rate the last movie you saw

[AndyDursin]

I have found that a good deal of those black-expolitation films of the '70s aren't so-bad-they're-good, they're just bad. And many of them are just dated and boring.

[Monterey Jack]

I have found that a good deal of those black-expolitation films of the '70s aren't so-bad-they're-good, they're just bad. And many of them are just dated and boring.

I found the 2000 Shaft remake a lot better than the original (when will we see a legitimate release of David Arnold's terrific score?).

[AndyDursin]

I have found that a good deal of those black-expolitation films of the '70s aren't so-bad-they're-good, they're just bad. And many of them are just dated and boring.

I found the 2000 Shaft remake a lot better than the original (when will we see a legitimate release of David Arnold's terrific score?).

Agreed.

[John Johnson]

I have found that a good deal of those black-expolitation films of the '70s aren't so-bad-they're-good, they're just bad. And many of them are just dated and boring.

I found the 2000 Shaft remake a lot better than the original (when will we see a legitimate release of David Arnold's terrific score?).

Agreed.

Rumour has it LLL may release the score, although no word on a date. Staying on the subject of Shaft, anybody remember the tv series from the 70s?

[mkaroly]

Rumour has it LLL may release the score, although no word on a date. Staying on the subject of Shaft, anybody remember the tv series from the 70s?

I never saw the TV show. I saw the original film and enjoyed it for what it was. I LOVED the score for the original SHAFT movie though.

[AndyDursin]

Quick thoughts --

MOBY DICK 8/10 - This is the recent, expensive TV mini-series adaptation of the Melville book which aired domestically on the Encore channel. William Hurt is a bit all over the place in a fascinating turn as Captain Ahab while solid support is brought from Charlie Cox and Ethan Hawke. What's most surprising are the effects and location shooting -- the sailing sequences are very well done, with FX work and cinematography being top-quality considering its small-screen origins. Bogs down at times near the end, but worth seeing. (Out next week)

TRANSFORMERS DARK OF THE MOON 7/10 - I havent been a big fan of any of these TF movies, but this was by far the best one of the three, with an interesting premise, some great effects work and lots of action. On the downside is again the human element with a bland Shia LaBeouf and some totally unnecessary uses of profanity, just inexplicable in a film made with kids in mind. I won't watch it again, but I'll admit it wasn't bad for what it was either.

SCREAM 4 5/10 - Lifeless, pointless revisitation of Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson's horror franchise has a couple of funny lines at the outset ribbing torture-porn...but then has nowhere to go. I have to guess material with Courtney Cox and David Arquette might've been cut since the two were going thru a divorce during filming -- you can even sense the chemistry not being there. Anyway, it's kind of like the Crystal Skull -- I sat there wondering why anyone bothered other than to cash a check.

[Monterey Jack]

Drive: 10/10

The best movie I've seen this year, like a scuzzy 40's film noir reimagined as a hypnotic 80's Michal Mann crime thriller. Ryan Gosling delivers a star-making performance, and there's a terrifying supporting turn by, of all people, Albert Brooks! Highly reccomended (although the graphic violence might turn off squeamish viewers).

[Eric Paddon]

Ben Hur (1959) 10 of 10.
-On Blu-Ray it looks magnificent, and the Heston documentary is the first one that finally does right by this film after the misfires of the two previous documentaries.

Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) 5.5 of 10
-After reading a plot summary, I had to see this in the wake of my seeing a S4 "Mannix" episode with Carol Lynley that was clearly ripping off this film she had done. After watching it, I came away very underwhelmed since the twist was pretty apparent early on, and the climactic showdown which started out scary and tense then just went on WAY too long to the point where I was shouting, "Okay, enough, wrap this up!"

-I also couldn't help but think that maybe Keir Dullea should have channeled his character here when turning off HAL.

[Paul MacLean]

The Exorcist

Nope, never saw it until this week, courtesy of my old pal Andy (who pretty much insisted it was time I did!).

