What have you done during the pandemic? Apparently, i've watched movies. Like, a shitload of movies. Scanning over my Letterboxed account, i'm fast approaching 500 movies watched since our offices closes back in the middle of March. Congratulations to me i suppose. Anyway, with this influx of home viewings, there are a lot more first time watches than in years past. So rather than limit myself to 10 films like a normally do, i'm going to post 20 instead, divided into 2 parts: 10 movies that might be considered more "high-end cinema," and 10 movies that embody the stupid bullshit freaks like me are into. I loved all of these movies, and while i am recommending them, i understand that mileage may vary, and that many of you out there would hate some of these and would be baffled as to why i would want you to watch it (Singapore Sling i'm looking in your direction). Anyway, check 'em out if you dare
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1. The Abominable Dr. Phibes
Over the top Vincent Price madness with undying love, booby traps, and kills galore that's oh so wonderful.
2. Danger: Diabolik
Over the top Technicolor riff on '60s spy movies with a Morricone soundtrack from the same people who brought us Barbarella.
3. The Devils
A Ken Russell masterpiece that has never received a physical release...probably because of the nun orgy. It's the nun orgy right? Put this out on Blu Ray you cowards!
4. Kiss Me Deadly
Superb film noir that totally influenced Tarantino. You'll know exactly what i'm talking about when you watch it.
5. Kwaidan
Positively gorgeous from start to finish, haunting and entrancing. I don't know why it took me so long to sit and watch this wonderful movie.
6. Shogun Assassin
Pop art fusion of East and West bathed in bright red blood. The filmmakers repurposed and edited a couple of Lone Wolf and Cub movies together and then added a cool synth score and English dubbing that actually works. Delightful.
7. Singapore Sling
Wow. I went in knowing nothing, and holy moly. The Greek film has a film noir vibe with a whole lot of weird sex stuff. I'll just leave it at that. Do what you will.
8. Sorcerer
Probably William Friedkin's best film, and he's made a lot of great ones. A tense movie full of existential dread and ruminations on the almost nihilistic nature of fate.
9. Until the End of the World
At just hair under 5 hours, the director's cut is kind of an endeavor, but ultimately a very rewarding one. A romantic, sci-fi road movie spanning 4 continents and beyond, it left me mesmerized with its meditations on the human condition. Wim Wenders is a treasure.
10. Wild at Heart
I really don't know why i only just now got around to watching this one. David Lynch never disappoints.
And now for the B-role...
1. American Rickshaw
One of those beamed in from another dimension kind of movies, often incoherent, goofy, and bafflingly bugshit crazy, but something you immediately want to make your friends watch afterwards.
2. Anguish
There's a kind of meta movie within a movie thing going on here that's actually pretty cool, and i am here for creepy Zelda Rubenstein.
3. Body Snatchers
I didn't realize until this year that this '90s take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers was directed by Abel Ferrara, so i jumped on it quick. It's kind of mean spirited but totally rules.
4. Freaked
Bobcat Goldthwaite voices a man with a sock puppet for a head. That is all.
5. Gwendoline OR The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak
Cocaine. I don't know how to explain this movie other than cocaine. An over the top erotic adventure movie with a great score, and lots of scantily clad warrior women.
6. Hack-O-Lantern
Just completely on its own wavelength. Is it any good? Probably not. It is entertaining? You're damn right it is.
7. 9 Deaths of the Ninja
Just maybe the best opening title sequence of all time.
8. Prison
Very cool haunted house in a prison '80s movie by Renny Harlin with a then unknown Viggo Mortensen.
9. R.O.T.O.R.
Positively, gloriously stupid. I am ROTOR. You are guilty.
10. Superstition
There are parts of this movie that don't make any sense and some bizarro narrative choices that are...something. But the practical gore effects are top notch, there are some genuinely creepy moments, and the overall bugfuck nature of the whole thing makes it worth the watch. Total Drive-In fuel.
Well, there you go. These are your assignment for the Christmas break. I'm done with the Year-End lists for a couple of weeks, but will be back with one more (Favorite Movies of 2020) before 2021.
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