Sauna 2008Sauna is the great WTF experience I have so desperately wanted lately. Taking place over 400-years ago, Sauna begins at the end of a 25-year long war between Finland and Russia. Four men, two Russian and two Finnish, are sent out to plot new borderlines as part of the reconstruction effort, and must cross-endless miles of malodorous swampland to reach their goal. The Finnish team, two brothers Erik and Knut, struggle to maintain an amiable relationship with their new Russian comrades, while at the same time must come to terms with the atrocities they committed during wartime.
The events of Sauna are both horrifying and, I must admit, a little bewildering. While I am not completely certain what exactly was going on throughout the film, I do know that it terrified me. Reminiscent of some of the more regarded Japanese horror films of the past 15 years or so, Sauna takes care to fashion a truly ominous atmosphere, while somewhat tripping over its storytelling. Perhaps with another viewing, which I would be more than willing to participate in, I would more capably wrap my little brain around the melancholy happenings of Sauna, but until then all I can do is confess that while I didn’t fully comprehend everything I witnessed, I enjoyed every second of it.
Blazing SaddlesI have to admit I am not very hot on Blazing Saddles, one of the all time classic comedies from mastermind Mel Brooks. More than any other genre, comedy is so subjective, you can very easily learn a lot about a person by their favorite comedies. Although I do love Young Frankenstein, I am not a Mel Brooks fan. I appreciate his films and what they have done to push the boundaries of not only the genre but also film in general; I just do not find them that funny that's all. Although Blazing Saddles works, it’s just so damn slow I have to fight my way through to the end. I know I am crazy, but am I wrong? Let me know in the comments.
So here is a clip of Michael J. Fox playing guitar on a live performance of "Johnny B. Goode" for a Parkinson's benefit. Of course everyone remembers that amazing moment during Back to the Future when McFly busts the Enchantment Under the Sea dance wide open with his electric guitar, but just in case you haven't, I have posted that clip as well. Have fun!
Here are the new anti-meth PSAs directed by the king of drug-repercussion movies (Requiem for a Dream anyone?) Darren Aronofsky. They are pretty intense, especially the first one.
PoltergeistNot being a devoted fan of Tobe Hooper’s 1982 horror classic Poltergeist, I was reluctant to visit both of the film’s sequels. I knew little of Poltergeist II or III, and had even less interest in them. Well, my disinclination has once again deprived me of great pleasure, at least partially.Poltergeist III
Poltergeist II poster
Poltergeist II, directed by Brian Gibson in 1986, was not only a devilishly entertaining film, but also far superior to its predecessor. The family has done their best to move on after the horrific events of the first film. Forced to move in with grandma and mounting financial woes, the Freelings have bigger problems than ghostly apparitions taking over the television set. That is of course until Reverend Kane comes knocking on their front door. Let me just say right now Kane is as menacing a character as any put to screen. If I had seen this film in the 80s my young mind would have been forever damaged. Played by the gaunt Julian Beck, Kane is a door-to-door salesman of nightmares. Preying on the young Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) to join his demonic congregation, the Freelings recruit the assistance of Native American Taylor (Will Sampson) and franchise staple Tangine Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein) to try and save the young girl. What follows are some brilliant scares and really original set pieces I was surprised are not in the horror pantheon. This is a must see for both hardcore genre fans and those of you that just watch horror films during Halloween. Poltergeist II is now a staple as far as I am concerned.
Reverend Kane (Julian Beck)So, coming off the high of II I eagerly dove head first into Poltergeist III expecting entertainment along the same lines. Instead all I got was disappointment. If Poltergeist II is the Empire Strikes Back of the series, then Poltergeist III is its Weekend at Bernie’s II. Cheese machine Tom Skerrit, who I usually like, replaces Craig T. “the Coach” Nelson as the lead male when sweet little Carol Anne goes to stay with her uncle and his family for a while. This is one of those sequels that has a severe case of the “for some reasons,” like for some reason her relatives live in the penthouse of a corporate owned skyscraper, which Skerrit’s character also manages, and for some reason Carol Anne has completely forgot everything that happened to her in the previous two films, but for some reason she is forced to see a child psychologist… and so on and so on until people start to die and predictability takes over. Unfortunately they recast the part of Reverend Kane, and actor Nathan Davis just couldn’t match the creepy brilliance that was Julian Beck. With pathetic direction and lazy screenwriting, Poltergeist III was an all out disappointment. It isn’t even so bad its good, just uninspired and trite. Keep away . . .
Oh yeah, and this happened: Tom Skerrit in Poltergeist III
I'm honestly on the fence on how I feel about the Poltergeist III trailer. Is it awful or awesome? Let me know.
Richard PryorFirst start off with some old funny, and then bring it home with some new funny. I have seen this particular Richard Pryor stand-up special at least two-dozen times, and it never fails to make me laugh. Surviving the fire really seemed to put his life, and his comedy in a new perspective. He was always daringly honest, but with this special he seemed like he needed to confess his sins or something. I am not sure, but anyone who loves their comedy raw and sincere (and really dirty) then this is a must.
Kevin Hart
After I finished with Sunset Strip I figured I would give some new blood a chance. I have seen one or two of Kevin Hart's specials, at least bits and pieces, so I kind of knew what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike Pryor, who found humor in his life and his pain, Hart is a pure joke teller. He has some pretty great bits, particularly his obsession with his own masculinity , and I was laughing throughout the show. Some jokes went on a little too long, but I would check out some of his other specials now that I have finally given him a chance.
If you have watched either of these specials, or just want to talk comedy, leave any comments below.
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 1:42PM 
Sauna 2008Sauna is the great WTF experience I have so desperately wanted lately. Taking place over 400-years ago, Sauna begins at the end of a 25-year long war between Finland and Russia. Four men, two Russian and two Finnish, are sent out to plot new borderlines as part of the reconstruction effort, and must cross-endless miles of malodorous swampland to reach their goal. The Finnish team, two brothers Erik and Knut, struggle to maintain an amiable relationship with their new Russian comrades, while at the same time must come to terms with the atrocities they committed during wartime.
