Month in Review [April 2013]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

April was a busy month for me, but it was also a good one. I’m happy that I finally sat down to read another book, even if it was the weakest I have read from Bukowski (one of my favorite authors). I also played through a few video games, watched some great films, and even started a new TV show. Here’s the rundown:

In order of viewing: (including my ratings)
1) The Dark Knight Returns: Part 2 [2013] - 8/10

2) He Got Game [1998] - 6/10

3) Winnebago Man [2010] - 9/10

4) Spring Breakers [2013] - 7/10

5) Evil Dead [2013] - 8/10

6) Trance [2013] - 7/10

7) I’m Not There [2007] - 5/10

8) 28 Weeks Later [2007] - 5/10

9) The Elephant in the Living Room [2011] - 8/10

10) Y tu mamá también [2002] - 9/10

11) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father [2008] - 9/10

12) Blood Simple. [1984] - 8/10

13) Killer’s Kiss [1955] - 7/10

14) Kansas City Confidential [1952] - 7/10

15) 42 [2013] - 7/10

16) Mud [2013] - 8/10

17) Shotgun Stories [2007] - 8/10

Video Games Completed:
1) Tomb Raider [Xbox 360, 2013] - 8.5/10

2) Guacamelee! [PS Vita, 2013] - 8.5/10

3) Gears of War: Judgment [Xbox 360, 2013] - 7.5/10

TV Shows Watched:
1) Girls [Season 1] - 7.5/10

Books Read:
1) “Pulp” by Charles Bukowski - 6/10

Movie of the Month: I’m starting to notice a trend here — my 50 Movies Project has been incredibly prosperous this year, with most of my “movies of the month” being from it. This month is no exception: Y tu mamá también blew me away, and it is easily one of the highlights from this month. Other contenders were two emotional documentaries: Winnebago Man and Dear Zachary. The former was surprisingly heartwarming, while the latter was absolutely devastating. Both are stellar films.

Dud of the Month: I’m a huge Bob Dylan fan, but I had a really difficult time getting into I’m Not There. The cast was phenomenal, but the scattershot narrative was just too much. I also found 28 Weeks Later to be a very underwhelming sequel.

Got a favorite from this list? What’s the best movie you watched last month?

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Month in Review [March 2013]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

Who else is happy to see April? This may be my favorite month of the year (and not just because it has my birthday). March was a pretty good month for me, too, as I saw many more films than in February. Unfortunately, there were also more duds than usual.

In order of viewing: (now including my ratings)
1) Rosetta [1999] - 8/10

2) My Neighbor Totoro [1988] - 9/10

3) Porco Rosso [1992] - 8/10

4) Kiki’s Delivery Service [1989] - 8/10

5) Somebody Up There Likes Me [2012] - 5/10

6) Leaving Las Vegas [1995] - 8/10

7) 2010 [1984] - 5/10

8) Undefeated [2011] - 9/10

9) Ruby Sparks [2012] - 6/10

10) Celeste and Jesse Forever [2012] - 6/10

11) Searching for Sugar Man [2012] - 8/10

12) Do the Right Thing [1989] - 9/10

13) Smashed [2012] - 8/10

14) Showgirls [1995] - 3/10

15) The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1 [2012] - 8/10

16) Nobody Walks [2012] - 3/10

17) Holy Motors [2012] - 8/10

18) Oz the Great and Powerful [2013] - 6/10

19) Belle de Jour [1967] - 9/10

20) A Bronx Tale [1993] - 7/10

21) The Warriors [1979] - 8/10

22) Bad Boys [1983] - 6/10

23) Alice [1988] - 6/10

24) Stoker [2013] - 8/10

25) Spider-Man 2 [2004] - 6/10

Video Games Completed:
1) Dead Space 3 [Xbox 360, 2013] - 7/10

2) Fallout: New Vegas: Dead Money DLC [Xbox 360, 2010] - 5/10

3) Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD [PS Vita, 2012] - 8/10

4) Virtua Tennis 4 [PS Vita, 2012] - 8/10

Movie of the Month: This is tough. Three of the five movies I watched for my project were all phenomenal, but I think My Neighbor Totoro is still my favorite of the bunch. I cannot recommend that enough, even for those who don’t normally enjoy animated films.

Dud of the Month: I had to experience Showgirls for myself, and yeah, it was just as bad as everyone says. Poor Elizabeth Berkley. It wins by default, though Nobody Walks sure gave it a run for its money.

What’s your favorite of this group? Anything catch your eye?

