The Cathode Ray Mission

Friday, January 28, 2022

Femme Fatale Friday: Sharon Tate

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Touch a button. Things happen: My Top Ten Favorite Films Of 2021

Usually I whip these suckers out right away, but frankly I haven't really felt like it. With the start of 2021, we hoped that things would be getting better. By year's end, it appears things may be getting worse, at least for the time being. There's hopefully light at the end of the tunnel, just a matter of getting there. I find myself hiding away at home more and more. 2021 was a good year for getting to a lot of unwatched movies at least.

Honorable Mentions:

The American Mall (2008)

A few years back I had a slight Nina Dobrev obsession. So seeing this in a bargain bin, I picked it up. I didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised. While the story isn't anything new and the songs are okay, some being catchy, the film overall is fun and has some heart to it. I never felt bored and visually it looks nice. There was so much Rockband product placement here. You could make a drinking game out of it. Nina looks great as always.

Happy Death Day (2017)

A PG-13 rom-com slasher shouldn't work, but here we are. Happy Death Day is a lot of fun with some nicely developed characters. Tree is one of the best final girls to come along in some time.

Death Promise (1977)

Like a gritty, sleazy '70's movie adaption of Streets of Rage.

Edge of the Axe (1988)

A perfect blend of '80's Slasher cheesiness and Euro-Horror style.

And God Said to Cain (1970)

Atmospheric Gothic Spaghetti Western. So strange seeing Klaus as a good guy. Love that 90% of the movie is at night during a tornado. The theme song rocks. Has probably the goriest death I've seen in an older western.

10) The Dungeon of Harrow (1962)

A very charming ultra low budget regional horror flick from Texas. Directed by comic artist Pat Boyette, Dungeon is going for the Roger Corman Poe adaption vibe, but with a budget of a quarter, 2 dimes and a nickel. Great for a late night viewing.

9) Money Plane (2020)

I've was on a DTV action movie kick late year. I blame all the Nicolas Cage movies I've watched. Which brings me to Money Plane, another DTV action flick. The movie was pretty darn enjoyable in a completely cheese ball kind of way.

8) GetEven (1993)

The story of a man seeking revenge. Along the way he'll belt out a country song. Some line dancing will go down. A satanic cult will sacrifice a baby and Wings Hauser will shoot some bills and have the greatest meltdown ever. Featuring some Nightbeast level awkward sex scenes.

7) Assignment Terror (1970)

This is a goofy monster mash movie that I would have flipped out for as a kid. There's aliens with a crazy Plan 9 style invasion. Legendary monsters and sexy girls. It's a groovy blend of Universal monster mashes, Euro Spy antics, Paul Naschy werewolf flicks and the plot from Monster Zero.

6) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

The first Star Wars film I've watched since the prequels came out. Was surprised just how much I dug it. A gritty Dirty Dozen style war flick suits the Star Wars universe fine.

5) The Ranger (2018)

"You're a wolf, Chelsea. Don't you ever forget that."

This was a real pleasant surprise. At times a very colorful and gory film about a group of young punks and a crazed ranger. The final girl was awesome and her character had an interesting arc. Cool soundtrack, not familiar with the bands, but I liked the selection of music.

4) Edge of Darkness (2010)

Maybe some of Mel Gibson's finest acting. This is a slow burn revenge flick that gets brutal at times. Perhaps one of the best portrayals of grief on film. The revenge when it comes, is immensely satisfying.

3) Bleed (2002)

Charles Band produced Scream knock off. Debbie Rochon as always is fantastic. Bleed is quite gory and looks like a porno. In fact it's filled with a ton of male and female nudity. You could make a drinking game out of the huge amount of bare male ass in this film. Another good drinking game would be the amount of sexual harassment lawsuits that would come out of the "antics" in this sucker.

2) The New Mutants (2020)

It's a bit clunky in spots, but I dug the 2000's horror movie vibe mixed with the X-Men. A shame we'll never get part 2 and 3. Also, Anya Taylor-Joy is my new future wife.

1) Color Out of Space (2019)

This was a wonderful surprise. At times beautiful and unsettling. The movie has a fantastic look to it and is quite atmospheric. Cage was amazing as he changed from a nerdy family into a complete loon. The Wiccan daughter was great as well. The heavy use of purple mixed with the gore gave me awesome From Beyond vibes.

More Honorable Mentions-

Overlord (2018)

America Has Fallen (2016)

The Marine 6: Close Quarters (2018)

The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961)

Legally Blonde (2001)

Nazi Overlord (2018)

Hangman’s Curse (2003)

Child’s Play (2019)

Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953)

Colt 38 Special Squad (1976)

Dark Light (2019)