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Reviews
Vertigo 2005: U2 Live from Chicago (2005)
Ahh - to be a caricature of myself...
I have to admit that I do like a lot of U2's music. I also thought this was a really good concert. Good production, good sound - they still know how to work an audience.
My only gripe (and here's where I offend someone) is that I have a hard time watching U2 now because of Bono. In the last 10-15 years I'll admit that he has done a lot of impressive things in the humanitarian arena, but for God's sake, take off the friggin' glasses. At this point he has become a literal cartoon of himself. I honestly think that the ridicule he gets from the media because of this persona he has developed detracts from the band as a whole.Is he afraid that his eyes will blind us in some sort of supernatural display of his God-like powers? I just don't know. I doubtthat I ever will know.
I suppose it's sort of like Bryan Adams wearing the same white t-shirt and denim jacket from 1983 to 1998.
But that's my opinion...
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
One of the great Zombie flicks
I just added this to my collection after not having seen it for about 15 years (and then somewhat drunkified). This is a really cool movie. Zombies, zombies and more zombies. The setting in a mall (in 1978) gives a nice flashback to a time when you could buy a gun in the mall. What I really liked, seeing it again after all this time, is how you get a feel for the culture of the time it was made. Seeing stores with different logos than what you are used to is a nice pop-culture revelation.
The other thing which really blew me away (and I can't validate it) is the guy who plays the traffic reporter. He is listed as David Emgee(?) from Indiana, but he could be a dead ringer for Hugh Laurie (from "House" & "Flight of the Phoenix"). I check IMDb and other sources and it apparently is a different actor and not the pseudonym I was hoping for. - Look the next time you watch.
Enjoy...
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
The classic tale of life and toxic mutation in tiny little Tromaville
I love most of Troma's stuff. This movie really set them out on the horror map where they had been doing low-budget sex comedies. The funny thing is that it's hard to tell if it's a horror flick, an action film, a comedy or a superhero movie. I guess it's all that and worse. The campy overacting and bad dialog are a credit to the B-movie.
All of the characters are wearing the extremes of fashion for the mid-1980s. When I watch it now I realize just how ridiculous we must have all looked back then. I actually remember wearing some of that crap (the clothes, not Toxie's tutu). Narrow ties, parachute pants, sleeveless shirts. Tact with a capitol "T".
If you watch this and try to treat it like a serious film, you'll be disappointed. If you can suspend disbelief and let yourself in on the joke, then you'll appreciate it.
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
A group of typically smart-ass teenagers fall prey to psychotic slashers in the middle of nowhere - you know the plot...
I really enjoyed this. I'll be the first to admit that there's not much in terms of a story or plot, but you can tell that Rob has done his homework on the genre. The characters in "House" and the sequel "Rejects" are worth the price of admission (or rental) alone.
The atypical group of everyday smart-ass teenagers, the psychotic family in the middle of nowhere, the backgrounds, lighting, etc. - all are right on the mark. The best part is Capt. Spaulding the overseer on the insanity. The introduction to him in the beginning of the movie is a must see for appreciating people who are genuinely "nucking futs"...
To really appreciate the attention to detail you have to watch it 2 or 3 times so you can soak in all of the bits and pieces. I've seen others call this an homage to the genre, and it is. If you take the time to go back and watch some of the classics - "Texas Chansaw Massacre", the "Friday The 13th" films, the "Halloween" films, you will find a lot of close comparisons that can be made.
I highly recommend it.