Month in Review [February 2013]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

Hey folks, hard to believe it’s March already! February was a slow month for me in terms of movie watching — my lowest total in a couple years, at least. A combination of factors led to this decrease, with the biggest being my new-found addiction of Boardwalk Empire. We just burned through the first two seasons of the show, and it has been fantastic. A stellar cast of character actors and a number of well-written, tight storylines have had me hooked. Can’t wait to start season three! Alas, here is what I managed to catch up with last month:

In order of viewing:
1) Goodfellas [1990]*

2) Manic [2001]

3) Paper Moon [1973]

4) The Battle of Algiers [1966]

5) The Last Waltz [1978]

6) The Kid with a Bike [2012]

7) Jiro Dreams of Sushi [2012]

8) 2001: A Space Odyssey [1968]*

9) Amores Perros [2000]

10) Silent House [2012]

11) Dredd [2012]

12) Seven Psychopaths [2012]

13) The Paperboy [2012]

14) Kramer vs. Kramer [1979]

* denotes rewatch

Video Games Completed:
1) Contra [NES, 1987] (with the 30 lives code)

2) Urban Trial Freestyle [PS Vita, 2013]

TV Shows:
1) Boardwalk Empire (Seasons 1-2)

Movie of the Month: Based on “new” viewings for me, I would probably go with Paper Moon. Wasn’t sure what to expect with that one, but it was so much fun to watch Ryan and Tatum O’Neal go on a cross-country conning adventure. If I were to include rewatches, it would be 2001: A Space Odyssey, hands down. One of my all-time favorites.

Dud of the Month: Silent House is one of the worst movies I have seen in quite some time. What a waste of Elizabeth Olsen.

How about you guys? See/play anything good last month?

Month in Review [January 2013]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

Wow, are we really one month into 2013 already? It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Year’s Eve. It was a pretty good month for me — the work was flowing, yet I still managed to get in some quality entertainment. From now on, I’m going to include my monthly video game and book reading tallies as well. Hopefully the latter will encourage me to read more often, something I want to do more of.

In order of viewing:
1) Killer Joe [2011]

2) Fast, Cheap & Out of Control [1997]

3) 30 for 30: Four Days in October [2010]

4) Fritz the Cat [1972]

5) Michael [2011]

6) Trees Lounge [1996]

7) Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia [1974]

8) Shakespeare in Love [1998]

9) Les Misérables [2012]

10) Django Unchained [2012]

11) Straw Dogs [1971]

12) Headhunters [2011]

12) Lincoln [2012]

13) Premium Rush [2012]

14) Bachelorette [2012]

15) Zero Dark Thirty [2012]

16) Apocalypse Now [1979]*

17) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [1990]*

18) Batman: Year One [2011]

19) Batman: Under the Red Hood [2010]

20) Nashville [1975]

21) Death Wish [1974]

22) The Killer is Loose [1956]

23) End of Watch [2012]

24) Compliance [2012]

25) Bullhead [2011]

26) The Rules of Attraction [2002]

27) The Big Doll House [1971]

28) Stagecoach [1939]

29) Mean Girls [2004]

30) The Doors [1991]

31) Commando [1985]

* denotes rewatch

Video Games Completed:
1) The Walking Dead: The Game [Xbox 360, 2012]

2) Uncharted: Golden Abyss [Vita, 2012]

3) Hotline Miami [PC, 2012]

4) Mark of the Ninja [Xbox 360, 2012]

5) Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC [Xbox 360, 2012]

Books Finished:
1) “The Rules of Attraction” by Bret Easton Ellis

Movie of the Month: For modern films, I loved Django Unchained. My second favorite film of the year. For the classics, that’s a really tough call. Stagecoach is probably the *best* of the group (expect a full review next week), but I also loved the two Peckinpah films, Altman’s Nashville, and even Commando, which was awesome, goofy fun.

Dud of the Month: Les Misérables did nothing for me. I loved Anne Hathaway’s brief performance, but lost interest at the halfway point.

How about you guys? See/play/read anything good last month?

Movies Watched [December 2012]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

Happy New Year, folks! May this one be prosperous and joyful for all of you. Here’s a rundown of my final month of movie watching in 2012:

In order of viewing:
1) Life of Pi [2012]

2) Silver Linings Playbook [2012]

3) Goldfinger [1964]

4) Bad Santa [2003]

5) United 93 [2006]

6) Inside [2007]

7) Klown [2010]

8) Flight [2012]

9) GoldenEye [1995]

10) Dead Man [1995]

11) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [2012]

12) The Nightmare Before Christmas [1993]

13) Monsters, Inc. [2001]

14) Quantum of Solace [2007]

15) Oslo, August 31st [2011]

16) Reprise [2006]

17) Basic Instinct [1992]

18) Elf [2003]

19) Lawrence of Arabia [1962]

20) Metropolis [1927]

21) The Searchers [1956]

22) Babel [2006]

23) The Poseidon Adventure [1972]

Movie of the Month: For classics, it has to be Lawrence of Arabia. So glad I was able to see that on the big screen. For modern films, Oslo, August 31st blew me away. Still plan on doing a full review for that, but it will easily make my top ten list this year.

