The WOMAN in BLACK

Excellent Art Design, and a damn scary film - strong, clean direction.

Great sets. 

Great mood - just a good "ghost story" movie - I wish I could watch one o' these a month. There's an economy to the storytelling - very British. I think Susan Hill might like it. Ending's a tad goofy, but works for the story.

Woman in Black is rife with genuine tension, supported by strong performances, but there's one scene that really got me..

Yowsa!   ..unrelenting goosebumps..

..and it's a HAMMER Film - Go check it out ..if you like being scared.

A.

M e L a N c H o L i A

Best film of 2o11.

P S Y C H O

My 60th post and the jewel of 1960, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.

This movie has altered the path of my life.

I was raised on Psycho, my Mother having been amongst those in attendance during it's original release. 

Now, everyone's heard of the craziness in those theatres, as terrified fans lost their collective minds - screaming, crying, fainting..

..but true story - my Mom's cousin still hasn't seen the whole thing since she ran out back in '60 - I love that.

I had occasion to watch this on mute in a noisy bar, on a busy night..

My coworker, Ashley and myself happened to glance up at the same time - Norman is standing by the lake, and turns to camera - Absolutely Chilling - no joke - goosebumps, and both of us felt it.

Supports the thought Alfred Hitchcock put forth that a good film can be watched silently, and understood clearly.

Who do you root for when you watch Psycho?

Marion? 

Norman? 

Arbogast?

Who's the "hero" and who is the "villain"?

Can you really kill your protagonist half-way through the movie? 

Yes you can.

PROMETHEUS or ..The Return of RIDLEY SCOTT

While Batman fights the Avengers for most anticipated film of 2012, I'm counting the days 'til PROMETHEUS.

#1 on this kid's personal "film wishlist" was Ridley's return to Sci-Fi. I don't think any single Director has had more intelligent influence in the genre.
Only Stanley Kubrick's 2001 could challenge the claim, but that's for someone else to try.

Regardless, he's back, and man am I happy about it.

A MIND-BLOWING Trailer, and a clearly ultra-invigorated Scott has got ALIEN fans drooling for next summer. It looks mysterious and frightening, highlighted by brilliant sound design, and one talented cast.
I'll be talking about this one a lot.

Wanna get PSYCHED-UP?
Watch this one first...

...then this one..

I truly believe Ridley Scott is one of the few actual geniuses working in film today, and lucky for us - he's as excited as a boy with toys, on this particular playground.
So stoked.


A.

American Horror Story

Okay, it's not perfect..
..but man, I'm enjoying AHS.

Liked the premise right off, but it took a few episodes for this "haunted-house" show to truly find it's legs  ..but it found 'em. Some good acting and a couple surprises here and there are making this a pretty reliable watch.

Wouldn't have guessed that so much sex would work but it does ...and pretty well actually.
Most recent episode with Violet's realization = Fantastic.

I'll be back here real soon..
I'm back.. and wow, is everyone dead on AHS? What a crazy show! ...groovy, bring on the wacky..

Jan4/12
Wow, I can't believe I didn't see where this was all going for the season..
Very cool.

And Jessica Lange - Fantastic.
Gotta say - I'm genuinely intrigued by where this next season's going to go..

Alright - just watched it again, and I loved that last episode but yeah, where the fuck are they going with it?
Season Two:
"Happy Holiday-Loving Ghost Family Fight Anti-Christ!!"

Must confess to being somewhat apprehensive, but I'll be watching - that's for sure.


A.

Of Unknown Origin

I like horror movies.
I like simple straightforward narratives a lot.
..and I like Peter Weller.

Of Unknown Origin is a little old thriller from 1983. I'd seen that claw-raked-photo-painting-cover for years and just last night succumbed to my fascination.
Glad I did - it's wayyy different than I'd expected ...that being a AIP type of film ...bit loosey goosey and very dated. What I got was a small tight little story with a wicked performance at it's heart.

I love this era of horror ...when Dead Zone was shot in Canada ...when Changeling was shot in Canada..

Not Sold?
Well, the movie also boasts the debut of Shannon Tweed, and if you watch it for her nude scene you're done in five minutes ...easy peasy..
Then there's Louis Del Grande leading the Canadian charge comprised of Jennifer Dale, Maury Chaykin, and Kenneth Welsh ...go Canucks!

Peter Weller toasting to Canadians..

I'd always thought it was a supernatural story ...nope, far from it..
...so simple it's charming as hell.

AC