Movie Viewing Log 2023: May

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

TV Shows Viewed:

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

2. Criminal Minds (S1 Rewatch, Hulu)

May 1, 2023 0

Music Log 2023

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

Best of the Year So Far:

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

JANUARY:

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

FEBRUARY:

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

MARCH:

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

APRIL:

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

MAY:

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

April 18, 2023 0

Music Log 2023

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

Best of the Year So Far:

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

JANUARY:

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

FEBRUARY:

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

MARCH:

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

APRIL:

(24) 19 (2008, Public Library), Adele-9.0
(25) Pretenders (1979, Half-Price Books), The Pretenders-9.5
(26) Broken Social Scene (2005, Half-Price Books), Broken Social Scene

January 4, 2023 0

Music Log 2022

It’s that time again!

Top Albums Heard So Far in No Particular Order:

Soft Winds, Dorthy Ashby (1961, YouTube)
Seven Steps to Heaven (1963, Barnes & Noble), Miles Davis
After All (1969, YouTube), After All
Funkadelic (1970, YouTube), Funkadelic
Octopus (1972, YouTube), Gentle Giant
Hitchhike to Rhome (1994, Public Library), Old 97’s
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966, Half Price Books), Simon & Garfunkel
Farewell Andromeda (1973, Public Library), John Denver
Foxtrot (1972, YouTube), Genesis
Keep Your Soul Together (1973, YouTube), Freddie Hubbard
High-Flying (1976, YouTube), Hiromasa Suzuki
Whirlwind (1977, YouTube), Spin
The Rick and Morty Soundtrack (2018, Barnes & Noble), Multiple Artists
Desolation Angels (1979, Public Library), Bad Company
Californication (1999, Public Library), Red Hot Chili Peppers
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993, Public Library), The Cranberries
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1974, Public Library), Gil Scott-Heron

January:

True: Avicii by Avicii, Avicii (2014, Public Library)-5.5
The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind, Ben Folds Five (2012, Public Library)-9.0
Electriclarryland, Butthole Surfers (1996, Public Library)-7.0
No Jacket Required, Phil Collins (1984/2016 re-release extra edition, Public Library-9.5
Bottle It In, Kurt Vile (2018, Public Library)-9.5
Filoxiny, Skinshape (2018, YouTube)-9.5
Night Drive, Timecop1983 (2018, YouTube)-9.0
VHS, CASTLEBEAT (2018, YouTube)-9.0
Closer To Grey, Chromatics (2019, YouTube)-8.5
Dawn FM (2022, YouTube), The Weeknd-9.5
Mild Orange, Mild Orange (2020, YouTube)-9.5
Jam Session, Charlie Parker (1952, YouTube)-9.0
Miles Davis Meets Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants (1954, YouTube)-9.5
Dorthy Ashby in a Minor Groove (1958, YouTube), Dorthy Ashby-9.0
My Favorite Things (1961, YouTube), John Coltrane-9.0

February:

(16) Soft Winds, Dorthy Ashby (1961, YouTube)-10.0
(17) Dreams, Gabor Szabo (1968, YouTube)-9.0
(18) Seven Steps to Heaven (1963, Barnes & Noble), Miles Davis-10.0
(19) Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964, Barnes & Noble), Simon & Garfunkel-9.0
(20) Rocky Mountain High (1972, Barnes & Noble), John Denver-9.5
(21) After All (1969, YouTube), After All-10.0
(22) Afreaka! (1970, YouTube), Demon Fuzz-9.0
(23) Atom Heart Mother (1970, YouTube), Pink Floyd-9.5
(24) Funkadelic (1970, YouTube), Funkadelic-10.0
(25) Paesaggi (1971, YouTube), Piero Umiliani-9.5
(26) Halcyon Days (2013, Public Library), Ellie Goulding-8.5

March:

(27) Dreams of Impossibilities (1972, YouTube), Warm Dust-9.0
(28) Ethiopian Knights (1972, YouTube), Donald Byrd-7.0.
(29) Octopus (1972, YouTube), Gentle Giant-10.0
(30) Natural Affair (2019, Public Library), The Growlers-7.5
(31) When You See Yourself (2021, Public Library), Kings of Leon-6.5
(32) Hitchhike to Rhome (1994, Public Library), Old 97’s-10.0
(33) Green Balloon (2019, Public Library), Tank and the Bangas-9.0
(34) Paradise (2016, Public Library), White Lung-8.0
(35) Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966, Half Price Books) Simon & Garfunkel-10.0
(36) No Need to Argue (1994, Public Library), The Cranberries-9.0
(37) Farewell Andromeda (1973, Public Library), John Denver-10.0
(38) Talking Dreams (2013, Public Library), Echosmith-8.0

