100 Movies. 31 Days. The 4th Annual "October Horror Movie Challenge" (Oct 1-31) Pt 2
10-14-08, 09:32 PM
#151
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10-14-08, 11:01 PM
#152
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Chortled through a delightfully wretched triple feature last night: Death Weekend, Three on a Meathook and Killer Party. All three were of course terrible, but Killer Party in particular gets docked points for a thorougly ridiculous opening:
Spoiler:
10-14-08, 11:20 PM
#153
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Yeah, most even really good foreign films turn out kindy of silly when you watch the English dubbed version. Of course, on rare occasion, depending on the subject matter, this can enhance the craziness for instance with the movie Versus.
Still got no comments on whether the Witch Mountain Disney flicks could be considered in the G-rated category...
Still got no comments on whether the Witch Mountain Disney flicks could be considered in the G-rated category...
10-14-08, 11:34 PM
#154
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10-14-08, 11:40 PM
#155
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It's by far the weakest of the original trilogy, but when you've practically revolutionized horror and created a sub-genre, it's kind of hard to exceed that. Romero has said he played the thing with the whole mad scientist gimmick as over the top on purpose. The thing that's always annoyed me the most in the movie was that one military guy who takes charge being such a psycho for no apparent reason...well unless you count the zombies taking over the world and living underground waiting to die as a reason...LOL. He intended originally to have a whole army of fighting zombies but didn't have the money to make it happen. So they were forced to rework the idea on a much smaller level and decided to make it a little more farcical I guess in the process. There are some nice gore moments in this one that are every bit as good as Dawn. I think that's still Romero's problem, not being able to fully decide between straight up horror or more satire. The satire of the first two films was much more understated and doesn't even need to be read into them to enjoy them at face value. Maybe he just needs to get somebody else to write scripts for him. That's what I've always said about Dario Argento, another good director but not so great writer, especially given the language barrier he has to overcome with making movies in English. We owe a lot to Dario though cause without him there would be no Dawn of the Dead or its sequels most likely. He was the one who approached George about making a sequal to Night of the Living Dead and even paid him and set him up in Italy for a while I think to work on the script. That's why he got to make the inferior European cut of the film.
As for the 2 other sequels after Day, I have yet to see the latest one. I liked Land of the Dead, but the message of this film was even more blatant than in Day. I still had fun watching me the movie, though. I have heard little to no positive things on the latest one, but it might have value to it.
10-14-08, 11:57 PM
#156
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I would say I pretty much agree with everything you said. I do like Day of the Dead, but it is the weakest of the original trilogy. Had he the money to make the original vision he had, maybe it would be the best in the series. Who knows? But I do like it, for what it's worth.
As for the 2 other sequels after Day, I have yet to see the latest one. I liked Land of the Dead, but the message of this film was even more blatant than in Day. I still had fun watching me the movie, though. I have heard little to no positive things on the latest one, but it might have value to it.
As for the 2 other sequels after Day, I have yet to see the latest one. I liked Land of the Dead, but the message of this film was even more blatant than in Day. I still had fun watching me the movie, though. I have heard little to no positive things on the latest one, but it might have value to it.
Yeah, I still enjoy Day of the Dead as a zombie flick. I have the blu-ray now. Say what you will about Romero, but despite the problems with his stories and characters, he knows better than anyone how to treat zombies in film. So on that basis, practically anything he does is better than most of the people still trying to mimic him. There are some piss poor zombie flicks out there, and they all want to be Dawn of the Dead. I've only seen a handful come close to equaling Romero in his genre, namely the remake of Dawn of the Dead, Undead (though many people don't like the last part of it), Tom Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead (practically a love poem to Romero), and Peter Jackson's Dead Alive. Lucio Fulci tried to make some decent zombie films for years and sparked a European interest in the genre, but even the best of those don't hold a candle to Romero's worst efforts in the genre in my book.
I've yet to see Diary of the Dead, but I've pre-ordered the blu-ray and hope to get it before Halloween. I've heard bad things, but I'm going in with an open mind about it. I liked the zombieness of Land of the Dead and think that was closer to what Romero may have wanted to do with Day of the Dead, though I really didn't like the heavy-handed political satire getting in the way.
10-15-08, 12:38 AM
#157
I'm having some trouble finding G-rated films that would count, particularly things I already may own. Would either of Disney's Escape or return to Witch Mountain films count? I mean, evil people are chasing kids with supernatural powers, and Donald Pleasance and Christopher Lee are in them.
