365 Movies Day #63 "Hobo With a Shotgun"

Before I get started, I feel the need to warn you that if you don't like graphic, over-thee-top violence, then don't watch this film. When Obi Wan Kenobi said he had never seen a more wretched hive of scum and villainy, it's clear he had never been to Hopetown.

This film was born from a fake trailer contest for the Grindhouse films by Tarantino and Rodriguez. Jason Eisner won with his entry "Hobo With a Shotgun". Like "Machete", "Hobo" came to life as it's own film. I have to say that I enjoyed "Hobo" much more than "Machete" and "Planet Terror". It's ludicrous and horrid in it's violence and filth, but flawlessly executed. I've never had so much fun at a film with this many decapitations and the senseless murder of small children.

Rutger Hauer Is wonderful. Probably his best film since "Lady Hawk" and "Blade Runner". Reminiscent of "Blind Fury", which I loved until a recent rewatch. I'd be curious to see what Eisner could do with a remake of Fury.

Here is the original trailer that spawned the feature. Fans can spot Brunt as a cameo in the feature as a dirty cop:


HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #62 "The Horde"

I love zombie movies. I don't think there can be too many of them. In fact, I'm incredibly excited about the zombie flick I starred in awhile back and which should be available to view this summer called "HUMANS VS ZOMBIES". I've been a fan of the genre since my buddy Dan Johnston and I used to stay up late at night when we were 12 and talk about what we'd do when the hordes came. So, trust me when I say that this is one of the most badass zombie films I have ever seen.

When you here the words "French film" some may assume a stuffy, boring, heady flick that would sooner put you to sleep than rock your senses. You aren't watching the same French flicks I am. Already on the list so far are "CHRYSALIS" and "BANLIEU 13". "The Horde" is another wonderful flick that proves France is more badass than you think.

The premise of the film is simple and brilliant. Several cops go to the dark side to storm a rundown hideout of a group of drugged up thugs who killed their partner. At the same time, the zompocalypse breaks out and everyone is screwed. Featuring the most badass zombie killing death scene in movie history and several amazing survivor/zombie fist-to-cuff sequences and a crazy old guy with a machine gun, it's guaranteed to knock the socks off of any zombiephiles out there...if you can tolerate subtitles. And hey, you look classy because you're into foreign film.

THE HORDE ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #61 "Buried"

When he's not busy wielding the power of the Green Lantern or causing havoc as the merc with a mouth, Ryan Reynolds spends his time as a government contractor...buried alive.

If you would have told me that you could take a guy buried inside a coffin and make a 95 minute movie about it that was compelling, suspenseful and captivating, I would have told you you were crazy. Rodrigo Cortez has committed me to the looney bin. His talent has been suitably rewarded with the director's chair for "Red Lights" with Robert DeNiro, Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver. Truly deserved.

I was shocked at how much can be done with so little. This is truly a remarkable achievement in filmmaking.

BURIED ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #60 "Netherbeast Incorporated"

I have kids. After watching Blues Clues repeatedly through two little girls, I have to say that I got curious as to what happened to Steve. Not that I don't like Joe. He's good and neither of my daughters seems to mind. However, I was curious. So, I started to do some research. It seems Steve left Blues Clues to work more on his music (caught him on Nick Jr. the other day doing a rock song about groundhogs). It also looks like Steve left to do a few films.

In comes "Netherbeast Incorporated". When you read Steve Burns and vampires in the same sentence...well, you can't help but watch. Add in Dave Foley (who I had the pleasure of working with on "In Plain Sight") of Kids in the Hall and News Radio fame and Judd Nelson and it's a must see.

Netherbeast basically tells the story of a corporation run by vampires. When the boss gets a nasty case of amnesia and fellow vamp employees start turning up dead and a few mundanes get thrown into the mix, things get interesting. I have to admit, the film isn't perfect, but it's entertaining and it's Steve!!! If you have kids, you have to watch this. Though, they may not be the same if you allow them to watch.

Oh, and Steve plays basketball with Jay (Jason Mewes) from Kevin Smith flicks. I mean that's worth seeing the movie for right there! Oh, and SNL's Darrell Hammond.

NETHERBEAST INCORPORATED ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #59 "Local Hero"

My buddy Jeff O'Brien (author of previously featured film BONE DRY), recommended I pick up this 1983 dramatic comedy. I truly appreciate the suggestion. Featuring the legendary Burt Lancaster, this film stars Peter Riegert as MacIntyre, an up an coming oil exec dispatched to Scotland to buy up a small coastal town for an incoming refinery. Readers may recognize Riegert from recurring roles on such shows as One Tree Hill, The Sopranos and Law and Order:SVU. Lancaster plays MacIntyre's boss and CEO of Knox oil.

Another interesting performance is that of Dennis Lawson, who plays the town's accountant and acts on their behalf in setting up the deal. My inner geek was excited to see WEDGE ANTILLES in a different role!

