Yahtzee Cup #33 - 2008 Season down to one game

December 20, 2008

A long delay in play for Yahtzee Cup #33 doesn't faze Killer Pimp J. John Johnny John (KPJ) - he takes it with a decisive win in Game #8.

All he wanted for Christmas was to bring the Cup back to Berendo - and to tie Roman Castevet with 12 Cups apiece going into the 2009 Season.

An early Yahtzee set the tone, and it wasn't close after a second Yahtzee put it out of reach. Asskickings all around from the Pimp for the holidays.

Stockings stuffed!

Game #8
KPJ 384/ RC 227/ YWY 217
Yahtzee(s): KPPJ (2), RC (1)

Exhibition play followed, with all those results, as always, strictly off the record.

Cisco Pike, on the Yahtzee beat...see you in 2009

Time for baseball yet?

Darktown Strutters (1975) - Truly a holyfuckingshit experience, first captured back when it happened in March. Not quite done by design and not without slow spots, but it’s wonderfully warped nonetheless. I love the fact that the best scene (the dungeon musical number) had been cut from the print we watched. Grade: B+

Doctor, You've Got to be Kidding! (1967) - Yes, it is as bad as that title. Smirky and sitcom-level comedy has Sandra Dee pursued by George Hamilton, Bill Bixby and Dwayne Hickman, with Celeste Holm along for the ride as the kooky mom. Mort Sahl does get some laughs as a Sahl-esque nightclub owner. Pretty awful otherwise, with flat attempts to be "hip" or "mod" as the kids say. Grade: D

Then, it was on solo to Arizona to catch some baseball (spring training) - pictures below...

Saw some good flicks on the ol' pay-per-view, including Enchanted, a solid B+/A- (that ending was kind of a letdown but Amy Adams should have been Oscar nominated), the so-bad-it's-holy-shit-i-don't-care-how-late-it-is-we're-watching-something-else The Mist, and the-fun-especially-when-compared-to-The Mist art house drama AVPR: Aliens v. Predator: Requiem.

Seriously, I first read The Mist back in 86, maybe 85 and thought it would be perfect as a movie. So disappointed in this, even a talented man like Andre Braugher couldn't sell the sheer stupidity of his character (you won't just come look at the dead creature? really?) - and the ending...wow.

Otherwise, we stayed at a amusementarium/water park/apartment resort thing and it was nice to see everybody. Looking at these pics make me want to yell "Play ball!" and start this 2009 season. Go BRAVES!

Monkey Wrench's Big Score!

In Bruges (2008) – One of 2008’s better flicks, this tale of two assassins and their enforced holiday in the title city is extremely violent and depressing, with a bleak view of mankind. In other words, a perfectly lovely Irish comedy. Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson are the hit men on leave, with an increasingly unsteady Ralph Fiennes as their employer. Impressive sleeper from writer-director Martin McDonagh. Grade: A

30 Days of Night (2007) – Awful and awfully stupid vampire thriller takes the title and set-up of a great comic but adds nothing beyond the punchline. It’s Alaska and it turns out that vampires love locations that get no sunlight for months. Silly and unbelievable, with Josh Harnett, Melissa George and Danny Huston as the natty fanged leader (hilariously parodied by John Kline in his classic “twitchy vamp puts his tie on” bit) – Grade: F

The Assassination of Jesse James (2007) – With T as witness for this second viewing (because I enjoy getting her confirmation), this is a fine piece of work – with a muddled middle the only misstep. Grade: A-

This Is England (2006) – Tough drama about growing up different in early ‘80s England educated me about the time period and kept me engrossed. Occasionally familiar drama, at times unbearably intense. Watched in a binge while Tiffany was away down South for a funeral. Grade: B+

Seraphim Falls (2006) – Epic-scaled adventure watched in the same binge. Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson square off post-War Between the States, and both are appropriately tough and gritty. Fine stuff, a shame it wasn’t seen more on the big screen. Grade: B

Also rewatched bits of the big Oscar winner No Country for Old Men and it was fine (but not as good as Burn After Reading, though I’ve always been more a Lebowski than a Blood Simple devotee).

Also rewatched Zodiac (2007) and that’s such a masterful piece that David Fincher deserves all the Oscar love his recent hit Button (opening surprisingly strong over the holidays) will receive. That Best Director nod should be in part for this too.

CP

Yahtzee Cup #33 – The Final Cup of 08 Begins

With everything on the line, could Killer Pimp J. John Johnny John take an early lead and use it to bring the Yahtzee Cup back to Berendo? Cup #33 was the last of 2008 - and it was a thriller all the way.

Roman Castevet (RC) holds 12 Yahtzee Cups, KPJ 11, with the always-dangerous Yes We Yahtzee (YWY) holding 9 titles (including 4 of the first 5 Cups or some crazy shit like that).]

