Midnight in Paris (2011)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Stately Salisbury Manor

Watched this with my parents for the first time and absolutely loved it. Typically, I am not a fan of Woody Allen. But this comedy is so impossibly charming and sincere, and geared toward writers and nostalgics (of which I am both), that it's hard not to get wrapped up in its elegance. One of my favorite films of 2011.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

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

Star Trek (2009)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

So good, even better after having watched a few more episodes of Star Trek TOS. Just a good mood movie.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

The Exorcist (1973)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Showed my wife a true classic for the very first time. She liked it a lot and appreciated several little nuances. Love.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

The Fly (1986)

Revisit
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Charting some quality time with one of my absolute favorites. Here's an article I wrote in which I expend some meager words in a feeble attempt to encapsulate the genius of one of Cronenberg's masterpieces.

Rating: 9/10 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

Warrior (2011)

Revisit
Venue: Alamo Village

Had to go back for a second round.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Warrior (2011)

1st View
Venue: Alamo Village (Press Screening)

To be honest, I had no interest in seeing a film about MMA fighting, but then my buddies over at Spill.com asked me to be on one of their audio reviews for the film. I wasn't about to pass up that opportunity so I went to see it. I'm glad I did because Warrior is one of my favorite movies of the year. You can hear all my reasons why on the Spill review here!

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

1st View
Format: XD
Venue: Tinseltown (Summer 2011)

I was absolutely blown away by RotPotA. It simultaneous remakes Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and ties together the entire franchise; retracing and better explaining certain elements. Loved it; probably my favorite movie of the Summer.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

 

The Invisible Man (1933)

Revisit
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Showed this to Luke as it was on Netflix. Still far and away my favorite of the Universal Monster movies. The effects, given the time in which it was made, are unbelievable.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Ip Man (2008)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Introduced some friends from out of town to the blisteringly fast, incredibly exciting Ip Man. They loved it, as I still do.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Revisit
Format: HD-DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Still one of my favorite Coen Bros movies. It took my many years to understand how much a traditional film noir it really is, just with a few extra esoteric trappings. The dude does indeed abide.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Captain America (2011)

1st View
Venue: Alamo South Lamar (Summer 2011) 

Sooooo many Captains of America on my list! This would be the big-budget blockbuster from Marvel studios. So far, this may be my favorite film of the summer. Joe Johnston brings his campy adventure mentality and refines it with interesting story and respectable performance. I think we're all ready for The Avengers now.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Rounders (1998)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

One of favorite movies of all time. This is the film that taught me to play poker, and win occaisonally. Matt Damon's Mike McDermott was the subject of this week's (last week's?) Reel Men for Movies.com. Ante up and give it a read.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

13 Assassins (2010)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell (Independence Day Marathon)

This movie speaks for itself. My favorite of the franchise as well as the most personally meaningful.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

The Stepfather (1987)

Revisit
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Terror Tuesday)

Quickly becoming one of my favorite slasher films with every repeat viewing. In honor of Father's Day, Terror Tuesday hosted a screening of this under-seen gem. My boy Brian Kelley provided the evening's wrapup over at Horror's Not Dead...and here's an article I wrote on the film for Hollywood.com.


Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Kill Bill (2003)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Couldn't help but watch Zoe Bell work more of her ass-kicking magic. Still great.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

High Noon (1952)

Revisit
Format: Netflix WI
Venue: Rivendell

Logging some quality time with one of my favorite westerns. Gary Cooper's heroic Marshal Kane was the subject of the first entry into my brand new Movies.com column entitled Reel Men. Belly up to the bar and let me know what you think! 

Rating: 9/10 Atkins

Dial H for Hitchcock (1999)

Revisit
Format: DVD (Burned from DVR)
Venue: Rivendell

An outstanding, gripping, and altogether moving documentary on Alfred Hitchcock. When I was in my early high school years, I discovered Hitch at the very same time I first saw this doco on TV. It blew my mind and turned me on to what real filmmaking was all about. The doc has never been released on DVD and its appearances on cable are unfortunately infrequent. A few months ago it popped up again so I had Luke record it. I have already watched the subsequently burned DVD three or four times.

Rating: 9/10 Atkins