Horror #1a: Night of the Living Dead

Horror #1a: Night of the Living Dead

Katie Dacumos
Horror Marathon

It is not often that a film, especially a low-budget flick with guerilla-style filmmaking tactics, kicks off an entire new sub-genre - but Night of the Living Dead (1968), directed by George Romero, is now considered a touchstone in the horror genre as the first zombie movie. The slow-moving, yet terrifying, ghouls threaten a group of people seeking shelter in a remote farmhouse and the story focuses just as much on the interpersonal conflicts as on the villains growing in numbers and strength on the outside. Incredibly progressive in its diverse casting, the film not only launched Romero’s career, spawned a long-lasting franchise, but also inspired untold numbers of zombie cinematic tales. The first film in our Horror Marathon is a bit of homework before the official kick-off - dipping a toe into the genre with the first zombie movie!

Kung Fu Hustlin’ with Postmodern Pastiche

Kung Fu Hustlin’ with Postmodern Pastiche

Katie Dacumos
Review

What do you get when you mix highly stylized western and gangster genres with kung fu (and Looney Tunes) in a pastiche fueled movie mayhem? Kung Fu Hustle (2004), directed by Stephen Chow, is a madcap tale of a young, misguided, wanna-be villain who goes on a journey to become a kung fu master.

This is Spinal Tap Up to Eleven

This is Spinal Tap Up to Eleven

Katie Dacumos
Review

This is Spinal Tap burst on the scene in the 1980s as a milestone in the mockumentary genre, kicking off a modern creative investment in the format for film and television. Featuring the directorial debut of Rob Reiner, who also co-wrote and is an actor in the film, and led by the genius trio of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, the film utilizes the formal elements of the documentary format to mock the stereotypes of a 1980s rock n’ roll band. The majority of the film was improvised by the actors and while humor is the driving force of the film, it also features pretty great music and also a surprising emotional climax. Let’s turn the volume up to 11 and dive into the woesome adventures of the band Spinal Tap.

A New Wave of Masculin Feminin

A New Wave of Masculin Feminin

Katie Dacumos
Review

The French New Wave is one of the most influential movements in cinema’s storied history. A group of French film critics began making low budget movies in direct contrast with the Tradition of Quality of their country’s film industry, and ended up transforming the idea of cinema - in both narrative and formal style, as well as filmmaking production techniques. One of the most important figures in this movement was director Jean-Luc Godard, whose initial credits helped define the characteristics of New Wave films, and whose career continued well past the Nouvelle Wave’s period. Masculin Feminin (1966) is a prime example of both the New Wave’s style and Godard’s personal commitment to infusing politics into the everyday. Focusing on the youth in Paris, it was ironically age restricted when released in French theaters. The film leans into the New Wave’s elements, which can be disjointed and challenging to viewers, and also speaks directly to the social and political climate that was distinctly Parisian in the mid-1960s, captured as a moment in time.

Top 5: Crime Films

Top 5: Crime Films

Katie Dacumos
Top 5

This Top 5 focuses on the multi-faceted genre that is Crime films. Movies were only considered if the story revolved around a crime or criminal activity; the life of crime could not just be a backdrop to the action or just a small part of the plot. Additionally, there are a multitude of subtypes within this genre, so while gangster / mobster and heist films were included, I decided to separate out film noirs since they are so unique and could really make their own list down the line. Despite my limited viewings in this genre, come with me down a dark alleyway and run towards the Top 5 Crime Films.

Marathon #2: Horror

Marathon #2: Horror

Katie Dacumos
Horror Marathon

With the successful wrap of the Western Marathon, it is time to turn our attention to the Horror Marathon - and boy, am I nervous about it! I am not a huge Horror film fan and tend to avoid these films whenever possible - but that time is over as I dive into Filmspotting’s next marathon, focusing on the Horror genre. In this introduction, I will touch on the basics of the genre, summarize the history, explore my own experiences with horror films, and lay out the list of films we will be watching. Here I go - holding my breath in suspense, closing my eyes in terror, and tiptoeing towards the Horror!

Films of 2020

Films of 2020

Katie Dacumos
Best Films of the Year

Usually this post goes up around the Academy Awards, after a last minute blitz to watch as many nominated films as possible. This year, with the deadline pushed back and the Oscars not even broadcast until the end of April, one would think that we would have ample time to fit in all of the films, but as of this writing, I have only screened a total of three movies that were released in the year 2020. Rather than ranking (since I don’t even have 5 tallied) I will jot down a few thoughts on each film. With that, let’s leave 2020 in the dust and hope for a better 2021.

Marathon #1: The Western Finale and Awards

Marathon #1: The Western Finale and Awards

Katie Dacumos
Western Marathon

My train to the Old West has returned to its station and therefore it is time to consider all the films screened in Gibelwho Production’s Western Marathon, including High Noon, The Searchers, Stagecoach, My Darling Clementine, Rio Bravo, A Fistful of Dollars, Winchester ‘73, and The Wild Bunch. Awards are given out for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting, Best Screenplay, Best Song/Score, Best Direction, and Best Picture.

