There's a Little Muriel in All of Us: Nov 12-18, 2011

The ever-prolific Simon Abrams wrote up a bunch of John Sayles movies, Poetry, two by Francesco Rosi, 3D Sex and Zen, a mess of late-summer releases, Suddenly, Life During Wartime, Attack the Block, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and a roundup of the week’s new DVDs. He also podcasted the history of Captain America on film with fellow Muriels voter Steve Carlson, just for the hell of it. Would you like to know more?

Danny Baldwin reviewed Into the Abyss and Bellflower.

Sean Burns sort of enjoyed The Descendants and sort of wanted to rip his face off during Jack and Jill.

Jim Emerson examined Pauline Kael and the intersection between cinematic technique and criticism.

Kenji Fujishima offered up a Vertigo homage from his own life and consumed.

Glenn Heath closed out his coverage of AFI Fest and took a look back at Man of the West and What Happened Was…

Craig Kennedy reviewed The Descendants, interviewed Bridesmaids director Paul Feig, shared the Oscar doc shortlist, forecasted this weekend, posted some clips from the new Woody Allen documentary, and a whole lot more.

Michael Lieberman continued to report from the Occupy Wall Street front lines.

Uncle Crizzle interviewed experimental filmmaker Tom Whiteside and posted a bunch of other must-see stuff on his Tumblr.

Matt Lotti posted a slew of new reviews, complete with a new starlet photo to grace his front page. Find out who here!

Lucas McNelly submitted dispatches on the first two days of This Is Ours.

Phil Nugent contributed like a champ at the AV Club.

Scott Von Doviak recapped The Amazing Race.

Bryan Whitefield posted some thoughts on Moneyball and the art of the obsolete.

Alison Willmore reviewed Breaking Dawn, Another Happy Day, Tomboy, Rid of Me, and In Heaven, Underground.

Finally, here’s a fascinating video Bryan Whitefield shared called The Influencers:

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

Additionally, Jim Emerson shared a cool new video for Bad Lip Reading’s “Russian Unicorn”, a write-up of which he did here (http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2011/11/we_could_shoot_a_russian_unico.html):



And courtesy of Craig Kennedy, a highlight reel of the career of Saul Bass by Art of the Title editor Ian Albinson:

The Title Design of Saul Bass from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

Oh, what the hell… Chris Devlin posted a trailer for From the Back of the Room, a doc about women in punk that could potentially be pretty awesome. Check it out:

All the Muriels That's Fit to Print: Nov 9-11, 2011

Simon Abrams took on Topsy-Turvy, Tekken, A Time for Killing, Forbidden Zone, The Blade, and a new frontrunner for the worst of 2011. Additionally, he offered up a George Peppard twofer, two July releases beginning with “h”, and a trio of films by Stuart Gordon. Hey bud, where’s Stuck?

Danny Baldwin posted some thoughts on the final Harry Potter adventure.

Sean Burns went nuts for Melancholia, but didn’t have many kind words for J. Edgar.

Steve Carlson showed off part of his DVD collection. Wait, that’s the Antichrist movie you own???

Dennis Cozzalio wandered down Nightmare Alley. No relation to Jason, I’m guessing?

Chris Devlin tried to get us into Sex Church.

Kenji Fujishima spotlighted some shorts about Japan and shared a lovely afternoon with us- on video, that is.

Glenn Heath reported about five titles from AFI Fest.

Craig Kennedy interviewed Werner Herzog. Oh, and he did some other stuff that was pretty good but didn’t involve, y’know, interviewing Werner Herzog.

Uncle Crizzle stuck it to the Ratner and chatted up a local gal gone Rockette.

Phil Nugent chimed in on the Joe Paterno clustertiff and the defeat of Russell Pearce.

Alison Willmore podcasted about “anti-romances”, and reviewed Immortals, London Boulevard, 11-11-11, and Elite Squad: The Enemy Within. Oh, and she saw Jack and Jill and lived to tell the tale!!

