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Showing posts from June, 2017

Baby Driver (2017) ****

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I wasn't sure where my opinion was going to lie with Baby Driver  (2017). I ended up loving it. It is by far the most "pop" Edgar Wright film so far but it still has his stamp all over it. The soundtrack really is gosh darn good and the choreography of the scenes around the songs is impeccable and done in a way that no other filmmaker could accomplish. Musicians themselves crop up all over this film as well - most obviously Paul Williams , Flea ,  Sky Ferreira , but also Big Boi , Killer Mike  and (somehow I missed it)   Jon Spencer  ( JSBX is the first track used in the film). I like that Wright   isn't afraid to acknowledge his influences (obviously The Driver  (1978) and Drive   (2011)), including a cameo from Walter Hill  (which I apparently also missed), but also includes homages to The Omen   (1976)   and I'm sure other stuff that I need a second viewing to catch (as with Spaced   (1999-2001)   it can be a near impossible task to catch all the referen

Maniac Cop (1988) ***1/2

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"You don't smile."  "Must of partied it up good in here." "You wanna see the pretty pictures?" "Fucking A, I'm a cop. What the fuck are you?" "Fuck you."

The Pink Panther (1963) **** [Beumb-a-thon Pt. 1]

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The Ballad Of Cable Hogue (1970) ****

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The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970) ****

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Focus On Film: Episode 54 - September 2017 Criterion Titles

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Focus On Film   Episode 54  is up! Download the MP3  HERE This month 3 out of 4 of our Best and Worst choices begin with the letter "D" and 2 out of 4 of them begin with the word "death". Plus the usual. In this episode: September 2017  Criterion Collection   Titles Announcement Best & Worst Of The Month  – DON'T BREATHE (2016), RUMBLE FISH  (1983), DEATH NOTE  (2006-2007), DEATH MACHINES  (1976) Criterion Most Wanted "Focus On Film Theme"  & commercial music:  Daniel Sardella

Eraserhead (1977) *****

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I'm not sure I can think of another film that's as simultaneously bizarre, terrifying, hilarious, confusing, disturbing, repulsive, and captivating. 40 years on and  David Lynch 's  Eraserhead   remains a masterpiece that excites me with every viewing. One of my favorite films of all time.

Ride The High Country (1962) ***1/2

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Serial Mom (1994) ***1/2

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Trans Am "California Hotel" (2017) ***

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Too short, too few songs, and underwhelming for a TA  album, but it seems like every other LP by them is killer and the ones in between, while still good, not so much. I do like how the album is split, much like Bowie 's Low   (1977).

Nocturnal Animals (2016) ****1/2

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Previous thoughts  on Nocturnal Animals  (2016). Still holds up on a second viewing.

The Night Flier (1997) **1/2

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It Comes At Night (2017) ****

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Really enjoyed this tense and ambiguous little slow burner.

Death Machines (1976) **

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Rumble Fish (1983) ****

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I finally got around to seeing this and I loved it. Coppola 's poetic and experimental film features sumptuous cinematography, a vibrant score by  Police  drummer  Stewart Copeland  and appeals to me as a fan of  A   STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE ,  WEST SIDE STORY ,  Jim Jarmusch , and Coppola 's own later film  TETRO . 

The Anderson Tapes (1971) ***1/2

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The Paradine Case (1947) ***

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Not a bad film, but definitely one of Hitchcock 's more unremarkable ones.