I'm pretty excited to see "My Week With Marilyn". Funny, I knew nothing about this until last week. Back in high school I did a major report on Marilyn Monroe. I've always been fascinated with her. Marilyn's whole story from growing up until her death.
Unfortunately, this will only focus on one person's POV with his week with her. Still, it looks great and has a pretty awesome cast. I must say, I think the beautiful Michelle Williams was the perfect person to cast as Marilyn. Judging by the trailer, I think she'll do an amazing job. Might even get another Oscar nomination.
From a Philadelphia indie film to a big Sci-Fi blockbuster and everything in between. Old and new movies, that I've discovered in 2011. These are some of the most awesome movies I've seen, this year. Here they are in no particular order. Enjoy!
SUPER 8
I was sooooo excited for this film, that I went to the movies all by myself(the first time EVER!). You really can't go wrong with J. J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. Super 8 was that movie that I needed, at the time and it didn't disappoint. Five minutes into the movie and I wasn't worried about being in the theatre with no friend or significant other, anymore. It's a feel good movie for all ages. "Must see", in my book.
"Super 8" will be available for DVD & Blu-Ray disc on November 22, 2011.
EMILY IN THE A.M.
photo courtesy of Wide Eyed Pictures
Emily in the A.M. is feature short from Philly-based production company, Wide Eyed Pictures. Directed by Daniel Brown and written by Kate McMeans. It was an official selection of New Filmmakers, NY and The Philadelphia Filmathon. Recently, they won Honorable Mention at the Ventura Film Festival!
It's Emily's first night in a big city and she just wanted to spend it with her fiance(the reason she moved to the big city). It didn't turn out that way. Emily in the AM, takes you on a stunning journey throughout Philadelphia, meeting new and interesting people. Emily discovers the highs and the ultimate lows in that one night out. Love found. Love lost. I enjoyed the journey, thoroughly. The film took me right into Emily's world. Kudos, to Daniel, Kate and the whole "Emily" crew!
There really are no words for the awesomeness of "Hobo". Funny. Unnecessary but fabulous gore. Rutger Hauer.
CHERRY
Kyle Gallner(I <3 him), plays a 17-year old Ivy League freshman who falls in love with an older woman. That's not all. When said older woman invites him over for dinner, he meets her cute, feisty 14-year old daughter. Yep, she soon develops a crush on him even though he's in love with her mother, who only has "friendly" feelings for him. In turn, he starts to have feelings for both! It's a cute movie. I liked it enough to have seen it three times.
THE BROKEN
The Broken definitely scared the shit out of me. It was one of THOSE movies, for me. The film deals with mirrors, doppelganger's and nightmares. Think, doppelganger takes over your life unbeknownst to family and friends. Oh, but there's a car accident that happens and is the key to the twist at the end. Good stuff.
RUBBER
This movie is out of control, in a good way. Throughout the film, I pretty much had my mouth open. You wouldn't think a tire can do much. "Rubber" proves you wrong. Magnificent. Plus, Mr. Oizo(aka Quentin Dupieux) did the soundtrack. Awwwwwwwwwwesome.
SESSION 9
This psychological thriller had me all over the place. It was like hitting a brick wall at every turn. Twists and turns. The moment I started putting the pieces together, I broke out in goosebumps.
I shall continue by listing the rest of the movies linked to a trailer:
Remember, cheese doesn't always mean bad. I happen to love every movie on this list. Movies are in order from cheese to the cheesiest(in my opinion). And look, I even took the time to leave you some trailers. Of course, if you've never seen any movie on this list, you need to just go away.
10. Evil Dead
Not shocking that this is the least cheesy There's some creepy moments in the movie mixed in with some cheese. And let's be honest, Bruce Campbell is the King of Cheese but that's why we love him!
9. Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Blasting humans with a ray gun, taking them aboard their ship and putting humans into cotton candy cocoons? Yep, awesome and cheesy. I still enjoy watching this movie. Not to mention I actually like the soundtrack!