The Pimp started strong, taking Game #1 in decisive fashion. An early Yahztee set the tone and yes, even a pair of asskickings were handed out. But the Pimp had started early before – would he flame out again?

Game #1

KPJ 367/ YWY 265/ RC 209

Yahtzee(s): 2 (KPJ)

Game #2 and the Pimp didn’t let up – no Yahtzee but he gets his upstairs 35 when his opponents don’t.

Game #2

KPJ 264/ RC 181/ YWY 155

Up 2-0, the Pimp needed to strike again while his opponents were down…and it was a close battle. But YWY takes it by seven.

Game #3

YWY 255/ RC 248/ KPJ 219

Now, Roman C and KPJ square off in a close one, it could be a decisive third victory for the Pimp. But Castevet's small victories make the difference in a narrow win, his first of the Cup. Even Killer Pimp J's Yahtzee was not enough.

Game #4

RC 255/ KPJ 237/ YWY 196

Yahtzee: KPJ (1)

It stands 2-1-1, an evenly matched show of force so far from all opponents.

That was about to change.

Roman Castevet was about to make his move.

In Yahtzee Cup history, few match games have ever had three players failing to break 200 points. But this low scoring game went to RC, and he narrowly (the narrowest) beat out YWY for the win which tied him to Killer Pimp John two games all.

Still, no one even got the upstairs 35...

Game #5

RC 197/ YWY 196/ KPJ 169

Right now, the Pimp's two wins look far far away...

The marathon play continues. Game #6 wrapping up one side of the card and a win could give two players a strong advantage going into the flip.

Roman Castevet continued his hot hand with an early Yahtzee and the early confidence to roll boldly. Yes We Yahtzee stayed close, hoping to tie things 2-2-2. She Yahtzeed to enter the Club and make RC sweat a little.

A little. At least until his second Yahtzee. Of sixes.

The extra hundred and the upstairs 118 were enough - the Pimp's early lead was gone and he was at the wrong end of the countdown: 3-2-1...and an asskicking to boot.

Game #6

RC 398/ YWY 280/ KPJ 244

Yahtzee: RC (2), YWY (1)

Do or die time for a Pimp. After squandering a 2-0 start, could he find a final victory in this 7-game marathon session? The card flip rejuvenated his game perhaps - but an early Yahtzee had the Pimp in the driver's seat early and his second one had him wanting to push it to Game #8. Roman Castevet joined the Yahtzee Club too, but he came up one Y short here.

Game #7

KPJ 384/ RC 227/ YWY 215

Yahtzee(s): KPJ (2). RC (1)

Locked at 3 games each, but they could roll no more this night.

So Cup #33 remained in limbo...for several weeks and one more month.

CP

"Bourger King?"

Gone Baby Gone (2007) – Damn, first Robert Ford and now a very credible Boston private eye…it looks like the Affleck family does have a talented member and naturally, it’s the one who doesn’t have the Oscar (though brother Ben is serviceable as director here – it’s the easiest job to fake in Hollywood). Muddled, episodic story is OK, with outstanding perfs like Casey’s and Amy Ryan’s making you remember it at all. Grade: B-

The Ten (2007) – Pretty damn funny sketch comedy feature riffing off the Big Ten Commandments (the ones you aren’t supposed to break) – Paul Rudd, many members of the State, Liev Schreiber, Winona Ryder…a few misses but many more hits. Bonus points for Liev and his deadpan suggestions of “Bourger King” and “Woundy’s” – Grade: B+

White Noise 2 (2007) – Nathan Fillion takes over from Michael Keaton (star of the surprise hit original) in this straight-to-video (and superior) chiller. Tenuously linked to WN1, Fillion’s dedicated performance keeps this on track for most of the way. Grade: B

The Dogs of War (1978) – Superior action drama with a cold as ice Christopher Walken dominating in a rare leading role. Based on a Fredrick Forsythe novel, Walken leads his mercenaries on a deadly mission in unstable Africa. With Tom Berenger and JoBeth Williams. “Kick his ass!!” cries Walken. Grade: B+

In the Valley of Elah (2007) – Paul Haggis tones down the cheese (cuts back the cheese?) for some commentary about Iraq nicely tucked inside a murder mystery of sorts. Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron star. A big flop but not deservedly so. Grade: B+

See the Man Run (1971) – At long last…Tiffany managed to find this rare Robert Culp TV-movie with an Edgar-nominated script and a classic wa-wa-waaaa ending. Angie Dickinson, Eddie Albert also star, but Culp is show here, King of the early ‘70s TV-movies. Grade: A-

52 Pick-Up (1986) – John Frankenheimer meets Elmore Leonard and things get silly but only in an 80s movie kind of way. Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret class up the sleaze, with John Glover a great baddie. Grade: B

CP

Sneaky work blogging

Uncle Mel is waiting at the Aero...with Tiffany.