Top 5: Nostalgia Movies

Top 5: Nostalgia Movies

Katie Dacumos
Top 5

This Top 5 is taking a trip down childhood memory lane to choose the best Nostalgia Movies - films that I loved as a kid and continue to love to this day. The film must have been watched multiple times during my youth and continue to be associated with a memory or tradition that was an important marker of growing up. Therefore, any film produced past 2004, when I graduated high school, has not been considered - and, to even make the cut, the film must be associated with more than just constant re-watches in our downstairs rec room (arranged with a HUGE - well, big for the ‘90s - screen with actual surround sound that my dad installed); rather, these films must be an essential part of my childhood progression into adult-hood and laid the groundwork for a future of loving cinema.

Western #8: The Wild Bunch

Western #8: The Wild Bunch

Katie Dacumos
Western Marathon

In The Wild Bunch (1969), director Sam Peckinpah he experimented with filmmaking techniques to heighten and glorify violence as the Old West began transitioning into the modern timeframe. Our final stop on the Western Marathon takes us to the close of the traditional studio system and toward the post-classical era that transformed the genre and gave rise to new rules out West.

Two Tales of the Bronx

Two Tales of the Bronx

Katie Dacumos
Review

How does one determine the material that would be a good fit for a musical adaptation? If a range of topics, such as America’s founding fathers to re-creating animated movies to adapting comic book characters can be done - why not take a mobster flick set in the 1960s and pull that onstage with some big Broadway numbers? As it turns out, some material translates better onscreen than onstage and A Bronx Tale (1993) is an example of an excellent film that becomes confounding on the Broadway musical stage (although the story did begin as a one man play, written and performed by Chazz Palminteri in an off-Broadway theater). Despite that fact, Robert De Niro’s directorial debut stands on its own merit as a compelling portrait of a young man growing up in New York City amongst mobsters, racial tensions between neighborhoods, and bursts of reckless violence.

Top 5: Movies with Swords

Top 5: Movies with Swords

Katie Dacumos
Top 5

A Top 5 filled with adventure and swashbuckling - this list considers Movies with Swords. A few qualifications, the swords must be made of metal (thus disqualifying laser swords from a certain space opera fantasy) and must be central to the plot. Just because a movie has a scene with a sword fight doesn’t earn its place on the list; rather, the sword must be integral to the story, advance the plot, or play a role in the main character’s journey. Come with me to fantastical times and consider the best films that feature swords.

Western #7: Winchester '73

Western #7: Winchester '73

Katie Dacumos
Western Marathon

Westerns during the Hollywood studio system usually adhere closely to all the conventions of the genre, and Winchester ‘73 (1950) mostly falls in line, with the exception of the non-traditional narrative construction and a few flashes of brilliant camera composition. Directed by Anthony Mann and (mostly) starring Jimmy Stewart, the film’s story focuses on a gun that changes hands throughout the plot, enabling the filmmakers to showcase the different archetypes and locations around the West. This is the penultimate movie in the Western Marathon, so let’s follow along on the journey of the most famed gun in the West, Winchester ‘73.

Reflections on Authenticity: A Star is Born

Reflections on Authenticity: A Star is Born

Katie Dacumos
Review

Remaking a film that has been done three times before sets up a baseline challenge for a film’s success. Throw in a major actor’s directorial debut, casting a novice actor to portray the star, and you’ve got a film that is destined to either exceed its potential or completely fall apart. Thankfully, A Star is Born (2018), directed, co-written, and starring Bradley Cooper, alongside a headlining debut of Lady Gaga, delivers on many fronts - artistically, musically, and perhaps more importantly - authentically. 

Top 5: One Timers

Top 5: One Timers

Katie Dacumos
Top 5

This Top 5 is considering movies you’ve watched once and never need to re-visit again, whether because it was a slog from start to finish, too emotional to subject yourself to again, or brings you rage just thinking about the title. There are absolutely films one can appreciate, be glad to watch once, but don’t need to experience again; on the other hand, there are films that are such a miss that one will actively avoid future contact. For this list, the film must have been viewed in its entirety, not seen again, and will not be seen again in the future.

Fever Pitch: Baseball Gods Bless the Rom Com

Fever Pitch: Baseball Gods Bless the Rom Com

Katie Dacumos
Review

Fever Pitch (2005), directed by the Farrelly brothers, misses on several fronts, but had incredible timing with the rise of the Boston Red Sox’s improbable journey to winning the 2004 World Series, elevating a sub-par rom com to a par rom com, due to a quirk in timing by the baseball gods.

Top 5: Best Films of 2018

Top 5: Best Films of 2018

Katie Dacumos
Best Films of the Year

Attending the multiplex has not always been an option during this busy year, but we endeavored to catch a few flicks in between major life changes. Despite these challenges, I wanted to post a special Top 5 detailing my best films of 2018. I have chosen my top films informally the last few years, but hadn’t gotten around to posting my thoughts. As I am surrounded by boxes and with all my film books packed away, I stole some time to reflect on this past year in cinema.

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