SON OF HERNIADROME! aka WHAT DID I WATCH IN 2021? (Part 6: My Personal Film "Festival", December 1 - 31)

Monday, December 20, 8:34 am

NOTE: Continued from Part 5.

Well, this wraps up my foray into trying to watch a bunch of movies in 2021, hopefully "far more" than I have last year. 

DECEMBER

107. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969, The Screening Room)

108. PIG (2021, Amazon Prime, NOTE: Premiere Scener Watch Party w/Mermaid Heather & Dawn Deader!)

109. GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995, Anime, Amazon Prime)

110. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975, Netflix)

111. WANDAVISION (2021, Limited Series, 9 Episodes, Disney+)

112. SHETLAND (2021, Season 6, 6 Episodes, Acorn TV)

113. MOON ZERO TWO (1970, Amazon Prime)

114. SPOOKIES (1986, Amazon Prime/Shudder)

115. A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS (2021, Netflix)

116. THOR: RAGNAROK (2017, Disney+)

117. TORSO (1973, Shudder)

Monday, January 3, 2022,  6:46 pm

Well, now that I've finally finished compiling my list of films (etc.) that I watched in 2021, I did NOT surpass my 2020 film consumption at all. In 2021 I watched 117 films, etc.; in 2020 I watched 149 films, etc. Ah, well. At least I broke 100. It was only a few years ago that I started hitting the century mark and since then, I try to accomplish watching at least that much every year. I mean, in previous years I was NOWHERE near 100, so that's some progress, the heck.

Now that I've listed all these films, etc., maybe I'll comment or even review some of them. But, more than likely I'll simply just make a comment or two, if any, and leave it at that. Anyway, I'll supply links to those posts when I make them.

BRIDE OF HERNIADROME! aka WHAT DID I WATCH IN 2021? (Part 5: My Personal Film "Festival", October 18 - November 30)

Saturday, January 1, 2022, 11:16 pm

NOTE: Continued from Part 4.

OCTOBER 18-31

Huh. I guess I didn't watch any more movies for the rest of the month. Well, two explanations for that.

In the previous post, I talked about watching 26 films from Oct 1 - 17, but actually the pace I watched films was even higher than that. Oct. 1 was my operation and then I was pretty much out for the rest of the day, so I didn't watch anything that first day for sure. But that's just a bookkeeping detail. When I started my two-week recovery at home, I was focused on watching movies, and I embraced that whole-heartedly and with no real rhyme or reason. But, I also hoped to do some drawing, trying to use the luxury of several days off from work in a row as an incentive to finally get through a weird and annoying artistic block I had for, well, it seemed like a whole year at least. Even longer. So, that took up my interest in the latter half of my stay at home before returning to work, so maybe from Oct. 11-17. So, that's Explanation One.

On October 18 I went back to work. Man, going back to work 32 hrs/week after lying around on the couch all day for two weeks was a bit of an adjustment. I was really exhausted after working a shift, so I pretty much passed out when I got home. And that was my physical state the rest of October, getting back to working again. Yeah, my Vivofit watch (along with Garmin) was totally confused with my exercise output for that stretch. So, I work outside at a grocery store, pulling grocery carts from the lot over an 8 hour shift. The week I last worked before my operation on Friday, Oct. 1 (Sept. 27-Oct. 3) - and I remember this because I have these Step Challenges that run from Monday-Sunday - I had a 150K Step challenge going on, and I managed to do at least 200,000 steps that week. It was a busy week at work, because the bulk of those steps had to be from Sept. 27-30. By the time I returned to work, my watch had put me in a much lower challenge, I think a 75K Step Challenge. But my first day back I did 33,000+ steps, so my watch was all confused, I'm sure. And I was beat getting used to doing all that walking and pulling again. And that's Explanation Two.

So, that was going on.

NOVEMBER 

NOTE: From November 5 - 11, the annual Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival took place at the Dipson Theatres at the Eastern Hills Mall. I wasn't able to attend every day of the festival, but I was present the first three days and then the final night. So, a lot of the films I saw in November were from that festival and are duly noted below in RED.

