The Longest Yard (1974)

1st View
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

I've made it my mission to watch more Burt Reynolds films in 2012. Why? Mustache, err uh I mean, must you ask? Anywho, as much as the remake was trashy...I kind of enjoyed it. But what will probably get me crucified is the fact that I thought there were elements of the original upon which the remake actually improved. Don't get me wrong Burt is a faaaaar better leading man than Sandler, but there are parts of the original that are downright sluggish and that is where the silly, MTV sensibilities of the remake tighten things up. All in all, the original is still quite fun.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Raw Deal (1986)

Revisit
Format: VHS
Venue: Rivendell

A mess from A-Z, a spectacular failure, and a personal favorite.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Margin Call (2011)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

My first movie of 2012, was so far the most challenging. Well-acted, well-directed, but I still don't have the first bleeding clue what the hell were the particulars of the financial crisis at the heart of the plot. They even create a moment wherein the chairman of the company is asking Quinto to explain the situation in the simplest terms, on behalf of the audience no doubt, and what comes out is still Wall Street rhetoric. Not a bad film, just terribly inaccessible. 


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

New Year's Evil (1980)

Revisit
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

One of my favorite holiday slashers. Cheesy as all get out, but so entertaining despite itself. I seriously dig that theme song!

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

I had heard so many people shit on Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. It has moments of absolutely irreconcilable absurdity, and it is a bit poorly paced, but it's a lot of fun. That is all I ask of a movie called Cowboys & Aliens.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Home Alone 2 (1992)

Revisit
Format: Blu--ray
Venue: Rivendell

Not as good as the first, I recognize that, but still a lot of fun and I have plenty of childhood nostalgia for the first two films in this franchise. The sequel, as with the first, contributed to creating A Very Junkfood Christmas for Film School Rejects.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Superheroes (2011)

1st View
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Strange, uneven, but ultimately fascinating documentary about real life superheroes.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Little Big Man (1970)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: LEOG Lair

The movie was long-winded, but well-formed and had some of the most upsetting Native American slaughters I've ever seen. Watched this, along with several other films in preparation for the first episode of the new Spill.com podcast I'll be co-hosting called Remote Viewing. Check out the inaugural entry over at Spill.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

The only film in the franchise I had not seen. Some interesting ideas, gorgeously shot, and the Whedonisms are strikingly apparent from the get-go. Not bad at all.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)

Revisit
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Revisited this chuckle fest and wrote it up in this week's For Your Consideration at Hollywood.com. Check it out why don't you just!

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

The Rock-afire Explosion (2008)

Revisit
Format: Netflix
Venue: Rivendell

 A weird, wonderful documentary about the animatronic band from Showbiz Pizza Place locations across the country in the late 80s. The doc not only charts the rise and fall of the company that created the Rock-afire Explosion, Creative Engineering, but also spends time with a few eccentric fans whose lives were so touched by this strange entertainment niche.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Hatchet 2 (2010)

Revisit
Format: Cable
Venue: Rivendell

Little late-night revisit. Still quite fun.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

BMX Bandits (1983)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

A classically befuddling "kids" movie from the great Brian Trenchard-Smith. BMX Bandits' bicycular hijinx won the film the honor of Junkfood Cinema immortality. Pedal on over and give it a read!




Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Never Too Young To Die (1986)

Revisit
Format: VHS
Venue: Rivendell

A personal favorite train wreck starring John Stamos as a teenage secret agent battling a transsexual terrorist played by former KISS frontman Gene Simmons. If that synopsis alone doesn't make you want to see this film, take a gander at the Junkfood Cinema article it earned with its absurdity.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Dead Heat (1988)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Not sure how I forgot to log this one. I watched it in early October to prepare for Junkfood Horror. Read the article here! 


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Special When Lit-A Pinball Documentary (2009)

1st View
Format: Netflix
Venue: Rivendell

Had never heard of this doco, saw it while scrolling through the Netflix streaming catalog. As someone who has recently become interested in the game, thanks to the amazing Pinballz Arcade here in Austin, I was excited to watch it. Starts out with a lot of energy, pizazz, and fascinating information, but fizzles near the end by lingering on some truly sad subjects. Overall, pretty solid.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

The Pit (1981)

1st View
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

One of the more bizarre 80s horror films I have ever seen. This weird little gem left such an impact on me that I decided to cover it for Junkfood Cinema. Read it if you dare.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Child's Play 2 (1990)

1st View
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Passable sequel, not nearly as entertaining or competent as the first. Still, pretty enjoyable.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

The Howling (1981)

1st View
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Corrected a major blind spot in my horror knowledge. Not a bad film, but not nearly as good as I had expected. Great werewolf effects and interesting concept, but a little flubbed on execution. Very glad to have seen it.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

The Exorcist III (1990)

1st View
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

I had been wanting to see this for some time. Based on Exorcist author Peter Blatty's followup novel Legion. Very weird story that doesn't work consistently, but it's exceedingly creepy when it does. Points for the return(ish) of Father Karras and for the inclusion of a great performance by Brad Dourif.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins