Micro Review: The Social Network

A long overdue view here in The Basement, and worth the wait . . . for the most part. There's nothing technically wrong with David Fincher's Facebook tale, but the film is also proof positive that sharp direction, great writing (by screenwriter Aaron Sorkin) and solid performances do not a great movie make. The film is a decent ride, but only holds the viewer's interest enough to make it worth taking once. I enjoyed my experience with The Social Network, but won't be back for more. And that, sadly, earns it a Bad from this Basement Dweller. As someone who is a die hard Fincher fan, that's a tough statement to swallow.

It's Halloween, and everyone is entitles to one good scare. For us in The Basement, that scare came Friday night when we interviewed the ghost of deceased movie producer, director and actor William Castle!

For those that missed our first ever live chat with the dead, there is the podcast to your right that you can listen to at your leisure. Given that the interview was carried out via live chat in a Facebook discussion page, we've included a link to it here. Feel free to give it a read and catch parts of the interview that didn't make it onto the show. And thanks again to psychic Mike S, who mediated the interview for us. You rock!

How could we not broadcast every question and answer? Well, being a movie review show, we did have to talk movies. And Shawn and I just had to share our thoughts on the best underrated horror movies of all time. Being the generous radio hosts that we are, we've included our lists and brief thoughts on each film for you below!

And a big shout out once again to our resident ghost, the late great Mr. Castle! Thanks for making Halloween 2010 a great one for us Basement Dwellers!

The 10 Most Underrated Horror Films

According to Shawn:

Eight Legged Freaks - One of the greatest giant spider movies ever made. Having arachnophobia, this movie is an eye squinter for me when I watch it. Toxic waste spill mutates the spiders at a side-of-the-road spider zoo. The zookeeper is quickly devoured and the spiders take refuge in the town's old gold mines. They grow, and eat people. Awesome!

The Devil's Backbone- Ghosts, war, bombs, and lots of scares.  I remember being a bit squeamish watching it. Thanks for the nightmares, Guillermo Del Toro.

Sasquatch: The Legend of Bigfoot - I was a kid when I watched this TV movie.  I remember it freaked me out. We do live in Bigfoot country after all.  Plausible? Call Mythbusters.

Dead Alive (Brain Dead)- Terrible beginning. Terrible ending.  The bits in between are gold.  Rare monkey is found, bites lady. Cue zombie apocalypse. Features a priest who kicks ass for God. How cool is that?

Freaks – An old, weird movie.  Watched it once when I was young and it's stuck with me ever since. Maybe because they used real genetically unfortunate persons.  May not be the scariest movie on earth, but disturbing.

An American Werewolf In London – I was 10 years old when I watched this.  The werewolf itself wasn't the scariest part. It was the dead victims that impacted me and still stick with me today. Really. I see one of them now!

John Carpenter's The Thing - Again, I was 10 years old when I watched this.  That must have been a defining year for me and movies.  Thanks to George's dad too, who let me watch it.  It was evening, I lived one short block away.  He says "Hey Shawn, have a good walk home and watch out for THE THING!  It could be anybody". Thanks. Words I've lived by.  That molded me.

Pontypool - Awesome one-location, limited-cast apocalyptic film.  Truly makes you use your imagination, gets you thinking, and is pretty damn scary.  Highly underrated!

and No. 1 . . . Dog Soldiers – Werewolves versus soldiers.  Soldiers kick ass. The werewolves are the best ever put on film. I don't care what Mike S. thinks! Violent, gory and believable. Scary even. It's what we in The Basement look for in a horror movie!

According to Jason:

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane - A group of high-schoolers invite Mandy Lane, a good girl who became quite hot over the summer, to a weekend party on a secluded ranch. While the festivities rage on, the number of revelers begins to drop quite mysteriously. Quirky and well done despite its low budget. Got Amber Heard noticed, and for good reason!

The Woman in Black - When a friendless old widow dies in the seaside town of Crythin, a young solicitor is sent by his firm to settle the estate. Pure terror ensues for the solicitor and the audience. Guaranteed to keep you up at night.

Session 9 - Tensions rise within an asbestos cleaning crew as they work in an abandoned mental hospital with a horrific past that seems to be coming back. Limited violence, no jump scares but unsettling none-the-less.

The Orphanage - A woman brings her family back to her childhood home, where she opens an orphanage for handicapped children. Before long, her son starts to communicate with an invisible new friend. From producer Guillermo Del Toro, and scary as hell. The kid in the sack mask still gives me nightmares.

Pontypool - A psychological thriller in which a deadly virus infects a small Ontario town via the spoken word. What Shawn said.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes - When hundreds of videotapes showing torture, murder and dismemberment are found in an abandoned house, they reveal a serial killer's decade-long reign of terror and become the most disturbing collection of evidence homicide detectives have ever seen. Two words describe this film: fucked up! And not for everyone.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon - The next great psycho horror slasher has given a documentary crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the sleepy town of Glen Echo, all the while deconstructing the conventions and archetypes of the horror genre for them. A must see. Why haven't you seen it yet? Get out there and SEE IT!

Dog Soldiers - A routine military exercise turns into a nightmare in the Scotland wilderness as a group of soldiers find themselves under siege by a pack of werewolves. Again, what Shawn said.

Trick r Treat – Actually a better film than my No. 1 choice, but much more well know and therefor it does not rank as No. 1. Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank; a woman who loathes the night has to contend with her holiday-obsessed husband. One to put in the Blu-Ray player every October.

and No. 1 . . . Splinter - Trapped in an isolated gas station by a voracious Splinter parasite that transforms its still living victims into deadly hosts, a young couple and an escaped convict must find a way to work together to survive this primal terror. Brutal, disturbing and a masterpiece despite the low budget. Great characters who react in rational and believable way to the nightmare they face. I love this movie!

From Beyond the Grave: A Discussion With William Castle!

Tonight is a Basement first! With the help of psychic and frequent contributor Mike S., and the marvels of modern Facebook technology, Shawn and I are going to conduct a live online and onair interview with the spirit of famous Hollywood film director, producer and actor William Castle! 

We've opened a discussion on our Facebook page and, shortly after 10 p.m., our conversation from beyond the grave will begin! Remember, Castle is a ghost, so he's only regained the ability to type, not to speak. Mike S. will speak for him!


Those who want to listen can tune in live at 92.5FM CFBX Kamloops or www.thex.ca. If you want to watch the discussion unfold, or even have a question to ask, stop by our Facebook page.

Castle may be best known for his gimmicks. For example, The Tingler (1959) was about a docile creature that lives in the spinal cord, is activated by fright, and can only be destroyed by screaming. In the film's finale, one of the creatures removed from the spine of a mute woman is let loose in a movie theatre. Some seats in theatres showing the Tingler were equipped with larger versions of hand-held joy buzzers that were attached to the underside of the seats. When the Tingler in the film attacked the audience, the buzzers were activated as a voice encouraged the real audience to scream for their lives.

We've also got music by Rob Zombie and Sick Puppies, plus featured discussions on the best underrated horror films of all time. Stick with us!

And remember, if all of this makes your skin crawl, it's Halloween: everyone is entitled to one good scare!

Below is Castle introducing his film The Tingler.

Edward Norton Won't Hulk Out In Avengers Movie

I'm sure most film geeks are well aware of the back and forth between Marvel and Edward Norton this weekend regarding the award-winning actor's part in the upcoming Avengers movie.

A statement issued by Marvel said Norton , who recently played Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk, wouldn't reprise the part in The Avengers, saying the decision was "definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members.”

Norton's agent, Brian Swardstrom, rebuked, calling the statement a "purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light."

Norton released a statement of his Facebook page "It seems it won't work out for me to continue playing Bruce Banner for Marvel in 'The Avengers.' I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn't turned out as we all hoped. I know this is disappointing to many people and that makes me sad. But I am very sincerely grateful to Marvel for extending the offer and even more so for giving me the chance to be a part of The Hulk's long and excellent history."

You can read the statement for yourself here:

I really dug Norton in the role and hoped to see him alongside Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Samuel L. in The Avengers. Rumour has it Joaquin Phoenix is up for the part. As long as it isn't Eric Bana . . .

But still, no Norton? Cue that sad piano music please.

Not Much Activity in Paranormal Activity 2 Teaser

We're a bit late in getting this up on the blog, but we did post a link earlier today on the Facebook page with this teaser for Paranormal Activity 2.

I loved the hell out of Paranormal Activity, and this preview shows more of the same, only with a dog and baby in on the action. There is no need for a sequel, but I do hold out hope that the follow up adds to the mythology and doesn't just rehash what we've seen before.

Check out the trailer below and share your thoughts, feelings and concerns.

Out Of The Basement And Onto The X

We are Jason and Shawn, and we aren't just in The Basement anymore!

Brant, Steve and the fine folks at 92.5 FM The X -- Thompson Rivers University's campus radio station -- have welcomed Film Reviews From the Basement onto its fall lineup starting Oct. 1 at 10 p.m. with a prerecorded hour-long episode to kick us off.

The real fun begins the following week, Oct. 8, when Shawn and I go live for the full hour, and every Friday after that, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel.

What does that mean for the show? We promise more reviews, more guests -- both friends and folks in the entertainment industry -- music, film clips and whatever else we can think of between now and Oct. 1.

What does that mean for the podcast? We'll be recording the radio show as it airs, so look for some version of it the following Monday. We'll still be available on Facebook, iTunes, podOmatic and, naturally, from this blog.

We thank everyone who has supported The Little Podcast That Could, and look forward to you joining us on the next leg of our adventure!

The final episode of Season One is available July 5.

Until then, we'll see you in The Basement!

Welcome to Film Reviews From the Basement: The Blog

A couple of aging movie geeks share their thoughts, feelings and opinions about offbeat, obscure and often downright bad films old and new . . . with a little help from their friends.

That's us. We're Jason and Shawn and we come at you from The Basement every two weeks with reviews of offbeat, obscure and often crappy movies courtesy of our podcast on podOmatic and iTunes.

We've been active since late January and have about 10 episodes under our belt. We've also been posting on a Facebook group page and tweeting. This blog will be an extension of that.

We hope you will come back often and leave a comment or three. Look for us to really ramp this up during the coming week.

Until then: thanks for visiting and we'll see you soon . . . in The Basement.

Good night, and good luck.

Jason and Shawn