In order of viewing:
1) The Missing Person [2009] – 8/10
![The Missing Person [2009]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-missing-person.jpg)
2) Gosford Park [2001] – 8/10
![Gosford Park [2001]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/gosford-park.jpg)
3) Ali: Fear Eats the Soul [1974] – 9/10
![Ali: Fear Eats the Soul [1974]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/ali-fear-eats-the-soul.jpg)
4) Swimming Pool [2003] – 8/10
![Swimming Pool [2003]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/swimming-pool.jpg)
5) Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom [1975] – 3/10
![Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom [1975]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/salo-movie.jpg)
6) Session 9 [2001] – 6/10
![Session 9 [2001]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/session-9.jpg)
7) The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry [1945] – 8/10
![The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry [1945]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-strange-affair-of-uncle-harry.jpg)
8) Hot Rod [2007] – 7/10
![Hot Rod [2007]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/hot-rod.jpg)
9) The Red Balloon [1956] – 7/10
![The Red Balloon [1956]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-red-balloon-movie.png)
10) Eight Men Out [1988] – 8/10
![Eight Men Out [1988]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/eight-men-out.jpg)
11) The Dictator [2012] – 6/10
![The Dictator [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-dictator.jpg)
12) Naked [1993] – 8/10
![Naked [1993]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/naked-1993.jpg)
13) His Girl Friday [1940] – 9/10
![His Girl Friday [1940]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/his-girl-friday.jpg)
14) The Way, Way Back [2013] – 8/10
![The Way, Way Back [2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-way-way-back.jpg)
15) Rust and Bone [2012] – 9/10
![Rust and Bone [2012]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/rust-and-bone.jpg)
16) World War Z [2013] – 6/10
![World War Z [2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/world-war-z-zombies.jpg)
17) Birdemic: Shock and Terror [2008] – 1/10
![Birdemic: Shock and Terror [2008]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/birdemic.png)
18) Crystal Fairy [2013] – 7/10
![Crystal Fairy [2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/crystal-fairy.jpg)
19) Only God Forgives [2013] – 6/10
![Only God Forgives [2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/only-god-forgives.jpg)
20) Short Cuts [1993] – 8/10
![Short Cuts [1993]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/short-cuts-movie.jpg)
21) Midnight Cowboy [1969] – 8/10
![Midnight Cowboy [1969]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/midnight-cowboy.png)
22) As Good As It Gets [1997] – 6/10
![As Good As It Gets [1997]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/as-good-as-it-gets.jpg)
Video Games Completed:
1) The Walking Dead: 400 Days [Xbox 360, 2013] – 8/10
![The Walking Dead: 400 Days [Xbox 360, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-walking-dead-400-days.jpg)
2) Splatterhouse [Xbox 360, 2010] – 8/10
![Splatterhouse [Xbox 360, 2010]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/splatterhouse-xbox-360.jpg)
3) Infamous [PS3, 2009] – 9/10
![Infamous [PS3, 2009]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/infamous-2009.jpg)
4) Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery: Episode 1 [PS Vita, 2013] – 4/10
5) Machinarium [PS Vita, 2013] – 7/10
![Machinarium [PS Vita, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/machinarium-vita.jpg)
6) Stealth Inc. [PS Vita, 2013] – 8/10
![Stealth Inc. [PS Vita, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/stealth-inc.jpg)
7) Dragon’s Crown [PS Vita/PS3, 2013] – 9/10
![Dragon's Crown [PS Vita/PS3, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dragons-crown-screenshots-41.png)
TV Shows Finished:
1) House of Cards [Season 1, 2013] – 9/10
![House of Cards [Season 1, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/house-of-cards-netflix.jpg)
2) Orange Is the New Black [Season 1, 2013] – 9/10
![Orange Is the New Black [Season 1, 2013]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/orange-is-the-new-black-piper.jpg)
Books Read:
1) “Short Cuts” by Robert Carver – 8/10
Best of the Month: For movies, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul was a huge surprise, and it has me eager to see more of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s work. Rust and Bone and His Girl Friday were both excellent as well. For video games, the soon-to-be-released Dragon’s Crown has quickly become one of my favorites this year — a perfectly updated beat ’em up brawler. I also really enjoyed Infamous and its epic superhero origin story. And, of course, both Netflix TV shows were quite good.
Worst of the Month: Birdemic is easily one of the worst movies I have ever seen, and it’s one of the select few I would not hesitate to give a 1/10 to. I’m not sure if the film was meant as a joke or to be taken seriously, but it is a total disaster. Worst of all, it’s not even “so bad it’s good” like The Room or Troll 2 — it’s just plain bad.
What’s your favorite from the list above? What was your movie/game of the month?
Glad you liked Swimming Pool, it’s such a great movie and Rampling was outstanding in this one.
Your “movie of the month” post a while back is what inspired me to finally check it out, so thanks! 😀
Curious about your upcoming reviews of Only God Forgives and Midnight Cowboy.
Metropolis (1927) was my favorite of July, plus a few westerns.
What did you think of Naked (1993), I love Mike Leigh, but find that film of his quite dark and bleak, though very well written.
Naked was my first Mike Leigh film. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I nearly shut it off after ten minutes. I just didn’t like the main character at all, but I stuck with it and found it very rewarding. It was incredibly dark and bleak, as you said, but I loved the dialogue and even grew to like the characters (or at least empathize with them). Really interesting character study, though I’m not sure it’s one I would want to watch again anytime soon.
Looks like you saw some great stuff. I’ve been watching a few episodes of Orange is the New Black and really enjoyed what I’ve seen.
Orange is the New Black is so good, and it only gets better. Really hope a second season is in the works.
Session 9 was cool. I haven’t seen The Red Balloon since I was in elementary school.
I really liked Session 9’s ending, but the film itself had a weird “made for TV” vibe to it. Still entertaining though.
Busy month eh Eric? That’s cool that you can balance games and movies 😀 I’ve never even heard of The Missing Person [2009], that’s Michael Shannon right? Are you gonna review it?
You know, I wish I had put together a review for The Missing Person. I had never heard of it before Netflix recommended it to me, and it turned out to be quite good. It’s kind of a modern day noir, and Michael Shannon and Amy Ryan are both terrific in it. Maybe I will sit down and do a post on it someday — it’s definitely an underrated film.
Oooh, I like Shannon and noir films, so I should give that a shot. Never heard of it before either.
Btw, looking fwd to your answers to Five for the Fifth 😉
Hi, Eric:
You’ve been very busy, haven’t you?
Great choices!
‘Session 9’ is about three quarters of a good film. With mood and quiet creepiness to burn.
While ‘Eight Men Out’ is John Sayles at his obscure, yet beautifully presented period piece best. Backed by a dugout of then rising, solid talent. Take a look at his very early ‘Brother fron Another Planet’ for well done, kind of raw low budget Sci~Fi done right. Or ‘Return of The Secaucus Seven’ for a ‘The Big Chill’ like film much better than Kasdan’s take on baby boomer reunions!
Hi Jack, a busy month indeed. 🙂 I’ll have to look into those other Sayles films — Eight Men Out was everything I hoped for in a baseball period piece. One of the better baseball films I have seen, actually.
Glad to see that you didn’t buy into the overrated “As Good as It Gets”. I definitely prefer About Schmidt or The Departed when it comes to the more recent Jack Nicholson films.
I also haven’t heard of the Missing Person. It intrigues me now considering your high rating and that Michael Shannon stars.
Gosford Park is a blind spot for me that I should get to sooner rather than later.
Can’t say I enjoyed Rust and Bone as much you did as my mini-review from last month shows. I felt the characters were a bit too ambiguous and too ambivalent when it came to the success of their relationship/bond. If the characters don’t try hard to make it work or be together, I certainly can’t do it for them as an spectator.
Incredibly busy month Eric. I can’t comprehend how you get it all done! Well done.
Hi Niels,
As Good As It Gets was disappointing indeed. I was shocked to learn of its numerous awards and nominations.
The Missing Person is an interesting modern day noir of sorts that stars Michael Shannon and Amy Ryan. Should still be streaming on Netflix.
I can see where you’re coming from with Rust and Bone, but it was that bit of ambiguity that I loved so much. Their connection was unlike anything we have really come to expect in film, and I loved both lead performances.
No clue how I managed to see/play so much last month. I have a feeling August will be a bit slower. 🙂
Orange Is The New Black had me hooked from episode 1. Such a good show. Gosford Park is my favorite film of the list.
I don’t remember all the films I’ve seen in July but I remember liking Before Sunset/Midnight and 2046 which is now among my favorite films.
Orange is the New Black got better with every episode, too. Loved it! I haven’t heard of 2046 — I’ll have to check that out. Glad you enjoyed the Before movies. Before Midnight is my favorite film of the year so far.