107. CHARADE (1963, TCM)

106. THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (1971, TCM)

 - THE SPARKS BROTHERS (second watch) (2021, Netflix)

105. THE SPARKS BROTHERS (2021, Netflix)

104. NOBODY (2021, Netflix)

2021 BUFFALO DREAMS FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL

Dipson Theatres, Eastern Hills Mall (including shorts)

103. IF SHE SCREAMS

102. THE LAST FRANKENSTEIN

101. DARK TALES FROM CHANNEL X

100. SELF ISOLATED

99. MYSTERY SPOT

98. N.Y. NINJA

97. CLOWNS IN THE WOODS

96. THE RETALIATORS (2021, Thriller/horror, 97 min.: Writers, Darren Geare, Jeff Allen Geare; directors, Samuel Gonzalez, Jr., Bridget Smith)

 - ECHO FALLS (2021, WNY 18 min.: Writer/director Aaron B. Webb; With Nate Chateaux, Sam Qualiana, Jessica Zwolak)

95. FEAR NO EVIL (1981, Horror, 100 min.)

 - GOD HELP US (U.S., 11 min.: Writer/director Rick Danford)

HERNIADROME! aka WHAT DID I WATCH IN 2021(Part 4: My Personal Film "Festival", October 1- 17)

Monday, December 20, 9:00 am

NOTE: Continued from Part 3.

Obviously, I'm finally getting around to writing this in December, but I had the idea for it back in October, maybe as early as when I was still off from work healing from my October 1st triple-hernia operation.

The initial idea of "Herniadrome" came to me the day of my operation when I thought about doing a surreal, personal but totally absurd comic story inspired by my operation, and I thought of it as a demented take or spoof of VIDEODROME and also just whatever other crap I decided to throw in. Of course, that comic story idea never came to fruition (although, I ain't dead, yet!), but at least that's how I came up with this stupid name. Well, it amuses me!

Anyway, after my operation I was off from work for two weeks and in that time I hoped to watch a bunch of movies. I did - well, for me - and then I decided to try and keep watching more movies than I usually do and see how many more I could watch before the end of the year. Hence, this supposed Herniadrome "Film Festival".

What's annoying me is that the way I usually kept track of, or at least managed, my ongoing film count through the year was via one of the marginal list gadgets on this blog, but I swear Blogger has monkeyed with how this particular list gadget works and now it's a pain trying to accomplish what I want to do. I'm pretty certain I could get away with what I wanted to do with my film list a lot more simply in previous years. 

Before, I could number each film I added, and I had the latest film I watched at the top of the list. But, I also add the months as part of the list so that I can keep track of when during the year I watched the films, and that item - the month - doesn't have a number. For instance, I just add "MARCH" to the list so it sits above those films I watched in March. But then, "MARCH" seems to be alphabetized rather than being organized by number, so it gets organized at the top of the list. Ugh! I know! This is a stupid, obsessive, distracting issue! 

Oh, crap. I just occurred to me as I write this all out that maybe my adding months to the list is something I only recently decided to try doing, so maybe that's why things are being complicated and un-cooperative for the first time. Heh. It's not YOU, it's ME.

Well, whatever... I'm attempting to do this movie list through a monthly-ish blog post now. Also, I guess this Herniadrome non-concept "concept" is simply taking over the remaining three months of my ongoing movie count. Does that sort of explain what I'm doing..? Maybe? No? You don't really care and have actually left the building..? DING! DING! DING!

Also, prior to October and my operation I watched 68 movies (which includes whole seasons of TV shows and assorted short films) over the course of nine months. So, roughly 7-8 films a month. But, October signals a big change in my movie-watching: I watched 26 films in that 17 day period alone,  thus the additional significance of the Herniadrome Film Festival. Well... "significant" to ME. YESSSSS!!!