Dud of the Month: GoldenEye has not aged well at all. The worst Bond film I have seen.

Final Yearly Total: 280

What was the best movie you saw last month? Got a favorite out of those listed above?

Movies Watched [November 2012]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

November was a pretty solid month overall, and my movie viewing got a nice boost thanks to the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Here’s a rundown of everything I saw:

In order of viewing:
1) The Royal Tenenbaums [2001]

2) Margin Call [2011]

3) On the Waterfront [1954]

4) 30 for 30: Catching Hell [2011]

5) The Bad News Bears [1976]

6) 30 for 30: June 17, 1994 [2010]

7) Indie Game: The Movie [2012]

8) Man on Wire [2008]

9) Lars and the Real Girl [2007]

10) Cloud Atlas [2012]

11) 99 River Street [1953]

12) 30 for 30: The House of Steinbrenner [2010]

13) Safety Not Guaranteed [2012]

14) For a Few Dollars More [1967]

15) Magic Mike [2012]

16) Seeking a Friend for the End of the World [2012]

17) Planes, Trains and Automobiles [1987]

18) Fargo [1996]*

19) Sound of My Voice [2012]

20) Cinema Paradiso [1988]

21) Harold and Maude [1971]

22) Skyfall [2012]

23) The Pianist [2002]

24) Boogie Nights [1997]*

25) Cruel Intentions [1999]

* denotes rewatch

Movie of the Month: Based on my new viewings, there are two films that stand out most to me. On the Waterfront more than lived up to its classic billing, and it is now one of my favorite entries in the 50 Movies Project. I also quite liked Indie Game: the Movie, the fascinating documentary about the making of Super Meat Boy, Braid and Fez.

Dud of the Month: I didn’t see anything that was downright bad in November, but I did find the 30 for 30 doc, The House of Steinbrenner, to be rather dull. It didn’t seem to know what it wanted to be — it bounced between being a retrospective of George Steinbrenner to a spotlight on the new Yankees Stadium. Maybe if I were a Yankees fan I could appreciate this more, but I’m certain a documentary just about Steinbrenner would have been much better.

Yearly Total: 257

A couple of questions for my dear readers:
1) What’s your favorite movie out of those listed?
2) What’s the best film you saw last month?

Movies Watched [October 2012]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

October was a pretty solid month overall with a heavy emphasis on horror. While there were a few disappointments in the mix, I’m glad I was finally able to see a lot of these for the first time.

In order of viewing:
1) The Philadelphia Story [1940]

2) The Toxic Avenger [1984]

3) The Woman [2011]

4) Fido [2006]

5) Looper [2012]

6) The Skin I Live In [2011]

7) Friends with Kids [2012]

8) Lost Highway [1997]

9) Children of the Corn [1984]

10) The Descent [2005]

11) The Descent: Part 2 [2009]

12) Slither [2006]

13) An American Werewolf in London [1981]

14) Martyrs [2009]

15) I Spit On Your Grave [1978]

16) The Perks of Being a Wallflower [2011]

17) Argo [2012]

18) They Live [1988]*

19) Wolf Creek [2005]

20) Clue [1985]

21) Amélie [2001]*

22) Eden Lake [2008]

23) Suspiria [1977]

24) Halloween [1978]*

25) From Russia With Love [1963]

26) The Omen [1976]

* denotes rewatch

Movie of the Month: The Skin I Live In. I really should have gave this the full review treatment, but it’s an easy contender for my favorites from last year.

Dud of the Month: It doesn’t get any worse than I Spit on Your Grave. A despicable “film” with no talent or skill whatsoever.

Yearly Total: 232

My questions for you fine folks:
1) What’s your favorite movie out of those listed?
2) What’s the best film you saw last month?

