Today's the last day of May, so let's knock out the movies I've seen this month.

66. (603.) A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (2011)
The modern formula for this kind of comedy requires that the climactic orgy [pun not intended] never happen, or be an uncomfortable moment when all the protagonists realize the error of their ways. Full credit to this film: there is an orgy, and it's pretty funny.

67. (604.) Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach (2009)
This weak Dodgeball derivative has plenty of successful punchlines if you are willing to sit through a bunch of groaners to get there. (I don't think anything in this film would have worked without Seann William Scott's Dude, Where's My Car? earnestness.)

68. (605.) Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters (2011)
This documentary about the World Tetris Championship made me realize that I'm really not that good at Tetris. Otherwise, I thought it was a great documentary.

69. (606.) Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
Roger Ebert wrote this, so of course he thinks its a clever send-up of Hollywood. I have to give him credit: it's memorable, like Peyton Place on LSD.

70. (607.) Hausu (1977)
And if you think Beyond the Valley of the Dolls isn't weird enough for you, try this Japanese comedy-horror film about a bunch of school girls trapped in a haunted house. The closest thing I can think to compare it to is Evil Dead II but without the charisma of a Bill Campbell.

71. (608.) The Day the Fish Came Out (1967)
A bomber accidentally drops two nuclear warheads and a secret box onto a secluded Grecian island, and mild comedy ensues as U.S. agents try to recover them surreptitiously to prevent an international incident. Candice Bergen is in this for about 5 minutes, and she's horrible. In the end, everyone dies! Ha, ha, ha. No.

72. (609.) Sink the Bismark! (1960)
This movie takes place almost exclusively on sets inside underground bunkers and ironclad ships, but it still manages to be a suspenseful telling of the real-life story (even when you know what is going to happen).

73. (610.) The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Fantastic film. Truly a masterpiece. If you haven't seen this, do. Really.

74. (611.) Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Praise is heaped on this film from all angles, but it left me a little cold. I didn't care for Annie Hall, either. Maybe I just don't "get" Woody Allen's world.

75. (612.) Space Chimps (2008)
I watched this while nursing the goat. It's a real mixed bag: every time the script gains traction with dialogue or situation, it squanders it with bad pacing or weird characterization. And the CGI art is likewise spectacular in some spots and dismally bland in others. At least there's Andy Samberg and Patrick Warburton to hold you over through the many, many rough patches.

76. (613.) Across the Universe (2007)
A love story built on Beatle's songs? Yes, please. (Most of the fun was trying to guess the next song.)

77. (614.) Don's Party (1976)
Think Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf with six f'd up couples instead of two. I didn't know what to expect from it at the start, so I can't say I was disappointed, just a little disgusted by most of the male characters. Are all Australians boorish pricks?

78. (615.) Objective, Burma! (1945)
Errol Flynn kills Japs in this World War II suspense film. Who will survive? Certainly no one who mentions "back home." Seriously, if you ever go to war, never talk about what you plan to do when you get home. Ever.

Footnote: I think this might be the first month in the 3 years of tracking that I didn't see the same actor in at least 2 films. I don't know what that means....

Comments (0) | Leave a Comment | Tags: movies

To be continued...

 

Search by Date:

Search: