bookMarq this.

After last night’s tremendous game 4, the stage is set for Miami to deliver on what they promised less than two years ago - an NBA championship. I don’t want to get ahead of myself or jinx anything but the Heat’s 3-1 series stranglehold on the Thunder gives me great hope. Here’s hoping they close it out at home.

I posted this image not because I detest OKC. They’re easily my second-favourite team right now, after Miami (which has made this Finals extra awesome to watch). They have a great collection of players and fans and I don’t begrudge the city for being awarded a franchise that should have never been moved. But in my heart the Sonics will forever be my favourite team and I still miss them a ton and do hope that they are awarded a franchise sooner than later (I highly recommend this recent article by Jay Caspian Kang about the passionate movement to bring basketball back to Seattle).

That said, BEAT OKC! Go HEAT!

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XXII

Dawn of the Dead

[1978 / George A. Romero / *****]

And here we are, at the final film of my Halloween Horror Marathan (only squeezed in 6 total for the day - still more movies than any other 1 day of my life that I can think of). And the last horror film viewed in the glorious month of October. While I may not be tracking them as diligently the rest of the year, rest assured I’ll still be steady horror-viewing.

It had been a few too many years since I last saw Romero’s masterpiece but it’s as incredible as ever. The only thing I might wish for is more Goblin score rather than some of the public domain-y music Romero sometimes uses. That said, this film is still perfection.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XXI

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

[1974 / Tobe Hooper / *****]

Finally, some darkness surrounds the TV set pictures I’m taking. This is what was on while the trick-or-treaters rang the doorbell.

I’ve seen this so many times by now that it’s fun to focus on specific elements of the film. This time, the score really stood out for its distached awesome eeriness.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XX

The Blair Witch Project

[1999 / Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez / *****]

What an amazing year for film 1999 was and seeing this film on opening weekend remains one of the best cinematic experiences of my life.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XIX

City of the Living Dead

[1980 / Lucio Fulci / ***½]

A bit of a let down compared to the high standards of other great Fulci films I’ve seen and loved, but still a fun time.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XVIII

Carrie

[1976 / Brian De Palma / *****]

More looking back at yesterday’s day on the couch. It seems like every time I see this film, I grow to love it more and more. So heartbreakingly effective.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XVII

The Fly

[1986 / David Cronenberg / *****]

The remaining Hype entries were all view during a marathon o’ horror that took place all Halloween day and night.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XVI

Halloween

[1978 / John Carpenter / *****]

The film that perfected the slasher film, setting the standard for all such movies going forward. I love this film to death. If I were somehow able to track every movie I ever watched, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was my most-viewed one. I watched this on Blu-ray for the first time today. I actually didn’t find the HD transfer that impressive. I actually found it a bit cold compared to the warm DVD I’m used to (if that makes any sense). I’ll have to compare the 2 versions sometime.

Halloween Hype 2011, Pt. XV

Basket Case

[1982 / Frank Henenlotter / ****½]

This was the film screened at my friend’s Halloween party last night. Good times had by all, especially when it comes to watching this favourite grindhousey early-80s NYC horror flick with a group of friends.

Halloween Hype 2011, Part XIV

Halloween III: Season of the Witch

[1982 / Tommy Lee Wallace / *****]

Catching up on my weekend viewings. HIII is a perennial favourite. Ended up watching a slightly censored version on AMC (part of their annual Fright Fest airings) even though I have the DVD (the trip upstairs to get it was just too taxing apparently). My 5 star rating is purely based on how fun I find this film.