April:

(39) Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970, Public Library), Emerson, Lake & Palmer-7.5
(40) Sob Rock (2021, Public Library), John Mayer-8.5
(41) Foxtrot (1972, YouTube), Genesis-10.0
(42) Taylor Swift (2006, Public Library), Taylor Swift-9.0
(43) The Tractors (1994, Public Library), The Tractors-6.5
(44) Mind over Matter (2014, Public Library), Young the Giant-9.0
(45) Keep Your Soul Together (1973, YouTube), Freddie Hubbard-10.0
(46) Thrust (1974, YouTube), Herbie Hancock-9.5
(47) Alleycat (1975, YouTube), Nucleus-8.5
(48) High-Flying (1976, YouTube), Hiromasa Suzuki-10.0
(49) Juice (1976, YouTube), Ryo Kawasaki-9.5
(50) Tattoo You (1981, Public Library), The Rolling Stones-9.5
(51) Walk The Moon (2012, Public Library), Walk The Moon-3.0
(52) Pacific Daydream (2017, Public Library), Weezer-7.5

May:

(53) Yardbirds ’68 (1968, Public Library), The Yardbirds-8.0
(54) Pharaoh (1977, YouTube), Pharoah Sanders-9.0
(55) Whirlwind (1977, YouTube), Spin-10.0
(56) Everything Is Wrong (1995, Half-Price Books), Moby-9.0
(57) Live At Reeding (2009/1992, Half-Price Books), Nirvana-9.5
(58) Kimono My House (1974, YouTube), Sparks-9.5
(59) Suicide (1977, YouTube), Suicide-9.5
(60) We’re Only In It For The Money (1968, Public Library), Frank Zappa-7.5
(61) Dropout Boogie (2022, Target), The Black Keys-9.5
(62) The Pavillion of Dreams (1978, YouTube), Harold Budd/Brian Eno

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January 3, 2022 0

Music Log 2021

Back in style and free form this time…

Top Albums of the Year:

1. What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye (Public Library)
2. The Party’s Over, Talk Talk (YouTube)
3. The Band, The Band (Public Library)
4. I Against I, Bad Brains (Public Library)
5. Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, Marty Robbins (Public Library)
6. People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, A Tribe Called Quest (Public Library)
7. Spin, Spin (YouTube)
8. Here Comes Everybody, The Wake (YouTube)
9. Call the Doctor, Sleater-Kinney (Half-Price Books)
10. The Pretender, Jackson Browne (Public Library)
11. Carnaval, Spyro Gyra (YouTube)

1. Funky Stuff, Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media-9.5 *YouTube*
2. Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Death-8.5 *YouTube*
3. Spin, Spin-10.0 *YouTube*
4. Short Trip To Space, Tropea-9.5 *YouTube*
5. Wildflower, Herb Ellis & Remo Palmier-9.0 *YouTube*
6. Carnaval, Spyro Gyra-10.0 *YouTube*
7. Everyday Life, Coldplay-7.5 *Public Library*
8. Abandoned Luncheonette, Hall & Oats-9.0 *Barnes & Noble*
9. Reputation, Taylor Swift-9.0 *Public Library*
10. The Slow Rush, Tame Impala-9.5 *Public Library*

11. It Is What It Is–9.0, Thundercat *Public Library*
12. Adolescents, Adolescents-8.0 *YouTube*
13. We Will Always Love You, The Avalanches-9.5 *Public Library*
14. Vibes & Days, Vacation-9.0 *YouTube*
15. Heartbeat City, The Cars-9.5 *Public Library*
16. Christopher Cross, Christopher Cross-9.0 *Public Library*
17. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill-8.5 *Public Library*
18. Lover, Taylor Swift-9.0 *Public Library*
19. Time Further Out, Dave Brubeck-9.5 *Barnes & Noble*
20. Germfree Adolescents, X-Ray Spex-9.5 *YouTube*

