I just realized that my most "famous" review for the Basement has never actually appeared on the site... the one where I "dis" Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's "The Shining".  What did I say that prompted one e-mail to me stating that Stephen King and I were just jealous because "Kubrick understood the characters better than Stephen King did"? Well, here it is in all its hate inducing glory!

Having recently read Jay Anson 's allegedly true account of the ordeal the Lutz family faced in the now infamous Long Island home, I thought it was time to revisit the first of 10 -- count 'em 10 -- films based on the subject matter. How does it hold up? Stick with me! Newlyweds move into a house where a murder was committed, and experience strange manifestations which drive them away.  The funny thing about the 1979 version of The Amityville Horror , and even the 2005 remake, is how much it deviates from the story. Anson's book, bullshit or not , has some pretty incredible stuff in it. And there's no doubt all of it would have made for frightening cinema. But good 'ole Hollywood has to put its on stamp on things. Most surprising is how Stuart Rosenberg 's film plays up George Lutz 's descent into insanity, to the point where he's willing to go Jack Nicholson on his family with an axe. This too was played up in the Andrew Douglas's 2005 re...

What happens when Tim Burton takes on an Alien invasion? Mars Attacks!  That's what! This is on the fun side of an earth-altering alien invasion!  It was fun, less serious and just enough violence to keep it out of ridiculousness. It must be awesome to gather so many talented actors and let them have fun on the set of something like this. Jack Nicholson was funny as shit!  This was a rad little movie, I've watched it several times.  Especially when the mayhem and serious tones of all the other apocalyptic movies start to drain on me. haha. This is a GOOD, fun movie.  It is silly but there is enough entertainment value, to not feel violated, after watching it. As the Mayan calendar counts down, to its end, this would be a fun way to celebrate.