Monster Movie Club: King's Speech

This was the most pleasant movie I've seen in a while. If it was on TV while I was channel surfing I'd leave it on just so I wouldn't hurt it's feelings. Great people worked on this film. I absolutely admire all these people, but much like a taco with great ingredients and  no flavor, this film is very bland.
One thing I did enjoy about the film is that it did not try to bite more than it could politely chew. The only time they address the cult of personality that comes with world leaders, they stay away from heavy-handed commentary. No need to be reminded that Hitler was not a nice, pleasant fellow. No need to question the public's admiration of the monarchy. Sure you could do these, but that could easily go wrong.
Nice rating: A- Overall Rating C+

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE PLEASANT THINGS, I just did not feel moved by the film in any way. In fact here's a list of nice things that I love:

Monster Movie Club: Winter's Bone

The concept of “drug culture” has some instant and fairly specific connotations for most Americans. Due to the enormous media presence of hip-hop music and shows like The Wire, the look, lingo and social structure of urban drug dealing are an almost inseparable part of our society today. While we may try to frame trafficking in the context of crack's tragic toll on the inner city and the brutality of street life, there in also undeniably an element of glamor to “the game”, with some of the biggest stars in music having grown up slinging on the corners and now singing about it in chart topping hits. Even David Simon's arch-villans drive Escalades, have any woman they want, and are general bad-asses.

Monster Movie Club: Tell No One

Tell No One

Think of your favorite music albums. I would bet that most of them are not concept albums. I bet most of them are collections of great songs bundled together. Sure there might be an unifying theme, but for the most part you can just listen to a song or two at random and still get the same enjoyment as if you were to listen to the whole thing. Tell No One is like that. Sure, it’s also a thriller with psycheee out twists and a long story, but that is not what makes it great.  The movie works because unlike most modern thrillers, it builds on the characters before the action get underway.  This could have easily gone very wrong. Think cookie cutter, Ashley Judd & Tyler Perry wrong.  Maybe the movie could have been shorter, but then it would have to cut one of two things: the utilitarian, move it along scenes or the simple artistic snippets which are sprinkled throughout.

The point is this: Tell No One has some great scenes. Take the opening  for example.  (Light spoilers & such)

Monster Movie Club: Steal This Film

NSFW language.

Monster Movie Club: Unforgiven

Monster Movie Club: Bigger, Stronger, Faster*

Bigger, Faster, Stronger*

This is a movie that deserves at least one viewing. There are many themes that the movie touches on and at times it seems disjointed, but overall it does a pretty good job of encapsulating America's fetishism of steroids.

The Story is told through the eyes of director Chris Bell, who recounts his childhood admiration of Hulk Hogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, all public figures who later admitted to using steroids (Schwarzenegger since he was 15). He chronicle's his brothers' steroid use and asks some pretty interesting questions.

Monster Movie Club: TMNT: The Movie

When my imaginary, illegitimate children ask me what children entertainment I was into as a kid -in the green room at Maury-  I will answer TMNT, The Simpsons and Tim Burton's Batman. I watched the TMNT cartoon religiously, owned all they toys (thanks Mexican bootlegs) and I can't remember how many hours I spent playing the arcade games. This, as they say, was my shit. Another thing: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TEENage MUTant NinJA TURTLES, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES! Heroes in a half SHELL!! ..sorry about that. This was my first time watching this movie since it came out in theaters 20 years ago and I gotta say it holds up pretty well. The direction is amazing, the muppets are superb and the heroes are likable. If there is on this DVD lacks is behind the scenes extras. I was looking forward to some behind the turtle puppetry, which I know I've seen somewhere.  But enough about me, let's talk movie:

Monster Movie Club: Exit through the Gift Shop

In some ways street artist are a lot like Internet commentators. You put your feelings out in public, not knowing if people will like it or not. Mostly they are out of context to the average passerby and they are soon forgotten. 

The first half of the movie is a love letter to the street art world from the scene’s biggest champion, Thierry Guetta.  It’s pretty endearing how a man with a camera and not much finds himself in the world of graffiti. The graffito taggers seem to embrace him early on simply for the fact that he embraces them.  He has a strong sense of just needing to create something, which I would imagine also helps to form this bond.  A fun symbiosis is formed when they realize that they need him as much as he needs them. The first half of the film is fun and you cheer for the kids(not really kids) who disregard social norms and express themsleves without bothering to check if it offends authority.

Monster Movie Club: Spirit of the Marathon

Okay, so I realize this was in very short notice & no one watched it, but I'm still posting this just to get into a rhythm. If you want to check it out got here: Spirit of the Marathon 

The movie is pretty engaging but if you are not already interested by running or documentaries, this movie might not be for you. There are some great stories about how marathoning took shape as a sport near the middle. Which makes me wish they would have started the movie there. The people featured in the movie are great but can you imagine if all those 80s movies started with the training montages before the half-assed story? "Why is that guy eating raw eggs?" "why is that kid hanging out with that old Asian guy?" etc.

Monster Movie Club: Announcement

We here at monster technologies have been focusing on discussing movies like Black Swan & True Grit. The reason for this is that these movies fall outside what Videogum usually covers. The unfortunate flip side to this is that many monsters live in places where these type of movies are not shown until much later than when they are premiered. In order to make the appeal of this feature much broader, we are going to try to focus on a different type of talkies.


Here's the deal, this is not a WMOAT clone. We will try to focus on what we think are quality unappreciated  films that the monsters might enjoy or Movies we've enjoyed but have forgotten. The movies should be relatively easy to get, ideally on Netflix Instant. If you cannot get the movies tune in to chat on Tuesday night, for tips on where to get them. We will then try to discuss them on Wednesday. Sounds good? C'mon, it's not THAT bad. I'll make a new post for the movie then.

This week's movie to be discussed Wednesday:

Monter Movie Club: True Grit

You know how it works; go watch a movie then nerd out with us here. We will have the open thread sometime this week. If you have any suggestions for movies which will not likely be covered by Videogum, gives us a heads up & we shall start an open thread. SHALL I say!!

Also, don't forget to vote on on the People's Gummies. today is the last day to do so.

Monster Movie Club

Since Videogum Movie Club has been on a Fall/Winter hiatus, I thought we should start our own. After a quick survey of Tiny Chatters, it seemed most people were interested in seeing and talking about Black Swan. So if you have any free time in the next few days, go see Black Swan. Then let's meet back up on Monday and compare notes.