What do "A Clockwork Orange" & "Bronson" Have in Common?

They both have awesome shirts up for pre-order over at Pizza Party Printing. Pizza Party Printing is based out of Baltimore and I love everything they make, check them out here.

I have yet to see "Bronson" but this shirt is so awesome I want it anyway.

I plan on ordering this soon, easily the coolest "A Clockwork Orange" shirt ever.

I recently bought 6 shirts from these guys and they loaded the package up with 3 stickers, 3 patches (white, green, and purple), and a tote-bag ($10 value) all in a freaking pizza box (pictured below)!! If I ever make shirts for an event I will for sure be contacting Pizza Party Printing!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

5 of 6 viewers "Liked" "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (2013, USA)

Here's what the citizens of the Overlook Theatre had to say:

Book Wyrm - "This movie surpassed my expectations by far. Leaps and bounds over the 1st one,catching fire was very close to perfect for me. I'm sure having Suzanne Collins as an exec producer helped." - 4 1/2 Stars

The Great Hornito - "I liked the first film because of the action and the story was new to me. The second movie was a disappointment because it used the same tricks and scenes as the first but didn't have as much action. I also didn't have enough emotion invested in any of the characters to care about what happened to them. It seemed like there was more whining and crying then good action also Peeta almost dying every 5 min got annoying. The title of this flick should have been called "Catching Tears"." - 2 Stars

Lord Battle - "Johanna's a badass character and if I made this film she would have escaped from the dome and survived in the woods as a barbarian queen. Years later one of her wives is killed and she leads her savage army against the boring government and the earth drinks it's fill of their blood!" - 3 Stars

Johnny Ocelot - "Survival in the dystopian world again, it was exciting with a cool new arena scheme but I felt it was a little long." - 3 1/2 Stars

Huntress - "Little differences managed to make a pretty different movie out of the same idea. I'm glad it wasn't super preachy." - 3 Stars

Ice Giant - "Much better cast than the first one although they removed some small parts that would of fit and made the movie much better." - 4 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

Because this was my personal favorite book in the Hunger Games series, and because I'm one of those people who lives for the midnight premiere, book to movie adaptations, going to see this movie was pretty much a guaranteed thing. I went into Catching Fire not wanting to have such high expectations because of the reputation of book to movie adaptations, but I can't deny that I really had my hopes set on this being a good film. Luckily for me, that was the case as this movie totally lived up to and blew away some of my expectations. Of course, because it was my favorite book from the series I had to sit in the theater and nitpick every little thing that wasn't in the book or was cut out, but disregarding some minor pieces didn't really ruin the experience for me. I noticed as I was watching the credits that they made Suzanne Collins, the author of the Hunger Games Trilogy, an executive producer, and I totally believe that that is the reason as to why this movie was as good as I believe it to be.

Of course, I am coming from a totally biased opinion as I am a teenage girl who loves dumb young adult novels like these ones (and yes I can say that includes the Twilight Saga) and so I was really interested in hearing what some of the other citizens had to say about the film. Of course they are all in a totally different demographic, movie and age wise, than I am, so that probably accounted for something too. But I have to say that every citizen had very valid arguments for each of their critiques. Lord Battle brought up how some of the things seemed to come up out of the blue, such as *SPOILER* how Plutarch was on the side of the rebels, or how Prim became such an experienced healer. I didn't really pay much mind to these things because I have read this book more times than I would like to admit, but looking back on it, I definitely think not expanding on the backstory for certain things could have hurt this film a lot.

All in all, there is a lot more I could say about Catching Fire, but Lord Battle is bugging me to go down and watch another screener with him as payment for dragging him to come and see this with me, and I feel like I have written too much already. The overall feel of the movie, the improved acting, and the very nice adaptation definitely made this movie a hit to me. I look forward to dragging the rest of my friends to come and watch it with me again!

- Book Wyrm

I'm going to start letting citizens wrap up films that they screen (or love). I obviously let Book Wyrm take the lead on this film as she dragged us out to the theater. All I had to say about this film is what I wrote above, I liked the character Johanna but I'd rather see her as a barbarian queen... Oh and I will always pick and make the poster!

