TV | Transporter: The Series | Pass-ish

I can't figure out if they're being intentionally campy or not. Either way, this is not a very good show. It's written for a simpler, younger audience than me I think.

TV | Constantine | PAss

We enjoyed the pilot, which had the added bonus of a Social Distortion song in it. It had a lot going for it but this should be a mini-series, not an ongoing show. Or maybe a special with Halloween episodes. There isn't enough going on to keep the whole thing rolling for umpteen episodes and seasons. We'll keep watching, but I have the feeling we'll get bored sooner than later and jump ship.

Movie | Violet & Daisy | PASS

A must see if you're like me and love movies like The Professional. Writer/Director/Produce Geoffrey Fletcher will most definitely be one to watch!

Movie | La llamada (The Sweet Sound of Death) | PAss

A forgotten gem of a movie and a real treat for psychological horror movies that slowly unfold fans, like me. When it's well done like this, it's pretty magical. This film deserves more of a place in movie history than tucked away on an obscure Troma-released DVD. Thanks for the loan, PW!

Movie | The Hanging Woman | Pass

I enjoyed this, very Hammer-like. It's interesting that Troma got a hold of it for US release. This might be their most technically impressive film in their catalog, to me. While everything is B-grade, the acting is well done, the cinematography is quite good and the direction and editing were excellent. Compared to something modern like Gun Town, it's head and shoulders superior. For me, a movie shot on digital video and actors that have clearly never acted outside of the high school play makes all the difference, which it did in this Spanish horror, with its' talented, committed cast and gorgeous period-perfect, atmospheric filming.

I don't know Paul Naschy's work and I won't pursue seeing a lot more of it, but I can see why they call him the King of Spanish Horror. The director, Jose Merino, is another story. I've seen a lot of his movies, including his other main horror flick, Scream of the Demon Lover. I liked this movie better, also known as La Orgia De Los Muertos and Terror of the Living Dead. His best film in my opinion was Requiem for a Gringo, which almost made it into my book.

The greatest, most enjoyable thing about THW are the classic horror cues. For example, a character opens a coffin in a crypt and off in the distance, a wolf howls. That's awesome.

Thanks for the loan, PW!

Movie | Collateral | PASS

I've seen this several times and this was my third volley trying to convince my significant other that, despite all of the weirdness in his personal life, Tom Cruise is a great actor. So far, we're three for three and I believe she's fully convinced that he absolutely is. This Michael Mann movie is a perfect thriller, top to bottom.

Movie | Zombie Nightmare | Fail/Pass-ish

Entertainingly awful or just plain awful, depending on your mood. Everything is poorly done about this flick, which can be hugely fun if that's what you're looking for. This is MST3K stuff. I was hoping for something more and there are some fun trivia elements here (West, Carrere, the music, the director/writer/"actor"...), but that's it. Thanks for the loan, PW!

Movie | Silver Bullet | Pass

Another one I haven't seen in nearly 30 years. It struck me how, regardless of how a movie based on one of his books turns out, Stephen King is an incredible writer.

Movie | Small Apartments | Pass

Uncomfortable and occasionally gruesome dark comedy. Had moments, but not quite sure that it worked on any level.

Movie | Last Night | Fail

A dystopian character study better really be snappy for it to work. Unfortunately, this was a snoozefest despite the presence of Callum Keith Rennie and David Cronenberg. And I'm really, really sorry, but there's just something about Don McKellar that just creeps me out. I always expect him to turn into a really evil bad guy at any moment.

Movie | Gun Town | Fail

Pick what's bad with this movie...okay, it's everything.

Movie | Cat People | PAss

Full of atmosphere, a soundtrack that I never stopped listening to for 30+ years and starring an amazing array of great actors that I'd forgotten were in it, this was fun to see again.

TV | Peaky Blinders | Fail

This show reminds me of Boardwalk Empire, beautifully done and starring a compelling actor. In this case it's Murphy, who is as brilliant as always. But this is a period piece, which always gives me restless leg syndrome. I just don't like them. It takes something really special to keep my interest; Gangs of New York would be a good exception to my rule.