21. Eldorado, Electric Light Orchestra-9.5 *Barnes & Noble*
22. Tidal, Fiona Apple-9.0 *Public Library*
23. Take Care, Drake-8.0 *Public Library*
24. Ella and Louis, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong-9.5 *Public Library*
25. Empyrean Isles, Herbie Hancock-10.0 *Public Library*
26. Folklore, Taylor Swift-9.5 *Public Library*
27. Play Deep, The Outfield-9.0 *Half-Price Books*
28. Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, Marty Robbins-10.0 *Public Library*
29. Power Metal (Demo), Metallica-9.0 *YouTube*
30. Call the Doctor, Sleater-Kinney-10.0 *Half-Price Books*

31. The Party’s Over, Talk Talk-10.0 *YouTube*
32. From a Room: Vol 2, Chris Stapleton-8.0 *Public Library*
33. Way Out West, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives-7.5 *Public Library*
34. Fearless, Taylor Swift-8.0 *Public Library*
35. Townes Van Zandt, Townes Van Zandt-9.5 *Public Library*
36. Cheap Trick, Cheap Trick-9.5 *Half-Price Books*
37. Highly Evolved, The Vines-8.5 *Half-Price Books*
38. Silverado Soundtrack Suite, Bruce Broughton-9.0 *YouTube*
39. I Against I, Bad Brains-10.0 *Public Library
40. Mingus Ah Um, Charles Mingus-8.5 *Public Library*

41. Montrose, Montrose-8.5 *Public Library*
42. Here Comes Everybody, The Wake-10.0 *YouTube*
43. Red, Taylor Swift-8.0 *Public Library*
44. Father of the Bride, Vampire Weekend-8.5 *Public Library*
45. Whipped Cream & Other Delights, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass-7.0 *Public Library*
46. Crack-Up, Fleet Foxes-8.5 *Half-Price Books*
47. Face The Music, Electric Light Orchestra-9.5 *Barnes & Noble*
48. Glass Houses, Billy Joel-9.5 *Barnes & Noble*
49. Push the Sky Away, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-9.0 *Public Library*
50. The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Charles Mingus-9.5 *Public Library*

51. Megalithic Symphony, AWOLNATION-7.0 *Public Library*
52. Without a Sound, Dinosaur Jr.-9.0 *Public Library*
53. On the Border, Eagles-9.5 *Public Library*
54. What Does Anything Mean? Basically, The Chameleons-9.5 *YouTube*
55. Time, Electric Light Orchestra-9.0 *Public Library*
56. Junk, M83-9.0 *Public Library*
57. Paper Money, Montrose-9.0 *Public Library*
58. Bookends, Simon & Garfunkel-9.5 *Public Library*
59. Wild Planet, The B-52’s-9.5 *Barnes & Noble
60. Nilsson Schmilsson, Harry Nilsson-9.5 *Barnes & Noble

61. The Band, The Band-10.0 *Public Library*
62. John Denver’s Greatest Hits, John Denver-9.0 *Borrowed*
63. Spiderland, Slint-9.5 *YouTube*
64. Delta Kream, The Black Keys-9.0 *Public Library*
65. Henry’s Dream, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-9.0 *Public Library*
66. What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye-10.0 *Public Library*
67. Off The Wall, Michael Jackson-9.5 *Public Library*
68. Passover, The Black Angels-9.0 *YouTube*
69. Directions to See a Ghost, The Black Angels-9.0 *YouTube*
70. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-9.5 *Public Library*

71. The Pretender, Jackson Browne-10.0 *Public Library*
72. Dangerous, Michael Jackson-9.0 *Public Library*
73. Imploding the Mirage, The Killers-7.5 *Public Library*
74. Phosphene Dream The Black Angels-9.0 *YouTube*
75. Speak Now, Taylor Swift-9.0 *Borrowed*
76. The Soft Moon, The Soft Moon-8.5 *YouTube*
77. Zeros, The Soft Moon-9.0 *YouTube*
78. People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, A Tribe Called Quest-10.0 *Public Library*
79. Mr. Bojangles, Jerry Jeff Walker-8.5 *Borrowed*
80. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Wu-Tang Clan-9.5 *Public Library*

81. Hell Or High Water Motion Picture Soundtrack, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis-9.0 *Public Library*
82. Not Too Late, Norah Jones-8.0 *Public Library*
83. Evermore, Taylor Swift-8.5 *Public Library*
84. Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie Wonder-9.0 *Public Library*
85. Ace of Spades, Motörhead-9.5 *Public Library*
86. Saturday the 14th, Partner-6.5 *Public Library*
87. Elliot Smith, Elliot Smith-9.0 *Public Library*
88. Bone Machine, Tom Waits-8.5 *Public Library*
89. Beauty Behind the Madness, Weeknd-9.0 *Public Library*
90. Chemtrails over the Country Club, Lana Del Rey-9.0 *Public Library*