- Lord Battle

*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.

Full Moon Mystery Box vs Dread Central Box of Dread

Recently, I ordered 2 of the Full Moon mystery boxes, and they both happened to arrive on the same day as the monthly Box of Dread. First, I've opened the two Full Moon boxes, they run for $25 each.

I have to admit, I like the "Subspecies" (Left) and "Demonic Toys" (Middle) shirts a lot. But for $50+ this is pretty weak...

I have never heard of either of these films and I don't know if I'd even watch "Medieval Park" but The Great Hornito seems excited. "White Slave" seems more up my alley, but I've yet to see any of Full Moon's Grindhouse collection and I am a bit worried.

These are "Ghost Cards" perfect for playing cards in a haunted house. I actually wanted a new deck of cards so I thought this was pretty cool.

It's funny, I was planning on taking some film production classes next semester. Thanks to Charles Band I no longer need to!! I am of course totally joking, but I really am going to enjoy watching these 6 discs of secrets!

Above is what was in the monthly Box of Dread from Dread Central. The quality is much better than the Full Moon stuff and for $30 less...

I really like the stuff they sent from Horror Decor. Above is a magnet, a pen, and an awesome poster of the governors fish-tank zombie heads.

A very cool H.P. Lovecraft mouse pad is pictured underneath some Good Guy stickers.

Last but not least is a Walking Dead vinyl figure. I have a few of these already and always love to add to the collection.

Opening both packages up together made it pretty obvious, the Dread Central Box is way more exciting and rewarding for less money. I was really hoping the Full Moon boxes would be cool, especially because of all the crap going on with Band not giving credit to HomeMade Horror for the Ghoulies sculpt he's producing. I should have known from all the Youtube videos that the Full Moon boxes would suck... Oh well, live and learn.

James Wan Retires From the Horror Genre

(Leigh Whannell, James Wan)

James Wan recently had an interview with movie phone, where he said he is "Finished with the horror genre". His explanation: "I've spent the last ten years of my life doing this. It's time fore a change, for goodness sake!" followed by "Hollywood puts you in a box. If you do a successful comedy, then you're known as The Comedy Guy. If you do a successful car chase movie, then you become that guy. So I'm a student of cinema, so I just want to make sure I get the chance to make other kinds of films.".

James Wan is in the picture above sawing the arm of Leigh Whannell, better known as "Specs" from the "Insidious" films. This is pretty symbolic since Leigh has written all of the horror hits and misses James Wan has directed (with the big exception of "The Conjuring") and just a few days before James dropped his media bomb Leigh had his own. He has announced the release date for "Insidious Chapter 3" along with the fact that he will be writing it. I think this may be the classic story of one door shutting and another opening. In any case the horror community will be saying goodbye to James Wan. Hopefully he and Rob Zombie are just taking a break or playing a mean joke or something, because in the short time they have been filming horror films they have changed the game and horror will not be the same without them.

The release date for "Insidious 3" is April 3, 2015

Black Waters of Echo's Pond and the Death of Degrassi's Drake

5 of 5 viewers "Liked" "Black Waters of Echo's Pond" (2009, USA)

Here's what the citizens of the Overlook Theatre had to say:

Book Wyrm - "I think the whole idea of cursed game boards, like Jumanji, is really cool. I didn't mind the campiness of this. Really enjoyable." - 3 Stars

Huntress - "This felt like a horror take on Jumangi but you don't feel bad for the characters. Surprisingly gory and enjoyable." - 3 Stars

Lord Battle - "Campy, gory, and totally entertaining. A couple of genre stars & a ton of unlikable characters make for an exciting murder-fest." - 3 1/2 Stars

The Great Hornito - "This movie felt like a modern "Teen scream" movie. Very campy and the death scenes were very satisfying. I've become a huge Danielle Harris fan cuz of this movie." - 3 1/2 Stars

Ice Giant - "An adult horror themed Jumanji made a great movie." - 4 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

The Great Hornito picked up this film from Best Buy as an impulse buy. Neither of us had any idea this film was basically an evil Jumanji, but damn what a cool concept. The film is a little slow to get going but once the blood starts flowing you'll be pleasantly surprised. Another thing I found oddly entertaining about Black Waters was the constant plot overload, like every character has 1 scene where they have an awkward conversation that revels WAY too much back story. Normally this bothers me but this film did it so often, and the back story so rarely comes into play, that it comes off like a self-aware joke.

