Music Log 2023


Time for another year of music listening. Out of 10 for each one.

Best of the Year So Far:

  1. One Of These Nights (1975, Barnes & Noble), Eagles
  2. Diamond Life (1984, Public Library), Sade
  3. S. F. Sorrow (1968, Public Library), The Pretty Things
  4. Pretenders II (1981, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders
  5. Pleased to Meet Me (1987, Half-Price Books), The Replacements
  6. Broken Social Scene (2005, Half-Price Books), Broken Social Scene
  7. Dance Fever (2022, Public Library), Florence + The Machine

JANUARY:

  1. Rush (1974, Half-Price Books), Rush-9.0
  2. Scaled and Icy (2021, Public Library)-7.5, Twenty One Pilots
  3. Come On Pilgrim (1987, Public Library)-9.0, Pixies
  4. Surfer Rosa (1987, Public Library)-9.5, Pixies
  5. Joanthology (2019, Public Library)-9.0, Joan As Police Woman
  6. S. F. Sorrow (1968, Public Library)-10.0, The Pretty Things
  7. Jolene (1974, Public Library)-9.5, Dolly Parton
  8. The Eternal (2009, Public Library)-8.5, Sonic Youth
  9. Under a Blood Red Sky (1983, Public Library)-9.0, U2

FEBRUARY:

  1. (10) City To City (1978, Half-Price Books), Gerry Rafferty-8.5
  2. (11) Feel Good Lost (2001, Half-Price Books), Broken Social Scene-9.0
  3. (12) One Of These Nights (1975, Barnes & Noble), Eagles-10.0
  4. (13) All Of Me (1979, YouTube), Masayoshi Takanaka)-9.5

MARCH:

  1. (14) Rockabilly Queen (2011, Public Library), Wanda Jackson-8.5
  2. (15) The Essential Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship (2012, Public Library), Jefferson Airplane/Starship-8.5
  3. (16) Down (1994, Public Library), The Jesus Lizard-9.5
  4. (17) Damage and Joy (2017, Public Library), The Jesus and Mary Chain-8.0
  5. (18) Real Life (2006, Public Library), Joan as Police Woman-9.5
  6. (19) Dance Fever (2022, Public Library), Florence + The Machine-10.0
  7. (20) And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (2014, Public Library), The Roots-8.5
  8. (21) They Want My Soul (2014, Public Library), Spoon-8.5
  9. (22) Diamond Life (1984, Public Library)-10.0, Sade
  10. (23) X (1990, Half-Price Books), INXS-9.0

APRIL:

  1. (24) 19 (2008, Public Library), Adele-9.0
  2. (25) Pretenders (1979, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders-9.5
  3. (26) Broken Social Scene (2005, Half-Price Books), Broken Social Scene-10.0
  4. (27) Pretenders II (1981, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders–10.0
  5. (28) Crowded House (1986, Public Library), Crowded House-9.0
  6. (29) Over The Garden Wall Official Soundtrack (2017, YouTube), The Blasting Company-9.0
  7. (30) Midnight Madness (1983, Public Library), Night Ranger-7.0
  8. (31) The Wild Heart (1983, Public Library), Stevie Nicks-8.5
  9. (32) Learning to Crawl (1984, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders-9.0
  10. (33) Get Close (1986, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders-8.0

MAY:

  1. (34) Last of the Independents (1994, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders-7.0
  2. (35) Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981, Half-Price Books), The Replacements-8.5
  3. (36) Pleased to Meet Me (1987, Half-Price Books), The Replacements-10.0
  4. (37) Carly Simon (1971, Half-Price Books), Carly Simon-10.0
  5. (38) Anticipation (1971, Half-Price Books), Carly Simon-10.0
  6. (39) No Secrets (1972, Half-Price Books), Carly Simon-9.5
  7. (40) Hotcakes (1974, Half-Price Books), Carly Simon-10.0
  8. (41) Playing Possum (1975, Half-Price Books), Carly Simon-9.0
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Music Log 2023


Time for another year of music listening. Out of 10 for each one.