10-15-08, 12:57 AM
#158
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Exactly, we've always been really liberal on the checklist. It's just a fun tool to help us diversify a bit.
So far, I think I've bought twice as many as horror films as I've watched this month. Sad.
So far, I think I've bought twice as many as horror films as I've watched this month. Sad.
10-15-08, 07:57 AM
#159
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Quarantine wasn't bad. But if you've seen [REC], you've seen Quarantine. It's a lot better than I thought it would be and it adds some cool anti-government shots, but the ending, while very similar to the ending of [REC] just doesn't deliver...they don't even attempt to explain anything and the shaky cam is WAYYYYY worse in Quarantine than it was in [REC].
10-15-08, 09:12 AM
#160
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Yeah, I still enjoy Day of the Dead as a zombie flick. I have the blu-ray now. Say what you will about Romero, but despite the problems with his stories and characters, he knows better than anyone how to treat zombies in film. So on that basis, practically anything he does is better than most of the people still trying to mimic him. There are some piss poor zombie flicks out there, and they all want to be Dawn of the Dead. I've only seen a handful come close to equaling Romero in his genre, namely the remake of Dawn of the Dead, Undead (though many people don't like the last part of it), Tom Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead (practically a love poem to Romero), and Peter Jackson's Dead Alive. Lucio Fulci tried to make some decent zombie films for years and sparked a European interest in the genre, but even the best of those don't hold a candle to Romero's worst efforts in the genre in my book.
I've yet to see Diary of the Dead, but I've pre-ordered the blu-ray and hope to get it before Halloween. I've heard bad things, but I'm going in with an open mind about it. I liked the zombieness of Land of the Dead and think that was closer to what Romero may have wanted to do with Day of the Dead, though I really didn't like the heavy-handed political satire getting in the way.
I've yet to see Diary of the Dead, but I've pre-ordered the blu-ray and hope to get it before Halloween. I've heard bad things, but I'm going in with an open mind about it. I liked the zombieness of Land of the Dead and think that was closer to what Romero may have wanted to do with Day of the Dead, though I really didn't like the heavy-handed political satire getting in the way.
10-15-08, 10:58 AM
#161
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Day of the Dead
Rhodes wasn't the leader until their last one bit the bucket, and him taking over was a bad idea, but they had no choice. Things kept escalating and with a asshole in charge things were bound to blow up.
I don't know how one can't like Bub, but I guess it's possible. I enjoy the frankenstein plot, and I found really interesting the idea of training zombies. Bub is one of the favorite all-time characters, and Sherman Howard was incredible in the role. But if you hated the idea of Bub, Land expands on that greatly.
For the record, I've read the original Day script and while I liked it, it would'e needed to go through a few drafts to make a good film. It had too many characters for one. I greatly enjoy the final product we got, so it's not a big loss. Plus many ideas were just filtered into Land.
Also Diary has been better recieved than Land of the Dead, and I think rightly so, but it's probably the most polarizing of the Dead films. The message is very pointed. Has some of the best scenes in any Romero film though.
10-15-08, 11:03 AM
#162
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I loved "Day of the Dead." I didn't like it the first time I saw it, but on subsequent watchings, it grew on me and I enjoyed the acting and the themes a lot more (and the spectacular gore). "Land" wasn't my favorite, but "Diary" blew me away. Of all the handheld shaky cam horrors I've seen, "Diary of the Dead" is my favorite, and the message had me pondering for days.
10-15-08, 11:21 AM
#163
DVD Talk Gold Edition
As for the 2 other sequels after Day, I have yet to see the latest one. I liked Land of the Dead, but the message of this film was even more blatant than in Day. I still had fun watching me the movie, though. I have heard little to no positive things on the latest one, but it might have value to it.
Out of the 5 Romero zombie flicks, this one has the most blatent, hit-you-over-the-head message.
But like stonecountry states, even the "worst" Romero zombie film is still better than most out there.
10-15-08, 12:18 PM
#164
DVD Talk Gold Edition
More Day of the Dead
Thanks for everyone's replies. It looks like I'm not completely crazy, but it seems like most of you still liked it, albeit not your favorite Romero Zombie flick. I really did not like it at all, though. I will listen to both of the commentaries sometime in the next month or so to perhaps get a better understanding of what he was going for. A lot of times I will appreciate a movie a little more after I listen to the commentary(s).
