Archive
Movie Review: The Evil Dead (1981)
Summary:
A group of five 20-somethings head for a long weekend in a cabin in the woods. In the basement, they find an old tape recorded by the previous resident–a professor. This professor reads passages from The Book of the Dead that he’s been studying. Playing the tape accidentally raises demons, and the group are left fighting against possession and for survival throughout the night.
Review:
This low-budget B movie is the quintessential cabin in the woods horror movie. Written and directed by Sam Raimi who went on to direct the Spider-man movies and more recently Drag Me To Hell, it pits these 20-somethings against an evil force that infects them as opposed to a serial killer.
You guys, I absolutely loved this movie. I already have a weakness for low-budget horror movies, as I love a good chuckle with my jumps, but there is so much more awesome to this movie than the summaries out there tell you. They tell you this is a zombie movie. Zombie movie is so not the right definition. This is an evil trees movie.
In the first half an hour, there is motherfucking tree porn. What’s tree porn, you ask? It’s tentacle porn, only with tree branches. The girl who gets raped by the tree is now infected, and the infection gets spread via wood. The infection makes them mindless attacking machines, but they do not eat flesh. They just chant “JOIN US!” Even more awesome is the fact that when their limbs etc… get cut off not only blood but tree semen comes out of them.
Adding to the awesomeness that is the tree venereal disease is the stop-motion special effects. They give such a different vibe than cgi and are truly well-done.
There are also your typical B-movie, chuckle-worthy lines. Plus if there’s nothing too horrifying going on on the screen, you can always watch Bruce Campbell’s chin. I dubbed him “Cro-Magnon Man.” His face is just that awesome. Plus he has a faint unibrow.
If you want a creative twist on a typical horror set-up, definitely check out The Evil Dead. I mean, you’ve at last gotta watch the first half hour for the tree porn.
5 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Summary:
Aspiring writer and kept man Paul moves into a new apartment building where he meets quirky Holly Golightly. Holly pays her bills by going on dates with wealthy men and sneaking off with the $50 they give her for the power room. The two start to entwine into each other’s lives, and Paul discovers there’s more to Holly than meets the eye.
Review:
As I was watching, I thought this was a meh movie, but then in the last five minutes I suddenly came to love it. That’s what classic movies can do that modern movies often don’t. They set up a world that just seems average, but then blow your mind in the end with what you’ve actually seen and learned about the characters. You’re being touched while watching the movie without even realizing it.
The film moves at a meandering pace that allows you to truly get a glimpse of NYC in the 1960s. The outfits, the decor, the drinks, the smoking….. It truly is a period piece. There was one large sour note in the film that is reflective of when it came out though in the form of Holly’s upstairs neighbor, who is the definition of a racist caricature of Asians, and he wasn’t even played by an Asian or Asian-American actor. I wish he wasn’t in the movie, but it is reflective of the times.
Holly Golightly is such a well-written character. You alternate between identifying with her, loathing her, and feeling sorry for her, and that is what makes her seem like such a real person. By the ending, I really wasn’t sure if I hated or cared for her, but either way, I understood her. That’s a wonderful thing to come to understand someone who has the issues Holly does.
If you enjoy classic films or films built around careful character building, give Breakfast at Tiffany’s a shot. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: Being John Malkovich (1999)
Summary:
There aren’t many job openings in Craig Schwartz’s chosen career–puppeteering. His animal-loving wife suggests he get a job in the meantime, so he finds one filing for an office on the 7 1/2 floor of a building. There he finds a small door that allows whoever goes inside it to be inside actor John Malkovich’s mind, seeing through his eyes, for 15 minutes before being spit out on the roadside. He and a woman he works with start selling trips for $200 a visit, but there’s more to being John Malkovich than meets the eye.
Review:
What a trippy movie. It’s a little bit of a character study of loser Craig and his equally loser wife, and what it does there is excellent. Plus you get to see Cameron Diaz being frumpy, which is worth the watch in and of itself.
The puppet scenes are simultaneously disturbing and funny, but mostly it’s just amazing that people can make puppets move so intricately. Although the other characters laugh at Craig for “playing with dolls,” the viewer comes away with a greater respect for it as valid theater.
The plot though is what makes the movie. It twists and turns taking the characters to unexpected places. Everything that made me like the movie from a plot stand-point is a spoiler, so I can’t say much beyond that it surprised me, and that takes a lot.
If you enjoy head-trip movies with a touch of gentle social commentary, definitely check this one out.
