D's Horror fest continues

As the horror fest begins to wind down, I’ve got quite a few movies to watch if I choose. This is what is on my agenda.

Sunday night-The Rocky Horror Picture Show,(DDDD) I watched the UK version.

Monday night- Rosemary’s Baby, (DDDD) I was 9 years old when I saw this film for the first time. I didn’t really understand what was going on, but there are some visuals that stayed with me. Last year my cousin and I questioned my aunt about why they took us to see certain movies at a certain age. Adults still want to have a life and sometimes kids fall asleep at the movies.

Tuesday night- Night of the Living Dead,(DDDD) This is not just a horror film it makes a political statement. It’s about race, class and who calls the shots.

Wednesday- Halloween (DDDDD) and Halloween II, (DDD) Halloween is the ultimate in horror movies for me. There’s something in the fact that a human being can kill at such a young age and want to continue to do it. It’s not some made up character. Michael Myers could be anyone. The sequel is not as great, but its Jamie Lee Curtis.

Thursday night- Halloween H20 (DDDDD) and Halloween Resurrection, (DDDD) Halloween H20 takes place 20 years later and brings us all the stuff we loved about the first Halloween. Michael is back to kill is sister, his nephew and his friends. Jamie Lee Curtis returns for this one. There are some great moments in this one. There is a slight homage to Psycho as Janet Leigh, Jamie’s real mother appears in the film.

Halloween Resurrection tries to bring reality TV into the horror world. It has its moments. This film stars Bhusta Rhymes, and Tyra Banks.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

D's October Horror Fest

As my horror fest continues, here is the list of films I’ve seen so far. As most of the films are part of the horror fest each year, I’ll just give a rating to them. Those that’ve seen from a different perspective I may write about.

Parasite - D, this was one of those 3-D films from the 80’s resurgence of the technique from the 60’s. It starred Demi Moore. The film has some relevance now since so many skin eating bacteria are popping up.

Blacula - DDD, I was 11 years old when I saw this film for the first time and it kept me up for nights. When I got older and added it to my collection I didn’t find it as scary, but I still had the same conclusion that black people make some scary vampires.
Last night I watched the film for the 20th time. I saw it from a different perspective. The film isn’t that bad. There are some quirky moments, but it has some interesting dialogue. William Marshall a Shakespearian actor stars as Blacula aka Mamawauldi an African Prince who tries to persuade Dracula to end the slave trade. Dracula becomes infatuated with Mamawauldi’s wife, Luva. When Dracula offers to buy her and Mamawauldi refuses, she is killed and Dracula curses Mamawauldi by turning him into the vampire Blacula. With the resurgence of the afro coming back into style, the fashions don’t see so dated. There aren’t a lot of shots of really wide bell bottomed pants, but there are some dyshekai. If you like vampire films definitely give it a look see. The films also stars Denise Nichols, Vonetta McGee, Thalmus Rasulala and Gordon Pinchant.

Vamp - D, this vampire film stars Chris Makepeace and features Grace Jones like only she can do.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Next Generation - D, Mathew MacCanauhey, Rene Zellwegger star.

The Blob - DD, Stars Steve McQueen it has moments.

Psycho - DDDD this is the Alfred Hitchcock thriller of all time, but I think the birds come rather close. It stars Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. This is the film that would put Anthony Perkins in a box for the remainder of his career. Although he did some other great rolls, this is the one that is synonymous with his name. The film also stars Janet Leigh, and Vera Miles.

There were three sequels to this film which I also watched. They are each unique. Psycho III was directed by Anthony Perkins, but Psycho IV adds some insight to the entire story which stars Henry Thomas as a young Norman Bates. DDD

The Birds - DDDD this is a chilling film and it shows Alfred Hitchcock’s sense of humor. The film introduces us to Tippi Hedron and stars Susan Pleshette. Of all the times I’ve seen this film, I didn’t realize there is very little music in this film. It plays on our senses of sight and sound. The sounds of the birds chirping and the flutter of their wings.

Mother’s Boys - DD it’s more of a thriller than a horror film. It stars Jamie Lee Curtis as the mother from hell who is used to getting her way. She tries to manipulate her oldest son and her husband. There are some interesting moments in the film. It stars Peter Gallagher and Vanessa Redgrave.

Nightmare on Elm Street- DDD, and part 3 Dream Warriors - DD they both have moments.

Mars Attacks - D, it’s just a fun film sort of an homage to Ed Wood. It’s an all star cast which includes the lovely Pam Grier which is the reason it is a part of my collection. Jack Nicholson plays several roles, there’s Fred Williamson, Michael J. Fox, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnon, Glen Close, Annette Benning and Tom Jones to name a few.