OCTOBER 1 - 17

94. THE NIGHT STALKER (1972, DVD)

93. IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (1984, Amazon Prime)

92. PLAYING WITH DOLLS: HAVOC (2017, Amazon Prime)

91. PLAYING WITH DOLLS: BLOODLUST (2016, Amazon Prime)

90. METALFACE (aka PLAYING WITH DOLLS)(2015, Amazon Prime)

89. TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (1985, TCM)

88. SHE KILLS (2016, DVD)

- GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE (second time I watched it)(2021, Netflix)

87. BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935, DVD)

86. HELLS (2008, Anime, Amazon Prime)

85. ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE (1973, Amazon Prime)

84. WITCHING & BITCHING (2013, Shudder)

83. MS. 45 (1981, Shudder)

82. P.G.: PSYCHO GOREMAN (2020, Shudder)

81. HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB (1972, DVD, Uncut Version, Crash Cinema Media)

80. LA MUJER MURCIELAGO (THE BATWOMAN - Spanish language)(1968, DVD)

79. BAY OF BLOOD (aka TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE)(1971, Shudder)

78. THE UNTAMED (La region salvage)(2016, Shudder)

77. MAN ON A TIGHTROPE (1953, TCM)

76. GUN CRAZY (1950, TCM Noir Alley)

75. THE DAY OF THE BEAST (1995, Shudder)

74. SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON (1949, TCM)

73. PERDITA DURANGO (1997, Shudder)

72. REVENGE OF THE PONTIANAK (2019, Singapore, Netflix)

71. MARS ATTACKS (1996, Netflix)

70. THE NINTH CONFIGURATION (1980, Shudder)

69. NEIL GAIMAN: DREAMING DANGEROUSLY (2016, Documentary, Shout Factory)

WHAT DID I WATCH IN 2021? (Part 3: July - September)

Friday, December 31, 2021  9:56 pm

NOTE: Continued from Part 2.

JULY

53. NICHOLS AND MAY: TAKE TWO (1996, TCM)

54. DEXTER (2006, Season 1, 12 Episodes, Amazon Prime)

55. DEXTER (2007, Season 2, 12 Episodes, Amazon Prime)

56. PSYCHO APE! (2020, DVD)

AUGUST

57. THE WINNING SEASON (2009, Amazon Prime)

58. PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006, Amazon Prime)

59. GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE (2021, Netflix)

60. MACHETE KILLS (2013, Netflix)

61. MACHETE (2010, Amazon Prime)

62. AMERICAN GRINDHOUSE (2010, Documentary, Amazon Prime)

 - Sunday, August 29: 

 BUFFALO 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT SCREENINGS

 (GROUP B) (15 Short films, 5-8 min. Films made 8/20-8/22, 2021, North Park Theatre)

SEPTEMBER

63. MIKE NICHOLS: AMERICAN MASTERS (2016, Documentary, TCM)

64. SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003, Netflix)

 - Thursday, September 16: 2021 BUFFALO 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT: ENCORE SCREENING

 (GROUP A and B entries, 30 total)(2021, The Screening Room)

65. SCHITT'S CREEK (2015, Season 1, 13 Episodes, Netflix)

66. MAN ON A TIGHTROPE (1953, TCM)

67. SCHITT'S CREEK (2016, Season 2, 13 Episodes, Netflix)

68. THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM (1967, Amazon Prime)

WHAT DID I WATCH IN 2021? (Part 2: April - June)

Friday, December 31, 2021, 7:27 pm 

Tick, tick, tick...

We're getting closer to 2022!

Meanwhile, you can check out Part 1 of this list here.

APRIL

29. THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: The Garotte and the Vinkelbraun (2021, Season 7, Episode 1, Acorn TV)

30. THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: The Witches of Brokenwood (2021, Season 7, Episode 2, Acorn TV)

31. THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: Dog Day Morning (2021, Season 7, Episode 3, Acorn TV)

32. THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: Something Nasty in the Market (2021, Season 7, Episode 4, Acorn TV)

33. THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: Exposed to the Light (2021, Season 7, Episode 5, Acorn TV)

34. THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson (2021, Season 7, Episode 6, Acorn TV)

MAY

35. MOONLIGHT (2008, Season 1, 16 Episodes, Vudu)

36. THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH (1971, Amazon Prime/Shudder)

37. DEATH IN PARADISE (2021, Season 10, 8 Episodes, Acorn TV)

38. WOODY ALLEN: A DOCUMENTARY, PART 1 (2011, Amazon Prime)

39. CAPTAIN MARVEL (2019, Disney+)

40. WOODY ALLEN: A DOCUMENTARY, PART 2 (2011, Amazon Prime)

41. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: The Mermaids Singing (2002, Season 1, Episode 1 (originally presented as Episodes 1-2), Acorn TV)

42. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: Shadows Rising (2002, Season 1, Episode 2 (originally presented as Episodes 3-4), Acorn TV)

43. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: Justice Painted Blind (2002, Season 1, Episode 3 (originally presented as Episodes 5-6), Acorn TV)

JUNE

44. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: Still She Cries (2004, Season 2, Episode 1, Acorn TV)

45. BITCH SLAP (Unrated) (2009, DVD)

46. THE MALLORCA FILES (2019, Season 1, 10 Episodes, Acorn TV)

47. THE MALLORCA FILES (2021, Season 2, 6 Episodes, Acorn TV)

48. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: Darkness in the Light (2004, Season 2, Episode 2, Acorn TV)

49. STREETS OF FIRE (1984, The Screening Room)

50. THE WARRIORS (1979, The Screening Room)

51. WIRE IN THE BLOOD: Right to Silence (2004, Season 2, Episode 3, Acorn TV)

52. MOTHER'S DAY (2021, Premiere, North Park Theatre)

WHAT DID I WATCH IN 2021? (Part 1: January - March)

Friday, December 31, 2021  2:29 pm 

Okay, I'm trying to get bunch of crap done today before the end of the year and I'm failing miserably. I figure I should at least be able to organize whatever movies, TV series, etc. I watched this year into some sort of organized fashion. I mean, it's just friggin' lists, right?

JANUARY

1. EYE IN THE LABYRINTH (1972, Amazon Prime)

2. THE VAST OF NIGHT (2019, Amazon Prime)

3. THE WILD, WILD PLANET (1966, Amazon Prime)

4. WHAT SHE SAID: THE ART OF PAULINE KAEL (2019, Documentary, TCM)

5. FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES: THE STORY OF AMERICAN FILM CRITICISM (2007, Documentary, TCM)

6. ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK (1976, Shudder)

7. YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (1972, Shudder)

8. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (2001, Netflix)

9. THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY (Second watch)(2019, Season 1, 10 Episodes, Netflix)

10. LISA AND THE DEVIL (1973?, Amazon Prime/Shudder)

11. THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE, TWO, THREE (1974, TCM)

FEBRUARY

12. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967, Netflix)

13. HIS GIRL FRIDAY (1940, TCM)

14. MASSACRE GUN (1967, Japanese, Amazon Prime)

15. STRAY CAT ROCK: SEX HUNTER (1970, Japanese, Amazon Prime)

16. THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1959, Amazon Prime)

MARCH

17. THE FAMILY (2013, Netflix)

18. THE IMAGE REVOLUTION (2014, Documentary about Image Comics, Amazon Prime)

19. THE 50 WORST MOVIES EVER MADE (2004, Amazon Prime)

20. ACT NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHE (2018, Documentary, TCM)

21. GREY GARDENS (1975, Documentary, Amazon Prime)

22. THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (1970, TCM)

23. BY SIDNEY LUMET (2015, Documentary, Amazon Prime)

24. SCHIZOID (1980, TCM Underground)

25. HILDA (2018, Animated series, Season 1, 13 Episodes, Netflix)

26. ANGEL COP (1989, Animated series, Season 1, 6 Episodes, Amazon Prime)

27. LORD LUCAN: MY HUSBAND, THE TRUTH (2017, Documentary, Amazon Prime)

28. FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! (1965, DVD)

After typing this list, it's amazing (and depressing) that in less than a year, some of these titles I've completely blanked on. Like, STRAY CAT ROCK: SEX HUNTER. Other than it being Japanese, I got nothing.

I see I was getting into Italian giallo films in January and I would continue to visit that strange genre occasionally throughout the year. Also that month, I decided to watch the second season of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY on Netflix but I had forgotten a lot of the first season, so I decided to re-watch it first. I then started the second season, but I lost interest quickly, mostly because it seemed the siblings were still at each other's throats and I got a little impatient with that. But, for the sake of being a completist, I need to finish it... and I probably will in 2022.

LISA AND THE DEVIL was a film I watched with my wife and she actually picked it. I'm glad becuase it was a title I was curious about but never seemed to get enough actual interest to sit down and simply watch it. But my wife picked it and I figured, "Okay, let's get this over with..!" It was interesting. And weird. Now I have to watch its "companion piece," THE HOUSE OF EXORCISM.

Anyway, to be continued...

#30DayFilmChallenge - Day 9: THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998)

Day 9: "A film that you hate that everyone else liked."

Well, today's choice comes with a long-winded DISCLAIMER. When I first saw this film, I was not only disappointed by it, but I REALLY hated it. THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998). Yup. That's right. This film by the Coen Bros. came after FARGO, which I LOVED, and I already was a fan of the Coen Bros. already. So, I was looking forward to THE BIG LEBOWSKI. But, man, I just... did not get it. Not only did I not get it, I simply hated it. HATED it. I didn't find it funny. Even the use of the F-word seemed indulgent to me. Ugh!

And then, some time later (a few years?), it came up in a conversation at work (Great Arrow Graphics, so 2002-2003 maybe, towards the end of my time there) and I said how I HATED that film, and boy, people were getting in line to correct me! Especially Mike Bartolotta and Jim Cole: "Dude, you are WRONG." Based on that emphatic response, it made me want to at least check out the film again.

But before I did, I came across one of the BFI classic books about THE BIG LEBOWSKI. I love this line of books, so I bought it. Reading that book REALLY made me want to see the film again.

And I did.

Now I really LIKE the film, but it was definitely a process getting there!

I think one of the major things that went over my head was the fact that part of the film was a parody, not only of detective films, but specifically Howard Hawks' THE BIG SLEEP, a film that I'm actually a fan of! D'oh!

On another subject, as far as I can tell, this isn't the right "confessional" film question for me. Instead, it should be "what film that everyone else has seen but you still HAVEN'T," and MAN, do I have several embarrassing answers for that question! For instance, and in no particular order:

THE SHAWSHENK REDEMPTION

SAY ANYTHING

THE DARK KNIGHT

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

POINT BREAK (1991)

STRIPES

SPACEBALLS

ETC., ETC., ETC.

Meanwhile, to anyone keeping track, yes, I have skipped Day 8, "a film where you liked the soundtrack more." I simply couldn't think of any. However, in doing research (mostly trying to see if a film fits that criteria that I forgot about), I came across a few films worth checking out that I haven't seen yet. So, I hope to return to Day 8 with an actual answer before I'm done with this challenge... Although, having said that, at this rate who knows if I'll even finish this challenge...

#30DayFilmChallenge

#30DayFilmChallenge - Day 7: MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)

December 7, 2020 - October 20, 2021

Day 7: "A film you will never get tired of."

Jeez. This is tough.

I'm going to pick director and co-writer Wes Anderson's MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012).

There were so many candidates to consider:

GHOSTBUSTERS,

RED,

SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD,

CITIZEN KANE,

KILL BILL, VOL. 1 (well, and VOL. 2, too)

JAWS,

THE GODFATHER,

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK,

MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN,

WHAT'S UP, DOC?,

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, etc., etc.

GHOSTBUSTERS is a nod to when I worked in a video store(s). I used to work at Rosa's Home Appliances when they created a video rental store for their customers to promote selling VCRs. I also worked at Blockbuster and finally at Record Theatre. Ah, memories! Anyway, we used to play GHOSTBUSTERS over and over on the TV as well as THE SURE THING and a few others. Later, RED and SCOTT PILGRIM were compulsive watches for me at home when we had cable. Every time I happened to catch any of these films on the TV, I'd stay and watch them until the end, if I could. And, actually, MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN, too. Go, director Frank Capra and Turner Classic Movies!