4 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Best Discoveries of 2009–Movies, TV Shows, and Websites
You guys got to see my favorite reads of 2009, but what about all else entertainment? I do, surprisingly, do things besides read with my (little) free-time. So here’s Part One of my best of all-else entertainment list from 2009. I’m not limiting myself to things that came out in 2009, just things that I encountered for the first time in 2009. Consider everything listed as accompanied with the highest recommendations.
Movies
Coraline (2009)
The story of a little girl rightfully frustrated with her parents who discovers another world is delightfully creative, but the animation is what makes this a must-see. It is truly a feast for your eyes.- The Hangover (2009)
Bust a gut, laugh out loud funny. A groom and his buddies go to Vegas a few days before his wedding for his bachelor party, and when they wake up the next morning, the buddies can’t find the groom or remember what they did the night before. Uproariously awkward situations make you feel way better about that one night you can’t remember. 
Inglorious Basterds (2009)
A troop of American Jews led by Brad Pitt go on a Nazi-killing spree in WWII Europe. Confession. I fucking love WWII history. I have ever since I was a kid. I also absolutely love blood and guts movies. The more gruesome the better. I also love Jewish fellas (I blame my undergrad university for that one). Additionally, I love Brad Pitt. *swoon* German is also my foreign language, so I didn’t even need the damn sub-titles. Can you say must-see movie? My only gripe is that not enough time was spent on the awesome group of American soldiers.- Kill Bill Volume One (2003)
The Bride has a score to settle with her old boss Bill and everyone who helped him commit the slaughter of all present for her wedding day (not to mention almost killing her). So many epic fight scenes. So many bad-ass women. Not to mention the whole blood and guts thing previously mentioned. 
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)
The boys’ parents get all upset when they sneak in to see the R-rated Terrence and Phillip movie, which clearly leads to a war with Canada. This basically is South Park The Musical and gave us the gifts that are the songs “Uncle Fucka” and “Blame Canada.” Top it off with a giant talking vagina, and you have a seriously hilarious movie.- The Shining (1980), review
Jack takes his family with him on a live-in caretaker job in a remote, empty hotel in Colorado. Did I mention the hotel is sinister? It takes a lot for a film to scare me, and this did.
TV Shows
- Lost (2004 to present)
The tale of the survivors of a flight that crashed on an uncharted island. I remember when this first came out that I avoided watching it because I knew I didn’t have time to get addicted to another tv show. Netflix Instant spurred me into watching it, and holy shit. This show’s mystery and scifi are so good that I am literally yelling at the tv (yes, I bought the complete set). Me yelling at the tv is a sign of a good tv show, btw. I’m on the fourth season and am bound and determined to catch up before the new season starts in February. 
The Simpsons (1989 to present)
That sound you hear is the collective shock of everyone reading this, but I seriously had never watched The Simpsons ever before this year. No, not even one episode. I really can’t explain why. I just never got around to it. Well, now I get what the obsession is with it, and I’ve watched a ton of episodes, let me tell you.- South Park (1997 to present)
No big surprise here with the movie listed above, but I also was newly introduced to this show this year. The pop culture commentary is epic. All you need to do is see the Kanye West fish sticks episode to understand. 
True Blood (2008 to present)
A small Louisiana town deals with daily life and the recent coming out of vampires with the Japanese invention of synthetic human blood. This show has everything: bayou setting, vampires, sex, drugs, comedy, and mystery. Watching an episode is like taking a vacation. It also provided me with the hilarity that is me imitating Bill saying “Sookie is mine!” I can’t wait for the second season to come out on DVD so I can watch it!
Websites
- Etsy
Buy and/or sell handmade or vintage items and supplies. It’s kind of like having a craft fair in your browser, and I love buying one-of-a-kind earrings there. - Regretsy
My friends and I were doing what this blog does for a while–finding the hideous things people offer up as “vintage” or “handmade” on Etsy (not the majority of things found there at all) and mocking them. This blog is sure to send many giggles your way. (or horror) - Sock Dreams
I love wearing snazzy socks, tights, and legwarmers, and this website has the best selection for the best prices. - Tor
I’m a scifi freak, and their theme months are great. This month was Cthulu Christmas, for instance. Also they host a bunch of amazing give-aways.
Coming up in Part Two, Boston places, web clips, and recipes!
Movie Review: The Thing with Two Heads (1972)
Summary:
A white racist transplant doctor has figured out how to transplant a head onto a new body. When he encounters an accident and is in danger of dying, his staff desperately try to find a donor body. They finally snag a volunteer from death row–a black convict. The catch is that the two heads must live on the body simultaneously for the first month. When the convict escapes with both heads still attached, the race is on for ownership of his body.
