SaitoRyo

@Devon Malcolm Might need to revisit Exorcist III. I remember thinking a lot of it, but it's been years and years. And @gmoney did you check out Fire in the Sky based on my recent watching? I really, really liked it and the ending didn't really stick out as bad to me personally. It had already built up a lot of goodwill with me by that point, mind. Anyway... Special Effects A egomaniacal film director kills a budding starlet and then makes a movie about it, casting her estranged husband in the lead role. A very strange and interesting film, this, directed by Larry Cohen. Sort of like a giallo with a bit of the De Palmas about it. Some incredibly vibrant colours and great set design. Script's not all that and the performances vary, but I was intrigued throughout and I love anything that captures gritty 80s New York. I'd call it 'good trash'.

Always loved the Nightmare on Elm Street films as a kid and the Never Sleep Again documentary is really good, too. Tend to agree about 1 and 3 being the best of the bunch, but I have fond memories of them all. New Nightmare was a good return to Freddy actually being scary again. Anyway... Fire in the Sky A member of a logging crew is abducted in the Arizona mountains in 1975. The rest of the crew are distraught by what they have witnessed, but the local townspeople suspect murder. Based on a 'true story'. Where the fuck did this come from? I'd never even heard of it before but loved it. It's more of a paranoid small-town drama with some sci-fi/horror elements, rather than a full-blown sci-fi film, and that's fine by me. Looking at reviews online, people seem bored/irritated by small town stuff and just want to see aliens, but I liked it all. It's got a very effective atmosphere and there's some great performances in there. Honestly surprised it's not talked up more (or at all), outside of one particular scene. Will definitely watch this one again at some point down the road.

Homegrown A group of dope growers agree to proceed with a big-money deal even after their big boss is killed. They find themselves in way over their heads and double-crossing ensues. Eh, this one didn't do too much for me. It's meant to be a dark comedy/crime drama, but it's not funny or dramatic enough. Absolutely mental cast, mind, as Billy Bob Thornton, Hank Azaria, Ryan Phillippe, Kelly Lynch, John Lithgow, Judge Reinhold, Jamie Lee Curtis and Mr. Bovine Joni himself all star. But yeah, this was just sort of there, with a few standout scenes but not really enough to make the whole movie worthwhile. Billy Bob is good as usual, mind.

I went to see the De Palma doc at the BFI Southbank when it was first released and remember having a really good time with it. I've always been interested by De Palma, even if some of his later stuff is awful. That early 70s to mid-90s era produced some fantastic stuff though. Sisters, Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Blow Out, Body Double, Scarface, The Untouchables, Carlito's Way... I mean, that's a hell of an output, plus stuff like Phantom, Obsession, Raising Cain and more I'm probaby forgetting. He obviously borrows a lot from Hitchcock in certain films, but he's a great director in his own right and doesn't deserve the 'rip-off' tag imo.

The Dark Wind The first (and so far only) feature film from the great documentary filmmaker Errol Morris. Adapted from the book of the same now, which was later adapted into the TV series Dark Winds. This isn't as good as the TV series, but it was alright. It's a fairly low-key mystery/drama. Slow pace, but engaging at times (not so much at other times). Lou Diamond Phillips is decent as the lead. Mr. Woodcock Wife's choice as we couldn't decide on anything and had seen it before a long time ago, so it was somewhat familiar. Apparently everyone hated this when it was released, including the critics, lead actors and director. I thought it was really funny in places, actually, mainly due to Billy Bob Thornton, who gets to play a real asshole and does it well. 80 minutes, too, which is a bonus. The Legend of Billie Jean The poster of this had always confused me and made me think it was some 80s roller derby sports drama or something. It's not. It's a bout a bunch of kids who are accused of doing something they didn't do and run away from the cops, becoming folk heroes to teens throughout Texas. I really liked it and thought Helen Slater was excellent in the title role.

The new Margo Cilker album is lovely.

Stealing Home A washed up minor league baseball player must return to his home town and confront the ghosts of the past when he learns that his first love has committed suicide and entrusted him to deal with her ashes. This was alright, you know. I wasn't super into it, but it was a nice drama, half told via flashback. Not too heavy, not too light. Decent cast, including Mark Harmon, Harold Ramis and the always-watchable Jodie Foster. People seemed to hate it at the time, but I feel like that hate was unwarranted. It's just a nice, sentimental small-town film that you'd probably appreciate if you're at or approaching middle-age.

Eye of the Tiger Vietnam vet Gary Busey is let out of prison - where he was put unjustly, obviously - only to find out his hometown is being terrorisied by a group of murderous, motorcycle-riding thugs. The town's corrupt police force aren't doing anything about it so, after they target his own family, Busey decides to take matters into his own hands. A really fun mid-80s action exploitationer. Yes it looks cheap at times and, yes, one of the dead extras blatantly binks on camera, but you expect that sort of thing, don't you? Busey is great, as is Yaphet Kotto as Busey's Vietnam buddy (and one of the only cops who hasn't been bought). Gets the job done in 90 minutes, too, which is always appreciated.

Beer and cig ads >>>>>> gambling and crypto

Next of Kin Vigilante action thriller starring Patrick Swayze as a cop seeking to bring his brother's killer to justice. But it's not that straightforward, as they were both from the hills of Kentucky but living in Chicago. When their older brother back home (Liam Neeson) finds out about the murder, he heads to the big city to sort things out country-style. I will not apologise for enjoying this film. I do not think it is genuinely good, but it is perfectly acceptable and I had a great time with it. I mean, it's hillbillies versus the Italian mob, you know? Fun premise with lots of action. Feels very late-80s, in a good way. Loaded cast, too, as Ted Levine, Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, baby Ben Stiller and more also feature.

You laugh now but we'll all be eating concrete cake with mint custard once AI destroys the world.

Inside Moves Released in 1980, but very much early-to-mid 70s New Hollywood in spirit. It's about a man who is left partially disabled after a failed suicide attempt and becomes friends with the characters a local dive bar (sort of like Cheers but without as many one-liners). It's a really good character study with an excellent central performance by John Savage. Bit of a weird career move from Richard Donner, coming off the back of The Omen and Superman, but I'm glad he made it as it's something of a hidden gem. Call Me Late-80s indie thriller about a reporter who is harrassed by a stranger over the phone after she witnesses a murder in a bar bathroom. Decent enough premise, not good in execution. Wasn't really feeling this one, despite it having a tone and aesthetic I generally go for, as well as some reliable faces in the cast (such as Steve Buscemi). Didn't help that the main character was an absolute idiot. Over Your Dead Body A bickering married couple (Jason Segel and Samara Weaving) go away for a weekend together in a secluded country house, unaware that they both want to kill each other. Things get very complicated - and very violent - as their trip unfolds in very unexpected ways. I thought this was a very fun Friday night film, to be honest. It wasn't the film I thought it was going to be, but I found it pretty funny and entertaining with good performances by all involved. Glad I gave it a go. Near Dark I've always loved this and fancied a re-watch as it had been a while. It's just fucking great and feels completely tailored to my tastes. Great mood, killer score, all-time Bill Paxton performance. I will watch it again (and again). Blood Simple Another one like Near Dark, in that I have always loved it and opted for an overdue re-watch. Again, I just love everything about it and will definitely be watching it again down the road.

I was nowhere near emotionally ready for that video package they put together for Ben. Wow. Just an incredible piece of work and a lovely tribute show all around. Still doesn't feel real and I'm not sure it ever will, but seeing him celebrated like this really does helps at this time and long may it continue.

For Ben.