Burke and Hare (2010)

1st View
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

John Landis directing a pseudo horror comedy based on true events starring Simon Pegg? All the ingredients are there for something I would truly love. However, Burke and Hare meanders lazily through its plot; things just happening in succession grounded to nothing. Utterly forgettable.


Rating: 4/10 Atkins

Beginners (2010)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

A movie with its head stuck firmly up its own ass. Pretentious as pretentious films get. No thank you.

Rating: 2/10 Atkins

Hatchet 2 (2010)

Revisit
Format: Cable
Venue: Rivendell

Little late-night revisit. Still quite fun.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010)

Revisit 
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Mark Hartley is the master of the immensely entertaining documentary. Here he focuses his irreverent/reverent lens on the exploitation films made in The Philippines during the 70s-80s. Not quite as encompassing as Not Quite Hollywood, but Hartley is dealing with more limited subject matter. Still a great doco featuring exceptional interviewees and Hartley's signature pitch-perfect editing.

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Neither of the other denizens of Rivendell had seen this. It was like watching it for the first time again. I still very much enjoy this sequel.


Rating: 7/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Clown (2010)

1st View
Country: Denmark

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: A Boy and his Samurai (2010)

1st View
Country: Japan

Among the most acclaimed films at this year's fest, and with good reason. Read my review for Badass Digest here.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: The Corridor (2010)

1st View
Country: Canada

Rating: 3/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Two Eyes Staring (2010)

1st View
Country: The Netherlands

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Haunters (2010)

1st View
Country: South Korea
Venue: Alamo South Lamar

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)

1st View
Country: Brazil
Venue: Alamo South Lamar

Rating: 8/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Sennentuntschi (2010)

1st View
Country: Switzerland

Rating: 5/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Kill Me Please (2010)

1st View
Country: France

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

FANTASTIC FEST 2011: Rabies (2010)

1st View
Country: Israel

Rating: 8/10 Atkins

The Man from Nowhere (2010)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Missed this at Fantastic Fest last year, but everyone raved about it. That praise was well-deserved. Great movie.

Rating: 8/10 Atkins

Insidious (2010)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Still not wild about the sound design, but my God is this movie creepy. Some of the most simple, disturbing imagery I've ever seen.


Rating: 7/10 Atkins

We Are the Night (2010)

1st View
Venue: The Great Hall's

I've heard people describe We Are the Night as the gender-flipped Near Dark...and those people are absolutely correct. So much of the plot behind this German vampire flick feels very reminiscent of Kathryn Bigelow's phenomenal 1987 horror classic. It's well shot, features great performances, and operates under some fascinating feminist ideals.

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

13 Assassins (2010)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Tron: Legacy (2010)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Upon a second viewing, it's clear that the first 30 minutes of this film is amazing. But the minute they enter Castor's club, the movie begins to de-res the bed and never recovers. Still looks great.


Rating: 5/10 Atkins

Tangled (2010)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Witty, charming, and incredibly fun. Got to see this while the family was in town; Disney has meant a lot to us over the years. Mom said it was her new favorite, no small compliment coming from her.


Rating: 8/10 Atkins