But, MOONRISE KINGDOM was unique for me. I remember being very obsessive about it after I first saw it and when it was available on DVD, I bought it right away and I JUST KEPT WATCHING IT. I don't know why. There was just something about it, all of it. I just love that movie, man!

Thursday, March 25, 2021

So, one of the things I'm trying to do is simply finish this 30 Day Film Challenge which I originally started on Facebook last year. And no, I didn't finish it on Facebook either, but, this being my film blog, it seems appropriate to continue posting this here.

Anyway, I feel like I should elaborate a little more, either on MOONRISE KINGDOM itself or regarding those films I never get tried of, or both. So, I will, dammit!

Prior to first watching MOONRISE KINGDOM, I believe I had seen two other Wes Anderson films, RUSHMORE (1998) and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (2001). I liked them both very much, but I think it was with MOONRISE I articulated to myself that I was a definite Wes Anderson fan. I made a point of seeing his follow-up film, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014).

I like Anderson's world building, usually an accumulation of details (and props!). I think that's what ultimately appeals to me about a Wes Anderson film: he creates these very specific worlds in his movies, which initially seem to be a reference or homage to very specific genres, time periods, cultures, nostalgia, whatever (for instance, THE LIFE AQUATIC OF STEVE ZISSOU seems more or less Anderson's tribute to Jacques Cousteau and/or at least inspired by him and his adventures. But Anderson takes very specific and careful, precise pains to create this world not only down to its specific references and particulars but to also to his subjective vision of it. I think that last aspect of it, the creation of his own world in each of his films is what's so compelling about his films for me. They're not just homages, they've become unique Wes Anderson worlds and films. That complete fictional world building is an ambition of mine to achieve within my own films and comics, etc.

Wednesday, October 20

Well, this post took forever to get finished, didn't it? I really am VERY lame at being a consistent blogger. Ah, well! At least I'm consistently inconsistent in the way I maintain ALL my ventures: blogging, filmmaking, creating art and comics, etc.

Anyway, let's see if I can put a bigger dent into this damn "30 Day" Film Challenge, shall we?

Onward!

#30DayFilmChallenge2020

#30DayFilmChallenge - Day 6: MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1998)

Wednesday, December 2, 5:18 pm

Day 6: "Your favorite animated film."

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988). The first Hayao Miyazaki (and Studio Ghibli) film I ever saw. I thought it was simply charming and wonderful. I saw it on VHS and I think I checked it out because of a positive pull quote on the cover, but I forget what it said or by who. Maybe Roger Ebert? Occasionally those pull quotes work. Quotes from Stephen King got me to read Thomas Harris' RED DRAGON and watch THE EVIL DEAD, but I digress...

Runner-up animated films, in no particular order: SPIRITED AWAY, AKIRA, Disney's PINOCCHIO. I saw the claymation (well, plasticene-mation) WALLACE AND GROMMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT and enjoyed it, but I have to say, I think the WALLACE AND GROMMIT shorts are nearly perfect, especially the first three I saw: THE WRONG TROUSERS, A CLOSE SHAVE, and A GRAND DAY OUT.

QUICK UPDATE: OMG! I completely forgot AN AMERICAN TAIL in my list of runner-up candidates!

Monday, December 7, 10:04 am

It's been awhile since I've seen MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. I should re-visit it (the default movie-watching goal of my life). Although, I'm not sure if I'd be able to actually watch the version I originally saw. I saw an English-dubbed version, but I think they've re-dubbed it since.

Oh! Well, according to this Wikipedia page, Troma Films actually had something to do with original English language dubbing! Weird! Anyway, from what I gather from the article, I guess they had the rights to that version for only 10 years (1993-2003), and after that Disney wound up doing another English dub, this time with more famous actors. So, if I watch it again, the disney version will probably be the version I'll have access to. Although, maybe I'll watch the original Japanese language version, instead. Ugh! I'm digressing again, sorry!

