As a film fan I don’t think I have done enough research outside my comfort zone of movies to check out independent films, foreign films or films styles to really expand my repetior. That said, one film style or genre I am trying to get into are detective/noir films. Having seen films such classics as Chinatown, The Third Man, and recent noir films such as L.A. Confidential, The Black Dahlia, I’d say I’m getting there. Though I am missing a big chunk of the old 40’s and 50’s detective stories, I’d like to think I’m ever so slightly starting to appreciate noir detective film. That said, one film that I…
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Off the Netflix Queue…'INK'
I had heard about Ink for a long time now from our good friends over at FirstShowing.net. Ink is a wonderfully inventive & imaginative film that was made for surprisingly little money but to overwhelming positive praise. Now, I can’t say that I wasn’t a little skeptical after seeing the trailer, but as per my experience, a film with a low (or no) budget usually fails due to the financial limitations. That said, I don’t know how Double Edge Films was able to create something so grand out of something so seemingly diminutive….but they did, in spades.
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Off the Netflix Queue…’Assassination of a High School President’
Assassination of a High School President, though morbid sounding, is nothing like what you’d imagine. This movie is like Brick “lite” for those who have trouble keeping up with the noir style of film. While Brick is a absolutely fantastic film, this was a superbly crafted imitator, but features it’s own brand of humor and wit to make it an admirably comparative stand alone. I thoroughly enjoyed every element in this film. It’s a fun quirky detective flick bordering on Chinatown, but with enough off-the-wall humor to entertain people who aren’t film buffs or who don’t particularly like film-noir. I can’t put my finger on why this is, but the…
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Off the Shelf…'Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'
Without Guy Ritchie, I don’t think American audiences would be aware of British gangster films and their seedy criminal underground that is almost a new-aged noir. One of the most fun, excitingly humorous and well written cult-classics in the last 10 years, Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels is an absolute favorite of mine and has been for a long time. If you love guns, humor, dry wit and great characters then look no further than this gem from Guy Ritchie.
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Off the Netflix Queue…'L.A. Confidential'
I would say I am a sucker for anything considered a period piece and set in the American 30s, 40’s and 50’s. There’s just something cool and almost mythical about the way people dressed, spoke and lived. Technology was nothing compared to what we have today but certain things like a radio and TV in every living room were the “hi-tech” and coveted items of that day and age. L.A. Confidential was a film I had been meaning to see but never got around to seeing it before now. I’m a big Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce fan so this seemed like a one, two punch of talented Aussie acting…
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Off the Shelf…'The Boondock Saints'
Closing in on the “tentative release date” for The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day I thought this was the perfect time to do a write up for a film I like very, very much. To many people out there I suspect The Boondock Saints is a love it/hate it type of film. Any conversation I’ve had with friends in the past has either been, “Dude, that movie rocks” or “it was stupid“…and trust me I asked guys and girls alike and got a little of both from each party. Whether you like it or not, you have to admit that there is a pretty large cult following behind it. …
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Off the Shelf…'The House of Flying Daggers'
I’m not really into “love stories” or sweeping romantic epics involving two people hiding their love for each other. I guess, becasue I’m a guy, I’m more likely to watch an action flick or some brainy feature with a twist ending (and either one with a scotch in my hand)…what can I say? Guilty as charged. I first saw this years ago in the theaters and assumed, based on how it was advertised, it would be an awesome martial-arts flick with gorgeous set designs. Well I got one out of two but was none-the-less impressed with the outcome. Hidden behind a cool sounding title like “The House of Flying Daggers”…
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Off the Shelf…’3:10 to Yuma’
Let me start by saying that I have never seen the original 3:10 to Yuma so I have no basis for comparison nor did I cry blasphemy at the idea of this remake. I usually try to see the originals before their remakes (which,most times, are less than flattering) but something about most Hollywood “golden oldie” Westerns just don’t do it for me, so I just didn’t make the effort this time. Regardless, I have been a big fan of Russell Crowe and Christian Bale and so when this first came out on DVD I gave it a shot and was ultimately very impressed. Since this was my third time…