As for Bub. I just couldn't stand it. I wanted to fast forward through those parts. The idea didn't seem to follow any of the logic that was set up in the first two movies and the positive reinforcement that was set up in the movie for his behavior seemed to go against that logic.
I know we're dealing with zombie logic here, which has a lot of leeway, but it just put me off.
As for Bub. I just couldn't stand it. I wanted to fast forward through those parts. The idea didn't seem to follow any of the logic that was set up in the first two movies and the positive reinforcement that was set up in the movie for his behavior seemed to go against that logic.
Spoiler:
I know we're dealing with zombie logic here, which has a lot of leeway, but it just put me off.
10-15-08, 01:21 PM
#165
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10-15-08, 05:00 PM
#167
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The 1931 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was rousing entertainment - the sexual repression aspect of the Hyde character was quite interesting, the early use of split screens effective, and the comely charms of Miriam Hopkins on full pre-Code display. I'll have to see how it compares to the 1941 remake this evening. The Picture of Dorian Gray was a treat as always - the transfer looks fine to my eyes, and Lansbury is an utter angel. No one tossed off caustic bon mots like George Sanders. Looking forward to watching the commentary.
10-15-08, 06:12 PM
#168
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Trevor - I couldn't let this one fly under the radar. This just made me laugh out loud...
Originally Posted by Trevor
47- Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein (1999) - 4/10 - * - Pretty much what I expected. I was never a chipmunk fan, so have no idea why I bought this DVD, probably for future checklist purposes. Sad that I would actually buy things I don't want just for a meaningless checklist, but that's OCD for you.
10-15-08, 07:45 PM
#169
DVD Talk Special Edition
Format war? What format war?
So I watched a silent, 8mm short last night called, The Vampire and the Ballerina (more info on my list's comment). Not really great, but it's been a while since I watched actual FILM in my house. It was a lot of fun and the family loved it. Nice to get different formats onto my list, though had to cash in a WC.
10-15-08, 08:01 PM
#170
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Man, I'm really sucking so far. Only 8 titles watched and half the month gone. Work and school have really been kicking my ass. I'll be happy if I can finish with 20, which is about 5 less than I did last year.
10-16-08, 07:38 AM
#171
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I'm with ya, I just haven't had the time, unfortunately.
10-16-08, 09:41 AM
#172
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Not sure if I've mentioned this in this thread or not, sorry for the late notice if so, but there is a Horror Film Festival starting tonight in Fairfax VA.
http://www.thespookymovie.com/
Plan on hitting most of the next five days of it, never been to anything like it before.
http://www.thespookymovie.com/
Plan on hitting most of the next five days of it, never been to anything like it before.
10-16-08, 11:42 AM
#173
Moderator
hey, does anyone here get the satellite channel Monsters HD? It's not horror, but is One Million Years BC the full uncut version or the trunscated US release?
for kicks, here's the October schedule
October 2008 Schedule (Monsters HD)
('scuse me while I wipe my spittle off the floor)
for kicks, here's the October schedule
October 2008 Schedule (Monsters HD)
('scuse me while I wipe my spittle off the floor)
Last edited by Giles; 10-16-08 at 11:45 AM.
10-16-08, 11:58 AM
#174
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I'm with ya... I've only watched 3 actual movies so far. Most of my list is comprised of Wild Cards... I don't even know why I am keeping track at this point. I keep hoping that I'll be able to rebound and watch at least a little more than I am but there just isn't time.
Plus, I have been diagnosed as having sleep apnea so that explains why I haven't had the energy to stay up and watch anything after the kids finally get to bed. However, I had my CPAP sleep study last night (I looked like I should be fighting off some mynocks in some unknown "cave") so it looks like I'll be all set to go for next year's challenge.
Last edited by Darth Maher; 10-16-08 at 12:05 PM.
10-16-08, 12:15 PM
#175
Moderator
Not sure if I've mentioned this in this thread or not, sorry for the late notice if so, but there is a Horror Film Festival starting tonight in Fairfax VA.
http://www.thespookymovie.com/
Plan on hitting most of the next five days of it, never been to anything like it before.
http://www.thespookymovie.com/
Plan on hitting most of the next five days of it, never been to anything like it before.
over at the AFI Silver they are showing
http://www.afi.com/silver/new/nowpla...halloween.aspx
Night of the Living Dead
Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the WereRabbit
Rosemary's Baby
Nosferatu (w/ live orchestra)
in San Francisco the Castro's Halloween Horror films this weekend:
http://www.thecastrotheatre.com/p-list.html#oct17
