You Don't Get a Perfect Wedding Without Killing a Few Zombies

The [REC] Trilogy is about a zombie outbreak that occurs in Spain. The first two (2007, 2008) are directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. The third (2012) is only done by Paco Plaza. The first two are good and scary horror films, with a whopping 96% and 69%. The style of filming is the "found footage, shaky-cam, only cameras are the ones the characters happen to be using at the time." Fortunately for them, that style was just starting to become popular and had not yet been totally beaten to death. There was a shoddy American remake that I won’t even bother mentioning. I HIGHLY recommend checking them out if you are looking for a good scare. 

96%

69%

33%

To try to somewhat defend this movie, it only has 6 ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. That's not to say that more critic reviews wouldn't just lower the average.

I purposely talked about how great the first two movies are on purpose. Just to be clear, we are now talking about how smart the stupidest kid in the class is. [REC]3 has fallen into the genre of terri-great. It is so terrible it is great. Maybe Jaume Balagueró was keeping this ship afloat, because Paco Plaza made a completely different movie; a horror movie with very few scares that was a fun, tongue-in-cheek, comedic, gorefest. It is 80 minutes long. The movie starts off with the traditional feel of the first two and about halfway through, it turns fantastically sour.

The movie quickly turns into a gory shockfest while laughing your ass off at what is happening to these characters. It has its moment but all in all it is just terrible and fun to watch. I haven't enjoyed something this terri-great since Piranha 3D. Something you must watch with a group of friends.

It becomes quite fun when she becomes the Milla Jovovich of the Resident Evil movies and starts to kick zombie ass.

He Stands Bewildered, Virtually Buried in Sunlight

Listen to this while you read. You'll probably be done reading before it is over. Keep listening. It's a nice little background ditty.

Today when I was heading back from the beach, I was going through Norfolk via a long tunnel. I couldn't help think of THX 1138. Actually, I think about that movie every time I go into a really long tunnel. 

Right before I started this post, my office chair fell of my bed and slammed onto the floor. It's not important why it was on the bed in the first place. I'm lucky my hard drives' platters didn't collide into each other.

Dramatic Reenactment 

Went to the beach this weekend with the family. It was the first big family trip we've ever had with my extended family. It was a good time. The sun wasn't out that much. When it was, it was damn nice out. The house was pretty sweet. I really enjoyed the crow's nest that was five stories up. It gave me a chance to use the panorama feature on my camera that I never get to use. They aren't mind blowing or anything. It is just a cool little setting to play with. 

I recently came across a band called Teengirl Fanstay. They fall under the electronic genre. I'm never good at putting music into sub-genres, so we'll just say electronic. NPR Music is featuring their new CD, "Tracer." I was going to say how awesome it is but I have been listening to it as have been typing this. Not really that impressed so far. So instead, take a listen to their CD "7AM", which isn't too shabs. I should also mention about Tom Cruise, whom I just also recently came across. They are pretty damn good. Here is a little bit of their new cd "In Decay." This all may not be your cup of tea. If not, refer to the back to the Bach piece at the top. You're a moron if you don't like any type of classical music. No. Really. You are if you don't. 

I'm sucking at trying to catch up to what is coming out but I'll get there eventually. Pardon my lack blurbs for each one. I REALLY am looking forward to seeing Robot & Frank, Your Sister's Sister and Chicken with Plums.

Out Now:

91%

91%

84%

80%

65%

This probably needs a little defending. Robert Pattinson will forever be tied to and remembered for the Twilight (the flaming pile of dog shit) saga. He is trying to have people take him seriously. I can respect that. I'll give him a real chance. He must be able to do something if David Cronenberg (A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, A Dangerious Method) picked him. I guess we'll see.  

Next Time:

I Wish This Was About Bill Murray. I Really Do.

73%

I really enjoy it when comedians take on serious roles. I LOVE when comedians take on serious roles and do it really well. Many comedians have done it. To name a few, we have Bill Murray (Name any Wes Anderson film, Lost in Translation), Will Ferrel (Stranger Than Fiction, Everything Must Go) and Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.) (God, I love Bill Murray. I really do.) It could be argued that when these comedians do these roles, that it blows away any famously silly movie they've done in the past. I think it's great to see that Andy Samberg is trying out this route as well. From what I've seen, it appears he may actually be able to pull it off in this dram-com. This is only playing at Landmark E-Street Cinema in D.C.

                                 

67%

Usually before I write about a particular movie I'll do a little research. IMDB, Rotton Tomatoes and  Moviefone are the top sites I hit first. I love doing it because I come across high rated movies I have never seen or heard of. Julie Deply is a perfect example of this. I only really remember Julie Delpy from Killing Zoe and An American Werewolf in Paris. After looking her up, I'm impressed with what she has done and how well she has been doing them. She was in Before Sunrise (100%) with Ethan Hawke. They were both in After Sunset (95%), but helped write it this time. For 2 Days in New York, I didn't know this was a sequel to 2 Days in Paris, in which she writes and directs both films. You research one film and now you have to watch four instead of one. Like Andy Samberg, it is good to see Chris Rock doing something like this. For right now the only closest showing of this is in MD, but should be hitting E-Street theater fairly soon.

67%

Out of Spike Lee's latest films, 25th Hour and Inside Man were by faarrr the best things he's done in a while. I absolutely loved them. What's funny about the Red Hook Summer trailer is that it names six other films that he has done besides the ones that I have mentioned. Spike Lee has gone back to doing what he knows best... and does so very well. Spike Lee has always stood out as a different type of director. I look forward to checking this out. It is only showing at the AMC Hoffman theater in Alexandria. 

   

Stay tuned...

UPCOMING 8/17:

So Let Me Get This Straight; John Williams Conducts Whilst Yo-Yo Ma Performs?

61%

It's been YEARS since I've seen this movie. I only remember that I have watched it before. When I rewatched it, I didn't remember ANY of the scenes. Funny, it's just as fantastic as I remember despite never remembering any of the scenes. Actually it was far better the second time.

 Sorry for the shit quality. They don't have a lot to pick from.

May I be so bold as to say this may be one of Brad Pitt's best? I think I can. I will be bold and say just that. 

One thing I definitely don't remember is who did the music. Holy Jebus. Not only does one of the most iconic film composers conduct, but Yo-Yo Ma performs this?! It is beauitful. 

You can not know anything about this film and still LOVE this soundtrack.

Sooo. Many. Movies.

The way I am going to break up this movie list is by watched, out now and upcoming. I’ll try to break them up throughout this week. Putting all of them into one post would just take way too much time. As a reminder, the percentages below the posters are their rotten tomatoes rating. I find rotten tomatoes critic ratings generally fairly accurate to what I like. I'm sure a lot of people could say that. Nonetheless, they will definitely sway me from seeing a movie right away, if at all. Be sure to make the trailers full screen. Let’s jump right into it… 

WATCHED:

92%

The only time I've ever really noticed Aubrey Plaza was in Scott Pilgrim vs the World. I know she is in Parks and Recreation, but I've never seen it. I hear good things. She definitely has gotten my attention with Safety Not Guaranteed. With a 92% you really can't go wrong, especially with this film. Aubrey's character can never really find her niche in life and just feels like someone no one ever really paid attention to. The film never really sticks in one genre for too long, so you don't really know what to expect. Currently this is only playing at the Landmark E-Street Cinema in D.C. A must see.

75%

One thing that always irks me is when someone says "Oh, it has subtitles? FORGET IT!" Go watch Battleship in 3D and stare at the 'splosions, moron. I was surprised how much I LOVED Intouchables. It was very, very funny and very heartwarming. Not to mention the score and soundtrack are spot on. Both François Cluzet and Omar Sy are just pure gold. I can't recall the last time two actors carried the comedy by just speaking to each other. They don't have to succumb to some off the wall scenarios that would never happen to anyone. Seriously, don't miss this one before it leaves the theaters. It's playing at the Cinema Arts Centre Theatre in Fairfax and in Bethesda, MD. Don't miss it.      

75%

Some movies are just not for everyone. Killer Joe can probably fall into that category for A LOT of people. When we were heading into the movie, the ticket custodian (I think I just made up that job title. Maybe not.) asked us if we were ready for a violent movie. Already knowing it was an NC-17 movie, it kind of added on to the excitement of not knowing what to expect. Killer Joe stars Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church and Gina Gershon. It's a pretty decent cast who all do a pretty great job. I do like me some Matthew McConaughey. He has never really been the huge A list star but he does have a handful of movies I really like him in (Dazed and Confused, A Time to Kill, U-571, Frailty, Reign of Fire, Lincoln Lawyer). This probably has to be one of his best so far. It is a very dark comedy thriller I guess you could say. Never have I laughed while someone's face was getting pummeled with a large can of pumpkin pie. That sounds wrong but you have to see it to understand what I am talking about. Definitely not your traditional movie. OH, and you'll never look at K. Fried C. and Gina Gershon the same way again. It's a pretty funny fucked up movie. If this is your cup of tea then check it out. Otherwise, move on. Killer Joe is only playing at Landmark E-Street Cinema in D.C.

Stay tuned...

OUT NOW: