A Mike Hammer mystery directed by Robert Aldrich. Very noir. Very cheaply done. The anti-hero violence might have seemed over the top by 1955 standards, but by now we've all seen lots worse.

Gripping opening and notable for what is NOT shown in the torture scene: a woman's bare legs shown from the knees down as she screams. Then the screams stop. Then two men in suits are shown from the waist down; one is holding a pair of pliers.

Over all, kind of dull, but with one of the coolest maguffins ever (the inspiration for the contents of Marsellus Wallace's attache case in Pulp Fiction).

FF= 2.5

I watched this Thai martial arts movie last night. Somewhat typical plot: village has holy relic stolen by evil henchman from metropolitan center. Lone hero volunteers to retrieve relic. Hero's a martial arts legend, yet also a naif when it comes to the big city. Hero meets up with former village son who has strayed from the path, yet becomes redeemed through his shared quest with the hero. Hero faces many battles, yet prevails in the end at great cost and sacrifice.

The tried and true plot dragged down the movie. The hero, played by Tony Jaa, is mainly wallpaper until dragged into fights. The action sequences are well-done for the most part, although the people doing the fighting must have been hauled in from the streets with no acting background or experience. The best scene is a chase sequence on foot with minimal fighting. Some close quarter combat moves made me think of Repairman Jack, but I also saw a lot of "style" moves that I think jack would eschew for more quick and brutal hits. I have no direct experience with Muay Thai fighting, but I did note that the same move Tony Jaa used to kill an opponent was employed by my three year old daughter playing with me this weekend: I'm on the ground resting and she jumps in the air to land knees first on my abdomen. Quite effective, and so much fun she did it three more times.

Just watched the 60 minute preview of the first episode of Supernatural. It's a yahoo link.

Let's just say that so far it's the first tv series that's revamped the good ol' days of horror movies.

http://tv.yahoo.com/feature/supernatural.html

I've completed my Gauntlet numbered Repairman Jack collection today with the arrival of Crisscross. I'm very pleased indeed. I also have the first printing of Legacies by Headline. Now, the tough part will be Whispers Press' numbered 1st Edition of The Tomb. I need that one now. I have the NEL first printing of Nightworld, but I'd like to get the Dark Harvest numbered edition too since I love numbered and signed books.

I can't wait for The Last Rakosh. I hope they ship soon!!

Gauntlet Press found ten copies of the numbered edition of Hosts in their warehouse. I doubt these will stay around very long, so if you've wanted a copy and have not been able to find one, you can get one for $50 at http://www.gauntletpress.com

great story

Not sure how many people have seen these yet, but everyone's favorite muppets are now movie critics. You can catch all the episodes here:

http://movies.go.com/muppets/index

Enjoy

FF= 0

Really well-paced with a neat complication. The kid who plays Mars gives one of the scariest, creepiest performances I've seen in a long, long time.

Here are some of my choices:
BROTHERHOOD OF THE BELL starring Glenn Ford. Directed by Paul Wendkos 1970.

SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN starring Anthony Quinn. Directed by Michael Anderson 1969.

Anyone want to add?

The longer commercial for it is absolutely frightening. When the words on the screen say that 'this is actual audio from the exorcism' I was so scared I shoulda plopped over seven bucks right there.

I haven't been this exited to see a horror movie since Blair Witch.

The fact that it really happened makes it so much more horrifying. The real Emily Rose looked very innocent and nice. Makes it even more creepy.