A Year of Movies

This Month in Interrupted Viewing: November 2009

At its beginning, November looked pretty bleak.  Not only was I failing to finish several movies, I wasn’t starting very many in the first place.  But I managed to rebound, coming back strong with almost a movie a day during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  I’m hoping to continue the recent surge in movie viewing, and get a little deeper in my Netflix queue in December.  In the meantime, here’s what I missed out on:

Mortal Kombat
Started: 11/14/09

Probably the best video game movie ever, I tend to put this on at least once a year.  I can still remember going to see it at the UA6 in Redwood City, not caring that my shoes were sticking to the theater floor from some unknown substance, inhaling Red Vines while Johnny Cage sliced Scorpion in half with a spiked shield.  Plus Christopher Lambert as Raiden?!  It doesn’t get any better than that.

Metropolis
Started: 11/17/09

There’s something fascinating about watching poor quality prints on an HD screen.  The imperfections really stand out, which I kind of enjoy.  Unfortunately, putting this silent classic on late at night means sleep will likely win out before finishing.  One of these days I’ll get around to it… I was enjoying it while I stayed awake.

Also still in progress: The Wire, Season Four.  Still have quite a bit to go before finishing, though.

This Month in Interrupted Viewing: October 2009

October was a reckless month.  So reckless that I feel obligated to compile, in list form, each movie and TV series I started watching that I still have not finished, along with a less-than-adequate excuse for my actions.  While my neuroses now compel me to stay through the end of most films (thanks to this blog), this month has been a return to form.

Consider this the retrospective where you review your month’s food log, and find a third of your lunches consisted of assorted Hostess snack-cakes.  And then you go cry in the bathroom while you flush the rest of the box.

A Thorn In The Heart (L’épine dans le coeur)
Started: 10/10/09

I have every intention of finishing Michel Gondry’s new doc about his aunt— but I had to turn it off 10 minutes in to go pick up my boss at the airport.  Horror took precedence over my to-watch queue this month, so this film was quickly (and unfairly) shuffled to the bottom.  But you can see it tomorrow on the big screen at the Clay Theater, as part of French Cinema Now!

The Wire, Season Three
Started: 10/20/09

I’m slowing down the pace this season, unfortunately.  I really need to devote a day to blow through a few episodes.  I’m enjoying seeing the connections back to season one. It’s just been so nice outside lately!

The Exorcist
Started: 10/23/09

After watching the less than frightening Pet Sematary, we put this on in hopes of getting the bejesus scared out of us.  It worked.  I can barely sit through one movie, so a double feature is a bit of a stretch.  Coupled with the drinks we had beforehand, it was bedtime only an hour in.  I may have to wait for the Blu-Ray to come out next October before restarting.

Tales From The Crypt, Season One
Started: 10/26/09

This show is like Goosebumps for adults, but only because it includes bad words and boobies.  The rest is cheesier than I remember.  But it’s length appeals to me, and it’s fun seeing familiar faces that are generally not in horror films.  No excuse here except pure laziness.

Suspiria
Started: 10/31/09

What, it was Halloween!  I’m impressed that we even got it started.  Geez.  You can watch it all online here.