91. Tango In The Night, Fleetwood Mac-9.0 *Public Library*
92. Takin’ Off, Herbie Hancock-9.5 *Public Library*
93. Midnight Marauders, A Tribe Called Quest-9.5 *Public Library*
94. Bad As Me, Tom Waits-8.0 *Public Library*
95. The Iron Horse, The Sound Defects-9.0 *YouTube*
96. Nocturne, Wild Nothing-9.0 *YouTube*
97. The Best of Bond…James Bond, OST Various Artists-9.5 *Target*
98. Please Be Nice, Camping In Alaska-8.0 *YouTube*
99. Affects, Plastique Noir-9.0 *YouTube*
100. Shore, Fleet Foxes-9.0 *Public Library*

101. More Than Just a Dream, Fitz and the Tantrums-8.0 *Public Library*
102. Spirit in the Sky: The Best of Norman Greenbaum, Norman Greenbaum-8.5 *Public Library*
103. Maniac, Halsey-9.0 *Public Library*
104. Run, AWOLNATION-8.0 *Public Library*
105. Days of Thunder, The Midnight-9.5 *YouTube*
106. Hard Promises, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-9.0 *Public Library*
107. Strange Pleasures, Still Corners-9.0 *YouTube*
108. Northern Lights-Southern Cross, The Band-9.5 *Public Library*
109. Suddenly, Caribou-9.0 *Public Library*
110. Mingus Dynasty, Charles Mingus-9.0 *Public Library*

110. Dream Police, Cheap Trick-9.5 *Barnes & Noble*
111. Toto IV, Toto-8.5 *Barnes & Noble*
112. Stranger Things S1 OST, Survive-8.5 *Public Library*
113. The World Within, Moderator-8.0 *YouTube*
114. It’s Immaterial, Black Marble-8.5 *YouTube*
115. Slow Air, Still Corners-9.5 *YouTube*

February 4, 2021 0

Horrorfest 2019 Presents: Happy Birthday To Me (1981, J. Lee Thompson)

One thing I have learned from 1980s slashers is that the goofy ones are often the most fun. Happy Birthday To Me is kind of ridiculous, has plenty of reliable kills, and it nails the ending. Sure the acting is cheesy and I don’t know if parts of the movie made sense, but that is all part of the charm of such a movie. I didn’t view this on Halloween night because it would inform my brain or make for a life changing viewing. I watched it to unwind from a long day at work, crack a beer and settle in for half way decent entertainment.

Sadly the copy I found at Half Price Books did not contain any bonus features. I would have loved to see behind the scenes footage and even watch director’s commentary. Oh well. I still recommend this movie, although I have seen better on Halloween and this was a last minute viewing and purchase. I might plan better for 2020.

June 3, 2020 0

Horrorfest 2018 Presents: The Deadly Spawn (1983, Douglas McKeown)

There is low budget, and then there is low low budget. The second film I viewed on Halloween, The Deadly Spawn, was made on the super cheap, yet it is one of those dumb fun cult movies that people talk about having seen back when it came out. I found my copy on DVD at Half-Price Books, so I didn’t pay too much. The film has flimsy characters, not much of a plot and clearly was not very well shot, yet I liked it in a trashy sort of way.

Also I enjoyed the title alien, which spends most of the movie hiding in a basement and devouring anyone unlucky enough to come down there. The kills are quite gruesome, the ending made me grin and The Deadly Spawn has a third act that works as an intense violent bottle episode. This is one of those movies that you have to watch to believe, with your brain turned off and beer on hand. Ah, the 1980s.

May 10, 2019 0

Horrorfest 2018 Presents: The New York Ripper (1982, Lucio Fulci)

Sure Lucio Fulci has made better and even more violent movies, yet I dug his 1982 giallo style slasher film The New York Ripper. Considering Son of Sam and other serial killers had already happened, a movie about a crazed murderer haunting the city streets was not too outrageous. What I liked best about the killer was that he quacks like a duck the entire movie, a creepy device that Fulci uses to great effect. Also the kills are brutal and sexual, as the killer hates his victims. This is not a movie for the faint of heart, and it’s trashy nature adds to the picture’s grindhouse feel. Hence The New York Ripper being labeled a “Video Nasty,” banned in some countries as a result.

