Let's begin with some good old fashioned bingeing:
Turner Classics was kind enough to show the first four Lone Wolf and Cub films from 1972. These are based on a popular manga about an executioner, whose wife was murdered and he was set up to look like he was going to move against his leader. As a result, he became an assassin for hire. He brings his toddler son with him as they travel thoughout Japan. There are great fight scenes and some over-the-top gore. A very entertaining bunch. The films are:
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengence
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart on the River Styx
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril
There are two more films that have not been made available yet.
Thanks to a friends suggestion, I sought out two of three Urban Legend horror films from Taiwan.
The Tag-Along (2015)
The Tag-Along 2 (2017)
The first film is the highest grossing horror film of all time from Taiwan. I wrote an article on the pair for Bloody Whisper. Here's the link: http://www.bloodywhisper.com/movie-almost-binge-the-tag-along-trilogy/
Next was a pair of films by director Taiki Waititi, who did the brilliant "Jojo Rabbit".
The Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), is a wonderful story about a troubled boy and an equally troubled man, on the run from the infuriatingly troubled authorities. A great story.
What We Do in the Shadows: Interview with Some Vampires (2005), the short film that spawned "What We Do in the Shadows." Just as funny as the feature. I have to watch the series on Fox.
I caught up on anime and animation with some classics:
Arcadia of My Youth (1982), a Captain Harlock story
Adieu, Galaxy Express 999 (1981), sequel to Galaxy Express 999, a personal favorite
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1936), yes, I have never seen this one till now.
The Grinch (2018), not as bad as you were led to believe. From the folks who brought you "Minions".
Shaun the Sheep Movie (2014), another genius production from Nick Park and Aardman Studios.
The Daydreamer (1966), Rankin/Bass story of a young Hans Christian Andersen
On 9 May 2020, I was fortunate to attend the Sohome Horror Festival, a horror film fest held online this year due to the pandemic. It hailed from England and all the films were worth the time!
Features:
The Lake Vampire (2018, Venezuela)
Every Time I Die (2018)
Chestersberg (2019, UK)
The Shorts:
Boys' Club (2018)
Dead Teenager Seance (2018, Brazil)
El Llibre (2019, Spain)
Most Steps Ever (2019)
Rattle (2019)
Selfie Stick (2020, UK)
Finley (2019)
The Fog vs. the Mist (2018)
Nest (2019)
Allergic Overreaction (2019)
There will be an article on Bloody Whisper on these films.
Films I finally got around to:
Dog Soldiers ( 2001, UK), a good werewolf action flick
The Night Eats the World (2018, France), an interesting Zombie film
Shoot the Piano Player (1955, France), Francois Truffaut's crime drama
Joker (2019), worth the accolades
The Mad Genius (1931), John Barrymoore in a Svengali-type role
Land of the Lost (2009), not as bad as you'd think
The Dead Hate the Living (2000), low budget spin on the Zombie film
John Carter (2012), great effects, meh plot
The Dragon Painter (1919), a Sessue Hayakawa feature
The Man who Killed Hitler and then the Bigfoot (2018), the title tells it all. worth a view
Then, there were the shorts. Most were found on YouTube, unless otherwise marked.
The Rounders (1914), Charlie Chaplin & Roscoe Arbuckle together! Great comedy!
In Nacht und Eis (1912, Germany), the first film about the sinking of the Titanic. fully restored.
The Curious Case of the Murder that Wasn't (2020), an interesting spoof. Fun for TV mystery fans.
Jurassic Park: Battle at Big Rock (2019), a taste of what is to come.
Quaranstein (2020), 21 directors re-envision the classic with some hilarious effects. (Vimeo)
Fire (Prozar) (2015), David Lynch
The Grandmother (1970), David Lynch (Turner)
Second to None (2016, Ireland), animated study of one man's struggle to be the oldest man in the world.
Don't Know What (2019, Austria), Oscar nominated short. You need to see it to believe it. (Vimeo)
Five Sparkshorts from Pixar (on Disney+)
Out (2020)
Wind (2019)
Float (2019)
Purl (2019)
Loop (2020)
Okay, you caught me. There is actually 51 here. I had already seen "Rattle", Patrick Rea's entry at the Horror Festival. I wasn't willing to leave it off the list.
Most of the films can be found on YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Disney+, Turner Classics, and in my DVD case. A couple from the Sohome Horror Festival (Finley, Rattle, The Fog vs. The Mist) can be found on YouTube and Daily Motion. The rest aren't available...yet.
As I have found out that I will not be back to work until July, who knows how many more articles there will be.