Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Heat - Game 3
Yesterday was Ben's 3rd basketball game and it was "Picture Day." After a "lengthy" wait for our pictures the boys played a great game. They were passing, rebounding, and shooting lights out. It was fun to watch. Ben seems to be enjoying playing, but you can tell he's also trying to figure the game out still. Most of the boys on the team are brand new to the sport so it will obviously take some time for some of them. But as usual we're very proud of Ben. He's trying something new and doing great. (On a sidenote - our community center is not very efficient. It took 3 games for our team to finally get their uniforms.)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
At The Movies - Ben & Megan Edition
For the first time Ben told me this year he wanted to watch some scary movies for Halloween. So with careful selection I tried to give him a "tame" mix of monsters, creeps, and UFO's. Of course I chose to share with him some of my "vintage horror/sci-fi" favorites. And the funny thing is, despite a lot of these movies being in black-n-white, Ben absolutely loved them.
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) - Ben was a "swamp monster" for Halloween this year, and his costume looked very similar to "The Creature." So one night he put on his costume and we sat down and watched this classic. Both he and Megan were actually on the edge of their seats and kind of shaken up by "the creature." After all these years this movie still holds up. It still provides plenty of thrills and chills. Despite being a little scared Ben loved it.
GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS (1956) - For a while now Ben has been asking me to see a Godzilla movie. There are so many Godzilla movies out there I actually had a hard time deciding which one to show him. So I decided to show him the one that started it all so he could at least get an idea of what Godzilla is all about. He liked it, but I think he'll like some of the others better.
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956) - One of my all-time favorite 1950's films is WAR OF THE WORLDS. However, I thought that might be a little too intense for Ben, so I chose its look-a-like - EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS. Ben thought this was a cool film, and he wasn't scared at all. He thought the UFO's were pretty cool.
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1954) - This was a different kind of "monster movie." Of course this was the classic Disney version of the Jules Verne novel, but I chose it for...yes...the scene with the giant squid. As you would expect Ben loved this movie. He loved the submarine, the monster squid, the funny seal, everything.
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) - Ben was a "swamp monster" for Halloween this year, and his costume looked very similar to "The Creature." So one night he put on his costume and we sat down and watched this classic. Both he and Megan were actually on the edge of their seats and kind of shaken up by "the creature." After all these years this movie still holds up. It still provides plenty of thrills and chills. Despite being a little scared Ben loved it.
GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS (1956) - For a while now Ben has been asking me to see a Godzilla movie. There are so many Godzilla movies out there I actually had a hard time deciding which one to show him. So I decided to show him the one that started it all so he could at least get an idea of what Godzilla is all about. He liked it, but I think he'll like some of the others better.
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956) - One of my all-time favorite 1950's films is WAR OF THE WORLDS. However, I thought that might be a little too intense for Ben, so I chose its look-a-like - EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS. Ben thought this was a cool film, and he wasn't scared at all. He thought the UFO's were pretty cool.
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1954) - This was a different kind of "monster movie." Of course this was the classic Disney version of the Jules Verne novel, but I chose it for...yes...the scene with the giant squid. As you would expect Ben loved this movie. He loved the submarine, the monster squid, the funny seal, everything.
At The Movies
When Halloween is in the air I usually find myself watching lots of horror movies - preferably horror movies from the 1930's, 40's, 50's, and 60's. Here's a collection of horror movies I happened to catch recently. And here are my reviews from the past two Halloweens: 2010, and 2009.
THEM (1954) - A great yarn about people being terrorized by giant ants (accidentally mutated by an atomic explosion in the desert.) A great 1950's paranoia film.
CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1964) - Made by Hammer Studios, this is a follow up to the 1959 "Mummy" film starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Not nearly as great as its predecessor, but the Mummy costume in this one is kind of creepy.
DOCTOR X (1932) - This is a gem from the early 30's. Starring the great Lionel Atwell and Fay Wray this is the story of a newspaper reporter investigating a series of murders that all occur during a full moon. What makes this a horror tale is the inclusion of several "mad scientists" all performing miscellaneous experiments (one disguises himself with synthetic skin.) This is such a creepy film for its time. Great ending.
GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH (2001) - Ahh...the king of monsters. The only modern film I watched recently. Plenty of monster action, but nowhere near the best Godzilla movie.
ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945) - Set during the Greek war of 1912 this film stars Boris Karloff. Several people are trapped on an island, quarantined by a plague that is wiping out the local population. Unable to leave the island the people are haunted by vampire demon. The story starts off creepy but gets all muddled up at the end. Karloff is always great though.
IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (1958) - The first manned mission to Mars is terrorized by an unknown monster. This is one of those classic "campy" sci-fi flicks from the 50's. But the monster looks great. Fun movie.
THE MAN FROM PLANET X (1951) - A mysterious planet is speeding toward Earth. At the same time a mysterious visitor has been discovered wandering the moors of Scotland. Another "campy" sci-fi flick from the 50's...and another great looking monster. Man, I love these kinds of movies.
MARK OF THE VAMPIRE (1935) - Bela Lugosi reprises his role as a vampire, only this is not a true sequel to his classic role as Count Dracula. Yes you have vampires here, but don't get your hopes up. This is a murder/mystery tale. What you would expect to be a horror film about vampires turns into a "film noir-who dunnit." Not what I expected, and disappointing.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) - The zombie film that started it all. Zombie films over the years have substituted story for gore, guts, and blood. You don't get that here. Yes, there are lots of creepy zombies and maybe a skeleton or two, but a lot of the gruesomeness here is left to your imagination. That's why this film is still my favorite zombie flick. "They're coming to get you Barbara!"
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961) - One of many film collaborations between Vincent Price and Roger Corman that featured the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Price was a true master of the genre. One minute he would be warm and friendly...next minute he wold be your worst nightmare.
THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS (1946) - Starring Peter Lorre this is the tale of a severed hand on a murderous rampage. The film was just okay. Lorre's performance was great as usual, and the "hand" was pretty creepy.
THE GORGON (1964) - A wicked gorgon takes human form and terrorizes a small village. Made by Hammer studios this stars the great Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. That alone made it great.
THE HAUNTING (1963) - Based on the book "Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, this is the creepy tale of a haunted mansion with a dark history of death and insanity. Director Robert Wise incorporates "psychological fear" as opposed to monsters and ghouls. This is a classic case of "less is more." Very Hitchcokian in mood and tension. Don't let the "black-n-white" fool you. This film is downright scary and creepy.
THE REPTILE (1966) - Another Hammer production, this is the story of another small village in the countryside being terrorized by an unknown creature. When the police begin to investigate a series of murders detectives start to wonder who or what is doing the killing. However, the main problem with this film is we already know who is doing the killing even before we watch the first scene...uh...a reptile. Disappointing.
THE TINGLER (1959) - Vincent Price stars as a scientist who has an interesting theory - that fear is actually the result of a creature that inhabits all of us. Nicknamed "the tingler" the creature looks like a creepy caterpillar that attaches itself to your spinal cord. This movie was one of those "gimmicks" studios used to get people in the theater. The studio would install "buzzers" underneath theater seats to zap the viewers. Nicknamed "Percepto," the buzzers would go off during a scene in the movie where Price is chasing after the creature in a movie theater. Viewers would get zapped and think the creature is actually under their seats. The film is great. Of course I watched it on TV, but I would have loved to see it in the theater in its hayday.
THEM (1954) - A great yarn about people being terrorized by giant ants (accidentally mutated by an atomic explosion in the desert.) A great 1950's paranoia film.
CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1964) - Made by Hammer Studios, this is a follow up to the 1959 "Mummy" film starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Not nearly as great as its predecessor, but the Mummy costume in this one is kind of creepy.
DOCTOR X (1932) - This is a gem from the early 30's. Starring the great Lionel Atwell and Fay Wray this is the story of a newspaper reporter investigating a series of murders that all occur during a full moon. What makes this a horror tale is the inclusion of several "mad scientists" all performing miscellaneous experiments (one disguises himself with synthetic skin.) This is such a creepy film for its time. Great ending.
GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH (2001) - Ahh...the king of monsters. The only modern film I watched recently. Plenty of monster action, but nowhere near the best Godzilla movie.
ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945) - Set during the Greek war of 1912 this film stars Boris Karloff. Several people are trapped on an island, quarantined by a plague that is wiping out the local population. Unable to leave the island the people are haunted by vampire demon. The story starts off creepy but gets all muddled up at the end. Karloff is always great though.
IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (1958) - The first manned mission to Mars is terrorized by an unknown monster. This is one of those classic "campy" sci-fi flicks from the 50's. But the monster looks great. Fun movie.
THE MAN FROM PLANET X (1951) - A mysterious planet is speeding toward Earth. At the same time a mysterious visitor has been discovered wandering the moors of Scotland. Another "campy" sci-fi flick from the 50's...and another great looking monster. Man, I love these kinds of movies.
MARK OF THE VAMPIRE (1935) - Bela Lugosi reprises his role as a vampire, only this is not a true sequel to his classic role as Count Dracula. Yes you have vampires here, but don't get your hopes up. This is a murder/mystery tale. What you would expect to be a horror film about vampires turns into a "film noir-who dunnit." Not what I expected, and disappointing.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) - The zombie film that started it all. Zombie films over the years have substituted story for gore, guts, and blood. You don't get that here. Yes, there are lots of creepy zombies and maybe a skeleton or two, but a lot of the gruesomeness here is left to your imagination. That's why this film is still my favorite zombie flick. "They're coming to get you Barbara!"
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM (1961) - One of many film collaborations between Vincent Price and Roger Corman that featured the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Price was a true master of the genre. One minute he would be warm and friendly...next minute he wold be your worst nightmare.
THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS (1946) - Starring Peter Lorre this is the tale of a severed hand on a murderous rampage. The film was just okay. Lorre's performance was great as usual, and the "hand" was pretty creepy.
THE GORGON (1964) - A wicked gorgon takes human form and terrorizes a small village. Made by Hammer studios this stars the great Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. That alone made it great.
THE HAUNTING (1963) - Based on the book "Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, this is the creepy tale of a haunted mansion with a dark history of death and insanity. Director Robert Wise incorporates "psychological fear" as opposed to monsters and ghouls. This is a classic case of "less is more." Very Hitchcokian in mood and tension. Don't let the "black-n-white" fool you. This film is downright scary and creepy.
THE REPTILE (1966) - Another Hammer production, this is the story of another small village in the countryside being terrorized by an unknown creature. When the police begin to investigate a series of murders detectives start to wonder who or what is doing the killing. However, the main problem with this film is we already know who is doing the killing even before we watch the first scene...uh...a reptile. Disappointing.
THE TINGLER (1959) - Vincent Price stars as a scientist who has an interesting theory - that fear is actually the result of a creature that inhabits all of us. Nicknamed "the tingler" the creature looks like a creepy caterpillar that attaches itself to your spinal cord. This movie was one of those "gimmicks" studios used to get people in the theater. The studio would install "buzzers" underneath theater seats to zap the viewers. Nicknamed "Percepto," the buzzers would go off during a scene in the movie where Price is chasing after the creature in a movie theater. Viewers would get zapped and think the creature is actually under their seats. The film is great. Of course I watched it on TV, but I would have loved to see it in the theater in its hayday.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Life At Random
Things have been pretty crazy around here lately. Jenny's in Zurich right now and she's emailing me pictures of potential apartments everyday, Ben's playing basketball now, I'm still picking up from Halloween, and Ben is wrapping up his "popcorn sales drive" for Cub Scouts. Yes, things are busy right now...but they're only going to get crazier here in another month or so. Anyway, here's some random shots of the kids.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Heat - Games 1 & 2
I'm not sure I've mentioned it to everybody yet but Ben is starting a basketball season. We thought he might enjoy playing one more sport before we move. His team is called "The Heat," and the roster is made up of 2nd graders from his school. So he's having fun playing basketball with all his friends from school. This morning was the beginning of the season. We had 2 games, and in both we were the "blue" team. (The community center hasn't given us our uniforms yet, so we were using leftovers from last season.) Anyway, for a lot of the boys on the team (including Ben) this is their first experience with basketball, so everyone had "first game jitters." But by the second game everyone settled down and started to have fun. I was really proud of Ben. He missed a couple of shots but he played good defense and he hustled after loose balls. Best of all he said he had fun. I think he's happy to be taking a break from soccer and trying something new. Anyway, here are some highlights of our first two games.
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