If you’ve got an action movie that needs an awesome henchman Al Leong is your go to guy. He’s been in Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Big Trouble in Little China, Action Jackson, They Live. Seriously, he’s been in every action movie ever. Even if he wasn’t cast, he just shows up, and if you don’t give him a part he’ll hench your ass. Check out this Lifetime Achievement Award for Henching present by Rotten Tomatoes.
Check out Al Leongs IMDB page here.

Chan-Wook Park’s amazing looking tale of a priest accidentally turned vampire will be releasing to select U.S. cities July 31st. Park is the man responsible for giving us the vengeance trilogy*, and if you haven’t seen those you’d better get off your ass. If early buzz is any indication Thirst might be Park’s best film to date. Check out the trailer below and make sure to get out and see it as soon as it hits your city.

* The vengeance trilogy is Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.

Thanks to Mel for pointing me in the direction of the amazing “Training Video”. If you can’t handle gore don’t watch this, but if you can it’s a damn riot.

As some of you already know I’m down with a pretty severe case of Strep Throat, but hope to back on track by Monday. The picture to the left pretty much represents how I feel. Make sure to visit JohnSchwegel.com he’s got some great stuff there.

I love zombie films, but let’s face it since the success of 28 Days Later the market has become flooded. And it’s a flood of biblical proportions. Coming on the heels of that flood is IFC’s zombie flick Pontypool. The hype surrounding this Canadian lensed genre film has been a bit much to swallow, and to be honest I still don’t know what to think. Directed by Bruce McDonald, Pontypool is about a small town radio station that discovers that a recent madness sweeping the population may be transmitted through speech. After it’s TIFF debut this Summer the film garnered a lot of positive buzz, but I’m still not sold. Pontypool opens in limited release as well as in IFC’s VOD on March 29th. Check out the trailer below and give me some damn feedback you fiends!

* I love the films tagline “Shut up or Die”.

Happy Valentines Day for those of you that celebrate it.

*Thanks Egg for putting the new header up
** Apparently a TV station runs Movies that Don’t Suck already if anyone can think of a better name leave it in the comments section below! I’m open to suggestions!
*** The song playing at the end of the Vlog is the amazing Frank Black’s “Cold Heart of Stone” from his Black Letter Days Album. Buy it.

Sometimes I’m a sucker for bad movies. Especially if that movie contains graphic violence, ridiculous stunt sequences, robots, or monkeys. This movie has all of that, except the monkeys. Sigh. One day. The cast of this ridiculous b-movie include Stacy Dash and Richard Lynch. Where the hell has Richard Lynch been since 1992? Enjoy the tongue in cheek goodness below.

As some of you have probably heard Joaquin Phoinex has retired from acting. What some of you might not know is that Mr. Phoenix has been working with none other than Sean “P. Diddy” Combs on a rap album. Yes, you’re reading that right, a rap album. Part of the thinks that this all some stunt of Kaufmanesque proportions, the more sensible part of thinks Phoenix has lost his fucking marbles. Watch his Vegas debut below and judge for yourself.

*Joblo kicks ass
** New header is finally live. Thanks again Mel!!

No.4 The Reader

Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Burk re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial. Director Stephen Daldry manages to keep an even hand with the difficult material he’s given and doesn’t attempt to answer any questions but rather lets the viewer pass judgment. Winslet has already won a Globe for her performance and will likely get an Oscar nod as well. I’ve told my self a hundred times I can’t take anymore WWII films, but this one is an absolute must see. (I probably should have posted a poster for the film but damn Kate Winslet is hot!)

No. 3 The Dark Knight

That’s right. I love this fucking movie. It’s flawed, it’s over-hyped, and it’s budget is outrageous but it’s still a great movie. It’s a crime drama done comic book style with elements of Fritz Langs Dr. Mabuse throughout. Ledgers performance was amazing and while it didn’t make the movie it definitely took it to the next level. He will be missed.

No. 2 The Wrestler

This is possibly my favorite film on the list. I was a bit disappointed with Aranofsky’s The Fountain so it was nice to see him drop all of the visual trickery to tell a simple story. What makes this film work so well is it’s docu-drama style of direction accompanied by excellent performances. Rourke’s performance is absolutely heartbreaking. I had a hard time not putting this film at #1, but the scripts minor contrivances kept me from doing so. It’s still an absolute must see film.

No. 1 Gomorra

Director Matteo Garrone expertly helms what is likely the definitive new gangster film. Gomorra, set in Naples, tells the 5 seemingly unconnected stories all involving the Camorra, the areas mafia. The films balance of chaos and narrative is absolutely brilliant. Garrone is going places, and I want to be there every step of the way. Watch this movie. Or I’ll find some Camorra and send them to your house.

No. 0 Slumdog Millionaire

That’s right I have a number zero. So I guess this is technically a top 11. Danny Boyle constructs, from a near perfect script, what is probably one of the finest films I’ve ever seen. The story of 18 year old Jamal Malik an orphan from the slums of Mumbai who is one question away from winning 20 million Rupees on the Hindi Version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. When the show breaks for the evening he is arrested and accused of cheating. Boyle takes you through a range of emotions over the course of the film but Slumdog is ultimately a crowd pleasing good time. The cynic in me wants to hate this film, but in the end I just give in. It’s just too damn good.

There are some films that I didn’t include on this list that are absolutely worth watching here are just a few that didn’t quite make the list: Towelhead, Elegy, Revolutionary Road, Last Chance Harvey, Milk, Mongol, and Hunger. If I had a -1 Hunger would be it. If you can get your hands on a copy watch it!