September Film: Oldboy

For September we will be screening the Korean film Oldboy, a film critics called, "a bloody and brutal revenge film immersed in madness and directed with operatic intensity." Roger Ebert gave the film four stars (out of four) and claimed that it was "a shock to find a movie in which the action, however violent, makes a statement and has a purpose."

Screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, the film took home the Grand Prix, although the President of the Jury, Quentin Tarantino, attempted to secure the Palm d'Or for the film.

Oldboy is a truly unique film, a blending of revenge drama, martial arts action flick, and intense character study. It is also terrifically violent, but the violence serves the ultimate purpose of revealing just how twisted one can become when set on revenge against those even more twisted.

Oldboy is really a unique film and worth seeing for anyone interested in film.

Here's a trailer for the film.

September Film Nominees

We're still trying to get back on track for September. We'll do a hand count of these movies tomorrow night at Movie Geeks, and the poll will remain up until 9/1. At that point, the film with the most votes will be the September selection.

We decided to go with Foreign Language films for September. Here are the nominees.

Oldboy

Les Diaboliques

8 1/2

Rashomon

Week End

Take a few minutes. Check these films out. Vote for the one you want to see in September.

Trekkies

Trekkies
Tuesday, August 26
Doors open at 7 pm
7:30 pm
Capital City Bar & Grill
Admission is free.

The voting is finished and after a late surge, Trekkies will be the August movie. I saw part of the film several years ago and I really liked what I saw. The film is about Star Trek fans. Not the average Star Trek fans but super Star Trek fans. These people live Star Trek. Star Trek fans are often the target of jokes and mockery but I believe this film was made so that average fans can say "See, at least I'm not that bad."

I have only seen one Star Trek movie in my life and I believe it was the 9th film. I have also never seen any of the television shows. I have always been interested in why there are so many die-hard fans out there so this does at least give some insight in to that culture. It is also timely to note that the Star Trek movie series is getting a re-boot next year. From what I read, it will be an origin story so I do plan on seeing the film and figuring out what it's all about.

August 26 Movie Nominations

We are fulfilling our promise of getting this club back on track with some actual democratic voting. The theme this month is documentaries. Many people have asked if we would do this so we decided this would be the right time. The reason the voting is getting cut off so far away from the actual movie club date is because these films may be hard to track down. We will need a little time to find them. Here are the nominees. Just click on the link to read more about them.

The Thin Blue Line

My Best Fiend

Gates of Heaven

Trekkies

Spellbound

Movie Geeks Club for July 29

On the night of July 29th, we'll be screening the Hitchcock classic The Trouble with Harry. This is one of my all-time favorite Hitchcock films. To me, it stands out because it's different. It's an example of Hitchcock playing with some different ideas and some different story elements than what you typically think of when you think of a "Hitchcock" movie. This film features early performances by Shirley MacLaine, Jerry Mathers, and John Forsythe.

Unfortunately, I won't be in attendance on the 29th. I have to be in Chicago that day for an important event at the friendly confines. Micah will be in charge of the night's festivities.

As always, doors will open at 7, and the movie will start at 7:30. There is no cover charge.

Movie Geeks Club Tonight: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Join us tonight for a screening of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the 2005 neo-noir/black comedy film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer.

As always, we'll meet at Capital City Bar and Grill. Doors will open at 7:00, and the movie will start at 7:30.

Don't worry. There's no need to vote tonight. Due to the tie-vote last month, we'll be screening Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry next month.

Animated Short

I found this animated short today, and I found it pretty entertaining. Thought I'd share. This is nice work for a student filmmaker. Cool stuff.