Movie-A-Day #317: Horrors of the Black Museum (1959).
On this date in 1841, Scottish physician James Braid witnessed a demonstration of mesmerism which prompted him to start a scientific study of the subject. He called his new field of scientific mesmerism “hypnotism” and became a pioneer in the study of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Hypnotism also figures strongly in “Horrors of the Black Museum,” a William Castle knockoff from Britain that claims to have cues that will hypnotize the audience. Try watching it and see if you wind up clucking like a chicken…
Movie-A-Day #316: Drive (2011).
Happy 31st birthday to Ryan Gosling. He’s the current standard for badassery, thanks to “Drive,” and the current symbol of sensitive manhood, thanks to the Feminist Ryan Gosling meme.
Movie-A-Day #315: This is Spinal Tap (1984).
Today is November 11, 2011 – the day that goes up to 11! It’s like yesterday, but one louder.
Movie-A-Day #314: Full Metal Jacket (1987).
Happy birthday to the United States Marine Corps, which was founded on this day in 1775. There was a commitment to toughness from the beginning, even though the reality of combat has changed over the years. Or, as Sgt. Hartman in “Full Metal Jacket” would put it, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BELOVED CORPS?!?!?!?
Movie-A-Day #313: Almost Famous (2000).
Rolling Stone magazine published it’s first issue on this day in 1967, featuring John Lennon on the cover. It quickly became an influential touchstone for the Summer of Love generation, but these days it seems that its political reporting is far more relevant than its music coverage. It’s definitely not what it used to be, but that hasn’t stopped the nostalgia-fest for the good ol’ days, like Cameron Crowe’s excellent semi-autobiographical “Almost Famous.”
Desuko Movie Spot. 