What I Watched

So, I don't really have a "life," per se. And I'm okay with that, because one of my favorite things to do in life is sit on my couch and watch movies. The past few weekends, I watched a bunch and I'd like to recommend a few.

The first thing you might notice about this list is that none of these movies are new. That's okay. It's just how we've been rolling at my house lately.

Escape from New York
In 1997, New York City has been transformed into a giant walled prison. Criminals are dumped there and the one rule of the prison is that once you go in, you don't come back out. There's very little in the way of civilization left in New York and people go from merely being criminals to becoming outright animals in little time.

I Spit on Your Grave

This really isn't a movie for casual viewing. In fact, I was downright traumatized by it. However, there are some circles who consider the movie one of triumphant revenge. There is no shortage of essays to be found about this flick, but it's certainly one that requires you to decide for yourself. I will say that I don't think survivors of any kind of sexual assault will be able to watch this.

Videodrome

Long live the new flesh! Do you sometimes feel like TV and the media is starting to consume you? David Cronenberg's distorted vision of society in an age where anything can be viewed and we can't seem to look away is a classic. Plus, it stars James Woods, Debbie Harry, and a snuff production group based out of Pittsburgh. Holla! The monologue is his preferred mode of discourse.

The Shining

I know, an obvious one, right? I've always loved this movie but I hadn't watched it in a few years. Watching it again made me re-realize what an amazing piece of art this flick is. I really got a sense of the suffocating terror and insanity that the family experiences. And Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall are just amazing.

The Fog

Nothing really fancy here. Just a good ol' ghost story. Goes great with popcorn and alcohol.

Death Proof

I can't get over how much I love this movie. It's everything to love about a Tarantino film: the music, the dialogue, the weird little details. But for once the girls get to be the badasses and I love every minute of it. I love the lap dance, I love the car chase, I love love LOVE the interaction between the characters of Abernathy, Zoe, and Kim.

American Gangster

I really did not have high hopes for this one, but I was surprised. Denzel Washington essentially plays a more psychotic version of his character from Training Day, but it's still a really interesting story. Plus, Denzel gets to be pretty terrifying and he's good at that. Plus, he's pretty. Plus, Stringer Bell is in it. Just watch it, already.

Comments

[jive turkey]

I'm partial to "Escape from L.A," starring none other than KATHY IRELAND.