"Film spectators are quiet vampires" ~ Jim Morrison

The Shining (Netflix dvd) - This is the 1997 miniseries, written by Stephen King and directed by Mick Gannis.  I heard that Stephen King was unhappy with the changes that Stanley Kubrick made in his film, and wanted to make his own version that was more true to the book.  We didn't like this one at all, we felt like the pacing was weird because of the miniseries format, the direction seemed really heavy-handed and the little signs of the hotel's malicious power (like doors closing by themselves) seemed cheesy.  Greg just finished reading the Shining for the first time, and neither of us had seen this version, so we thought we'd give it a try, but even though it is much closer to the book we didn't like it and bailed halfway through. 


Bourne Ultimatum (Netflix dvd) - I liked the third one quite a bit, as Jason Bourne's bad-assery is enjoyably on display.  Apparently a new movie called the Bourne Legacy is in the works and expected to be released next year, but Matt Damon won't be in it, and it will not be about Jason Bourne.  I am not sure how I feel about that, but I really, really, really like Matt Damon, and I immediately lose a good portion of interest knowing he won't be in it.


The Town (Netflix Blu-ray) = Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, and he is, I must say, a cutie.  This is a really intelligently made movie with wonderful performances and a good story, but ultimately it didn't really move me.  A fun way to spend a couple of hours. 


127 Hours (Vudu HD Streaming) = Boy, this is one of those movies that just grabs you by the neck and shakes you around.  I do mean that in a good way.  Absolutely haunting, extremely intense, I got so lost in it I forgot I knew (more or less) how it would end, since it is based on a true story.  Brilliant.


Salt (Netflix Blu-ray) = I probably shouldn't even list this one, since we didn't make it past the first ten minutes.  Life is too short and there are too many other movies!


Sling Blade (HD cable) = I had never seen this movie, and it's not only a classic but one of Greg's favorites.  I was completely entranced from the first few minutes.  Of course, to me liking something like a book or a movie means having to see/read everything else that person has done.  When I looked up Billy Bob Thornton's other writing credits, I saw that he wrote one of my favorite movies nobody's ever heard of: The Gift. I never knew that.  

Hopefully the Watch More Movies initiative will continue with Jane Eyre, which is breaking my heart by not playing in any theatres near me, and with the remaining movies that were nominated for Best Picture this year:  Black Swan, The Fighter, The King's Speech.  I'm still not sure if I care to see Toy Story 3, though  :)

Screamfest

We went to Screamfest (horror convention) yesterday. Greg's favorite movie EVER is the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Not the remake, mind you, the original; Greg was relatively offended by the remake. TCM (as obsessed fans refer to it) starred Gunnar Hansen as Leatherface. Guess who was at Screamfest signing autographs? THAT'S RIGHT! Greg was VERY EXCITED!

Here is Gunnar autographing a particularly gross 8x10 for Greg, which will soon be up on our wall (oh, joy):


Here is Greg with Gunnar:


He's absolutely giddy!


See the picture that Gunnar signed for him, with the droopy skin and bloodiness? That's the "Pretty Woman" mask (as TCM fans call it), where Leatherface had on his mask made from his victim's skin. TCM was very loosely based on Ed Gein, a serial killer in the 50's. He murdered several women and dug up the recently buried bodies of several others, all of whom looked a bit like his mother, and made clothing out of their skin. The Buffalo Bill character in Silence of the Lambs was also loosely based on Ed Gein.

Who wants to bet that I know more horror movie trivia, relative to the amount of horror movies I have actually seen, than anyone, EVER? :)

Here's Greg with some stray freak (there were plenty of them wandering around the Wyndham):


I bought some really cool stuff, too, including this SCARY necklace:

I love The Shining, it's one of the few really scary movies I have actually seen and enjoyed. The book was so good, I just had to give in and watch the movie. It's not quite as good as the book, but movies rarely are. I don't know if being scary is a good trait for jewelry, but I fell in love with this creepy necklace.

And I bought this little painting:


From this artist:

How cool is this chick? I loved all her paintings, but settled on just buying one small one. I plan to put the painting somewhere in our newly organized library, I haven't decided where yet (in the picture above I put her in front of several scary paperbacks... ooOOoo). You can see more of her stuff here:R. H. Phister, and if you want to buy me a fabulous present for Christmas this year, you could get me one of these. Especially if you happen to be married to me... That's a HINT.

We also ran into our friend Gary, from the Just Push Play podcast.


Gary was in a movie that was screened at Screamfest, Zombies Zombies Zombies!. Zombies vs Strippers, who wouldn't love that?

Er... other than me, I mean. :)