DVD Review | Robocop (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hJfPGGIHhk

Theater Experience | John Carpenter's The Thing

                While I still must watch several of his films, John Carpenter is one of my favorite directors.  Halloween has always been one of my favorite films—and seeing it in theaters was epic—and They Live instantly became one too.  Shame the latter wasn’t as successful during its theatrical run.   The film I had the pleasure of seeing in theaters recently has that in common with Carpenter’s satire, as critics of the time hated it and it flopped (when “Hollywood Accounting” is factored against gross).  Despite this, The Thing has found its audience in the almost forty years since its release, and it’s the textbook example of how to remake a film.

                While the audience wasn’t much larger than when I saw Kill Bill Volume 1, participation was vastly greater.  With Bill, the audience was sitting on their hands for a majority of the film, and it felt like I was the only one having fun; in retrospect, sitting in the back corner might have played a role in this.  They were faster on the draw with Trivia this time, and unlike January those who raised their hands knew the film, myself included (this time I won the big prize: two tickets and a free popcorn). As the film played, I heard cheers, oohs, and laughs at the few comedic moments.  From a personal standpoint, this improved my experience.  While the interaction started slow, by the time the blood test scene played out, the audience was 100% invested.  Carpenter had them in the palm of his hand.  I’m smiling just thinking about it. 

                The film looked amazing on the big screen.  Viewing the film in this manner allowed me to further appreciate Carpenter’s mise-en-scene.  From Dean Cundy’s masterful cinematography to Rob Bottin’s groundbreaking practical effects, everything was beautiful.  Although there were several moments where Bottin’s models looked fake, the suspension of disbelief wasn’t broken do to scene context (watch the film and you’ll see what I mean).  Morricone’s subtle-bass score also sounded amazing through the theater speakers.   With this watch, I managed to spot when two characters are assimilated—or at least where I’d argue they are—and the “Childs is a Thing” theory appears more plausible than before. 

                If you ever get the chance to see this Carpenter masterpiece in theaters, you won’t be disappointed.  It’ll be a fun night of crazy Nords, paranoid comrades, and bleak coldness.  Despite what critics of the time said, this film wouldn’t have worked without that tone.  

Theater Experience | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990

                As a child of the 90’s, the words Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are sacred to me, oozing nostalgia and fondness.  When I heard that the Frida Cinema was holding a screening of the 1990 live-action film, I knew that had to attend.  While some might find it weird to drive over thirty-miles just to see an older film, we cinephiles know better.  It’s not the distance, it’s the moment.  Besides, it’s no different than driving long-distance to see a band or attend a convention.  From where I live, at least Frida is a shorter round trip (sixtyish-miles compared to the One-hundred and sixty for New Beverly).

                Nostalgic Nebula hosted the event.  Before attending I hadn’t heard of them, but after this I’ll have to check their site every now and then for more showings.  The coordinators and host did an excellent job.  The Foot Clan Merchandise was cool—the headband completes my cosplay—and the Lord Krang video was unexpected but pleasant.  Havin a band play a medley of the theme was the perfect way to set the evenings mood.  Bonus points for the use of a keytar. John Du Prez was a treat to listen to.  Having not researched his career before this, most of his stories were new.  His Golden Harvest story I found the most interesting, as it gave an insiders perspective on why the series began to decline (short summary: cheap bastards).  I had only one question—will the complete score ever be released--but I didn’t need to ask, as John volunteered the answer during one story.  Once it’s released, hopefully I’ll be able to track down a copy.

                The audience was lively.  While not many shouted out lines, enough did to liven the mood.  Every now and then a pair in front of me conversed mildly about what was occurring on screen, but it didn’t bother me; the talk was topical, and in good fun.  While not at the same level as the crowds I watched The Blob or Pulp Fiction with (hard to be close when those were sell-outs), it was infinitely better than Kill Bill Volume 1.

                As for the film itself, it’s still one of my favorite comic book films and the best film in the series.  Some might say nostalgia’s blinding me with that, but even with an adult mind I can back up my reasons.  However, to paraphrase Master Splinter, that must wait.  The only analysis I’ll give here is that with this viewing it was obvious where certain deleted scenes were cut and how other moments were rearranged in the editing room.  Hopefully I’m not alone, but in addition to a North American special edition, I’d love to see an extended cut.  Shout Factory, work on this please.  I want my angry Mikey arc, damn it!

Theater Experience | Kill Bill Volume 1

Another year begins, and with it another round of Temeku Cinema’s Flashback showings.  The manager selected an excellent way to begin with the first half of Quentin Tarantino’s martial arts epic, Kill Bill Volume 1.  While it wasn’t the first of Tarantino’s older films I managed to see on the big screen---that honor goes to my favorite QT film, Pulp Fiction—the number two spot is fitting considering this was the film that introduced me to Tarantino. 

                I caught the Saturday showing.  I originally planned on seeing it Friday after work, but opted out after careful deliberation (I’m still dealing with the last effects of a cold).  I showed up over an hour prior to show time, as arriving late is a pet peeve of mine—it gives me high anxiety—and I didn’t want the show to sell out.  This second worry was misplaced, as this was the smallest audience I’ve seen since I’ve attended Temeku’s showings.  Maybe it’s another symptom of January.  The ticket was free, as I used one of the two I won during trivia back in October when I saw Halloween. 

                Like always, Trvia was fun.  Most of the questions were obvious to film buffs—release date, assassin code names, etc.—but it helped set the mood.  I did attempt to answer the last question and raised my hand before the manager finished speaking, but sitting in the back row played against me.  I didn’t notice if I raised my hand before the person who was called on, but if seated closer I probably would have been noticed better (for those wondering, the question was what film was Tarantino filming when the inspiration for Kill Bill struck). 

                While I agree with one of my contemporary’s assertion that a great film you can watch and enjoy anywhere, there is something about watching a film you enjoy on the big screen that home viewing cannot replicate.   It allows one to further appreciate the technical aspects.  Like Pulp Fiction before it, this viewing did just that.  Giddiness welled up inside me as the film played.  From the anime depiction of O-Ren’s origin to Hanzo’s argument with his assistant—which drew forth the most noticeable rise from my fellow movie goers—I savored each moment as they rolled out onto the screen.  I admired the cinematography, choreography and practical effects work of the end battle already, but seeing it unfold on a larger screen amplified said enjoyment.  It was also exciting to hear the score emanating from a louder source. 

                If this viewing had any negative, it was my fellow movie goers.  Like I mentioned before, the crowd was small compared to past viewings.  While not necessarily bad, they hardly gave an audible reaction.  At times, I felt like I was the only one laughing at Tarantino’s one-liners.  Maybe it was because I sat in the last row, or those in attendance were too spread out for noise to carry well.  Either way, it did negatively impact the experience, even if only slightly.

                Despite this one negative, I toughly enjoyed myself and clicked another film off the Theater Experience list.  Hopefully next January Temeku shows Volume 2, as it’d be a shame to watch one half but not the other.  If not, I’ll have to wait for New Beverly to show The Whole Bloody Affair again.  As for Temeku, February’s film is John Carpenter’s The Thing.  I’ve missed several past showings over scheduling conflicts, but this is one I won’t be passing up.