Fred Williams (a grizzled Jack Hedley) is the right main character for this flick, and unfortunately I guessed the killer although the film reveals him early on if one is paying attention. I found a DVD uncensored copy of this film at my local Half-Price Books, and I used it to kick off my Halloween viewing last year. What a flick to start with, and I’ll never hear duck sounds the same way again.

May 3, 2019 0

Music Log 2019

While I fell short of 100 albums last year, I still tried to expand my horizons a bit. This will continue in 2019. All albums are from my local public library unless indicated below.

January:

1. Head Hunters, Herbie Hancock-9.0
2. The Spy Who Loved Me OST, Marvin Hamlisch-8.5
3. Superfly, Curtis Mayfield-10.0
4. Are You Serious, Andrew Bird-8.0
5. Billion Dollar Babies, Alice Cooper-9.5
6. Idlewild South, The Allman Brothers Band-9.0
7. Wildflower, The Avalanches-9.0
8. Sabotage, Black Sabbath-9.5
9. Diamond Dogs, David Bowie-7.5, Barnes & Noble
10. Let’s Dance, David Bowie-9.0, Barnes & Noble
11. The Very Best of The Animals, The Animals-8.0
12. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Black Sabbath-9.0

February:

13. The Clash (US Version), The Clash-9.0
14. Everyday, The Dave Matthews Band-8.5
15. Within The Realm of a Dying Sun, Dead Can Dance-8.0
16. Hotel California 40th Anniversary Edition, The Eagles-9.0
17. The Photo Album, Death Cab For Cutie-9.0, Half-Price Books
18. Donovan’s Greatest Hits, Donovan-8.0, Half-Price Books
19. So Tonight That I Might See, Mazzy Star-9.0, Half-Price Books
20. Heathen, David Bowie-9.0, You-Tube
21. Boston, Boston-9.0
22. Teens of Denial, Car Seat Headset-8.0
23. Thank You For Today, Death Cab For Cutie-9.0
24. The Soft Parade, The Doors-9.0
25. The Electric Light Orchestra II, Electric Light Orchestra-9.5
26. Shakedown Street, The Greatful Dead-10.0

March:

27. The Black Album, Jay-Z-9.5
28. Escape, Journey-8.0
29. The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, The Kinks-9.5
30. Trans-Europe Express, Kraftwerk-9.5
31. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Red Hot Chili Peppers-6.5
32. Astral Weeks, Van Morrison-9.0
32. Groovin’ High, Dizzy Gillespie Big Band-9.0
33. Depression Cherry, Beach House-9.0 *Barnes & Noble
34. The Now Now, Gorillaz-9.5 *Barnes & Noble
35. Savage Young Dü, Hüsker Dü-8.5
36. DAMN., Kendrick Lamar-10.0
37. Band On The Run, Paul McCartney and Wings-9.5
38. Piano & a Microphone 1983, Prince-9.0
39. 22, A Million, Bon Iver-6.5
40. Blues For Allah, The Greatful Dead-9.0
41. Through The Years: The Best of the Fray, The Fray-8.0
43. Turbo, Judas Priest-8.0
43. Bitter Rivals, Sleigh Bells *Half-Price Books-8.0
44. Easter, Patti Smith-9.0 *Half-Price Books

April:

45. The Runaways, The Runaways-9.0
46. Queen of Noise, The Runaways-9.0
47. No Jacket Required, Phil Collins-8.5
48. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels OST, Various *Half-Price Books-9.5
49. Naked, The Talking Heads *Half-Price Books-9.0
50. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, The Cure-8.5
51. Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King, Dave Matthews Band-8.5
52. The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! 40th Anniversary Remastered & Expanded, The Dictators-8.0
53. Oh, Mercy-Bob Dylan-9.0
54. Self-Portrait, Bob Dylan-9.5 *Half-Price Books
55. Away From The World, Dave Mathews Band-8.5
56. The Basement Tapes, Bob Dylan-10.0
57. Supa Dupa Fly, Missy Elliot-8.0
58. Something To Tell You, Haim-8.0
59. Low End Theory, A Tribe Called Quest-9.0
60. It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, The Rolling Stones-9.0

May:

61. Seventeen Seconds, The Cure-9.0
62. Wasteland, Baby!, Hozier-9.0
63. Dusty in Memphis, Dusty Springfield-9.0
64. The White Stripes, The White Stripes-7.5
65. Cosmo’s Factory, Creedence Clearwater Revival-10.0 *Barnes & Noble
66. Tonight, David Bowie-8.5 *Barnes & Noble
67. Trouble, Ray Lamontagne-8.0