I was surprised by its overall style, or rather non-style. William Friedkin's approach is surprisingly sedate and unceremonious, eschewing fancy camerawork/lighting in favor of an almost documentary look (in sharp contrast to things like Psycho, The Omen, Poltergeist or even The Shining). Phenomenally well-acted as well, again featuring very un-theatrical, naturalistic performances. And yet despite this non-stylized approach to the material, the film's images and acting remain utterly compelling.

This film also has the scariest image I ever saw (which occurs early on, as the girl's possession begins to take hold if her).

I was struck but what an influential film it was as well -- I never realized how many of its ideas have been reused in other movies (like The Shining, Poltergeist, Ghostbusters, etc.).

In short, a hugely impressive production, worthy of its classic, iconic status, but a very disturbing film too, and not one I'm in a hurry to revisit (in fact I had trouble sleeping afterward -- thanks Andy! )

For those interested, the shot I found so disturbing can be seen on youtube. WARNING: it is pretty freaky, so proceed with caution.

[Jedbu]

I always found the spinal tap scene to be the most squirm inducing for me, more than anything else in the film.

This is William Friedkin before he became full of himself and working with an incredible cast. The film holds up beautifully after 38 years (boy, does that make me feel old!).

[Paul MacLean]

I always found the spinal tap scene to be the most squirm inducing for me, more than anything else in the film.

That was genuinely disturbing too (especially the blood squirting out of the tube in her neck)...but nothing freaks me out like that "demon face".

[Monterey Jack]

I saw The Exorcist for the first time during its 2000 theatrical reissue, and despite being stuck in a theater filled with obnoxious teenagers and twentysomethings yucking it up like it was an Evil Dead sequel, I had trouble sleeping for days afterwards. I haven't watched it since (although the Blu-Ray looks like a great package).

[mkaroly]

Both THE EXORCIST and THE OMEN are the two films about demonic things that are so effective as to make me never want to see them again. THE EXORCIST is just disturbing from start to finish without the glam and glitz of Hollywood stylings. It appears "real" without a ton of cinematic cliches (at least to me), and it has that disturbing 70s horror film vibe to it. THE OMEN has a Goldsmith score that nailed it; Damien looked the part, Mrs. Blaylock was effectively scary, and the one scene that really freaked me out was when the woman hung herself at Damien's party...very effective. THE OMEN is more of a "dramatic Hollywood" film but nonetheless gets the job done.

I have a great deal of respect for both films, but of the two THE EXORCIST has always been THE demonic film that set the standard.

[Jedbu]

For me, the scene in THE OMEN that I still cannot watch is David Warner's demise, which ranks with John Cassavetes' in THE FURY for just plain disturbing.

[AndyDursin]

For me, the scene in THE OMEN that I still cannot watch is David Warner's demise, which ranks with John Cassavetes' in THE FURY for just plain disturbing.

I think it's actually pretty funny -- the effects aren't quite cutting edge I mean, I like THE OMEN, but more for its scoring and cinematography than anything else. I don't think it's a classic in any cinematic regard -- it's just a slick piece of studio filmmaking that's very well directed.

THE EXORCIST though is a classic film through and through. The Blu-Ray has some phenomenal extras, and it's one of the few times I prefer the 'extended' version over the theatrical version -- some pertinent moments were cut, and I like the ending that Blatty had written. The sound design is also superior. When I had seen it in a sold-out theater back in 2000, the entire audience filled mostly of college age kids sat in silence throughout it. It's one of the few films that I find warrants repeat viewings, its ambiguity is fascinating and the entire force of the film so compelling...a classic!

EXORCIST III in spite of its post-production issues is also very much worth seeing (EXORCIST II is only good for some laughs). And Harlin's EXORCIST IV, though uneven and plagued by bad FX, is at least watchable (more than I can say for Schrader's terrible DOMINION).