The Shining - DDD, I’ve learned to like this film over the years.

The Fly - DDD, this is the remake of the Vincent Price classic, Jeff Goldblum does a great job bringing new life into the character. He stars along side his ex wife, Geena Davis.

The Fly II - DD, stars Eric Stoltz as the son and Daphne Zuniga. It has moments.

House on Haunted Hill - D, another remake of a Vincent Price classic, but this one doesn’t work so well. It has an interesting cast, but it just lacks something.

The Movie fest will continue today with the sequel to Blacula, Scream Blacula Scream which stars Pam Grier and William Marshall reprises his role as the true prince of darkness. This film introduces us to Richard Lawson and also stars Don Mitchell, Michael Conrad, Lynn Moody, Janee Michelle and Bernie Hamilton.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

Audrey Hepburn II

 Well it finally happened. I was able to see most of Breakfast at Tiffany’s (DDDD). I definitely want to see it again from the beginning and then I may add it to my collection. At the time it was a very controversial film. There are some great moments in the film.
Also got to see Funny Face (DDD). I didn’t know this was a musical. I should have guessed it since Fred Astaire was in the film, but I have seen a few films where he didn’t dance or sing. He’s dancing is great, but his singing voice isn’t that powerful. Maybe he wasn’t singing at all. Back then they did dubbing for actors that couldn’t sing.
Funny Face as I mentioned in the previous entry is loosely based on fashion photographer Richard Avedon. Fred Astaire plays Dick Avery a photographer who discovers a young woman played by Audrey Hepburn in a book shop. Her funny features make her unique and Dick makes her a star.
The imagery is great. I just thought some of the musical numbers were a bit long. I did enjoy the film.

(This image I took in New Orleans back in 2008. The final touches were being put into place on a house in the French Quarter.)

My horror fest continues. I did a double feature and watched Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Next Generation (D) with Mathew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger. I then watched Anaconda (DD) with Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson and Eric Stoltz. As much as I am not a fan of remakes, every now and then someone gets it right and does a better job. The remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre I really like. I may watch it today. I've seen it many times.

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

Audrey Hepburn

 I’m not sure if its Audrey Hepburn’s birthday or the anniversary of her death. (Is she still living?) In any case I’ve been fortunate enough to now get to see some of her films.
I remember earlier this year seeing a film that was set in Italy. But I’m not sure if it was called Love Italian Style or who was in it. It was on and I think I may have been channeling surfing that day. I do that a lot since most of what I watch has commercials and sometimes they don’t interest me.

Sabrina stars Miss Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. It’s a much better than the remake in my opinion. I know there are people that just don’t like black and white films, but that’s what makes them classics. You get to put your imagination to work and envision the colors.

Wait Until Dark stars Miss Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Efram Zimbalist and Richard Crenna. Audrey Hepburn plays a blind woman that holds a doll that some criminals are interested in. A game is played to get her to reveal that she does have the doll in her possession so that they can retrieve the contents. I vaguely remember seeing this film when I was younger. It has a few great moments and Alan Arkin gets to be comedic as all of the Roat’s men. I wonder if he and Peter Sellers were ever considered for some of the same films. They seem to have the same delivery of their lines.

Next month I am hoping I will get a chance to see Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Face. I want to see BAT because I didn’t know Truman Capote had written it and actually wanted to be in the film. I’ll be watching Capote later today with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. (I’ve seen the film several times.)

I want to see Funny Face because it is based on Photographer Richard Avedon and although I’ve only come to know who he is in the last 10 years, I really like his work. I am really looking forward to seeing both films and possibly adding them to my collection.

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz (DDDDD) - The Wizard of Oz is one of those films that most of us have seen at least once. For a limited time in some areas, the film has been re-released, but this time in 3-D. That’s a lot better than someone trying to remake it. Although I didn’t see the film with James Franco…
I hate to sound like a broken record, but we just shouldn’t mess with the classics. I just don’t understand why they just couldn’t come up with an entirely new script when they want to compete with the classics.

I sat down and watched the non 3-D film. This film holds a lot of memories for me. It’s one of those films I remember the entire family sitting down to watch. It’s the first film I remember crying and being frightened. It was when the monkey’s came to get Dorothy.
When I got older I saw the film for exactly what it was. A film about politics, about change, friendship, cruelty and survival.

Over the years we’ve heard the story that the studio wanted to cast Shirley Temple as Dorothy, but they studio she was with refused to loan her out. I often think about how different the film would have been. Would it still be the classic it is today? What if Buddy Ebsen had not gotten sick? How would the role of the Tin Man had turned out? I love the stories behind the films.