June:

68. Do You Want More?, The Roots-8.5
69. The Best of Roxy Music, Roxy Music-9.5
70. Songs Of Experience, U2-9.0
71. 1984, Van Halen-6.5
72. Tonight’s The Night, Neil Young-9.5
73. Deeper, The Soft Moon-9.0
74. The Lion the Beast the Beat, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals-8.0
75. Shulamith, Poliça-9.0
76. Midnight, Grace Potter-6.0
77. Let It Be, The Replacements-9.5

July:

78. Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel-9.5
79. Drunk, Thundercat-10.0
80. Starcrawler, Starcrawler-8.5
81. Make It Big, Wham!-8.0
82. Tea for the Tillerman, Cat Stevens-10.0
83. Dare To Be Stupid, Weird Al Yankovic-8.0
84. I’m Still In Love With You, Al Green-9.5
85. Teaser & the Firecat, Cat Stevens-9.0
86. Crosby Stills & Nash, Crosby Stills & Nash-10.0
87. After Laughter, Paramore-8.0
88. Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes-9.5
89. For Your Pleasure, Roxy Music-9.5
90. Actor, St. Vincent-8.5
91. Give Up (Deluxe Edition), The Postal Service-9.0

August:

92. Stage Fright, The Band-9.5
93. In The Flat Field, Bauhaus-10.0
94. Further, Chemical Brothers-8.0
95. Tell Me How You Really Feel, Courtney Barnett-9.0
96. I’m Your Man, Leonard Cohen-8.5
97. A Band Called Smith, Smith-8.5
98. Layers, Kungs-9.0
99. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood OST, Various Artists-9.5 *YouTube
100. Era Vulgaris, Queens of the Stone Age-9.5

September:

101. Hallowed Ground, Violent Femmes-9.0
102. Get Behind Me Satan, The White Stripes-9.5
103. Off The Deep End, Weird Al Yankovic-8.5
104. Love Is Dead, Chvrches-8.0
105. Stories Don’t End, Dawes-6.5
106. Salad Days, Mac DeMarco-9.0
107. Hootenanny, The Replacements-9.0
108. Help Us Stranger, The Raconteurs-9.5
109. Most Messed Up, The Old 97s-6.5
110. Atlas, Real Estate Atlas-7.5
111. Don’t Tell a Soul, The Replacements-8.5

October:

112. Country Life, Roxy Music-9.5
113. From The Beginning, Small Faces-8.0
114. Elliot Smith, Elliot Smith-9.0
115. Dirty, Sonic Youth-9.5
116. Alvvays, Alvvays-9.5
117. Bat for Lashes, Bat for Lashes-8.5
118. Surf’s Up, The Beach Boys-9.0
119. Shake It Up, The Cars-9.5

November:

120. Desire, Bob Dylan-9.5
121. Songs From A Room, Leonard Cohen-10.0
122. Supernova, Ray LaMontagne-8.5
123. Love it to Death, Alice Cooper-8.5
124. Parade, Prince-9.0
125. I Am Easy To Find, The National-9.0

December

126. Prince, Prince-9.0
127. You’re Gonna Get It!, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-8.5
128. Let’s Rock, The Black Keys-8.0
129. Norman F***ing Rockwell!, Lana Del Rey-10.0
130. Your The Man, Marvin Gaye-9.0
131. Blue the Lines, Massive Attack-9.5
132. My Dear Melancholy, The Weekend-8.5
133. Camp, Childish Gambino-9.0
134. So Far, CSNY-9.5
135. Photographs & Memories: His Greatest Hits, Jim Croce-8.5
136. The Essential Sade, Sade-9.0
137. Washing Machine, Sonic Youth-9.0

January 5, 2019 0

2018 Movie Viewing Log

At this point, I do these simply to recall everything I watch every year. The 100+ movie viewing streak is alive and well, for now anyways.

