THE DANMAN CAN

"Everyone in Japan is lonely." More than a quarter century on,  Audition   (1999) doesn't pack quite the same punch that it did when I first saw it, but it's still a very good film with a level of reserve and depth—touching upon loss, longing, the Japanese patriarchy, and child abuse—lacking from some of director  Takashi Miike 's other work. While I understand it's intentional (in order to lull the audience), barring a few jarring scenes starting at the 43-minute mark,  Audition  is a very slow, ordinary drama (in both look and tone) until its final, unforgettable act. I get that the build-up approach is necessary and makes the ending that much more shocking (at least the first time), but I think there are other films that do the "slow burn to a crazy climax" thing just a bit better. However, those last 35 minutes really are something—hallucinatory, revolting, disturbing, but, at times, beautifully and dramatically shot. "To live means to appro...

"And we didn't even get to tell you the secrets of the universe." Joe Dante 's Explorers (1985) is a goofy but charming sci-fi adventure featuring the (cinematic) film debuts of Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix . It's uneven, the characters are underdeveloped, and much of the comedy falls flat (no shade on Robert Picardo ), but it's hard to deny the earnestness and the fun production design and make-up effects (by Rob Bottin ). Joe Dante Feature Films Ranked

"Hendra, we might be the first ones who dared to kiss among all these skulls." "My hunch is that you are a very dangerous human being." "You're an amazing girl, Cathy. Even in a state of pain you can still smile." "I will only borrow your head to perfect my knowledge."

Romero 's best film.  Savini 's best effects work. Bleak. Prophetic. The perfect zombie movie. George A. Romero Feature Films Ranked The Danman Top 100 Films (2024 Edition)

With The 'Burbs (1989), Joe Dante made a fun, macabrely funny, quotable cult movie about next door neighbors that may or may not be crazed murderers. The Tim Burton comparisons are unavoidable at times, but that's hardly important. And what a great cast. Tom Hanks  is easily the funniest he's ever been in this picture. Rick Ducommun is fantastic as well and threatens to steal the movie in almost every scene he's in. I love this film, which got better with age. Joe Dante Feature Films Ranked

Extra-Terrestrially Close Encounters Of The Minority Report Kind Steven Spielberg Feature Films Ranked Top 20 Directors

"Sometimes one has to alter the truth a bit. An author understands that." Erik Skjoldbjærg 's Insomnia (1997) is a cold and calculating, glacially-paced neo-noir featuring a notably dubious protagonist brilliantly brought to life by  Stellan Skarsgård .

 Mullets, explosions, and Stone Cold looks. Recommended for fans of  Cobra   (1986) [ review ],  Road House   (1989) [ review ], and  Point Break   (1991) [ review ]. Craig R. Baxley Films Ranked

Lucio Fulci 's penultimate film, Voices From Beyond (1991), is a supernatural familial murder mystery melodrama featuring occasional trademark macabre/surreal imagery (and good cinematography), amusing dialogue and situations, plenty of random nudity, and a solid score by  Stelvio Cipriani . If you'd like to hear me and my  Weirdo Wednesday Podcast  cohosts talk Fulci you can do so  here . Lucio Fulci Feature Films Ranked

Here's the latest video I created to celebrate the continuing saga of Freakout Friday  (presented by  Weirdo Wednesday ) at The Owl Theatre , Middlesex Community College in Lowell, MA. Subscribe to the Weirdo Wednesday Podcast on your favorite streaming platform and follow us on Instagram for updates! Dates for our summer screenings are below! WW/FF Videos by Demented Danman WW Logo by Iris Miller FF Owl Poster by Lil Spooky