Finally, if Philip Tatler can post Muriels FYCs here, so can I. I caught up with Take Shelter today, and it’s every bit the movie Jeff Nichols’ last film Shotgun Stories was and then some. Michael Shannon obviously excels at playing crazy, but he digs even deeper than usual here, playing a character who just wants to do right even if he isn’t on the same wavelength as the rest of the world. Also, Jessica Chastain’s gotta win something this year, right? Like, either breakthrough or body of work? Anyway, the trailer:



Oh, and I also found out the truth about Eddie Murphy stepping down from the Oscar gig. Supposedly he wants us to believe he resigned in solidarity with his pal Ratner, but the truth is that once Brian Grazer stepped into the producer role, he informed Eddie that he would not longer be performing this on the show:



So now you know.

This Is This: November 6th-8th, 2011

Late again! Oy. Never enough time. Let's get this knocked out.

- Simon Abrams posted capsules on a Mike Hammer film, an amazing-sounding ninja flick and a cat man.

- Danny Baldwin caught some films at the AFI Fest.

- Chuck Bowen reviewed The Love We Make and the awesome new disc of the awesome Island of Lost Souls.

- Kenji Fujishima tipped his cap to the New York City Marathon runners and updated us on his artistic consumption.

- Glenn Heath fell hard for This Is Not a Film and big-upped Bronson.

- Daniel Johnson wasn't keen on Tower Heist.

- It's all gone Haywire for AFI Fest-goer Craig Kennedy - follow the progress from announcement to review to post-screening Q&A. Also: A trailer for Corman's World and quotes from The Graduate and a pair of Scorsese works.

- Adam Lemke went nuts for an early Mike Leigh film.

- Michael Lieberman offered a pointed quote from Pier Paolo Pasolini.

- Craig Lindsey is right about Christina Hendricks.

- Lucas McNelly needs your help! (Also, there's an update on his latest stop.)

- Phil Nugent weighed in on Herman Cain's shenanigans.

Today's video: Courtesy of Craig Kennedy (of course!), a small taste of the feast of deleted scenes on the new Blue Velvet Blu-Ray disc (a.k.a. the release that might get me to buy a Blu-Ray player).

This week in Muriel: 29 Oct through 5 Nov, 2011

Simon Abrams was up to his old tricks again, spotlighting his favorites from the NY Asian Film Festival, three old-school women-in-prison movies, the summer’s biggest anthropomorphic car movies, Herzog’s cave paintings movie, a slug-it-out noir favorite, that Conan O’Brien documentary, and a couple of horror flicks just in time for Halloween. And somehow along the way he found time for a 24-hour movie marathon, which are always awesome.

Andrew Bemis rounded out his list of scarifying greats with ol’ Knife-Hands, an otherworldly baddie who could be any one of us, the poster boy for acupuncture, the archetypal chainsaw-wielding psycho, The Shape, and finally a perfect organism.

Sean Burns shrugged off Tower Heist, recommended Hell and Back Again, and had strong words for Like Crazy.

Demon Dennis Cozzalio submitted to the Dr. Phibes treatment, offered up some thoughts on Pauline Kael, and looked back at Eyes Without a Face.

Chris Devlin’s horror challenge ramped up with viewings of Carnival of Souls and Jeepers Creepers. He also shared a selection from the latest album by Swedish black metal faves Croft.

Jim Emerson examined our cultural fascination with zombies.

James Frazier wasn’t thrilled by Footloose 2011.

Kenji Fujishima reviewed two Doc NYC selections, posted a video from his trip to the Bay Area, and consumed.

Glenn Heath began his dispatches from AFI Fest with a pan of Eastwood’s J. Edgar, interviewed Harold without Kumar, wrapped up the SD Asian Film Festival, and reviewed Martha Marcy May Marlene, In Time, Dragonslayer, and Event Horizon.

This week in Craig Kennedy: a preview of AFI Fest, an interview with Green director Sophia Takal, a review of The Other F Word, some good news about Terrence Malick and the acclaimed doc Where Soldiers Come From, the kickoff to a monthlong tribute to the work of Martin Scorsese, birthday quotes for Art Garfunkel and Charles Bronson, the last of the Halloween quotes, the trailer for We Need to Talk About Kevin, and of course the Weekend Forecast.

Adam Lemke finished off his Halloween Horror Challenge and awarded the Magic Pumpkin to…

Michael Lieberman offered up some forthcoming proof. Of what, you ask? Better ask Mike.

Uncle Crizzle talked up Iron Man’s upcoming assault on the Triangle and gave props to Anthony David. Also, hey look Christina Hendricks!