Top 10 of the Year-

1. Heat (1995, Mann)
2. Requiem For A Dream (2000, Aronofsky)
3. Lady Bird (2017, Gerwig)
4. The Rider (2017, Zhao)
5. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
6. Sorry To Bother You (2018, Riley)
7. The Shape of Water (2017, del Toro)
8. Call Me by Your Name (2017, Guadagnino)
9. Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018, Sollima)
10. Mandy (2018, Cosmatos)

January:

1. Requiem For A Dream (2000, Aronofsky)-100, Netflix Instant Viewing
2. New Year’s Evil (1980, Alston)-75, YouTube
3. The Giant Gila Monster (1959, Kellogg)-5, Netflix Instant Viewing
4. Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971, Banno)-81, DVD
5. Godzilla vs Gigan (1972, Fukuda)-65, DVD
6. The Post (2017, Speilberg)-96, Theater Viewing
7. The Protector (1985, Glickenhaus)-88, Public Libray Blu Ray
8. Crime Story (1993, Wong)-84, Public Library Blu Ray
9. Darkest Hour (2017, Wright)-87, Theater Viewing

Movie of the Month: Requiem For A Dream (2000, Aronofsky)-100, Netflix Instant Viewing

February:

10. Time Chasers (1994, David Giancola)-50, Netflix Instant Viewing
11. The King’s Speech (2010, Hooper)-83, DVD
12. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017, McDonagh)-97, Theater Viewing
13. The Shape of Water (2017, del Toro)-98, Theater Viewing
14. Call Me by Your Name (2017, Guadagnino)-98, Theater Viewing
15. Phantom Thread (2017, Anderson)-95, Theater Viewing

Movie of the Month: The Shape of Water (2017, Del Toro)-98, Theater Viewing

March:

16. The Florida Project (2017, Baker)-93, RedBox
17. Lady Bird (2017, Gerwig)-100, Theater Viewing
18. Sleeping With Other People (2015, Headland)-85, Netflix Instant Viewing
19. Black Panther (2018, Coogler)-94, Theater Viewing
20. Blood Feast (1963, Lewis)-80, Blu Ray
21. Vertigo (1958, Hitchcock)-100, First Time Theater Viewing
22. Hostiles (2017, Cooper)-84, Theater Viewing
23. Real Genius (1985, Coolidge)-93, DVD

Movie of the Month: Lady Bird (2017, Gerwig)-100, Theater Viewing

April:

24. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017, Kasdan)-86, Theater Viewing
25. A Quiet Place (2018, Krasinski)-95, Theater Viewing
26. Isle of Dogs (2018, Anderson)-96, Theater Viewing
27. Game Night (2018, Daley and Goldstein)-90, Theater Viewing
28. Heat (1995, Mann)-100, Netflix Instant Viewing

Movie of the Month: Heat (1995, Mann)-100, Netflix Instant Viewing

May:

29. Avengers: Infinity War (2018, Russo Brothers)-95, Theater Viewing
30. Pump Up The Volume (1990, Moyle)-90, DVD
31. Deadpool 2 (2018, Leitch)-92, Theater Viewing
32. Shin Godzilla (2016, Anno and Higuchi)-88, Blu Ray
33. Porco Rosso (1992, Miyazaki)-95, First Time Theater Viewing
34. Guide Dog (2006, Plympton)-88, Theater Viewing
35. Day of Anger (1967, Valerii)-91, Blu Ray

Movie of the Month: Porco Rosso (1992, Miyazaki)-95, First Time Theater Viewing

June:

36. RoboCop 3 (1993, Dekker)-68, Comet TV
37. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018, Howard)-81, Theater Viewing
38. Dark City (1998, Proyas)-90, Blu Ray
39. The Rider (2017, Zhao)-100, Theater Viewing
40. Dead or Alive (1999, Miike)-97, Blu Ray
41. Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961, Edwards)-95, Netflix Instant Viewing

Movie of the Month: The Rider (2017, Zhao)-100, Theater Viewing

July:

42. American Made (2017, Liman)-88, Public Library
43. Blade Runner 2049 (2017, Villeneuve)-90, Blu Ray
44. Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018, Sollima)-98, Theater Viewing
45. Bao (2018, Shi)-83, Theater Viewing
46. Incredibles 2 (2018, Bird)-86, Theater Viewing
47. The Prowler (1981, Zito)-70, Shudder
48. Sorry To Bother You (2018, Riley)-98, Theater Viewing

Movie Of The Month: Sorry To Bother You (2018, Riley)-98, Theater Viewing

August:

49. Tourist Trap (1979, Schmoeller)-84, Shudder
50. Sleepaway Camp (1983, Hiltzik)-75, Shudder
51. Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988, DeCoteau)-53, Shudder
52. Daughters Of Darkness (1971, Kümel)-82, Shudder
53. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018, McQuarrie)-95, Theater Viewing
54. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018, Reed)-90, Theater Viewing
55. Basket Case (1982, Henenlotter)-79, Shudder
56. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016, Zwick)-88, Hulu
57. The Meg (2018, Turteltaub)-80, Theater Viewing