A double feature in Santa Monica - and the first appearance of The Hat came the next day. The movies were great, as was Mel's talk at the beginning of the evening. He still told stories like the most hilarious uncle you never had, about seeing Ethel Merman live (and even in the nosebleed section, she was too loud) and his "Please love Melvin Brooooks" enthusiasm was infectious. He told great stories about Blazing Saddles, a movie I never appreciated as much as I did this night. Following with History of the World Part One, and I know it's not his best but it was the first Brooks I saw in the theatre and the high points do make up for the lulls.

Brooks double feature: A+, A-

Scaramouche (1952) - Engrossing swashbuckler with Stewart Granger at his best working his way up in the world with sword and dashing good looks. Janet Leigh and a lusty Eleanor Parker (never better) are the women, Mel Ferrer the nasty bad guy who becomes the opponent in one of the best cinematic duels ever staged. MGM's typical lavish production serves this one well. Grade: A

Young at Heart (1954) - SPOILER ALERT: I always remember Frank driving in the snow and turning those wipers off and that was still the takeaway after falling into this one on a Sunday afternoon with T. I play the final scene, his return at the piano, as a ghost arriving in his final haunt. Sinatra's never been better, he and Doris Day have surprising spark, but her pre-60s work is usually a nice surprise. Grade: B+

The Premature Burial (1962) - Ray Milland is way too old for this Corman Poe - as a medical student obsessed with the title occurrence - but he's still very good, giving the brisk, efficient horror here the right amount of gravitas. Grade: B+

The Hunting Party (2007) - Not bad fact-based political journalist thriller has a willing cast led by Richard Gere and Terrence Howard, but not enough to distinguish it from similar flicks. Grade: B-

Gordon's War (1973) - Paul Winfield goes from Sounder to the hard streets of Harlem as a returning Vietnam vet who puts his military training to good use by cleaning the drug dealers and criminals off the streets. Violent, tough action directed by Ossie Davis, Winfield is solid as usual. Takes some shocking turns towards the conclusion, since it's the '70s, you can bet they're on the bleak side too. Grade: B

Fast Company (1938) - Disappointing comedy-mystery is the first in a short-lived MGM series about married bookseller sleuths, kind of a watered down Nick and Nora. But the adventures of Joel and Garda Sloane never quite took off, going through three films and three different casts without ever striking paydirt. Too bad, Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice give a try here but the script never reaches N&N levels (even at their weakest). Grade: C

Flesh + Blood (1985) - Gory, uneven medieval epic, with Rutger Hauer and Jennifer Jason Leigh leading the cast, and Paul Verhoeven behind the camera. Full of jaunty savage spirit, with gleeful carnage and a charismatic Rutger, but the hero is a wimp and the action ultimately outlasts the budget. Grade: C+

The King of Kong (2007) - Hilarious and engrossing documentary is almost too good to be true and maybe in some ways it is - but hey, once you pick that camera up and start filming, you change reality, right? Beside, the movie delivers and it delivered the director right into Hollywood. Grade: B+

There Will Be Blood (2007) - I abandoned my boooooy! And I drank your milkshake too. Daniel Day-Lewis and writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson combine for a powerful drama about an oilman out to conquer it all. Dark and epic, brooding and funny, PT's finally living up to his influences and going beyond them. Grade: A

The Assassination of Jesse James (2007) - Ambitious retelling of the James saga focuses on the death of the famous outlaw at the hand of close confidant Robert Ford (an outstanding Casey Affleck, squirming expertly as a man uncomfortable as himself most of all). Solemn and slow in spots, Brad Pitt hovers around the margins as the title figure, a man drifting into legend even before his end. Don Borders found this script on a flight a while ago, the movie made from it is pretty damn good. Grade: A-

Equinox (1970) - The can-do spirit lives in this DIY horror tale, started as part of a school project and ultimately rewarded with a Criterion release. Frank Bonner is the only name in the cast, as four oldish looking students tangle with a demon-loving professor in the hills of California. Some neat special effects are the highlight - perhaps a great double feature with The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra? Grade: C+

Seems Like Old Times (1980) – “Not in my neighborhood.” Still funny after all these years, with a lumpy set-up and conclusion but a smooth-running farce in the center. Perfectly cast trio never teamed again, too bad for them all. Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn and Charles Grodin are the odd trio, zinging Neil Simon for all he’s worth. Grade: B+

To the Devil – a Daughter (1976) - Hammer horror's last gasp, trying to jump on the Exorcist bandwagon (several years late) with Richard Widmark's occult author facing off against cult leader Christopher Lee. Not great but fun nonetheless, with Widmark's tough guy authority undiminished and some nicely shocking scenes. Oh, and there is a very nude very young Nastassja Kinski as well. Grade: B+

