my sickness had me out of commission ,but now I'm back and going to finish strong. Also if I win I was wondering if you'd be up for a two month competition. The reason I ask is because I have like 58 films scouted for this particular idea (although it'll also work just fine as a regular month long competition). Either way is fine and I hope you bring it now because I will.
JAS-7
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Post by loverofbeers on Mar 29, 2014 12:05:52 GMT -5
Jake, I hope you are feeling much better.
And yep, I have had problems with Viooz. Been to busy to investigate, but Satan bless the ol' Youtube. And not that I have wasted/spent much time dating the classic and classy movie hating chick (because work and dogs are more important to me), but as of last night I am finally free of the albatross around my neck known as a grumpy/angry woman with a killer body and shit taste in film. So to celebrate, I am opening a pre-work Modelo Especial to Cheers! myself for not thinking with my dick at this stage of my life.
Win, lose, or draw, I like this film competition for future competitions. British movies rock.
I have only seen one movie as of last night starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, the British Lion version of the Jekyll and Hyde tale, I, Monster from I think 1971. I'll type more tonight after work possibly, and I have three other movies downloaded and ready for watching. Work has taken so much of my time including dozens of hours of overtime.
So time for that beer and a shower, and off to work. A secondary Cheers! to Horror film and black and white film loving women. Thank you for not sucking like a leech!
LOB-2
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Post by loverofbeers on Apr 1, 2014 0:01:07 GMT -5
SHENANIGANS!!!! Goddamned computer over and over for the last few days has fucked the pooch in my download attempts. Both movies I tried to download today while at work failed and I can't sneak in four more points so I have to reluctantly declare defeat and Jake whompped my ass. I did get two more single points but.... Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!! First I watched Thor, The Dark World (2013) which was loosely based on storylines and characters developed by Walt Simonson in his amazing run on the Marvel Comics' Thor run, especially in the characters of Malekith the Dark Elf and Kurse. If you love great comic runs, scratch that, classic comic runs of the highest order, seek out these comics which lead to Ragnarok and Thor's epic battle with the Midgard Serpent, Jormundgr. The movie itself was pretty decent but not a classic of our time. The scenes on earth, Midgard, take place only in England. Next I watched Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) which takes place between the two World Wars. It co-stars Peter Lorre as the heavy and was my second Peter Lorre film. I will be seeking more of his work in the future. He was a tremendous actor who Charlie Chaplin considered the best actor of their age. I think I agree. I recommend this film to fans of black and white glory. Jake, as the ass-whompper you are in charge of the next theme and a two month competition is a-okay with my grumpy at technology ass. I poured an Alexander Murray 1993 18 Year Old Scotch for my viewing of Alfred Hitchcock's silent film about the Jack the Ripper tale, The Lodger and another film starring the duo of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, The Gorgon. Damned computer. Instead, a single malt Cheers! to Jake. You earned it my brother. LOB-4
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Post by jakeawesomesnake on Apr 1, 2014 2:13:55 GMT -5
I finished with a trio of random horror films I found on YouTube. Spoilers Below:
First I watched Spanish director Jose Ramon Lorraz (although he directed this film as Joseph Lorraz) 1974 British horror film The House That Vanished aka Scream... and Die! (which was also its original title). It's about a British model who finds herself stalked by an unknown killer after witnessing him murder somebody in a house located in the middle of nowhere. The acting was good, cinematography was either bad (almost, but not quite as bad as that 80's darkness where you can't see anything)or great (both outdoor and interior shots looked superb and creepy), the soundtrack was good (like half the soundtrack was Beethoven's Fur Elise and the rest was traditional horror music mixed with some funky horns), the gore was good, and the acts of violence looked ok. The main character was really dumb though, like you witness a murder and then the murder starts stalking you to the point that he has his car parked outside your apartment just to let you know he knows where you live, but you still don't call the police because you were accidentally trespassing in the house where the murder takes place. Then you're friend is raped and murdered in your apartment, but you still don't fully disclose to the police. It also had sort of a giallo feel because the killer had these dark leather gloves and that was used as a way to keep you guessing who the murderer was. Overall, though it was a good movie. Then I watched Roy Ward Baker's 1973 horror (and Amicus production) film And Now the Screaming Starts! starring Ian Ogilvy, Peter Cushing, and Stephanie Beacham, and Peter Magee. It is about a newlywed wealthy couple in the late 1700's who's moving in to an old family estate triggers a curse. The acting was good, the cinematography was great (particularly outdoor), the gore was ok-great (mostly ok), the acts of violence looked ok, the soundtrack was awful (that hokey 60's-70's horror stuff I've talked about at length, I mean it took away from the film), and the stunts (there were like three falls) looked laughably bad. The film had potential for a great jump scare at the beginning ,but ruined it due to the soundtrack and zooming in multiple times giving away that something was going to happen. I kind of liked the idea of the curse (that the cursed family's child would magically become the curse causer family's child). Overall, it was an ok movie.
Finally I watched Jose Ramon Lorraz's (again as Joseph Lorraz) 1974 horror film Symptoms which is about a couple of friends who live in the country. The gore was ok-good (mostly ok), the soundtrack was bad (more of that old horn stuff I hate), the outdoor cinematography was great and so was some of the indoor cinematography, the acts of violence looked ok-good (mostly ok), and the acting ranged from bad-good. Not much really happens throughout this film. They try to keep you guessing whether what's happening is real or supernatural. However, not much really happens until the end and even then it's still sort of incoherent. This was a bad movie that engages in the worst movie sin... it was just sort of boring, dull, and unremarkable.
Thanks LOB, I'm starting to feel better and I feel you're technological pain my friend. I wouldn't mind doing this competition again sometime down the road because there's just so much good stuff to choose from.
JAS-13
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