Lucas McNelly gave his blessing to some fellow Year-Without-Rent-ers, and logs two more days on The Stagg Do.

Phil Nugent co-wrote a list of the top 50 cult movies of all time, ran down some of the highlights and lowlights of the fall TV lineup, posted some brief-ish movie reviews, examined the recent piling-on of Elizabeth Warren, and contributed over at the AV Club.

Mark Pfeiffer had some burning questions of relevance to the TIFF rookie. So burning, in fact, that he still wants to know the answers almost two months after he attended.

Scott Von Doviak reviewed Zombie Apocalypse.

Bryan Whitefield recapped his fall listening and didn’t much care for Cold Weather. Um, bud? Did you see the same movie I did?

Alison Willmore reviewed 5 Star Day and The Other F Word.

Finally, I know Halloween has already come and gone, but it’s never too late to settle in for a good scare. So here’s your old pal Count Floyd to introduce a classic of the genre, the one and only Whispers of the Wolf:

A double dose of updates: Oct 22-28, 2011

Wa-hey! Looks like we missed out on our update early this week! So to make up for it, we’re giving you a double dose of links today, because that’s the kind of awesome guys we are. Enjoy!

Muriels team-up! Over at Slant, voters Simon Abrams, Chuck Bowen, and Glenn Heath contributed to a list of the best horror films of the last decade.

Simon Abrams reviewed the new DVD of The Robber and the new Bollywood production Ra.One.

Andrew Bemis got the heebie-jeebies with Black Christmas’ Billy, the portrait-posing serial killer Henry, the object of every clown-hater’s nightmares, The Exorcist’s devil, a killer that does nothing but eat and sleep and make little baby sharks, the world’s worst case of cabin fever, and the nefarious Buffalo Bill. He also found time to take the Dr. Phibes quiz. Good on ya, Andrew!

Scott Black gave us a rundown of his 31 Days of Halloween selections.

Chuck Bowen reviewed the new Pauline Kael collection.

Sean Burns interviewed the director and star of Martha Marcy May Marlene and reviewed the movie. He also recapped week 2 of the Philly Film Festival.

Dennis Cozzalio complained about Jeffrey Wells. Join the club, brother.

Chris Devlin kept on truckin’ with his October Horror Challenge.

Jim Emerson paid tribute to The Magnificent Ambersons and looked back at the legacy of Pauline Kael.

James Frazier parlayed some face time with the Republican candidates into a straw poll of their favorite movies. The biggest surprise of the bunch has got to be Rick Perry.

Kenji Fujishima came down with a massive case of consumption (artistic, that is), and posted a mess of pictures from his recent trip to the Bay Area.

Glenn Heath reviewed the new Almodovar, Ginger Snaps, and Quatermass and the Pit. He also spotlighted some highlights of the SD Asian Film Festival.

Craig Kennedy! Where to begin? Links to Matt Zoller Seitz’s video tribute to Tree of Life! Quotes from Halloween favorites like Jaws, The Silence of the Lambs, Alien, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Birds, Carrie, and the Looney Tunes classics Hair-Raising Hare and Hyde and Hare! A weekend forecast! The lineup of Almodovar-selected classics at the AFI Fest! Trailers for Into the Abyss, Pina, Hugo, and The Lorax! And a new poster for We Need to Talk About Kevin! Whew!

Adam Lemke made some progress on his Horror Challenge.

Uncle Crizzle reviewed Puss in Boots and Margin Call, spotlighted the new 3-D projector at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and more.

Phil Nugent shared his thoughts on Louis Menand, Them Tenacious Birthers, and the long-standing fallout from the Robert Bork hearings.

Philip Tatler got all worked up over The Island of Lost Souls.

Bryan Whitefield shed some light on The Stuyvesants, the classic album Architecture and Morality, and a striking new ad.

Alison Wilmore reviewed Margin Call, 13, Bellflower, The Double, Like Crazy, and Silver Bullets.

Finally… I’ve never been one to talk about my son much in public forums, for reasons too boring to go into here. However, I don’t begrudge others their right to do so, especially when their kids are engaging and cool. In that spirit, here’s Dennis’ daughter Nonnie with her rendition of Poe’s The Black Cat:



And to double your fun, here’s the wound-up Razor, the dog who lives with Kenji Fujishima:



Michael Lieberman posted a video that sums up for him the state of America today. Hint: it’s not pretty:



And oh, what the hell. Here’s last year’s Best Supporting Actor winner John Hawkes crooning a tune from his latest movie:



Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm spent.

