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

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

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

Attack the Block (2011)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Still one of my favorite movies of this or any other year. Finally on home video for me to watch again and again and again. Whoop whoop!

51 (2011)

1st View
Format: DVD
Venue: LEOG Lair

Dumb as a box of rocks, but not entirely unwatchable.

Rating: 5/10 Atkins

Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope (1977)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

And then I watched it again.

Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope (1977)

Revisit
Format: DVD
Venue: Rivendell

Comfort Food

Star Quest: Beyond the Rising Moon (1987)

1st View
Format: VHS
Venue: Captain Murphy's Movie Submarine (24hr Movie Marathon)

In the sci-fi category. One of the single most boring movies I've ever struggled to sit through.

Rating: 3/10 Atkins

Attack the Block (2011)

Revisit
Venue: Alamo South Lamar

Still my favorite movie of the year, was happy to finally have the chance to pay to see it. SUPPORT THIS MOVIE! I reviewed it way back in March. Whoop whoop!

Rating: 10/10 Atkins

Back to the Future III (1990)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

Battle over: I like 3 more than 2. The Blu is gorgeous and Luke has now officially seen the entire trilogy. Hooray!

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

1st View
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

 Missed it in theaters. Quiet, thoughtful sci-fi that qualifies as such by virtue of its cerebral concepts as opposed to flashy set pieces or additional dimensions. Plays with the relationship between sci-fi and religion but never gets too preachy on either's behalf. Very strong.

Rating: 7/10 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

They Live (1988)

Revisit
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo South Lamar (Mondo Screening)

Mondo Tees hosted their second special screening, this time making no effort to keep the featured film a secret. Sufficed to say, I was a much bigger fan of the choice of film this time around. I love They Live, such a weirdo of a movie with a hefty political subtext. Accompanying the film was a specially designed poster by none other than Shepard Fairey; the pop artist probably best known for his iconic bi-chromatic image of President Obama. Will be framing this and hanging it on my wall very soon.

Super 8 (2011)

1st View
Venue: Galaxy Highland (Press Screening) (Summer 2011)

This was my most anticipated film of the summer, and given the magnitude of this particular summer that's saying something. I loved Super 8. I was enraptured by the combination of J.J. Abrams' flair for big sci-fi and the reliance on a deep Amblin reference well. Since seeing it, I've been surprised to find how divisive the reaction has been among my colleagues. I have to admit I fully understand the complaints I'm hearing, but for me Super 8 was the perfect summer movie and struck every appropriate chord with me.

Rating: 8/10 Atkins

Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

Revisit
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Day of the Apes)

Lamentably saturated by the decade in which it was made, and featuring one too many trying-on-clothes montages for my taste...that is, one. Does have a pretty brutally extreme ending, though.

Rating: 5/10 Atkins

Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

1st View
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Day of the Apes)

Thought I had seen this, quickly became apparent that I had not. Most bargain-basementy of the franchise and the titular battle is far smaller-scale than its sensational title would suggest. It was more like the Battle for Ape County. Loads of fun though.

Rating: 6/10 Atkins

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

Revisit
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Day of the Apes)

So weird, so much fun.

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Revisit
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Day of the Apes)

The original, you maniacs.

Rating: 7/10 Atkins

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

Revisit
Format: 35mm
Venue: Alamo Ritz (Day of the Apes)

An all-day marathon of all five of the original Planet of the Apes films in glorious 35mm at The Alamo Drafthouse? Oh hell yeah! Instead of listing these films chronologically by release, or by their placement along the franchise's own manufactured timeline as I did in my writeup of the event for Fandango, I will order them from favorite to least favorite.

Rating: 8/10 

Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)

Revisit
Format: Blu-ray
Venue: Rivendell

I love this movie so much; arguably too much. It was one of the first films covered for Junkfood Cinema many risings ago (linked here for reference) and has remained one of my favorite Roger Corman films; no small praise if you are familiar with my cinematic proclivities. I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of Shout! Factory's upcoming Blu-ray release and, though my full review will be posted soon, sufficed to say it is beautiful. Thanks again to Shout! Factory.


Rating: 7/10 Atkins