Review:
This movie is hilarious, even though I’m sure it doesn’t mean to be. The effects are bad. The same car crash scenes are used repeatedly from different angles to show at least ten different car crashes. The two heads do not look realistic at all, and that is all part of what makes it awesome.
The soundtrack is classic 70s music, that of course wasn’t classic yet at the time. Watching the cops walk down death row to a disco beat is exactly the type of juxtaposition that makes this movie so funny.
I honestly have no idea what racial statement this movie was trying to make, but I can tell you that everyone is a caricature regardless of their race. It’s just that kind of over-the-top writing found in B movies. I would caution anyone reading the description against taking this movie too seriously. I’m pretty sure it was entirely the result of a “Wouldn’t it be hilarious if a racist was stuck with a black guy? Awesome!”
This is one of those rare instances of a movie so incredibly bad it actually is insanely good.
5 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: Bruno (2009)
Summary:
In this mockumentary Sacha Baron Cohen takes on the role of Bruno–a fabulously gay Austrian fashion reporter who comes to America in the hopes of becoming famous. Cohen places Bruno into situations with real people who don’t know he’s just a character and sees what unfolds.
Review:
If you’re easily offended at all, don’t watch Bruno. I, however, am not so I didn’t hate it. I also didn’t love it either.
A few of the set-ups are great. The episode where Bruno adopts an African baby because that’s what famous people do is an excellent commentary on celebrity culture. The scene where Bruno sees a come out of gayness counselor is also thought-provoking. Unfortunately, Cohen primarily goes for over-the-top sex shock value over commentary. To me there’s just nothing funny about him and another man bound together in S + M gear taking the bus because they can’t get unlocked from each other. I was just sitting there going “Wouldn’t the camera crew unlock them?”
Overall, Bruno falls flat. It tries to be shocking, but mainly comes across as adolescent.
2 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: The Shining (1980)
Summary:
Jack Torrance thinks he’s found the ideal job. He, along with his wife and son, can move into a Colorado hotel and take care of it for the winter in exchange for a living stipend. An aspiring novelist, Jack sees this as such a perfect opportunity to write that he shrugs off the story of the previous caretaker who murdered his wife and daughters and then committed suicide. At first everything is fine, but soon the sinister forces in the hotel start to work on Jack and his psychic son.
Review:
Wow. I love horror movies, but it takes a certain combination of plot and visual to really scare me. The Shining has scares in spades.
For the person who’s freaked out by visuals, there’s blood pouring out of elevators, corpses, and of course Jack Nicholson’s amazing facial contorions when his character turns sinister. Truly the movie would not have been anywhere near as frightening without Nicholson’s ability to contort his face into so many different frightening combinations. The man’s face was made to act.
What really got to me though is the psychological aspect of this story. What really makes this story worth it is the question of how much of what is going on is in the characters’ minds. The truly evil things that happen are performed by characters whose minds are not all there. They have lost their tenuous grasp on reality, and that is more frightening than any axe murderer, because anyone could go crazy. Essentially, anyone could turn into a monster.
Take these two elements and toss in a bit of a last-minute puzzle at the end, and you’ve got the perfect formula for an excellent horror movie.
5 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: Kamikaze Girls (2004) Japan Shimotsuma Monogatari
Netflix recommended this to me after I gave Battle Royale a 5 star rating. I’m starting to have a thing for Japanese movies, and after reading the description I knew I had to get it.
Summary:
Highschooler Momoko may live in the countryside, but she’s big city fashion at heart. Her babydoll, Rococo style frilly dresses, parasols, and bonnets make her stick out like a sore thumb at her school. Ichigo is a member of a rough, tough girl biker gang. Their paths cross when Momoko sells some of her dad’s Versace knock-offs to acquire money for more dresses. A tentative friendship develops, affecting both girls forever.
Review:
The box for Kamikaze Girls claims it’s a Japanese comedy. Although live-action, it definitely employs some of the zaniness seen in comic Anime films, so if that’s not your style, consider yourself warned. I enjoy zany humor though, so I appreciated it here.
The acting is great. The actresses playing Momoko and Ichigo play perfectly off of each other. Ichigo walks tough and speaks gruff, while Momoko gently reprimands.
Japanese fashion is highlited here, making for excellent eye candy throughout the film. Ichigo’s clothes are Easternized versions of Western punk fashion. Momoko’s richly styled frilly dresses definitely hearken back to the 18th century France inspiration.
