Viewed: January 30, 2005

The comic book hero gets a full lenghth feature film.

I was 4-years-old when this movie was released, yet I didn't see it until I was 31. I really don't know why. I loved the TV show from the 50's and have seen Superman III numerous times on HBO as a kid. Maybe HBO never had the rights to the original, I don't know.



I never collected comic books and I guess because of that, I never really became a fan of movies adapted from comic books. I did think this one was pretty good though.

I give it

The Ladykillers (1955)

Viewed: January 29, 2005

Five criminals set out to rob a bank and rent a room from an old lady disguised as musicians so they can plan their heist.

I only knew of this movie because the Coen Bros. remade it in 2005. As of this posting, I have yet to see the remake.

I noticed this movie was airing on TCM, so I recorded it. I am so glad I did. I found this movie to be really funny. So funny in fact, that I have no desire to see the remake, even though I'm a fan of the Coen Bros. films.

I give it

Kumonosu jô aka Throne of Blood (1957)

Viewed: January 29, 2005

Two Lords meet a mysterious spirit in the woods who foresees the future. When the prophecies come true, one of the Lords is egged on by his wife to do whatever it takes to continue keeping the prophecy going.

I had heard so much about director Akira Kurosawa, but I had never seen any of his films. This was my first and I truly enjoyed it.



I believe this have been the first film where I got to see Toshiro Mifune. He is fantastic and I try to seek out as many films of his that I can.

I give it

Police Academy (1984) & Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)

Viewed: January 28, 2005

Two movies that I loved as a kid, that I decided to revisit on DVD.

I do still enjoy watching Police Academy movies, although I have to admit I think I stopped watching them after the 5th one.



I give them both

Charming Billy (1999)

Viewed: January 27, 2005

A normal guy one day wakes up and kills his family, then climbs a top a water tower and begins shooting at everyone that passes by him.

I was browsing through the on-screen guide like I do every other week, when I caught this movie scheduled to air on IFC. I thought the premise sounded interesting, so I set up my DVR to record it.

It was a decent movie and pretty scary knowing that ordinary people could just snap like Billy Starkman (Michael Hayden) did.

I give it

The Great Escape (1963)

Viewed: January 22, 2005

A group of POW's plan an escape from the German camp they are being held at.

This movie has an incredible cast with the likes of Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Donald Pleasence, James Garner, Charles Bronson, and James Coburn.



At nearly 3 hours in length, this isn't one of those movies where I was looking at the clock hoping for it to end. I believe this movie may have even spawned my love for WWII movies, as I have watched several since.

I give it

Whiteboys (1999)

Viewed: January 22, 2005

Three white Iowa teens love rap music and try to emulate the lifestyles they hear about in songs into their daily lives.

I love this movie. I owned this on VHS and watched it numerous times and never grew tired of it. I was so happy when it was released on DVD so that I could see it in its intended widescreen format.



There is one thing I'm not sure about this movie, I honestly don't know if it's supposed to be a comedy or a drama. I'm sure we've all seen teenagers at the mall who try too hard to be like whoever is the flavor of the month on MTV.
I would love to watch this movie with teens that act like Flip (Danny Hoch), just to see if they laugh at his antics or embrace it.

I give it

Ibun Sarutobi Sasuke aka Samurai Spy (1965)

Viewed: January 14, 2005

A spy who is looking for peace gets caught up with a samurai who has defected his clan to join a rival's. Meanwhile, a mysterious samurai is hunting them both.

Sadly I have no recollection of this film. I mean, I remember watching it, but I don't remember any particular scenes.

Criterion released it on DVD, so it must be great. I'll definitely have to revisit this one.

I give it

Basic Instinct - Unrated (1992)

Viewed: January 14, 2005

A detective is assigned to a murder case, but gets caught up in a heated relationship with the prime suspect.

This is one of those movies I saw when when I was younger simply based off the hype of the infamous leg crossing scene.



I bought the unrated DVD, but really have no idea what was added as it had been several years since I saw the theatrical version.

I give it

Sanbiki no samurai aka Three Outlaw Samurai (1964)

Viewed: January 14, 2005

A samurai sides with peasants who have kidnapped a prominent figure's daughter in hopes that he will lower their taxes.

It's been quite a while since I watched this movie. I remember a period where I watched several samurai movies, so my memory on them is a little foggy.

While I don't remember much of the movie, I do know that I liked it.

Doing research on this film, it appears that a region 1 DVD has never been released. That's a shame as the story was very good.

I give it