Black Dog Newsletter for Week Ending October 10th

Just wanted to throw out a thanks to those who participated in our first Free Film Thursdays this past week. We brought in a modest amount of food for the food bank but considering that it was the first week of this event, we did pretty good. That is, of course, except for the folks who brought in a measly can of tuna and a can of expired clams. I think that we can do better than that next time out. The next Free Film Thursday will be on the last Thursday of October. Charity is still to be determined. Stay Tuned.

This week’s showing at the Unthank Cinema is the great Michael Cimino flick Thunderbolt and Lightfoot starring Clint Eastwood and the Big Lebowski himself, Jeff Bridges. Great film. Haven’t seen it since I was a kid. The viewing gets underway at 10:30 on Wednesday evening at the Black Dog Cambie location.

New Releases for Tuesday October 4th

African Cats – Pretty much everything you need to know is in the title. Nicely filmed doc set in Africa that follows some big cats as they raise their kittens. Is that what we call baby big cats? Kittens sounds too nice for an animal that would like to tear your face off and eat it in front of you. Also on the Blu Ray.

The Arbor – Documentary about the late Bradford, England playwright Andrea Dunbar. Supposed to be quite an amazing doc. Don’t think that this is a particularly happy story.

Bored to Death Season 2 – I’ve been told that I should watch this show. Some say it’s a fine program. Hard to go wrong with the cast that’s for sure – Danson, Schwartzman and Galifianakis!

Desert Flower – Heavy drama about an African woman who was circumcised (ahhh! brutal) at age 3, sold into a marriage at 13, fled Africa to America, became a supermodel and then a UN spokeswoman against circumcision. Holy hotdogs she’s been busy!

Entitled – Canadian drama about a dude who decides to kidnap the offspring of some wealthy socialites. I have a sneaking suspicion that things don’t really go as planned. Fine cast in, what I hear, is a pretty good drama/thriller – Ray Liotta, Stephen McHattie, Kevin Zegers.

Fast Five – Two things surprised me about this flick; that there was actually 4 previous films in this series, and that its actually pretty entertaining. A puffy Vin Diesel, a completely wooden and bland Paul Walker and a shiny Rock (looks like he was slathered in butter for most of his scenes) star in this heist kind of film set in Rio. Think Ocean’s 11 but without all those pesky actors and interesting script. Take it for what it is – a preposterous romp with cars and ladies and dudes. You know what you’re in for when The Rock is the best actor in this film. Make a drinking game out of it – have a shot every time there’s a scene with that big Jesus up on the hill. Also on the Blu Ray.

The Housemaid – Dark and twisted tale from South Korea about a housemaid (hence the title) who has an affair with the man of the house with not so good results. Really? And you’d think that nothing but flowers and sunshine could come of this.

In Treatment Season 3 – A pile of new episodes of this fantastic show about crazy people and Gabriel Byrne trying to sort out their (and his own, of course) shit. Like therapy for only $4 a disk!

Outrage – The great “Beat” Takeshi is back in full on nasty gangster mode (my favorite mode of his) in this tale of the Yakuza and all their doings.

Red Chapel – I’ll just defer to the IMDB description as I really can’t add anything to it – Two Danish comics, one of them a spastic and both born in Korea, join the director on a trip to North Korea, where they have been allowed access under the pretext of wanting to perform a vaudeville act. Sounds quite amazing really although I’m not too sure what a spastic is.

Scream 4 – Not too sure why this was made. I was hoping for something good and fresh and we just got more of the same. At least you’d think they could have come up with a different costume for the killer. Not scary, not funny, not enough nudity, not nearly bloody enough. And I must say that the high def Blu Ray really doesn’t do any favours for all the Botox and facelifts up on the screen – I’m looking at you, Courtney Cox! As mentioned, also on the Blu Ray.

Submarine – One of those quirky, indie coming of age flicks. This one is set and England and has the bonus of Paddy Considine in it as a new age mystic guy (he should have a had a bigger role). Not a bad flick. The main characters aren’t all that likable but they kind of grow on you like so much fungus. Nothing we having seen before though.

Olde Stuff Just In

Parks and Recreation Seasons 1 and 2

Big Lebowski – Blu Ray

Miller’s Crossing – Blu Ray

Coming Next Week

Leap Year

Life in a Day

Zookeeper

Beautiful Boy

Brand New Day

Pig Farm

Sweatshop

Snuff Box

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

Master Harold and the Boys

Horrible Bosses

Tree of Life

The Green Lantern

Recently Viewed and Recommended

Fast Five 

In Treatment Season 3

Submarine ( marginal recommendation)

Troll Hunter

The Trip

Fringe Season 3

Bored to Death Season 2

Deliver Us From Evil (Danish)

Viva Riva!

Hanna

X-Men: First Class

Internet Stuff for the Week

You all know of my hate for Netflix and my love for The Oatmeal. Here’s a little match made in heaven; http://theoatmeal.com/comics/netflix

It’s always good to know that Charlie Kaufman has something new coming along…http://www.avclub.com/articles/charlie-kaufmans-next-movie-is-about-angry-people,62651/

I love this guy’s films. Hope that this is good…Great title so it’s got that going for it…http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/johndiesattheend/

Have a great week folks, stay dry, drink wine, watch movies.

Black Dog Video