What I Watched in April

To open, I've got to apologize to everyone for neglecting He Shot Cyrus for the last couple of months. I've been writing my thesis and finishing my Master's Degree. A busy, crazy, stressful time. But it's done. I'm done. I'm back.

While I haven't had time (trans. Energy) to post about movies, I have had time to watch plenty. Here's what I saw in April and a few words about the really stand-out ones.

Top 10

Battle Creek Crawl (1980) -- This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It was played often on a local TV station (under the title The Big Brawl) and my brother and I were mesmerized every time it screened. Jackie Chan's first American film, a Depression-era fight tourney film. A must-see for Chan fans.

A History of Violence (2005)

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1981) (*) -- Found a DVD of Stains at Barnes & Noble and picked it up immediately. One of Diane Lane's earlier films. She plays a young girl who forms a punk group with two of her friends, The Fabulous Stains. They go on tour with two other bands and get all tangles up in the drama that seems to only come on the road. Whitney wrote a post about Stains called "Christian Bale's Beard Doesn't Put Out." I highly recommend it. The film too.

Old Joy (2006) (*) -- To the person that recommended I watch this film, thank you. I don't remember who you are but you should know that I am truely grateful. Directed by Kelly Reichardt (Wendy and Lucy), the story follows two good friends as they take a road trip together up into the Cascade Mountains. For those looking for quiet, poignant narrative with really incredible performances throughout, do yourself the favor and check this one out.

Rachel Getting Married (2008) (*)

The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974) -- See this before you see the remake. Please.

True Romance (1993)

Who Can Kill a Child? (1976) (*) -- Whitney is a huge horror buff with a love for scary children so when she came across Who Can Kill a Child? she basically had no choice but to watch it. I watched it with her. It's now on our Top 10 Horror Movies of All-Time lists. For some reason, very little has been written about this movie. There are a number of scholarly books and essays that deal with the same themes as Who Can Kill a Child? but for some reason--they skip over it. It's the coolest "scary kid" movie ever. You heard it here first (unless someone else has already told you), Netflix this movie the next time you're in the mood for some good ol' fashioned parricide!

The Wrestler (2008)

* Viewed for the first time.

Bottom Five

Harper (1966)

Noam Chomsky: Rebel Without a Pause (2003)

Dear Wendy (2005) -- Sweet Moses, this movie was bad, awful, in fact. I checked it out based on the fact that Lars von Trier had written it. I find it hard to believe that someone as talented as vonTrier could or would write such shitty dialouge. There's more voiceover dialogue in Dear Wendy than there is in any other film ever made.** On top of that, the film stars Ben Foster. I should have known.

The Crying Game (1992) -- Why did no one warn me that Forest Whitaker, one of my favorite actors, would hurt me personally with his terrible accent throughout the first third of this so-called classic? Seriously, it made me want to puke so hard my teeth would get knocked loose. Once Whitaker's taken care of, the movie is very interesting and worth watching...once he's taken care of. But overall, Whitaker's performance sinks the movie onto the Bottom Five list. Blech.

Unfaithfully Yours (1948)

** not true

The Rest

After Hours (1985)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Extreme Measures (1996)
The Celluloid Closet (1995)
Con Air (1997)
Copycat (1995)
Coraline (2009)
Crazy Love (2007)
Don’t Say a Word (2001)
Gentleman Jim (1942)
Gentlemen’s Agreement (1947)
It Came From Kuchar (2009)
Malcolm X (1992)
Murder at 1600 (1997)
Quarantine (2008)
Rocket Science (2007)
Scarecrow (1973)
Tron (1982)
We are the Wizards (2008)
White Heat (1949)

What have you watched lately?
And most importantly, did you miss me? Am I forgiven?