Best of the Year So Far:

  1. One Of These Nights (1975, Barnes & Noble), Eagles
  2. S. F. Sorrow (1968, Public Library), The Pretty Things
  3. Diamond Life (1984, Public Library), Sade
  4. Dance Fever (2022, Public Library), Florence + The Machine

JANUARY:

  1. Rush (1974, Half-Price Books), Rush-9.0
  2. Scaled and Icy (2021, Public Library)-7.5, Twenty One Pilots
  3. Come On Pilgrim (1987, Public Library)-9.0, Pixies
  4. Surfer Rosa (1987, Public Library)-9.5, Pixies
  5. Joanthology (2019, Public Library)-9.0, Joan As Police Woman
  6. S. F. Sorrow (1968, Public Library)-10.0, The Pretty Things
  7. Jolene (1974, Public Library)-9.5, Dolly Parton
  8. The Eternal (2009, Public Library)-8.5, Sonic Youth
  9. Under a Blood Red Sky (1983, Public Library)-9.0, U2

FEBRUARY:

  1. (10) City To City (1978, Half-Price Books), Gerry Rafferty-8.5
  2. (11) Feel Good Lost (2001, Half-Price Books), Broken Social Scene-9.0
  3. (12) One Of These Nights (1975, Barnes & Noble), Eagles-10.0
  4. (13) All Of Me (1979, YouTube), Masayoshi Takanaka)-9.5

MARCH:

  1. (14) Rockabilly Queen (2011, Public Library), Wanda Jackson-8.5
  2. (15) The Essential Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship (2012, Public Library), Jefferson Airplane/Starship-8.5
  3. (16) Down (1994, Public Library), The Jesus Lizard-9.5
  4. (17) Damage and Joy (2017, Public Library), The Jesus and Mary Chain-8.0
  5. (18) Real Life (2006, Public Library), Joan as Police Woman-9.5
  6. (19) Dance Fever (2022, Public Library), Florence + The Machine-10.0
  7. (20) And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (2014, Public Library), The Roots-8.5
  8. (21) They Want My Soul (2014, Public Library), Spoon-8.5
  9. (22) Diamond Life (1984, Public Library)-10.0, Sade
  10. (23) X (1990, Half-Price Books), INXS-9.0

APRIL:

  1. (24) 19 (2008, Public Library), Adele-9.0
  2. (25) Pretenders (1979, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders-9.5
  3. (26) Broken Social Scene (2005, Half-Price Books), Broken Social Scene
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Let’s Get Criterion


Recently I decided to go through my collection of Criterion films, a total number of which I can’t remember as I have lost track due to buying so many. It’s probably over a 150 at least. I haven’t viewed all of them yet either, and some of them have already been reviewed so a fresh perspective would be nice. I’ve also decided to do this after viewing several ones I purchased during Barnes & Noble’s 50% Criterion Sale. I hope they keep holding those sales again and again, and I am registered as a member of the Criterion website and follow them on Twitter. Here’s the list so far:

  1. Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970, horror/fantasy)
  2. Repo Man (1984, satire)
  3. I Married a Witch (1942, comedy/fantasy)
  4. Häxan (1922, horror movie/documentary)
  5. Onibaba (1964, Demon Hag)
  6. The Cremator (1969, Evil Incarnate)
  7. The Devil’s Backbone (2001, Spanish Ghosts)
  8. Design For Living (1933, Artists!)

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Rant of the Day: Just cause it’s fun bad trash doesn’t mean it’s better than high art although it is fun I guess so like whatever we’ll all probably die sooner or later


A bar buddy of mine told me I watch too much junk instead of stuff that’s actually worthy to nominate for awards, and he’s right. However sometimes it’s fun to just view movies solely for them being entertaining, as a way for me to kill some time while I’m on my phone. We’re all gonna die someday and I doubt any of us will bemoan that we didn’t see enough Cannes Film Festival winners on our deathbed. Although perhaps we shall regret watching every single movie in our favorite trashy horror movie franchise. I’m looking at you, Friday the 13th.

Seriously though I find a nice balance of the two works out, and that being more selective does help a bunch. Also if a movie sucks I think it’s fine to quit watching it, simply cause you are hoping it gets better. On the other hand it’s probably not healthy that I constantly start movies and TV shows only to finish them way too later in the year. Or the next year. Next decade? Um, heh…whoops!

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Movie Viewing Log 2023: May


I feel that, dude

  1. (68) Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986, Gary Sherman)-83, Tubi
  2. (69) Ninja Dragon (1986, Godfrey Ho)-70, Tubi
  3. (70) The Muthers (1976, Cirio H. Santiago)-83, Shudder
  4. (71) Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983, Terry Jones)-90, Half-Price Books Blu-ray
  5. (72) Panic In The Streets (1950, Elia Kazan)-92, Half-Price Books Blu-ray
  6. (73) Witchboard (1986, Kevin Tenney)-82, Shudder
  7. (74) The Quiet Man (1952, John Ford)-95, Barnes & Noble Blu-ray
  8. (75) The Amazing Spider-Man (2012, Marc Webb)-85, Tubi
  9. (76) Faster (2010, George Tillman Jr.)-78, SyFy
  10. (77) Night Moves (1975, Arthur Penn)-100, Public Library DVD
  11. (78) Venom (2018, Ruben Fleischer)-84, Disney+
  12. (79) In The Cut (2003, Jane Campion)-85, Hulu
  13. (80) The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic)-81, Theater Viewing
  14. (81) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023, James Gunn)-94, Theater Viewing
  15. (82) House of the Long Shadows (1983, Pete Walker)-71, Tubi
  16. (83) Freejack (1992, Geoff Murphy)-42, Tubi
  17. (84) Rolling Thunder (1977, John Flynn)-91, Tubi
  18. (85) Skinamarink (2022, Kyle Edward Ball)-82, Shudder

TV Shows Viewed:

1. The Last Drive-In (S5, Shudder)

2. Criminal Minds (S1 Rewatch, Hulu)

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Rant of the Day: No Respect For Walkers


Sing it Jimi!