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most quoted films in history. Most of us at some point have said the line, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.” in some form or variation. Over time lines from films get changed because people don’t remember them exactly.

The film is filled with lots of color. That is what brings out the kid in us all. It makes us remember the first time we saw the film and the people we’ve share the experience with since.
I remember the first time I saw the film on the big screen. It was many years later as a young adult.
The Saenger Theatre in New Orleans (Which is supposed to open soon.) The Saenger had the feel of an outdoor theater at night. You’d look up into the ceiling and see stars.

Feel free to share your comments about the classic film. Was it or has it become a family tradition to sit down and watch it together?

Thanks for stopping by and do drop by again. Remember to keep an open mind.





Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)

Lights, Camera, Action!!!

This weekend was another great weekend for watching movies and seeing a few I had never seen before. Moviestvnetwork is my new best friend.

 (This is a banner from the Disney exhibit that took place at the New Orleans Museum of Art, NOMA a few years back)

I think the only Audrey Hepburn film I ever saw was Gigi if my memory serves me right. I was a baby, but I remember the black and white dress. Perhaps that was part of the reason I was enthralled with black and white in the 80’s. I was also getting into the Asian way of doing things, Feng Shui, looking for balance, etc.

This weekend I saw Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. I had seen the remake, with Julia Ormond, Harrison Ford and Greg Kinear. I don’t remember it very well, but I will remember the original. It’s an interesting tale of love, money, class and business politics.

Next month Moviestvnetwork will run two other films starring Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Face which I’ve never seen either. I can’t wait.

Absence of Malice (DDD) was an interesting film starring Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban, Wilford Brimley, and Melina Dillon. It’s a story about freedom of the press and politics. Once something is written its hard for people to change their mind.

I decided to stay up to see Come Back Little Sheba. This film stars Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth in her Oscar winning performance. This was quite the film. I was really immersed into the characters. Shirley Booth’s performance as well as Burt Lancaster was excellent. Other than the film being in black and white I don’t feel the film is very dated. People are still getting married because they make a mistake. Perhaps the pressure isn’t as prevalent, but it happens. They hold on to the person they are with because they feel they are too old to find someone else or just don’t want to hassle of getting back into the dating scene. There are a lot of people that just feel that no one else will love them.
I highly recommend this film if you have never seen it. DDDDD





Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

Ken Norton

In Memory of Ken Norton, boxer/actor, I did a double feature last night I watched the films, Mandingo and Drum. I had never seen Mandingo until about 5 years ago. Drum has two significant reasons as to why it is a part of my collection. (We'll get to that in a minute.)

Before Django Unchained these films spawned controversy. Mandingo starred Perry King as Master Harmond and Brenda Sykes as Calinda. It was an okay film. Ken Norton was typed cast as a slave that would be used as a stud as well as a boxer.

I used to think Mandingo was the name of the character, but technically its the plantations wish to own a Mandingo warrior.

Recently author James McBride was on Tavis Smiley promoting his new book which is a satire on slavery.
Comments were made about Django Unchained, which I have not seen yet. It is Quentin Tarantino doing what he does. He makes fun of a time in history.

In the film Drum which is a much better film in my opinion than Mandingo. I used to think Drum was the sequel, but its almost as if Drum is a prequel to Mandingo. It's the same plantation, but Drum is born as a result of a white woman having sexual relations with one of her slaves. So that the woman isn't scorned, Drum is said to be the son of her female servant and lover. Drum is not the son of the character in Mandingo.

Once again Ken Norton gets to box, but he gets to act a little more along side Yaphet Koto, Warren Oats, Paula Kelly, and Pam Grier who for some reason went by Pamela Grier in the credits.

This brings me to the reason that Drum is a part of my collection. This is the first R rated film I saw with my father in a movie theater. I had turned 18 and for my birthday we decided to spend some time together. I really wanted to see the film because Pam Grier was in it. Now of course it wasn't my first R rated film. It was a little uncomfortable for my father, but we got through it.

Drum was filmed in New Orleans during my senior year of High School. I had contemplated skipping school one day so that I could see Pam Grier, but I didn't want to have to deal with the consequences from my mother. I still haven't met Pam Grier or come close.

With all the talk of the flooding in Colorado, I thought there might be something on her, but so far nothing. Which means her ranch is no where near the devastation which is a good thing.

If you want to see Ken Norton check out the two films. If you just want to see an interesting film, Check out Drum. It is based on a book of the same name.

Thanks for stopping by. Keep and open mind and do come back again.