What really makes the film though is the plot. This is a movie about friendship between young women, and their friendship doesn’t revolve around talking about men. They support each other, instead, in making decisions about who they will be. Instead of it seeming forced that they weren’t talking about men or sex or drugs, it felt completely natural. They just had more important things in their life right now. Should Ichigo stay in her growing gang or strike out on her own? Should Momoko try to break into fashion design? Can a Rococo girl also ride a scooter?
If you like quirky foreign films and want a solid friendship movie, look no further than Kamikaze Girls. You won’t be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
I love horror films, and I’d been meaning to watch this classic for quite some time. Netflix is so good for making you finally get around to seeing movies you’ve always meant to see.
Summary:
Rosemary and her actor husband move into a new apartment despite protestations from a friend that the building has a bit of a history of odd things happening. Their new neighbors are a friendly, elderly couple. In fact, Rosemary finds them to be a bit too friendly, but her husband likes them and insists the friendship be kept up. Soon Rosemary is pregnant, but there is something odd about her pregnancy she can’t quite put her finger on until it is too late.
Review:
This is the type of horror story I love. Something sinister lurking in the background of the main character’s life. Everyone around her telling her she’s the crazy one or that she’s paranoid with only the main character and the viewer seeing what’s really going on. This gives such a different scared vibe than the more typical, oh we’re in a scary hotel room for one night ahhh.
The cinematography has that classic 1960s feel that I personally love. Maybe there’s a technical term for it, I don’t know, but it’s that awkward shot. Instead of every shot being perfectly clean cut like in modern films, the actors aren’t always in center and focused. People are off to the side. It gives almost a mockumentary film feeling without any of those staged interviews.
Mia Farrow’s acting is truly excellent. Her facial expressions show the wheels turning in her head even when other characters are in the room with Rosemary. You can see how Rosemary senses something is wrong, yet she isn’t sure what exactly.
Ruth Gordon, playing the elderly neighbor woman, also offers up an excellent acting job. She plays to perfection that horribly annoying elderly woman who everyone else finds delightful but you just want to stop touching your throw pillows. It may seem like an easy part to play, but it is a fine line to walk, and she executes it perfectly.
I think what kept me from loving the movie as opposed to just really liking it were the odd dream sequences. These too have a classic 1960s feel, but not in a good way. They feel fake, and jerked me out of the world I had been sucked into. I think most of the dream sequences could have been done without.
There is no way to discuss the social commentary this movie makes without giving away a massive spoiler, so let me just say that women’s agency is central to the plot of this film and is one of the main reasons I liked it.
If you enjoy horror, 1960s cinematography, or subtle social commentary, you will enjoy this film.
4 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Movie Review: Choke (2008)
I promised you guys more than just book reviews, but what can I say, I read more books than I finish movies and definitely videogames. I play them a lot, but it takes me forever to finish. Anyway, I’m finally keeping that by-line promise. Here be my first movie review! (They will be much shorter than the book reviews).
Summary:
Vincent had to drop out of medical school to get a full-time job as a colonial reenactor in order to pay the bills to keep his Alzheimer’s mother in a good home for people with mental illness. To help boost the bank account, he sometimes pretends to choke in fancy restaurants, then sues his rescuers. Of course, that’s what he goes to meetings for. He goes to meetings because he’s a sex addict. When he meets his mother’s new doctor, he starts to question who he really is when he discovers that he might sort of actually like her.
Review:
I admit it. I have a weakness for movies about legitimately crazy people finding their way through life. Particularly when finding their way involves falling in love. Although the title implies that Vincent’s scam is the focus of the movie, in fact it is about how his random childhood with his mother and foster families made him who he is today.
For a movie based on a Chuck Palahniuk book, this isn’t very graphic. Clearly since Vincent’s a sex addict, there are some moderately graphic sex scenes, but there is little violence and the sex is pretty normal. I’ve seen more disturbing scenes on Entourage.
The acting is good. It’s nothing mind-blowing, but it’s not bad either. Setting of the scenes is done quite well. It feels like the everyday world cranked up a notch.
What makes Choke interesting isn’t the violence shock factor that Fight Club had going for it. Choke modestly proposes that it’s ok to be a bit crazy–in moderation. It also dares to suggest that we can be who we decide to be instead of what society says we are as long as we’re aware enough to make that conscious decision.
If you want gratuitous sex from the author who brought us the violence of Fight Club, don’t bother with Choke. However, if you enjoy movies about the mind and what makes us who we are, give Choke a shot.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Netflix
Support my work with a tip or browse my shop for curated book club guides, how to guides, cross-stitch patterns, and more!
This work by Amanda Nevius is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Opinions of a Wolf 