Muriel's Musings: Oct 19-21, 2011

This week’s big story from Muriel-land is that Dennis Cozzalio turned his blog over to one Dr. Phibes, who unleashed his latest horror upon the world- a brand new, bone chilling quiz! It’s enough to make one scream, especially if one is as busy as I am. But this time I’ll try to find time for it, if only to celebrate the centenary of the late Mr. Price.

In other news:

Andrew Bemis trembled at his memories of an African-American urban legend, Muriel’s favorite mop-topped psycho, and the split-personality case from Session 9.

Scott Black got his horror on with Return of the Living Dead.

Sean Burns recapped Week 1 of the Philly Film Fest and harbored little love for Take Shelter.

Go ahead, take a look at Jim Emerson’s latest post. I dare ya.

James Frazier gave pretty good odds to 50/50.

Kenji Fujishima Occupied Wall Street. Strictly for research purposes, of course.

Glenn Heath checked out Weekend and Take Shelter.

Craig Kennedy announced the AFI Festival Main slate and World Cinema lineup and the Gotham Awards nominations (http://livingincinema.com/2011/10/20/gotham-nominations-unleash-the-awards-hounds/), plus previewed this weekend’s goodies, took a look at Paranormal Activity With a Vengeance and Oranges and Sunshine, quoted Don Siegel’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Cronenberg’s The Fly, posted trailers for Black Gold and The Woman in Black, and somehow found time to eat and/or sleep. Amazing!

Uncle Crizzle reviewed the new Johnny English movie and linked to a bunch of soul-centric pieces he’s written. Oh, and if you dig curvy ladies- and really, why wouldn’t you?- the Criz delivered on that front too.

Phil Nugent had a busy week for the AV Club.

Bryan Whitefield relayed some reflections on Method Man and bought some new luggage.

And Alison Willmore reviewed Klitschko and Margin Call.

Finally, the trailer for another Doctor movie starring Vincent Price. This one’s decidedly lighter than Dr. Phibes, but who knows? Perhaps Dennis will give this doctor a shot a quiz sometime in the future:

OCCUPY MURIEL! - Oct. 15-18th(ish)

Without further ado...

- Simon Abrams wrote his first piece for Salon, an articulation of why The Walking Dead is better than you think. So there.

- Danny Baldwin bucketed THE MILL AND THE CROSS and THE WAY.

- Andrew Bemis is afraid of a dude with mommy issues, the tooth fairy, and a guy with eyeballs in his hands.

- Scott W. Black didn't think CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED was as good as its predecessor.

- Sean Burns was told "You just lost your best ticket. Go to hell, you bag of shit." (no link; sorry)

- Paul Clark plotted his horror-ific itinerary for Columbus, OH's Incredible Two-Headed Marathon.

-  Dennis Cozzalio was lucky enough to catch WENT THE DAY WELL in it's theatrical rerelease, received a very cool compliment from an esteemed colleague, and weighed in on a few THINGs.

- Chris Devlin continued his October Horror Challenge, inexplicably panning a film that features Peter Fonda and Warren Oates versus Satanists. You'd have to work pretty hard to make that bad. My curiosity = piqued.

- Kenji Fujishima consumed art.

- Ye gads, Craig Kennedy can post, can't he? Trailers for ALPS (by that DOGTOOTH guy) and THE DEVIL INSIDE; horror quotes from SCREAM, THE EXORCIST, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and Bugs Bunny; early (mostly positive) European feedback on Tintin; and Craig's own revisiting of THE EXORCIST and THE SHINING can all be found over at Living In Cinema.

- Matt Lotti has been reduced to nothing more than a fetching picture of Jennifer Lawrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Lotti's family.

- Sam C. Mac cataloged his favorite music from 1999. There must have been a typo since neither Midnight Vultures nor Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Department are anywhere on the list.

- Lucas McNelly coped with his AD quitting.

- Philip Tatler IV attempted to enumerate the qualities of the best film of 2010. He also played a lot of Jeopardy on Facebook.

- Bryan Whitefield liked The Hour and posted another cool picture.

- And Alison Willmore took a look at THE SKIN I LIVE IN for Movieline.

And now this: