Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) 8/10

Cult classic about two men (musicians James Taylor & Dennis Wilson) living moment to moment, earning cash through drag racing. Their 1955 Chevy is the embodiment of the film, stripped back, no fuss, powerful.
Great character actor Warren Oates steals the show, in-between the copious lies that his character tells are tiny snippets of insight, this movie gives you very little information.
Enjoying this will depend on your state of mind, it’s a movie best quietly observed.. I can see a lot of people getting bored by it.

Movie/Day #208 – A Field in England (2013)

It’s a strange choice to make a low budget period movie, especially when you add magic mushroom trips.
Plot: Four 17th century civil war deserters are pulled into another realm… or something.
Very good performances, the story and the way it’s told are interesting.
It’s worth watching if you feel like something different, but I’ll probably never watch it again.
6/10

Movie/Day #205 – Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

Important film-noir, this movie influenced many of the 60’s French new wave directors. It’s mercilessness must have been shocking in 1955. Reminded me of Point Blank (1967), Get Carter (1971) and Drive (2011).
Artfully shot, Kiss Me Deadly has one of my favourite opening scenes.
Also, one of the heavy’s is named Sugar Smallhouse.
8/10

Movie/Day #199 – Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

I am so glad Jim Jarmusch decided to make a good movie, I’m not saying that his previous movie “The Limits of Control” wasn’t interesting, but it definitely was hard to get through.
Only Lovers Left Alive parallels vampires and rock stars (fantastic soundtrack). Jarmusch’s love of film, music, history, literature and hairstyles are all apparent in this deep romance between two cool vampires.
7.5/10

Movie/Day #197 – Times Square (1980)

For the love of Punk Rock.. Wow. So here’s what happened, in 1977 Saturday Night Fever’s success massively boosted sales of disco albums, the producer saw this phenomenon unfold and thought why don’t we make a movie that does the same for Punk and New Wave? That’s the origin story of Times Square.
Times Square is no longer in print, you can only find used DVD or VHS copies at inflated prices.
So bad that it’s entertaining, especially if you’re knowledgeable about the music scenes of the mid-late 70s.
The lead characters are two teen girls, one rich one poor, who get together and rage against conformity, in apparently shocking ways. The girls relationship has lesbian undertones. Tim Curry plays a radio DJ.
I don’t know how to score this, it is awful, but as a lover of the time period I also think it’s kind of great.
?/10

Movie/Day #194 – The Man Who Laughs (1928)

Made towards the end of German silent Expressionism, The Man Who Laughs centres around Gwynplaine, a man whose face has been surgically disfigured into a constant smile. Huge inspiration for Batman’s supervillain ‘The Joker’, mostly the appearance, Gwynplaine is actually a sympathetic victim and a good loving person.
7/10

Movie/Day #191 – We Are What We Are (2013)

Very interesting American gothic tale, focused mainly on two teenage sisters, struggling with the loss of their mother and the uncovering of their disturbing families secrets.
This is the first movie I’ve seen by director Jim Mickle, I enjoyed it, his movie builds tension well, and gives you just enough information to keep you interested in the unfolding story.
If you are looking for a typical Horror movie, this may not satisfy you, it’s more of a Drama/Horror hybrid that builds slowly.
The only real negative I found is that the score was a little too obvious and repetitive.
Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers and Julia Garner all gave very good performances.
7/10

Movie/Day #190 – Mein liebster Feind – Klaus Kinski (1999)

Recently I’ve been listening to comedian Paul F. Tompkins’ utterly hilarious impersonation of director Werner Herzog on various podcasts (Doug Loves Movies, The Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project), that gave me the impetus to finally watch the REAL Werner Herzog’s documentary about his friend/enemy, the most difficult actor in history Klaus Kinski.
Together they made some great movies (Aguirre, Nosferatu, Woyzeck and Fitzcarraldo), there is no doubt that they both were immensely talented and artistically brought out the best in each other, they were also both insane.
Kinski in particular comes across as deeply mentally unstable and this documentary doesn’t even touch on some of the worst things he did in his life, only one of his children went to his funeral in 1991.
It’s very interesting, Herzog switches between complaining about his frienemy and praising him as a genius. I would have liked to have seen more behind the scenes footage from the movies they worked on, but apparently as soon as Herzog finishes a movie he destroys anything that doesn’t make the final cut.
7.5/10

In case you’re interested in listening to Paul F. Tompkins as Werner Herzog: http://www.earwolf.com/episode/the-travel-bug-with-august-lindt/

Movie/Day #189 – Freaks (1932)

In 1932 this movie dared to show circus sideshow performers (seen at the time to represent evil) as human beings.
Banned in the UK for 30 years, severally cut in the US (original ending is lost forever) and also banned in Australia for being too disturbing.
When it came out MGM received many letters along the line of “Shame on you for putting such vile creatures on the screen”, referring to the lovable ‘Freaks’. Tod Browning was reviled by the times bigoted audiences and his career was destroyed.
The beautiful trapeze artist and her strong man sidekick are shown to be the real monsters.
“With humility for the many injustices done to such people, we present the most startling horror story of the abnormal and unwanted”.
8.5/10

Movie/Day #186 – Born to Fight (2004)

It is up to a team of highly skilled Olympic athletes to save a small Thai village from a gang of nuclear armed terrorists.
You heard me.
Mindless martial-arts movie featuring many classic cheesy shots, such as a close-up of a clenching fist and the dramatic tying of a headband.
Another unintentionally hilarious movie, some great action in between the “why is this happening?” moments.
If you, for some reason, enjoy the idea of athletes kicking ass against huge odds, Gymkata was a movie in 1985 which combined gymnastics with karate.
4/10 – though I strongly recommend watching the last 40 minutes.