The star power this movie has is a bit of a tease as T-1000 is barely in the film (about 10% of it) and Danielle Harris is kind of a secondary character but she makes up for her lack of screen time by making out with a blonde. 

If all this makes you wonder why it got a modest 3 1/2 Stars it's basically because when the film isn't being self-aware and campy it tends to drag. I would not recommend a solo viewing, this was a lot of fun with the citizens but alone this film might be kinda brutal...

Plus you get to see Drake die.

- Lord Battle

*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.

Alien vs Predator or Reopening an Old Wound

2 of 5 viewers "Liked" "Alien vs Predator" (2004, USA)

Here's what the citizens of the Overlook Theatre had to say:

Huntress - "This was such an offensive god awful attempt to make classics modern, I could barely sit through it. This is one bad taste that won't soon fade." - 1/2 Star (Default to 1 Star)

Book Wyrm - "I think the movie had a cool concept, but was executed poorly. The predator was my favorite part, and I felt like the humans were unnecessary." - 2 1/2 Stars

Lord Battle - "It's hard to ruin a film that features both Giger's Aliens & Stan Winston's Predator. I would have made this film from a predators perspective. My version would start with him kidnapping a human to sacrifice to the alien shrine, then he would fight his way out. The film would be very minimal dialogue and a million times better than this insulting waste of time. A film I truly hate, avoid at all costs!" - 1 Star

The Great Hornito - "Not even worth a comment." - 1 Star

Brewha - "Not really knowing much of either franchise, I really appreciate the movie for what its worth." - 3 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

Reviewing this is like reopening an old wound for some of us, but to a surprising majority of citizens that night, it was a first. The film contains two of the most interesting aliens to hit the screen. First is H.G. Giger's Alien, truly terrifying the first time you see it in action, equipped with acid blood, the ability to crawl and swim incredibly fast, and a brutal breeding process, the Aliens will survive as long as film exists. 

Second, we have Stan Winston's Predator, a true big game hunter that travels the galaxy looking for his next skull to take as a trophy. Predator has become a legendary villain who appears to test many great comic characters, you can't consider yourself a true bad-ass until you've survived a predator. Here is a short list of the Predators past opponents: Batman, Judge Dredd, the Terminator, Superman, and Witchblade.

Writing about how cool each respective franchise is just makes thinking about this film all the more depressing. AVP is plagued with a boring plot that revolves around humans no one cares about, a ton of  what seems like leftover CG from the 90's, and a group of the lamest Predators to ever make it to the big screen. Honestly though, it seems that people who haven't had the joy of sitting through an "Alien" or "Predator" film think AVP isn't that bad... But then again do you want to trust a film opinion from someone who has missed out on these classics?

- Lord Battle

*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.

Busy Busy Busy but Productive

I strive to post at least a brief update everyday just to keep people interested as a good blog writer should but I haven't been able to lately... By no means does that mean I have forgotten about the blog, in fact it's because I've had a rare opportunity to screen quite a few films.

Here is a list of future reviews to come:

"Entity"
"The Tunnel"
"Black Waters of Echo Pond"
"Hansel & Gretel"
"Suspiria"
"Retard -0 Tron 3"
"Wild Hunt"
"The Conjuring"
"Rob Zombies Halloween II"
"Crash & Burn"
"Berserk 1-3"
"My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?"
"Sound of My Voice"
"April Fools" (1980)
"Place Beyond the Pines"
"Series 7: The Contenders"
"Project X"
"Alien vs Predator"
"Drive"
"Dreams in the Witch House"
"Outlaw of Gor"
"Jack Brooks Monster Slayer"
"A Bittersweet Life"
"Hatchet 1-3"
"Samurai Cop"
"Miami Connection"
"Demons"
"Cyborg Cop"
"Hercules"
"Beyond the Grave"

If you find yourself watching a film that you'd like to see reviewed by the Overlook Theatre, please feel free to bring it to my attention.