Movie of the Month: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018, McQuarrie)-95, Theater Viewing

September:

58. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988, Wayans)-84, Tubi TV
59. The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009, Zombie)-60, Tubi TV
60. The Void (2016, Gillespie and Kostanski)-83, Netflix Instant Viewing
61. Smokey and the Bandit (1977, Hal Needham)-90, Theater Viewing
62. A Simple Favor (2018, Feig)-91, Theater Viewing
63. The Addiction (1995, Ferrara)-92, Public Library
64. Killing Zoe (1994, Avary)-88, Tubi TV

Movie of the Month: The Addiction (1995, Ferrara)-92, Public Library

October:

65. Bad Moon (1996, Red)-70, Tubi TV
66. House by the Cemetery (1981, Fulci)-93, Shudder
67. Don’t Go In The Woods (1981, Bryan)-30, Shudder
68. Curtains (1983, Ciupka)-70, FilmRise TV
69. Magic (1978, Attenborough)-91, Shudder
70. Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971, Cavara)-81, Shudder
71. Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers (1988, Simpson), Tubi TV
72. Smokey and the Bandit (1977, Needham)-90, Theater Viewing
73. Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989, Simpson)-45, Tubi TV
74. Scream Blacula Scream (1973, Kelljan)-70, Tubi TV
75. Split (2017, Shyamalan)-88, Public Library
76. Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror (1981, Bianchi)
77. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989, Tsukamoto )-100, Shudder
78. Cannibal Holocaust (1980, Deodato)-90, Shudder
79. The Giant Spider Invasion (1975, Rebane)-31, Tubi TV
80. Teenage Zombies (1959, Warren)-22, Tubi TV
81. Dracula (1973, Curtis)-80, Shuddder
82. Creepshow 2 (1987, Gornick)-85, Shudder
83. Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977,Barry)-35, Shudder
84. Zombie Holocaust (1980, Girolami)-90, Shudder
85. The Gate (1987, Takács)-82, Shudder TV
86. Chopping Mall (1986, Wynorski)-80, Tubi TV
87. Halloween (2018, Green)-87, Theater Viewing
88. Hell of the Living Dead (1980, Mattei)-60, Shudder
89. The Bat (1959, Wilbur)-75, Tubi TV
90. Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994, Coscarelli)-75, Shudder
91. Contamination (1980, Cozzi)-80, Shudder
92. We Always Find Ourselves in the Sea (2017, Hogan)-83, Shudder
93. Madman (1982, Giannone )-87, Tubi TV
94. Willow Creek (2014, Goldthwait)-81, Shudder
95. Ghostwatch (1992, Manning)-92, Shudder
96. The New York Ripper (1982, Fulci)-87, DVD
97. The Deadly Spawn (1983, Douglas McKeown)-66, DVD
98. The Curse of the Werewolf (1961, Fisher)-90, Blu Ray
99. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986, Hooper)-83, Blu Ray

Movie of the Month: Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)-100, Shudder

November:

100. The Wraith (1986, Marvin)-84, Shudder
101. WolfCop (2014, Dean)-77, Shudder
102. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018, Singer)-87, Theater Viewing
103. Overlord (2018, Avery)-92, Theater Viewing
104. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018, Coen Brothers)-80, Netflix

Movie of the Month: Overlord (2018, Avery)-92, Theater Viewing

December:

105. Mandy (2018, Cosmatos)-98, Shudder
106. Maniac (1980, Lustig)-80, Shudder
107. Christmas Evil (1980, Jackson)-88, Shudder
108. Christmas Vacation (1989, Chechik)-87, Theater Viewing
109. Blue Sunshine (1977, Lieberman)-90, Shudder
110. Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998, Coscarelli)-83, Shudder
111. Phantasm: Ravager (2016, Hartman)-63, Shudder
112. Amsterdamned (1988, Maas)-80, Shudder
113. The Christmas Chronicles (2018, Kaytis)-82, Netflix
114. Liquid Sky (1982, Tsukerman)-95, Shudder
115. The Last Dragon (1985, Schultz)-83, Netflix Instant Viewing
116. Revenge (2018, Fargeat)-93, Shudder

Movie of the Month: Mandy (2018, Cosmatos)-98, Shudder

January 4, 2018 0