Sunday, March 21, 2021, 10:50 pm

Okay, so a major update.

Even though I last added to this post in December, I think in November of 2020, I watched a documentary on Netflix about the Aardman studios, A GRAND NIGHT IN: THE STORY OF AARDMAN. It happened to be on Netflix and out of curiosity I checked it out. And boy, I really was charmed by this documentary!

In particular, it re-ignited my enthusiasm for things animator Nick Park and his Wallace & Grommit films. When I first started this post, I mostly remembered the W&G shorts, especially THE WRONG TROUSERS, my first exposure to the duo. But after seeing all three shorts, I highly recommend them all (as I mentioned above). As I also mentioned, I saw the feature film, CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, but I had forgotten most of it. Anyway, seeing Aardman doc, and especially seeing Nick Park in person and talking about his famous creations made me want to check out all things Wallace & Grommit again, especially when I discovered there was a FOURTH short that was made!

I watched all three shorts again in order: A GRAND DAY OUT, THE WRONG TROUSERS, and A CLOSE SHAVE, and then, CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT. It was really wonderful getting re-acquainted with these films and really falling in love with them all over again. If you plan on watching the doc, just be aware that there are some spoilers for all the films mentioned from Aardman studios, just in case you're a purist. But I found it very enjoyable hearing some of the behind-the-scenes stuff about all the films, and especially Park's first film, A GRAND DAY OUT, that turned out to be much more ambitious than he expected, although it's larger scope made him come in contact with Aardman studios and they helped him finished the film. But, I was especially glad to have re-watched CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT. It was really quite delightful! I also had a great respect for Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes' voice work. But, Bonham-Carter especially, who somehow made her ridiculous looking character with her Cheeto-hairstyle quite engaging and lovely (NOTE: all the human characters in these films are ridiculous looking). I can't believe I had forgotten so much of the film, so I'm glad I re-watched it. In fact, I watched it twice. I convinced my wife to re-watch it again as well (we both saw it when it first came out).

Finally, I saw the fourth Wallace & Grommit short for the first time, A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH, and it was really wonderful. I think of the five W&G films, THE WRONG TROUSERS is my favorite, followed by CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT and A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH tied for second. Oh, I'm really glad i saw that doc, because it really revived my love and admiration for the creativity and humor that's injected in all of these films. I have to sit down and re-watch CHICKEN RUN, too. I've forgotten most of that feature and seeing clips from it made me long to see it again as well. The Aardman doc also got me to impulsively watch their feature THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS! (aka THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS!)(2012) which they showed a lot of clips from and with interviews with Hugh Grant and David Tennant who did voice work in it. I found it extremely entertaining and gleefully absurd, and I watched it a second time within a week. Really great, fun stuff.

The documentary on Aardman studios is a lot of fun and informative. Towards the end it feels a little self-congratulatory, but for the most part, it's a great introduction to a lot of wonderfully animated work they've done and I like seeing the creative people behind the scenes, especially Nick Park and Peter Lord (director of THE PIRATES! and more importantly, who co-founded Aardman Studios with David Sproxton).

Having said all that, I'm still leaving MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO as my favorite animated film. But I definitely have to re-watch that one, too. I should also really check out the Pixar films, those I've seen long ago (like TOY STORY and its first sequel) and those I've missed (like MONSTERS, INC., the other TOY STORY sequels, UP, WALL-E... there's a lot) and then re-watch those Miyazaki films I've watched already (besides TOTORO, there's also SPIRITED AWAY and PRINCESS MONONOKE) and those I've missed. And there are also other feature length anime out there, like GHOST IN THE MACHINE, which I started checking out and 15 minutes in I realized I was watching a "slightly updated version" of the original, so I stopped and decided to watch the original but I didn't get to it, yet, but what I saw was pretty damn cool and impressive.

So, there's probably going to be at least one more to update to this post...

#30DayFilmChallenge