Crosswalks suck because they take too long go let you cross and they only give you so little time to scurry across the road. No wonder people by my work don’t care anymore and jaywalk. I’m amazed when people do use crosswalks, and I still do even though I know that I could just wander to the other side like an idiot, foolishly trusting that I won’t get ran over by speeding cars.

Whenever I drive I always try to give wide berth to pedestrians, although some bicycle riders don’t understand that they still have to obey traffic laws while biking. There also seems to be a lack of understanding by drivers that they shouldn’t speed in parking lots, and that you have to let people pass by before tearing out of their on their way to, well, whatever! Seems to me folks are in a mighty hurry to get nowhere around here, and get there fast!

I am still glad we have crosswalks in the city, though, particularly since they make it easier for people to get to where they’re going a lot safer, in practice, anyways. There is one crosswalk that lights up so people can see walkers at night, and I feel that such measures should be more commonplace around here.

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Let’s Get Criterion Presents: Foreign Correspondent (1940, Alfred Hitchcock)


As much as I enjoy the James Bond series Alfred Hitchcock and others were making those types of movies ages before that series ever was created. Foreign Correspondent is a good example and is a fine thriller/drama with elements of comedy and a good dose of pro war propaganda as well. Joel McCrea is pretty likable and has a solid rapport with Laraine Day while George Sanders mostly steals the movie by being his usual charismatic self. The tower scene is a nice example of Hitchcock suspense, particularly since it is based in that uneasy feeling of doom that he loved to deploy in so many movies.

Unlike some of his other, more complex films this one is pretty straightforward, which is fine to me. I’m not sure it needed to be two hours yet the car chase part followed by the windmill scene is fantastic and remains the heart of the movie. Chalk it up to Hitchcock to make geopolitics from the 1940s seem more exciting than they probably were before Europe exploded into war.

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Let’s Get Criterion Presents: The Rules of the Game (1939, Jean Renoir)


Finally years later I watched Jean Renoir’s classic film The Rules of the Game, which included Renoir discussing how much people hated the movie back in 1939. I would love to make a film that makes people angry enough to threaten burning down the theater showing the movie, or one that caused the government to try and ban it for “Corrupting the youth.” Ah that old charge, what a load of crap. Renoir gives us a movie that is not afraid to take aim at everyone involved, rich and poor, servant and master, all mixed up in their own little schemes. To them life is indeed a game, one you must play to win. Obey the rules and everything’s ok. Don’t…and well….ask André Jurieux how that works out.

Also for a foreign language movie made in the 1930s it easily grabbed my attention and never let go. Nora Gregor is captivating as Christine, the woman who is responsible for a lot of the trouble that occurs in the film. The bird shoot scene is a pretty obvious metaphor, however it sticks out in my mind because it is a good metaphor. Also Gregor does some fine acting during that part, holding court over a group of others and showing why more than one man is obsessed with her. Which in fact several of them are, hence the trouble that follows.

I didn’t mind that Renoir inserted himself into the film, as he comes off as sympathetic and conniving later on. I clearly will need to watch this film again, as further subtle details will perhaps emerge. In any case this movie gets my highest regard, and I’m glad I own it. The French sure know how to make a picture.

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Movie Viewing Log 2023: April


The death of friendship
  1. (51) Othello (1952, Orson Welles)-95, Public Library Criterion DVD
  2. (52) Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023, Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley)-90, Theater Viewing
  3. (53) Despicable Me (2010, Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin)-81, Hulu
  4. (53) RRR (2022, S. S. Rajamouli)-95, Netflix Instant Viewing
  5. (54) The Manitou (1978, William Girdler)-77, Shudder
  6. (55) Witchfinder General (1968, Michael Reeves)-90, Shudder
  7. (56) Despicable Me 2 (2013, Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin)-75, Hulu
  8. (57) Bog (1978? 1984?, Don Keeslar)-40, Shudder
  9. (58) Jack Be Nimble (1993, Garth Maxwell)-75, Shudder
  10. (59) John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023, Chad Stahelski)-95, Theater Viewing
  11. (60) Puss in Boots (2011, Chris Miller)-85, Netflix Instant Viewing
  12. (61) Fearless (1993, Peter Weir)-95, Tubi
  13. (62) Renfield (2023, Chris McKay)-81, Theater Viewing
  14. (63) Beau is Afraid (2023, Ari Aster)-82, Theater Viewing
  15. (64) Affliction (1997, Paul Schrader)-90, Tubi
  16. (65) Horror of the Zombies (1974, Amando de Ossorio)-55, Tubi
  17. (66) Night of the Seagulls (1975, Amando de Ossorio)-85, Tubi
  18. (67) The Banshees of Inisherin (2022, Martin McDonagh)-100, Public Library

