The Soundtrack Series: Edgar Wright

The Soundtrack Series takes a departure from the norm today. Typically, the series has featured filmmakers with massive filmographies, providing lots of scenes to choose from for the series. Today’s choice, Edgar Wright, has directed just three feature films. And so it should speak volumes for how impressive the soundtracks have been for Edgar Wright films that he can be included in a series that has also featured directors like Stanley Kubrick, the Coen brothers, Martin Scorsese, and Wes Anderson. Here is the Soundtrack Series: Edgar Wright.

Fun with Netflix Viewer Reviews: Volume 3

Since the “Fun with Netflix Viewer Reviews” concept seems to be a popular one, I’ve decided to turn it into a semi-regular feature. As I said in the intro to the initial article, it’s fun for you and it’s easy for me because there’s no shortage of internet people willing to say wacky things. Here’s volume three of people writing really bad, or funny, Netflix viewer reviews. These are presented completely unedited.

Europe: The New Cradle of Horror

There’s been an interesting movie phenomenon taking place over the last 10 to 15 years. American horror films have started to lose the battle for horror supremacy. The horror genre in America has become fast food, unappealing and bloated. The same handful of plots and foreign remakes are twisted up and offered again and again under different names from different studios with different directors. Occasionally, the films are entertaining if uncreative (prime example: Paranormal Activities 1, 2, and 3). And there are plenty of talented up-and-coming low-budget horror filmmakers who, unjustly, aren’t being trusted with wide releases. But make no mistake–viewers are being fed the same synaptical mediocrity. Obviously, there are a few exceptions to this phenomenon, but that’s not what I’d like to talk about. Namely, I’d like to talk about the new cradle of good horror. Asia has certainly made a mark, but the real king of Horror Mountain right now is Europe.

Ten Movie Moms That Would Be Acceptable Substitutes for My Own

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Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching. It’s time to honor our mothers with gifts that make up for the army of crappy ceramic ashtrays and pen holders that we all gave them when we were in elementary school and art teachers made us make things for them. Hypothetically, of course. And since my mom has killed me with love and kindness throughout the years, I’ve decided to honor her this year with this list of movie moms that would be acceptable substitutes for my own mom. None would be better, of course. But these ten would’ve done the trick. Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Bambi’s Mom, Bambi (1942)
She took a bullet for her kid. Your move, everyone else but Bruce Wayne’s mom.

The Movies That Have Influenced Edgar Wright Films

I’ve made no bones about how much I enjoy the films of Edgar Wright. They’re hilarious, they’re smart, they’re extremely well-written, and they’re ripe with subtle humor. Most importantly, it’s extremely obvious that Wright is a humongous fan of cinema. He delights in making one reference after another to every kind of movie imaginable. And like his friend and cohort Quentin Tarantino, the myriad of references work to build a pastiche, which ultimately creates something completely unique at the end of the day. He’s the movie lover’s movie director. Just how deep do these Wright references go? Using the trivia tracks on his three major releases, I’ve compiled all of the movies that are specifically mentioned in the trivia tracks, plus one more that I caught on my own. Here they are. Click on the images for full-res versions. Odds are good that you’ll be surprised by at least a few of the movies that were used to inspire sequences and scenes and soundtracks in these films. And frankly, these are only the films specifically listed in the trivia tracks. You can find a larger list at the IMDb Movie Connections pages for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

Editor’s note: when I tweeted these infographics, I received feedback from Mr. Wright (which is awesome) and I’ve gaffed in including a few films. I’ve edited the images and the incorrect references that I’ve been made aware of have been removed. Additionally, more references from Scott Pilgrim have been added:

More Great Moments in Movie History, Using Stick Figures

Back by lukewarm demand, it’s “Great Moments in Movie History, Using Stick Figures”!

Film’s Diviest Bars

The Wright Stuff: Six Great Moments from the Wright/ Pegg/ Frost Triumvirate

The Sandford Theater's production of "Romeo and Juliet"

Eight Horror Films for October Viewing

I love October. Major League Baseball starts their playoffs, NCAA football is in full swing, the nights are crisp, Octoberfest beers populate the landscape, and 90+ degree days are as far away as they’ll ever be. And, most importantly, it’s the month for Halloween and, by proxy, a whole mess of horror films. Here are eight that I try to watch every year in October.

More Fake Criterion Covers

Here are some more “What if Criterion released…” fake covers that I’ve created.

Bride of Frankenstein is probably my favorite. Three of the  four Keaton films were intended as part of a fictional Keaton Box Set. Sleepaway Camp is obviously a lark (and I hope that someone, anyone gets it). The intention on the two Night of the Iguana versions would be to have the pink printed as a metallic pink with a spot gloss on the  iguana. The Spirit of the Beehive is already a Criterion release (with great artwork, I might add). Enjoy!