Two Months? Shame on Me.

Meant to do this on Thanksgiving but it's coming a few days later. I always love to give praise where praise is deserved. To everyone who has been leaving comments on the site, thank you. I know I've been slowing down on the amount of comments I've given back to all of you but that'll be changing soon. Thanks everyone, you make the work worth doing.

Thirty-Three Comments
Daniel G. at Getafilm

Twenty Comments
Whitney at Dear Jesus

Seventeen Comments
Jonny

Fourteen Comments
Fox at Tractor Facts

Thirteen Comments
Caitlin at 1,416 and Counting

Fletch at Blog Cabins

Christopher at From the Mind of Fotog Ink

Twelve Comments
Ross Williams at What I Watched Last Night

Eleven Comments
J.D. at Valley Dreamin'

Ten Comments
Joseph Campanella at Cinema Fist

Keith at The Kinetoscope Parlor

Nine Comments
Paul Arrand Rogers at Careful with that Blog, Eugene

Seven Comments
Moviezzz at The Moviezzz Blog

Rob at Natsukashi

Six Comments
Bob Turnbull at Eternal Sunshine of the Logical Mind

MovieMan0283 at The Dancing Image

The Mad Hatter at The Dark of the Matinee

Derek at Son of Double Feature

Reel Whore at Reel Whore

Five Comments
Adam Ross at DVD Panache

MC at Culture Kills...I Mean Cutlery

Rachel at Rachel's Reel Reviews

Taylor

Scott Mendelson at Mendelson's Memos

Sally Belle at The Screen Zone

Four Comments
Glenn, J.J., Lunatone

Three Comments
Big Mike Mendez, Dame James Henry, Erich Kuersten, Ibetolis, Jason Bellamy, Jason Soto, Joseph B., Marilyn, Tommy Salami

Two Comments

Cinexcellence, Dead Pan, Don, Ed Howard, Evil Clown, James Hansen, Kevin Lahane, Laura, MinceyFresh, Piper, RJ, Rick Olsen, Runs Like a Gay

One Comment

Adolfo, Anil Usumezbas, BlakeCGriffin, Dave Enkosky, Dean Treadway, Demigod, Jamie, J.D. (2), Joe, Kim Grafton, mB, Megan, RC, Slayton, StinkyLulu, Striderdemme, The Film Fiend, The Lightning Bug

Thank you all so much.
Daniel, I'm going to have to figure out something special for you.
You've been holding down the Top Commenter title for the last three counts!
That means a lot.

Let the Right One In (2008)

There's a new vampire movie out and it's not Twilight. Not even close.
Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson has adapted John Ajvide Lindqvist's novel "Låt den Rätte Komma in" into a quiet and stunning film that's been the target of quite a bit of buzz on the interwebs lately. This was to be the one that did vampires differently. One screening later and I'm agreeing with the "different" claims, the film certainly is different. As for good or bad, it's good but maybe not as good as the hype that's floating around. This might be one of those situations where the film has recieved so much praise that any sort of criticism will automaticly brand that critic as someone who didn't like the film. Hopefully, this won't be the case for myself. I don't want to nitpick at Let the Right One In, but there were a few elements of the film that, in my opinion, make the film...less strong. I'd like to discuss those first and then move on to the numerous positive aspects of the film.

First, the CGI cats. A potentially gripping scene turned into straight comedy. I wasn't the only one who thought it was funny, the entire theatre was laughing at the blonde woman's fate. Second, the scene where Oskar is sitting with his dad and they're joined by one of his father's friends. Third, the pacing. I know, I know, I know. Attacking a slower-paced film for its slower pace is a cardinal sin among cinephiles. But that doesn't change the fact that there was some fat that could have been trimmed without hurting anything, might have even helped the film. Those are really my only gripes concerning the film, except for the fact that, at times, Oskar looked like a Harmony Karine/Gummo wetdream.

Writing about Let the Right One In is a "give credit where credit is due" situation. Lindqvist and Alfredson set out to do something different within the vampire genre. It would seemthat every movie dealing with monsters, especially vampires and zombies, must take the obligatory time to explain the "rules" that their characters will and will not be following (slow or fast zombies? crosses and holy water: religious props or effective weapons?) Alfredson takes it to another level with his explanation concerning the vampire's need for an invitation into someone's home. No spoilers here, but for those who have seen the film know exactly what I'm talking about. This particular scene is just one small example of the impressive use of genre conventions Alfredson toys with. Others include the vampire domestic dynamics, their killing rituals, and new twists on the romantic aspects of the vampire culture.

That brings us to the film's two main characters Oskar, a twelve year old human, and Eli, a "twelve" year old vampire. Both of the leads are first-time actors who were given a script containing pretty weighty roles, especially for such young performers. The highest praise should go to Lina Leandersson who plays Eli. Her role is the most complex and her performance is the most captivating out of any in the film. Her need for human blood weighs against her hesitance to kill. As the film progesses, we watch that sclae tip towards murder more often than not. It would seem at times that the scale is completely tipped over but then a new scale is created: one between her need for sustenance and her love for Oskar. One might find it a little odd that the film features a romantic (albeit a non-sexual) relationship between a twelve year old boy and a much older vampire who's physical appearance remains formed as a twelve year old girl. The taboo is downplayed as it becomes clearer that while Eli have been alive for many years, her maturity has leveled off around the same age as her body has.

For fan of traditional vampire stories, Let the Right One In should meet many of your expectations. But if you go into the film with an open mind, the picture will take you further in the direction these other films were headed and expand on the conventions set in place by writers such as Bram Stoker and Anne Rice. Think Nosferatu the Vampyre meets Elephant.

Suck on that, Twilight.

The Four Things Meme

Caitlin tagged me for the meme.

I think it's a little too MySpace-circa-2005.
So I've decided to answer this meme as Estelle Getty.

FOUR JOBS YOU’VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
My parents worked in the glass business. I got my first start in comedy in the Yiddish theater which eventually led to my employment as a television actress. In 1988, I wrote my autobiography entitled "If I Knew Then, What I Know Now... So What?" so I guess that makes me an author too.

FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Casablanca, Congo, and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance.

FOUR PLACES YOU’VE LIVED
I was born in New York City, New York. I loved living and working in the Catskill Borscht Belt. My big move was to Hollywood, California, and I lived in Los Angeles until July 22nd, 2008. I didn't live anywere after that.

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
Matlock (he's so handsome), The Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry R.F.D, and of course, Salvage 1.

FOUR PLACES YOU’VE BEEN ON VACATION
The Denver Zoo, The Latin Grammys, the Eiffel Tower, and France.

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY
Cute Little Kittens, T-Shirt Hell, Chali 2na's MySpace, and Natsukashi.

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS
Meat loaf, oatmeal, Werther's Originals, and Almond Roca.

FOUR PLACES YOU’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
Alive.

FOUR BLOGGERS YOU’RE TAGGING
Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Meshach Taylor.

Never Heard Of It: The Mechanic (1972)

There is only one reason to watch The Mechanic

and that reason is Charles Bronson's wardrobe.

The real star of this movie is Bronson's red robe
which he wears in six different scenes.

Never Heard of It Rating:

2009 Oscar SeasonMINUS
EQUALS

Truth

Attention Filmmakers:
If you can't make it work when you have
a young Clint Eastwood and a monkey,
you're in the wrong fucking business.

A Love Letter to Planet B-Boy

Let me introduce to my new favorite movie of the year. It's called Planet B-Boy. We met a couple nights ago and we're in love. Now, I know what you're saying, "What about Shotgun Stories? You told us that Shotgun Stories" was your number one." I can't deny that we had a great run together but I've met someone new. There will always be a spot in my heart for Shotgun Stories but everyone is just going to have to accept that I've made the best decision for me. If you don't believe me, let me tell you tell you a little bit about my new love.

The first thing I noticed about Planet B-Boy
was how beautiful she was.

She showed me a world I'd never seen before...
and introduced me to all her friends.



We spent the entire night talking about hip-hop.
Then last night, we did it all over again.
It reminded me of the first time I met Style Wars.
I'll never forget you, Style Wars.

So, no offense to Shotgun Stories. You're an amazing movie. I really liked watching you. It's not you, it's me...I just feel that I'm at a place in my life where I need to watch fascinating documentaries about worldwide breakdancing competitions. Do you understand what I'm saying? Who knows? Maybe I'll watch you again in a couple months. Life is crazy. Nobody knows the future. And you'll most likely be my number two of the year. You beat out a LOT of movies. That's nothing to get mad about...oh, come on, I didn't want this to happen. You're going to find someone who truly appreciates you. I'm just sorry that that couldn't have been me.

It's been nice knowing you, Shotgun Stories. Keep it real.
Stop calling my home phone.