Just like Boardwalk Empire, I can definitely see why folks would love this. But it's not for me.

Movie | Escape From Tomorrow | PAss

An amazing achievement and very creative.

Movie | Life is Sweet | Fail

TV | Town of the Living Dead | Pass

Can the Syfy channel make a decent show after Battlestar Galactica? Nope. This reality show is anything but, yet I still enjoy watching the pain of making a zero budget movie. Other than that, this isn't worth watching.

Movie | Submarine | Pass-ish

Well done but insipid drama about a bug-eyed hormonal Welsh teenager. Comedy? What comedy? Quirky, maybe. Absolutely none of the characters are likable and there's a scene with animal cruelty (though you don't actually see it). The best part was watching Yasmin Paige, from Pramface.

Movie | The Brass Teapot | PAss

Fun take on the old Monkey's Paw shtick.

TV | Vexed | PAss

The guy that made the magnificent Misfits made this previously. Short lived, but a lot of fun.

Movie | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | PAss

Here are some the highlights from this kids' movie:

• Guy shot in the chest with a bow and arrow
• Guy forced to his knees and shot in the head, execution style
• Guy publicly whipped so hard that it filets his back, torturer has blood spray on his face from the whip

...and there's more AND this is just the first hour of this nearly two and half hour installment. NOT a kids' movie! This is also just an installment, leading to the next. Despite all of that, this is an excellent addition to the original and a great franchise for adults who enjoy yet another take on The Most Dangerous Game, which I most definitely do.

Movie | The Man Who Haunted Himself | Fail

It wasn't without its charms, but it was just too simplistic. As if it had been written by a 12 year old.

Movie | Rasuto Eguzairu (Last Exile) | Fail

I've stated before that I don't like anime. But, Sdub also loaned this to me so I gave it a shot. After slogging through three episodes, I couldn't take it anymore. It's just awful, though I'm sure somebody loves it. I thought it was a mess, badly created and though there was plenty going on, boring. I appreciate the loan, though. I tried, I really tried.

Movie | One Hundred Mornings | Pass

Movie | The Sea Of Perdition | PAss

Marvelous sci-fi short from Richard Stanley, who is a genius. This is not a complete work and it's presented that way.

Movie | Before the Music Dies | PASs

Fascinating documentation of the frightening state of music these days.

Movie | Tears for Fear: Going To California | PASS

Awesome. So very talented. It's as if they were just improvising, jazz-style. But they clearly aren't; it's pure genius.

TV | How To Get Away With Murder | PAss

The pilot was excellent.

Movie | Jodorowsky's Dune | PASS

Just my sort of magic.

Movie | The Last Stand | Pass

I liked this. It's a modern Western; good sheriff versus posse of seemingly unstoppable bad guys. If you're looking for something simple, predictable, the occasional laugh and full of high quality explosions, you're gonna enjoy this as much as I did. Well worth a rental.

TV | Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) | Pass-ish

So. This gets a better IMDB rating than Citizen Kane, huh? Wow, that's downright tragic and now I'm not only mad, but even more critical of this. It's going to be awfully condescending, but I think that score is a bunch of anime lovers bumping it up...most of whom clearly don't know much about film in general. That's too bad because while this anime centers around another really compelling premise (many of the genre do), the whole thing flops around like a fish out of water with too-common, stereotypical, ridiculously melodramatic cliches. If I had to sit through yet another closeup of a characters eyes squeezing out tears that went on way too long I was going to chuck the remote at the TV. And while there is arguably no acting in an anime other than what the animators draw combined with the voice actors, it was, at very best, terrible. Nobody would ever give live actors the time of day if they did a job like this. Unless it was meant as parody, which this was not.

It's interesting to note that while the makers kept the over-large eyes on some of the characters, they went to great lengths to "Westernize" the rest. It's strange, to say the least.

Obviously, I'm not particularly a genre fan. But, if you haven't seen very many truly interesting movies in your life and want something different or, like I wrote, you're a hardcore anime fan, then you'll like this. I'm afraid it was just not my cup of ocha. Thanks for the loan, Sdub!