8. Sleepaway Camp
Cult classic slasher movie from 1983. I remember when I first saw this movie(I was about 7), it freaked me out. When I watch it now, I laugh...hard. How can Sleepaway Camp NOT be on this list? And who can forget that disturbingly shocking reveal at the end?
Another movie that scared me shitless, as a child, until I discovered the overall cheese. If you've never seen C.H.U.D., go now and seek it.
6. The Stuff
This is an all-time favorite of mine. Michael Moriarty, Garrett Morris, Danny Aiello, Paul Sorvino and Scott Bloom. Sticky, white, sweet, creamy substance that looks like Fluff but is actually a parasite that attacks the brain and turns humans into zombie-like creatures. Consuming their very bodies until there is nothing left but...the stuff inside of them.
5. The Return of the Living Dead
The most amazing, hilariously bad zombie movie that we all love. This really needs no explanation. Also, another movie with a great soundtrack.
4. Ghoulies
Every character in this movie, is asking for it. They get bored and decide that a ritualistic ceremony is a good thing to do? That's what they get. The ghoulies have every right to pop up from the toilet and kill them all. Cheesy acting, cheesy effects and creature. Yet, awesome.
3. Troll
Harry Potter, Jr (aka Noah Hathaway from The Neverending Story fame) couldn't even save this movie from being cheesy. Which is why it's so high on my list.
2. Student Bodies
I'm always disappointed when I mention Student Bodies, no one knows what the hell I'm talking about.Before there was Scary Movie, there was Student Bodies. This movie is so bad and cheesy, it's good!
1. TerrorVision
Was I the only one who first saw this movie on USA Network's "UP All Night"? There's a reason why this is #1 on my Top 10 Cheesy Horror movies. Just...look...
There you have it! Feel free to share your favorites.
I won two advanced screening tickets to see "The Thing", last night. My friend Anthony accompanied me to the screening. I must admit, I was a bit nervous about this movie.
When I first heard Hollywood was doing a version of John Carpenter's "The Thing", I wasn't a happy camper. At the time, no one was sure if it was going to be a remake or a prequel. My biggest fear was that they would butcher the film, completely. Good thing? It turned out to be a prequel. So, John Carpenter's "The Thing" is still intact and amazing.
MacReady in BAMF mode. "The Thing" (1982)
I'm not going to delve into the whole movie and break it down. NO SPOILERS, remember? However, I will say... I was pretty impressed. While I was watching the movie, I did grumble at certain things(not even going to lie about it) and it took me awhile to warm up to it. Slowly, it won me over. Was this prequel to "The Thing" an amazingly epic movie? No. Was it bad? No. I'm going to go with pretty good.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ulrich Thomsen. "The Thing" (2011)
For all the good moments in the film, there are bad moments. I had issues with some of the CGI effects. Call me "old school", but I love the old techniques used back in the 80's. One of the strong points of John Carpenter's "The Thing" was Rob Bottin's truly horrific, shocking and dazzling monster transformations. To this day, I'm still blown away by it all. In this prequel, we don't get those shockingly horrific effects. I was disappointed. But, what can we do? Hollywood pretty much relies on full-on CGI effects, these days. Not to say it's a bad thing. I just wished, in regards to horror movies, they used less. Still, the effects were okay (at best).
Little peek of splitface in "The Thing" (2011)
Also, and this is not spoilery, I know some of you will take issue with the fact that the original team was supposed to be Norwegian. Not in this film. For America's sake, the team is mostly Norwegian with some Americans thrown in there for good measure. Having mostly Norwegians and the fact that they used their language, made me happy enough.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Dr. Kate Lloyd, your lovely heroine.
I'm a firm believer in seeing things for myself and not to go by what this, this or this person said. I think John Carpenter's "The Thing" fans will be appreciative of this prequel. Sure, it was awesome not knowing what actually happened and it let us to use our imaginations but it will bring new life and new fans to John Carpenter's "The Thing". They stayed as true to the original story as they could. Honestly, I can't complain.
Just a little advice: When the end credits first start to appear, DON'T PANIC AND DON'T MOVE. You'll get it.