This film strikes me (possibly inappropriately so) as a what if Cormac McCarthy wrote comedy. For some reason it seems like a light hearted resemblance to "The Road" or "No Country for Old Men" though I struggle to explain the exact piece that drives the comparison home. It could be the somewhat bleak, yet insightful ending or the subtlety of the comedy and characterization and the wonderfully depicted landscapes. Anyway, for me it felt like McCarthy.

Definitely a film you should check out.

LOCAL HERO IN IMDB

365 Movies Day #58 "Monsters"

It's amazing what you can do with a few solid actors and someone who knows digital. Gareth Edwards wrote, directed, shot and did the visual effects and production design for this extremely low budget. Take two solid working actors with an impressive list of credits, but nothing to showcase their skills in addition and you have a solid flick.

"Monsters" is set after an probe returning with alien specimens crash landed in Mexico. Over the years the contents of the probe has left the Northern half of Mexico as a "no man's land" inhabited by deadly creatures. A rogue journalist is assigned by his boss to return his employer's beloved daughter from Mexico to the states which ultimately means a trek through this forbidden land and encounters with the monsters.

This film is fueled by lots of character development, nice touches of suspense and creatures that are revealed in just the right amount to scare us and tell a story. Apparently the film was edited on site as it was shot and even more shockingly, was originally filmed for only $15,000!!!

A sequel is due to start production soon, though without Edwards. Let's hope the new team can measure up.

MONSTERS ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #57 "Der Ostwind"

Der Ostwind from Kohl Glass on Vimeo.

BYU is turning out some very talented filmmakers. I've already featured Ryan Little's film "Saints and Soldiers" and now I'd like to introduce you to the talented Kohl Glass.

This 8 minute short, "Der Ostwind" is visually stunning with a steam punk feel. It depicts a German ace pilot during WWI, who finally meets his match in the form of his American equal. In this brief short film, Kohl leaves me more entertained than most features. He's currently working on bring a project called "Red Coat" to life. Set in a Martian landscape as a group of marines try to quell a dangerous rebellion, it's sure to be an epic film. You can support "Red Coat" on facebook HERE.

DER OSTWIND ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #56 "Valhalla Rising"

Fantastically bold, brutal, bleak and beautiful. Mads Mikkelsen leads the cast as One-Eye, a one man murder machine bound in slavery by pagan warriors in around 1000AD. He is the epitome of stoic. I thoroughly enjoyed Mads in "King Arthur" and he is just stellar here.

This film is VERY visual with very little dialogue. It's also a delve into the realms of madness. In addition, some of the most brutal fight scenes imaginable. Stunning in it's execution. Viking badassery at it's finest. Written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, who also gave us "Bronson" and "Pusher" and is currently attached to direct the new "Logan's Run".

VALHALLA RISING ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #55 "Dog Soldiers"

Watched this awhile back and then rewatched it last night. Very rarely do I find a film BETTER than I remember it and this was a pleasant surprise. Basically it's a small military squad versus a pack of nasty werewolves. Stars Sean Pertwee and Kevin McKidd. Sean has done a lot of cool genre flicks like "Equilibrium" and "Event Horizon" and Kevin is best known for his stints on "Rome" and "Grey's Anatomy" while video game nuts will recognize both with a special nod to Kevin for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as Soap.

This is definitely my favorite werewolf movie out there. Effects were great for the budget and Darren Morfitt goes out like a champ in a death scene that rivals Bill Paxton's epic badass death in Aliens. Lots of great moments and raw emotions in this one...and some cool guns to boot.

DOG SOLDIERS ON IMDB

365 Movies Day #54 "Stander"

Once upon a time, while stationed at FOB Salerno out in Afghanistan, on a trip to the bazaar, I found a copy of this cool little flick featuring Tom Jane who I had really dug in Punisher and Dreamcatcher. I bought that copy of "Stander" and added it to my list of cool Thomas Jane movies. Tonight was the second time I have met Tom in person and on this day he signed my copy of "Stander" that I picked up on that FOB back in 2006.

"Stander" tells the real life story of South African cop turned bank robber, Andre Stander. You've seen it done a million times in movies...cop turned criminal, but this being a good adaptation of an interesting real life story makes it fascinating. Definitely one of Jane's best performances. The film also features David O'Hara, who I previously praised for his stunning performance in "Darfur" and the lovely Deborah Kara Unger.

Interestingly, the director, Bronwen Hughes has also worked with Jane on his hit series "Hung" on HBO and she is also responsible for one of Ben Affleck's better films in "Forces of Nature".

For those of you who are unaware Tom is also in the comic book business and he and my buddy Tim Bradstreet have worked with some wonderful folks like Steve Niles, Todd Farmer, Bernie Wrightson and many others to give us "Bad Planet" and "Alien Pig Farm 3000". Check out their website for RAW STUDIOS!

STANDER ON IMDB