Bullet Points: Monstrous Beasts

Since we're getting close to Halloween, I'm in the mood for some creature features.  Literal monsters can been pretty scary, but sometimes the psychological ones can be downright terrifying. So to try and make a theme, here's some of the monstrous things I've recently watched:

• Black Moon:  Lately I've really enjoyed collecting films from the Criterion Collection.  If you subscribe to their Facebook page, you can really benefit from some deals such as 50% off sales.  At times, these films can be a little too artsy for me, but I definitely appreciate Criterion for making some of the best film transfers, commentaries, and supplements to ever be seen.  For this particular case, Louis Malle's Black Moon didn't make a lot of sense (then again, I don't think it's supposed to), but this film has some beautiful and unforgettable moments.  To sum up my stream of conscience (and I'm sure it won't make much sense to you either), this is what what I experienced from the movie:  A military war between men and women, talking plants and animals, an ugly unicorn, naked children beating up a pig, incestuous sibling care-takers, and breast-feeding absurdness... What's not to enjoy!?!?

• Jaws:  I really don't think I need to go into depth, but this is one of the most influential horror masterpieces in cinematic history.  To continue celebrating Universal's 100th Anniversary, Jaws was remastered frame by frame.  I always thought the film looked awesome from the transfers I've seen, but if you compare screenshots of this blu-ray to others, it's superior.  I would also like to point out Jaws recently made Tarantino's Top 10 List for the 2012 Sight and Sound Poll.  Although other film makers exploited Steven Spielberg's vision of unknown natural terrors (such as Grizzly), Tarantino would make an exhilarating monster flick.  

• Godzilla:  Before there was even Jaws, the Japanese made the original giant monster - Godzilla!  I truly enjoyed watching this film and appreciated how the film makers used a guy in a rubber lizard suit to cause so much destruction.  Although the suit itself is terrifying (I think the original design is my favorite), there are some dark and horrific moments where Godzilla isn't even seen... And too think, is it pure coincidence these moments take place near the ocean?  I rewatched this classic from the Criterion blu-ray.  Included with this print are some documentaries of how Godzilla actually came to fruition.  I always just thought Godzilla was created for sheer entertainment.  However, the monster was supposed to be a social commentary for the disaster created by atomic weapons.  Besides the atomic bombs drops during WWII, there was also some nuclear testing that caused death to a crew of fisherman coined the Lucky Dragon Incident.  It's amazing how these messages can be hidden in film.

• The Brood:  I've been searching for this film for a long time.  I finally saw it at my local Movie Stop and I immediately picked it up.  Being one of David Cronenberg's earlier films, The Brood is pretty terrifying.  In hindsight, I actually laugh at myself, but there's a certain part in the film where I had to actually pause the movie and get a drink of water so I wouldn't be so freaked out.  The story is about a father who is trying to keep his daughter away from her mother who is locked up in a mental institute.  However, there are some supernatural forces causing horrific murders near the little girl - all believed to be linked to the isolated mother.  With images of body horror associated with the Cronenberg name (including some frightening "little people"), The Brood is a hidden horror gem more people should recognize.

• Dexter: The only reason I subscribe to Showtime is so that I can watch Dexter (and now Homeland, but we'll discuss that at some later time).  If you watch the show, you know why this season is so intriguing (the Deb and Dex debacle).  However, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, do yourself a service:  Watch the finale of Season 6.  I'm extremely excited to see how the sibling's relationship progresses.  Plus, this season guest stars Yvonne Strahovski (the hot spy from Chuck), my favorite blonde on Television (sadly an actress unknown to a lot of people I know). 

Top 5 Countdown - Most Anticipated TV Series of Fall 2011

I've been extremely busy as of late since I've been finishing one Master's Degree and starting another. My new degree is in Optics (lenses, lasers, light, etc..) and I'm enjoying it very much. However, it's taking a lot of my time reviewing things such as calculus and physics - Subjects I haven't touched since my freshman year of college.

When I'm not busy working or studying, the one thing keeping my sanity is ironically Television. I'd rather be watching movies and writing reviews, however TV shows are a quick escape from reality. So today's Top Five Countdown is a listing of my Most Anticipated Television Series of Fall 2011 (although most of them have already started):

5. American Horror Story - I don't know much about the premise, but I do love a good horror story. From the creators of Glee, I'm sure this show will have the same quirkiness minus the singing. Other than AMC, FX is making some of my favorite shows ranging from the dark humor of Wilfred to the grittiness of Justified. There's no doubt American Horror Story will be a hit.

4. Raising Hope - If you haven't watched this show, you are missing out on one of the best slapstick comedies. From the minds of My Name is Earl, it's about a boy who knocks up a serial killer and takes care of the baby after the mom has been captured and executed. Although this sounds pretty grim, this show is nothing but laugh-out-loud antics as this family takes care of baby Hope. Plus, it has Shannon Woodward, a foxy chick I truly adore...

3. The Office - If you ask what's my all-time favorite comedy, I'll answer "The Office." I'm sad to see Michael Scott leave Dunder Mifflin, but the rest of the cast is amazingly funny. With intelligently witty humor and a new boss, I am excited to see the new direction of this show.

2. Dexter - You have to love the show's concept: A Forensic Scientist who is a Serial Killer. This series has taken us for one wild ride and I'm sure it won't calm down anytime soon. I have no idea what this season has in store, but I'm temporarily subscribing to Showtime just so I can watch Michael C. Hall bring justice... or should I say death.

1. Sons of Anarchy - After quickly finishing 3 seasons in 3 weeks, I have found a new series which rivals my favorites of Breaking Bad and The Sopranos. I just can't get enough: It has a superb cast, awesome storytelling, and fantastic cinematography. As you watch this show, you must remember it's more than a gritty crime story - it's a family drama. I plan on writing more about SOA in the future, but right now, I can't wait to see what danger lies ahead for SAMCRO and how they'll deal with Danny Trejo and the Cartel.

After writing this post, I feel like a couch potato... but can you really blame me with such awesome stories to be watched ?!?!?!