Movies Watched [September 2012]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

In order of viewing:
1) There Will Be Blood [2007]*

2) Batman [1989]*

3) Glengarry Glen Ross [1992]

4) Traffic [2000]*

5) Before Sunset [2004]

6) Notorious [1946]

7) Magnolia [1999]

8) Hard Eight [1996]

9) Life in a Day [2011]

10) Carnival of Souls [1962]

11) I Stand Alone [1998]

12) The Imposter [2012]

13) Sleepwalk With Me [2012]

14) Team America: World Police [2004]

15) The Five-Year Engagement [2012]

16) Chicago [2002]

17) Miami Connection [1987]

18) Bernie [2011]

* denotes rewatch

Movie of the Month: There are a few strong contenders, including Glengarry Glen Ross, Before Sunset and Magnolia, all of which I loved, but I have to select Alfred Hitchcock’s espionage thriller, Notorious, as the best of the month. If rewatches were included, There Will Be Blood would likely be my choice. It was even better the second time around.

Dud of the Month: Miami Connection is technically the “worst” movie I saw last month, but it was so much fun that I cannot rightfully consider it a dud. Therefore, I’ll go with The Five-Year Engagement, an overlong mess of a romantic comedy that wasted its strong cast.

Yearly Total: 206

What’s your favorite from this group of movies? What’s the best film you saw last month?

Movies Watched [August 2012]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

This may have been my best month of movie watching yet. By my count, I would give at least 15 of these an 8 or 9/10. Here’s the rundown:

In order of viewing:
1) The Sting [1973]

2) The Intouchables [2011]

3) Gilda [1946]

4) Once Brothers [2010]

5) O Brother, Where Art Thou? [2000]

6) Singin’ in the Rain [1952]

7) The French Connection [1971]

8) A Woman Is a Woman [1961]

9) Out of the Past [1947]

10) Persona [1967]

11) The Thin Blue Line [1988]

12) Bonnie and Clyde [1967]

13) The Master [2012]

14) The Window [1949]

15) Total Recall [1990]

16) Adaptation. [2002]

17) Let the Right One In [2008]

18) Cry Danger [1951]

19) Pretty Poison [1968]

20) Pink Flamingos [1972]

21) Lady Vengeance [2005]

22) Before Sunrise [1995]

23) Natural Born Killers [1994]*

24) Lethal Weapon [1987]

* denotes rewatch

Movie of the Month: This is a ridiculously hard choice this month. The Sting is the best caper film I have ever seen, Out of the Past is one of the best Film Noirs, and Singin’ in the Rain gave me a new appreciation of musicals. But I am going to cop out and choose The Master, partly because of the unforgettable experience I had in seeing such an early screening. I can’t wait to see it again.

Dud of the Month: Pink Flamingos. I will have a review of this coming soon, but yeah, this one was pure garbage, plain and simple. Only film I saw this month that I would consider “bad.”

How about you guys? What’s your favorite of this group of films? What was the best movie you saw in August?

Movies Watched [July 2012]

Posted by Eric @ The Warning Sign

Thanks to a couple weekend movie marathons, this was a pretty stacked month.

In order of viewing:
1) Brave [2012]

2) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows [2011]

3) Hoosiers [1986]

4) Aguirre: The Wrath of God [1972]

5) The Do-Deca-Pentathlon [2012]

6) Raising Arizona [1987]

7) The Puffy Chair [2005]

8) Ringu [1998]

9) RoboCop [1987]*

10) Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy [2011]

11) Rampart [2011]

12) Cave of Forgotten Dreams [2010]

13) The Grey [2011]

14) Foxy Brown [1974]

15) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade [1989]

16) Bronson [2009]

17) Valhalla Rising [2010]

18) Switchblade Sisters [1975]

19) Drugstore Cowboy [1989]

20) Ip Man [2010]

21) Lost in Translation [2003]*

22) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [2004]*

23) Batman Begins [2005]*

24) The Dark Knight [2008]*

25) The Blues Brothers [1980]

26) The Dark Knight Rises [2012]

27) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm [1993]

Movie of the Month: For “new to me” movies, it’s gotta be The Dark Knight Rises. Way better than I anticipated, and it may even be my new favorite from the trilogy. As far as rewatches go, Lost in Translation is my clear #1 choice. Even better on a second viewing, and a straight-up 10/10 for me.

Dud of the Month: The Puffy Chair. The only Duplass brothers film that I didn’t enjoy in some fashion. There were plenty of other contenders (i.e. Sherlock Holmes, Rampart and Valhalla Rising), but this one was a chore to sit through.

What do you guys think? What’s your favorite from this group? Least favorite? See anything good on your end?

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Tag Archives: movies watched

Month in Review [April 2013]

Month in Review [March 2013]

Month in Review [February 2013]

Month in Review [January 2013]

Movies Watched [December 2012]

Movies Watched [November 2012]

Movies Watched [October 2012]

Movies Watched [September 2012]

Movies Watched [August 2012]

Movies Watched [July 2012]

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