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analogzombie

Member since 6/20/2007, last signed in last week.
"Crash has diminished the Oscars"
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Personal statement:

I am a former programmer for an Arthouse movie theatre (The Imperial) in Augusta GA. I used to write film reviews for www.keenlyobserved.com. These days I channel those efforts into Spout while I pursue a degree in journalism from Georgia State University.

I love film, but am also fascinated with new media in general. Specifically how the entertainment world is about to go through a major transition as video games become a viable choice for the mainstream. Soon they will rival movies and music for dominance of the market.

Right now I'm reading "Emperor and the Wolf" the dual biography of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune.

These days I'm obsessed with Japanese New Wave films of the 60's, and the new American indie wave of ultra low budget movies.

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George Romero's Diary of the Dead
George Romero's Diary of the Dead
oh god george
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
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 "For someone like myself, a zombie film lover and Romero devotee, this film was a hope that the wayward Land of the Dead would not be the final chapter in Romero's zombie bible. It's a good thing then that Dawn of the Dead stands on such a high pedestal that it is unlikely to be dethroned, ever. Diary of the Dead is a major disappointment. The film definitely carries the style that seemed interesting and quirky in Martin, and was flat out unnerving in Day of the Dead. It does feel like a Romero film. Even Land of the Dead had his signature opn it, although somewhat diminished and washed off. Unfortunately that's about all this film has going for it. Romero is not the best director by far. That issue is not really open for debate. What he does well is to create a mood, a feeling, an environment that seems plausible and beleiveable. He brings horror into the real world. Diary of the Dead does attempt to do this. The college students, the cranky professor, the world gone out of control ... " [More]

Re:Manda Bala
By analogzombie in Spout Mavens
"Some notes: The kidnapper featured in the film is now dead, from a few well placed gunshots. Jader Barbalho, as of 2007, is still in politics as a Federal Deputy. I really enjoyed this film. For me the saturated color and excellent music selection really sold the film. Other choices could have left it feeling dull and History Channel Investigates-like. Funny, I couldn't help but think of Baz Luhrmann's Romero & Juliet, another film that captures the feel of Brazil quite well. Here's my review: http://www.spout.com/blogs/ana logzombie/archive/2008/7/13/32 499.aspx " [More]
Manda Bala
Manda Bala
Manda Bala
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. [What do you think?]
 "Is a cold blooded gangster capable of becoming Robin Hood? When a government fails its people, does kidnapping the rich and holding them for ransom qualify as barbaric? Does a Senator who embezzles billions of dollars, yet manages to use their connections to escape justice deserve to remain in power if his people will it so? Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) is a look into a society that is in near collapse. It’s politicians look out only for themselves. The good and noble of the system run into numerous road blocks in their vain attempts to hold those in power accountable. The poor see no future except for crime. The middle class view the whole situation as somehow fated, and the upper middle class are looking to protect themselves by any means available through their privilege. Such is modern Brazil. From The City of God to Favela Rising, tales of the woes of the Brazilian people have become bankable subject matter. Manda Bala hones in on one very specific issue and uses that nati ... " [More]

Silver Screen Spook Show at the ...
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
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 "Atlanta's Plaza Theatre has gone through a lot of changes over the past couple years. It has emerged from under the LaFont umbrella to become the city's only truly independent cinema. Showcasing the world premiere of the Aqua Teen movie, special screenings of Hot Fuz complete with Simon Pegg appearance, are just its most visible PR events. the true meat of the theatre is its series of pure B movie goodness. From thei Splatter CInema eventsshowing films like "Class of Nuke'em High", to the Summer Camp screenings of "Barbarella" and "Xanadu". For me, the best has to be their Silver Screen Spook Shows with onstage performances akin to the Ghoulardi, Shock CInema, or Elvira late night TV weirdness. Tonight (June 28th) is yet another. This time the feature is Forbidden Planet. Although it's not a personal favorite, I'm sure the Plaza will live up to its reputation. " [More]

