(constantly changing)
If you haven't seen these movies, try to track them down. If you made these movies, we are your biggest fans.
(comments about the movies are made by bettie and oslowe, in no particular fashion.)
Bad Dog **
2000 dir. Peter Freedman
This short film follows a luckless man who is hired to dogsit. If you're looking for a good definition of Dark Comedy, watch this movie.
The Big Empty **
1997 dir. Jack Perez
A visually bleak journey into the heart of modern neo-noir, seen through the eyes of a PI so emotionally withdrawn that he has to live vicariously through his clients. Written by and starring James McManus.
Blood & Donuts
1996 dir. Holly Dale
Canadians can make vampire movies too, and this is one of them. Written and directed with wit and affection, the film is carried by a quartet of performances (Gordon Currie, Justin Lewis, Helena Clarkson and David Cronenberg... yes, that David Cronenberg) that ground this strange fantasy/romance/horror/comedy in a very bittersweet place.
Boondock Saints
1999 dir. Troy Duffy
Violent, funny, visually stimulating, and with an eclectic cast that keeps things moving, first-time director (also writer) Troy Duffy assembled an extremely compelling movie which no one saw. You should.
Crimewave **
1986 dir. Sam Raimi
The working title for this movie was Broken Hearts and Broken Noses. It's written by the Coen Brothers and contains the line "Woman torn limb from limb. Film at eleven." What more do you need to know?
Companeros
1970 dir. Sergio Corbucci
The Euro-Western (or Spaghetti Western) isn't only about A Man Seeking Revenge. Sometimes it is about amoral bastards killing each other over money, guns, and power during the Mexican revolution. This is one of them. Franco Nero, Tomas Milan, Jack Palance, and Fernando Rey all chew on the (marvelous) scenery. Ennio Morricone scores with one of the most hysterically upbeat vocal choruses ever.
Far Harbor *
1996? dir. John Huddles
(aka Mr. Spreckman's Boat) This movie has, hands down, the best cinematography that Bettie has ever seen. In fact, when it screened at the GEN ART Film Festival, she scared the Director of Photography by drunkenly telling her so. Starring Jennifer Connoly, this is one of those movies that makes one wonder why it never go distribution.
From Dusk Till Dawn III: The Hangman's Daughter *
2000 dir. PJ Pesce
Don't let this straight-to video production's name scare you off. A pseudo-Western, it follows Ambrose Bierce (yes, the Ambrose Bierce) through late-nineteenth century Texas. And there are vampires.
God's Lonely Man
1996 dir. Frank von Zernick Jr.
This movie has been compared, favorably and unfavorably, to Taxi Driver. It stars the vastly underappreciated Michael Wyle as the anti-hero.
Gormenghast *
2000 dir. Andy Wilson
Extremely sensitive mini-series based on Mervyn Peake's seminal Gormenghast series, or at least the first two books of it. Truly impeccable performances from a brilliant cast, great sets, terrific sets and a far better production value than one expects from the BBC.
The Haunting **
1963 dir. Robert Wise
Yes, that Robert Wise. The one that brought you The Sound Of Music. Based on the Shirley Jackson novel, this movie is often overlooked as the great horror movie that it is. Shot in black and white and starring Julie Harris, it uses fear rather than gore or scares, and is chillingly effective. Do not watch the 1998 film of the same name if you can help it.
Heat Vision & Jack *
2001 dir. Ben Stiller
Actually a television pilot, this is the story of Jack Austin (Jack Black), an astronaut who flew too close to the sun and was imbued with an excelled mental capacity. On the run from NASA and Ron Silver (don't ask), he and his motercycle Heat Vision, who has the soul of Jack's roommate (again, don't ask), fight bad guys. Fox dumped it in place of Malcolm In The Middle, for which we cannot really blame them.
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter **
2001 dir. Lee Gordon Demarbre
As the title suggests, Jesus fights vampires (lesbian vampires!) with the aid of Mexican wrestling star Santos. Other than being amazed that Trey Parker didn't think of it first, there is really nothing about this movie that didn't thrill us, particularly Cutie-Pie Mary Magnun, played by Maria Moulton.
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