Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

Dir. George Miller & George Ogilvie

While the final Mad Max film can't outrun the first two, director George Miller delivers a fertile depiction of order amid chaos. Max (Mel Gibson) becomes embroiled in the internal tensions of Bartertown, ruled by the imperious Aunty Entity (Tina Turner). Will ex-cop Max turn assassin? Featuring the inventive Thunderdome fight sequence, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome dishes up plenty of kick-ass action.

The Road Warrior (1981)

Dir. George Miller

In this sequel to Mad Max, Mel Gibson returns as the heroic loner who drives the roads of post-apocalyptic outback Australia in an unending search for gasoline. Arrayed against him and the other scraggly defendants of a fuel-depot encampment are the bizarre warriors commanded by The Humungus (Kjell Nilsson). The post-nuclear future meets the mythological past in this epic of action and carnage.

The Monster Squad (1987)

Dir. Fred Dekker

Dracula, the Wolfman, Frankenstein, the Mummy and Gill Man descend on a tiny town in search of a diabolically powerful amulet. Only 12-year-old Sean (Andre Gower) and his gang of monster-obsessed misfits can save the day in this overlooked 1987 horror comedy. This 20th-anniversary edition also includes new interviews with Gower and co-stars Ryan Lambert, Duncan Regehr, Tom Noonan and writer-director Fred Dekker.

We Are Marshall (2006)

Dir. McG

After a plane crash takes the lives of most of Marshall University's football team, new coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) must rally the surviving players and a grieving community to victory. Based on true events, this inspiring drama follows Lengyel and his assistant coach (Matthew Fox) as they try to renew Marshall's football program and help the close-knit West Virginia town find new hope. David Strathairn and Anthony Mackie co-star.

The Beast (La Bete) (1975)

Dir. Walerian Borowczyk

Controversial filmmaker Walerian Borowczyk struck a nerve with his 1975 version of the classic "Beauty and the Beast" tale. The erotically charged French thriller centers on an American heiress destined to carry the male descendant of a failing aristocratic family that, two centuries ago, owned the rambling estate where a powerful -- and lusty -- beast roamed free. The creature haunts her dreams, but why? Could the family have a dark secret?

What Have You Done to Solange? (Cosa avete fatto a Solange?) (1972)

Dir. Massimo Dallamano

Cinematographer Massimo Dallamano directed this giallo, a murder mystery set at an all girls school in Italy. Based on a story by Edgar Wallace, What Have You Done to Solange? follows the secret affair between a teacher and one of his students. Moody and gruesome, with a number of shocking twists, and bolstered by a superb Ennio Morricone score,this film ranks among the best giallos of the 1970s.

That Obscure Object of Desire (Cet obscur objet du désir) (1977)

Dir. Luis Buñuel

This Oscar-nominated erotic dark comedy was Luis Buñuel's final film. The story follows, in flashback, middle-aged Mathieu (Fernando Rey) and his obsession for the much younger, moody Conchita (played by both Carole Bouquet and Angela Molina). The two play a continuous tug-of-war with each other's desires, each trying to outlast the other at their own game.

August Stats

August Total = 9
2007 Total = 98

Stats:
Rent - 3
Own - 4
Theater - 2
TV - 0
Other - 0
First Viewing - 7

Fright Night (1985)

Dir. Tom Holland

Nobody believes horror-movie addict Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) when he discovers that his suave new neighbor, Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon), is a vampire. Kith and kin believe Charley is certifiable, and his single mother develops a romantic interest in Dandridge. When the bloodsucker starts stalking Charley, he turns to TV horror-film host and ghoul-hunter Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall) in this hysterical spoof.

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

Dir. Brett Ratner

Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan and comedian Chris Tucker reprise their roles as bickering cops in this second sequel to the hit action comedy. After the Triads attempt to assassinate a Chinese ambassador, Hong Kong Police Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Tucker) wind up in Paris -- where they're both out of their element -- tasked with taking down the organized crime family.

Superbad (2007)

Dir. Greg Mottola

40-Year-Old Virgin veterans Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen team up again as producer and co-star/co-writer (respectively) of this high school comedy starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as best buddies facing separation anxiety as they prepare to go off to college. Attempting to score alcohol for a party (believing that the babes will follow), the boys' evening quickly dissolves into chaos. Bill Hader ("Saturday Night Live") co-stars.

The Silence (Tystnaden) (1963)

Dir. Ingmar Bergman

Three passengers travel through a foreign country on the brink of war. Taking ill, Esther checks into a hotel room, with her sister Anna and Anna's son, Johan, occupying the adjoining suite. Still unable to travel the next day, Esther gives Johan a list of helpful translations for their journey and stays behind.

All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre) (1999)

Dir. Pedro Almodovar

An Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, writer-director Pedro Almodovar's compassionate tribute to women examines the life of Manuela (Cecilia Roth), who leaves Madrid for Barcelona shortly after she witnesses her son's accidental death. She reunites with an old friend (Antonia San Juan), a pre-op transsexual prostitute, who introduces her to Rosa (Penelope Cruz), a pregnant nun. Their fast friendship binds them through many struggles.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Dir. John Landis

A wolf whose bite is definitely worse than his bark chomps a young backpacker taking a shortcut across the British moors one night. Before long, the traveler gets long in the tooth! But this howler has a different twist: a sharp sense of humor blacker than the Arctic sky on the winter solstice. John Landis wrote the screenplay and directed.

The Science of Sleep (La Science des rêves) (2006)

Dir. Michel Gondry

A timid young man can't control the fantastical plots and images of his dream world from intruding into his waking hours in Michel Gondry's science-fiction romance. After a promising new job sours, Stephane (Gael Garcia Bernal) finds new inspiration in his neighbor Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). To connect with her, shy Stephane releases the bolder personality of his dreams, but his waking insecurities threaten to destroy the relationship.

Broken Flowers (2005)

Dir. Jim Jarmusch

After being dumped by yet another girlfriend (Julie Delpy), Don Johnston (Bill Murray) vows he'll be alone forever. But when a mysterious unsigned letter arrives in the mail, he's surprised to learn he has a 19-year-old son. With no idea who the mother could be, Don sets out on a cross-country journey to confront his past, surprising a series of old flames (Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone and Tilda Swinton) along the way.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Dir. Edgar Wright

A top London cop (Simon Pegg) is ready to die of boredom when his superiors transfer him to a sleepy English village to work alongside a blundering but well-meaning young constable (Nick Frost). Craving some real action, the big-city bobby may just get his wish when the town begins to stir with a series of grisly "accidents." Is foul play afoot in this seemingly idyllic hamlet? Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) directs.

July Stats

July Total = 12
2007 Total = 89

Stats:
Rent - 5
Own - 5
Theater - 1
TV - 1
Other - 0
First Viewing - 8

Carnival of Souls (1962)

Dir. Herk Harvey

While on her way to take a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City, Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) is haunted by a bizarre apparition. It compels her to an abandoned lakeside pavilion, beginning an eerie and macabre chain of events. Herk Harvey's macabre masterpiece, while made on a modest budget, has gained a cult following on late-night television.

Mezzo Forte (2001)

Dir. Yasuomi Umetsu

Yasuomi Umetsu, the acclaimed director of Kite, returns with this animated film about Mikura, a beautiful young assassin who works for a mysterious company that specializes in murder and blackmail. When Mikura is assigned to kidnap a seemingly hapless baseball team owner named Momokichi, both she and the company soon find that they have made what could be a fatal error. Momokichi turns out to be powerful underworld boss...