Re:You're Gonna Miss Me
By analogzombie in Spout Mavens
"My review. This is one of the best portraits of the tortured artist I've ever seen. " [More]
You're Gonna Miss Me
You're Gonna Miss Me
You're Gonna Miss Me
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. [What do you think?]
 "The 13th Floor Elevators are one of those bands you know, even if you aren’t aware of it. Emerging from Austin, Texas in the 1960’s, before it was the absolute Mecca of North American Independent Music, the band quickly rose to prominence in the turbulent landscape of San Francisco. Holding down dates at the Filmore, the 13th floor Elevators helped to craft and define what we know today as Psychedelic Rock. Like most movements, adherence to the philosophies espoused by those at the center of the height Ashbury scene required a little give and take. In this sense, the band, and lead singer Roky Erickson, took all the LSD they could find. After all the pioneers of psychedelia, who would be massive influence on everyone from Janis Joplin to the Beach Boys had to practice what they preached. As Kevin McAlester sees it, this massive drug use, while not the supreme cause of Roky’s decent, was the point at which it all began to fall apart. “You’r ... " [More]

Re:Summer Palace
By analogzombie in Spout Mavens
"it's all about college: review " [More]
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
Summer Palace
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. [What do you think?]
 "A glow hangs over Lou Ye’s “Summer Palace” like that of your best memories. Ostensibly a college coming of age story for a young girl from the country set against the back drop of late 80’s Tiananmen Square Beijing, the swimmy story and dreamlike images conjure more a feeling freedom than of oppression. I suppose this strikes just the right tone then, for something so subversively political as to get banned by the Chinese government. Still, the politics don’t enter until late in the game, and the bulk of Ye’s film is concerned with the ups and downs of Yu Hong (Hao Lei) and her relationships. From a first encounter before leaving for college to the semi-mature love of Zhou Wei yet more lovers, Yu stumbles as she navigates her way into womanhood. The film is seen entirely through the lens of Yu Hong. As her love life begins to implode the student movement begins to explode. The ramping up of her emotions mirror the growing fervor with which ea ... " [More]
This is England
This is England
They call us the Wolfpack, they ...
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
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 "I may have grown up a continent away and a decade removed from the events in This Is England, but I know a few things about skin culture. Obviously, so does Shane Meadows. He captures the turmoil of working class 80's Britain and the rivalry between the two Skin factions; Primarily the more militant and zenophobic National Front and what would become the SHARPs (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice). The SHARPs were a direct reaction to the ferocious racism and nazi iconography that crept into the scene. All of this is neatly contained within a poignant and touching coming of age story. A proper follow up to Dead Man's Shoes, This Is England is an illuminating window into a neglected facet of English society. The film is about a fight for the soul of Britain, told through the fight for the soul a young fatherless boy. A grand achievement. " [More]

Re:Africa Unite
By analogzombie in Spout Mavens
"It's too bad that the filmmaker didn't focus on the political struggles that led to the explosion of Reggae music, but I assume RIta Marley commisioned this film and Stephanie Black was obligated to make a tour diary.review " [More]
Africa Unite
Africa Unite
Africa Unite: A Celebration of ...
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
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 "I’ve always been more of a Peter Tosh or Burning Spear fan than that of Bob Marley. My leanings are much more political and rebellious than Marley’s later work, but I still appreciate his music and impact on global culture. His earlier, more militant efforts for black unity and self reliance were the breeding ground of his better music, and it is this music that is celebrated in Arfrica Unite. This is precisely why I think Marley is rolling in his grave now. Ziggy Marley and some of the other Marley children have been aping their father’s visage for years now, and it continues here. Profit is the order of the day complete with Coca-Cola ads and celebrities like Danny Glover. It’s actually sickening. Having seen the Melody Makers live (basically a rotating band of Bob‘s offspring), I can say that Ziggy is the best copy of his father the family has produced. The revolting and shameful acts of siblings Damian and Julian are pale imitations of their fat ... " [More]

ancient Japanese secret
By analogzombie in analogzombie Blog
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 "I just received the excellent new Eclipse Kurosawa collection. Kurosawa was my passport to Japanese film. I'm sure I saw Seven Samurai at some point, but the first time I became aware of one his films was in 2002 during the traveling retrospective at the High Museum here in Atlanta. SInce then I've devoured every Kurosawa book and Criterion release. So much so that Donald RItchie has become a personal hero. For the longest time Kurosawa's early works have remained almost unavailable here in the States. Reading about Scandal In The FIlms of Akira Kurosawa, or importing The Idiot is all well and good but to have the chance to own the five pre-Drunken Angel films that formed Kurosawa's bedrock is a dream come true. " [More]

Lists

Films I've seen (400)
Films I've seen
Films I Own (4)
Movie in my collection.
Films I want to see (16)
Films I want to see
My favorite films of all time. (10)
Films I want to buy (0)
Films I want to buy