TV Shows Viewed:

1. X-Men: The Animated Series (S5, Disney+)

2. Criminal Minds (S1, Rewatch, Hulu)

3. Wednesday (S1, Netflix Instant Viewing)

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Movie Viewing Log 2023: March


She’s one bad momma!

1. (33) The Last Broadcast (1998, Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler)-63, Shudder

2. (34) King Solomon’s Mines (1985, J. Lee Thompson)-75, Tubi

3. (35) Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1987, Gary Nelson)-50, Tubi

4. (36) Cocaine Bear (2023, Elizabeth Banks)-90, Theater Viewing

5. (37) Aterrados aka Terrifed (2017, Demián Rugna)-82, Shudder

6. (38) Firewalker (1986, J. Lee Thompson)-70, Tubi

7. (39) Drunken Master (1978, Yuen Woo-ping)-92, Tubi

8. (40) Surf Nazis Must Die (1987, Peter George)-93, Tubi

9. (41) World War Z (2013, Marc Forster)-77, Netflix Instant Viewing

10. (42) Evil Dead Trap (1988, Toshiharu Ikeda)-90, Shudder

11. (43) King Kong Escapes (1967. Ishirō Honda)-75, Blu-ray

12. (44) Scream 6 (2023, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett)-87, Theater Viewing

13. (45) El Camino Christmas (2017, David E. Talbert)-63, Netflix Instant Viewing

14. (46) Killer Elite (2011, Gary McKendry)-76, Blu-ray

15. (47) The Life of Pi (2012, Ang Lee)-92, Public Library DVD

16. (48) Blow-up (1966, Michelangelo Antonioni)-93, Public Library Criterion DVD

17. (49) Class of Nuke ‘Em High (Richard W. Haines, Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman)-72, Tubi

18. (50) Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki (1992, Izo Hashimoto)-81, Shudder

TV Shows Viewed:

1. Miami Vice (S1, Tubi)

2. The Cleveland Show (S1, Hulu)

3. Family Guy (S6, Hulu)

4. Will Trent (S1, ABC via Hulu)

5. X-Men: The Animated Series (S4, FOX via Disney+)

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Movie Viewing Log 2023: February


Armed Clowns! Coming soon to FOX.

1. (13) Death Spa (1989, Michael Fischa)-65, Shudder

2. (14) Fear No Evil (1981, Frank LaLoggia)-61, Shudder

3. (15) Nekromantik (1987, Jörg Buttgereit)-35, Shudder

4. (16) Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988, Ken Wiederhorn)-76, Tubi

5. (17) Booksmart (2019, Olivia Wilde)-93, Public Library DVD

6. (18) Born In East L.A (1987, Cheech Marin)-81, Public Library DVD

7. (19) And Soon the Darkness (1970, Robert Fuest)-86, Shudder

8. (20) The Last Horror Film (1982, David Winters)-83, Tubi

9. (21) Nekromantik 2 (1991, Jörg Buttgereit)-45, Shudder

10. (22) Quick Change (1990. Bill Murray, Howard Franklin)-94, Tubi

11. (23) The Three Musketeers (1993, Stephen Herek)-53, Disney+

12. (24) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022, Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado)-92, Theater Viewing

13. (25) Warm Bodies (2013, Jonathan Levine)-83, Peacock

14. (26) Evil Ed (1995, Anders Jacobsson)-87, Tubi

15. (27) The Mansion of Madness (1973, Juan López Moctezuma)-70, Shudder

16. (28) The Magic Voyage of Sinbad (1953, Aleksandr Ptushko)-67, Tubi

17. (29) The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958, Nathan H. Juran)-89, Tubi

18. (30) Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977, Sam Wanamaker)-75, Tubi

19. (31) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022, Ryan Coogler)-77, Disney+

20. (32) The Prestige (2006, Christopher Nolan)-93, Hulu+

TV Shows Watched:

1. Family Guy (S5, Hulu)

2. Bob’s Burgers (S1, Hulu)

3. X-Men: The Animated Series (S4, Disney+)

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