Aliens (1986)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

I wasn't merely revisiting this film because the Blu-ray look phenomenal, which it does, or because it's one of my favorite action movies of all time, which it is. I was watching Aliens on this day to get into the proper mindset for the evening's performance of Aliens on Ice. What's Aliens on Ice, you ask? Take a gander at this recap I wrote on the incredible live reinterpretation by Austin comedy troupe The Old Murder House Theater. Game over, man, game indeed over.

Film Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Aliens on Ice Rating: Mostly Too Amazing For Words...Mostly

The Muppets (2011)

1st View
Venue: Galaxy Highland (Press Screening)

Start the music and light the lights, Kermit and the gang are back! Here is my review of the long-anticipated return of The Muppets in...THE MUPPETS! 

The Birdcage (1996)

Revisit
Format: Netflix
Venue: Rivendell

Was working late, needed a great comedy to provide background noise. The Birdcage is a true classic. Love it.


Rating: 8/10 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

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Revisit
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Cast Reunion Screening)

As part of Austin Comic Con, several members of the cast of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory were on hand for this special Alamo screening. The experience brought back a great many memories of watching the film with my aunt Symone and fast-forwarding to the part wherein the kids actually enter the factory. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview the grownup Wonka kids for Movies.com. Come with me, give a read, to my article of pure imagination.

Hatchet 2 (2010)

Revisit
Format: Cable
Venue: Rivendell

Little late-night revisit. Still quite fun.


Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Immortals (2011)

1st View
Format: XD Digital
Venue: Tinseltown

Boring, long-winded, and uninteresting. Shame.


Rating 4/10 Atkins 

The Fall (2006)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Just before we departed to catch the midnight screening of Immortals, the wife and I decided to watch director Tarsem Singh's previous film The Fall. It was every bit as breathtaking, visually, as I had expected, but for some reason I had also expected the narrative to be abstract and barely existent. Not sure why. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that while I had heard people universally praising The Fall's visual landscape, I had never heard anyone even mention the plot. Turns out, the storytelling is just as beautiful as the imagery.


Rating: 8/10 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

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Here again, a terrible sequel. But again, one I enjoy despite its every attempt to fail. Entertaining in the basest way.


Rating: 5/10 Atkins

J. Edgar (2011)

1st View
Venue: Galaxy Highland (Press Screening)

Uneven, unfocused, and overall flat, J. Edgar is one of the most disappointing films of the year. Dicaprio's accent and makeup are as laughable as his cloying performance. Clint Eastwood has become a peddler of mediocrity who is more concerned with getting a film released in time for awards season every year than crafting anything of quality.


Rating: 3/10 Atkins

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

The first appearance of Kane Hodder as Jason. Still better than it gets credit for, but not one I enjoy all that much.


Rating: 5/10 Atkins

Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

I know this one is bad, I know that. And yet I can't help but enjoy it. I get a kick out of the fact that people show up to die independent of the plot. Plus, it is the birth of zombie Jason!


Rating: 5/10 Atkins

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Speaking as a fan, I find this to be the second worst of the entire franchise; second to the deplorable Jason Goes to Hell. Unbearable characters, shitty directing and photography, an the ending is painfully facepalm-inducing. If it weren't for the dark, surprisingly adept performance of John Shepherd as grownup Tommy Jarvis, this would be a totally worthless entry.


Rating: 3/10 Atkins

Deathtrap (1982)

1st View
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

I had heard good things about this film, and must say I was not disappointed. I always relish the opportunity to see Christopher Reeve in a role other than Superman, and he shines tremendously here. Michael Caine is as brilliant as ever and I desperately need to see more Lumet films. Deathtrap wears its stage roots on its sleeve but it still works beautifully.




Rating: 7/10 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

Downfall (2004)

1st Viewing
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Finally got around to watching the movie that gave us that fantastic "Hitler is pissed" internet meme. Here's the writeup I did for Hollywood.com. If you don't like it, tell me in my bunker so I can freak out about it.

Rating: 8/10 Atkins

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)

1st View
Venue: Galaxy Highland (Press Screening)

I must say I am a fan of the first H&K film. It's a weird infusion of Cheech and Chong and the Crosby/Hope "on the road" movies. While I haven't seen the second film, since seeing the first I have become a huge fan of How I Met Your Mother starring, among others, the incomparable Neil Patrick Harris. I was therefore doubly excited about A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas and the return of the storied NPH from the H&K universe. He definitely did not disappoint. The film was as raunchy and low-brow as you'd expect, and yet simultaneously smarter than you'd think. Also, I now desperately want a WaffleBot.

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

Young Adult (2011)

1st View
Venue: Alamo South Lamar (Press Screening)

Self-indulgent writing, zero likable characters, and completely insults the audience's time and effort by...well, I won't spoil the ending seeing as the film isn't in theaters yet. Repugnant filmmaking all around. Patton Oswalt's ultimately undermined performance is the only reason this film doesn't warrant a rating of "0."

Rating: 2/10 Atkins

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Revisit
Format: HD-DVD
Venue: Rivendell

It's been a while since I've seen Zack Snyder's remake, but the recent Mondo screening of the George Romero original piqued my interest to revisit. I still think it's a damn fine remake that incorporates changes required of so drastic a change in the film and sociopolitical landscape since the 70s. There are some bizarre cinematography choices with over-saturated color that I don't quite understand, but other than that I have very few complaints. 


Rating: 7/10 Atkins

Invasion of the Body Sntachers (1978)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

One of my most embarrassing horror blind spots finally rectified. A little slow, but an excellent sci-fi/horor story. Incredible practical effects and sound design. Would make a great double feature with The Thing.

Rating: 8/10 Atkins

Halloween (1978)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

An unbroken tradition for me, I again watch Halloween on Halloween. Still one of my very favorite movies of all time. 

Rating: 10/10 Atkins

Mimic (1997)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Had somehow let this one slip through the cracks during my most formidable horror years. Guillermo del Toro's brilliant storytelling, fantastic characters, and--unfortunately--terrible CG are all alive and well. Overall, pretty damn good.

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Revisit
Venue: Highland Mall (Mondo Mystery Screening IX)

Mondo's mystery screenings are always great, but this one was extra special. Not only did it involve a screening of Dawn of the Dead in a shopping mall, but also a veritable army of extras made up like Romeroesque zombies attacking buses of patrons as they entered the parking lot. I got to be one of those zombies. I wrote up the event and the experience for Film School Rejects. Shamble over to the link and give it a read won't you?

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