Into the Wild (2007) – Rich douchebag gets lost in the frozen woods, starves to death while looking at pretty, pretty pictures. Gotta imagine the book was more gripping because the finale wasn’t so well-known, but the lead character (Emile Hirsch) is still such a vague thing it’s hard to care one way or another. With the economy tanking all around, not much value is the story of one blessed kid who makes a principled stand by not taking a gift from his parents of a new car upon graduation. Grade: C

Cisco Pike

Sneaky movie blogging

Los Angeles in a nutshell (August 2008)

Sure, there's work to be done, but there are also movies I have seen earlier in 2008 that I would like to write about before 2008 is over. That might make my ramblings more interesting than me trying to recall shit I saw months and months ago.

The ultimate goal is to finish this 2008 and be up to date by the end of the year.

So it begins...

Pedicab Driver (1989)- At Louis Anderman's with some fancy 1920s cocktail that I could have had seven more of - but it was a more restrained evening, not quite suited for cocktails and kung fu but hey... The movie was above-average chopsocky I guess, I mean, it's not like I have a Master's degree in this stuff. Grade: B

Eaten Alive (1977) - Pretty awful swamp horror with Neville Brand and other slumming stars like Carolyn Jones, Stuart Whitman and Mel Ferrer, amid the corn pone jokes and goofy gore. Proof that director Tobe Hopper only had one great one in him. Grade: D

Skidoo (1968) - Trippy (literally) acid trip comedy from Otto Preminger was a notorious flop and with good reason. Otto was cynically trying to be hip - he needed a hero more 60 relevant than Jackie Gleason to pull this off. Unusual cast makes it worthwhile for fans of the awful, but it's not good in any way. Grade: C

The Love-Ins (1967) - Ridiculous anti-acid screed has Richard Todd as a Leary-like guru who turns out to be a total creep. Mark Goddard and Susan Oliver show up for '60 sci-fi TV fans, but only the latter gets a central role in the "Alice in Wonderland" acid trip sequence that is the only reason for watching. Grade: C

Christmas Evil (1980) - Independent horror is lumpy and dull - not tacky in the Santa Claus exploitation, but not good either. Some unintentionally funny bits aren't worth plowing through the rest. Grade: C-

Spider-Man 3 (2007) - Ugh on this dull and overstuffed third trip to the well, with a below-par Bruce Campbell cameo even. Adding Topher Grace as Venom doesn't do much, with Thomas Haden Church's Sandman vying for the spotlight as well. Meanwhile, Spidey is also involved in a boring love triangle (or maybe it's a square? who cares?) - Grade: C-
Intimate Affairs (2001) - Long-shelved comedy-drama from Altman-lite Alan Rudolph is the uneven story of a young scientist (Dermot Mulroney) running psychosexual group experiments in 1920s Paris. Neve Campbell and Robin Tunney are the repressed and horny (respectively) stenographers hired to record it all. Fun cast makes it watchable, but there' s not much story to hang on to here. Nick Nolte, Terrance Howard, Alan Cumming and Tuesday Weld co-star. Grade: B-

Smiley Face (2007) - Cute but disappointing stoner comedy has the wonderful Anna Faris in the lead but not much else beyond the first twenty minutes or so. Anna eats some powerful pot brownies by mistake in the opening - but she never goes on a ride with the weed, staying with the movie on the same low buzz the entire time. Disappointing and ultimately tiresome, ramping up the silly when all else fails. Grade: C+

Dragon Wars (2007) - Cheesy fun shouldn't be this bad, or need so much goodwill to get through the entire running time. The title tells it all, except for the weird American cast of six running around an otherwise all-Asian cast. Robert Forster is in it for some reason. Grade: D

Killer of Sheep (1977) - Charles Burnett's UCLA-made film is a beautifully understated neo-realistic piece of work, following a black slaughterhouse worker as he goes through his tough life on and off-work. Unfocused at times, but still powerful. I think its long-unseen status helped over inflate its reputation a bit. It's a shame Burnett hasn't had more opportunities to shine since this career highlight. Grade: B+

Several months later, Tiffany and I checked out Killer of Sheep's spiritual cousin, the unheralded Los Angeles drama The Exiles from 1961, restored by UCLA. We saw it after a Fante tour that proved disappointing but still kinda fun (especially the downtown bar).

I liked The Exiles quite a bit more, it has more of a shape while at the same time feeling more like an honest documentary simply observing people, not characters in a drama. Bunker Hill, the now-gone neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles, is documented in gorgeous black and white here, with a cast of aimless Native Americans looking for a purpose beyond the next day. Grade: A

Sneaky getting ten plus one in during a loooong weekend. Next is the early year trip to the Aero Theatre and one of Tiffany's old pals.

CP