Clue

Murder, mayhem and madness. Plus, Tim Curry!!

Clue (The Movie) is a wacky comedy, loosely based on the popular board game, which stars cult movie icon Tim Curry along with Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Ellen Brennan and Lesley Ann Warren. Whether you're a fan of the game or not, the film holds its own. Clue was released in 1985 with three different endings; the whodunit conclusion depended on the exact theater you saw it at. The DVD contains all three endings, which are equally entertaining and silly.

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Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls

"This is my happening and it freaks me out." Any movie with this line HAS to be great.

Beyond The Valley of the Dolls was written by Roger Ebert and directed by Russ Meyer. It is not a sequel to Valley of the Dolls, although originally it was somewhat inspired as such. There are similarities between the two films (young girls trying to make it famous, the corruption of the entertainment business, drugs, parties, Hollywood, etc); however Beyond is far more edgy and weird. 

The story centers around a girl rock band who go out to Hollyweird and hit it big. Along the way they use friends, sleep around, get naked and play one song concerts. It's a tough life going to parties, getting high and having sex with multiple partners; but these dolls quickly adjust to their new roles as rock goddesses. 

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Dead Alive

One of my fave movies of all time. Funny and gruesome. Peter Jackson in his twisted early years.

Dead Alive was directed by Peter Jackson and was billed the goriest film when it debuted. The film centers around Lionel, a momma's boy and his dominating mother, who gets bit by a rabid monkey and turns into a zombie. Mother starts turning other folks into zombies, while Lionel tries to keep the undeads under control in his basement. As you know, zombies never stay still for long and that's when things get really wild. 

Peter Jackson creates an atmosphere of innocence; which allows the gore elements to be less gruesome and more ridiculously funny. The costumes, sets, characters and music are often overly sweet and seem out of place for a horror film. However, the multitude of gross effects and wild scenarios keep this film lively with slapstick comedy and plenty of blood and guts. In a similar vain to Evil Dead 2, the most horrific moments are always the goofiest. 

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Blood Feast

The first gore film, filled with bright red blood, severed limbs and a crazy dude with bushy eyebrows and a limp.

Blood Feast was directed by the godfather of gore Herschell Gordon Lewis; a true Renaissance man who filmed and scored the movie as well. 

Although there is never an actual feast, there is still plenty of blood. Herschell is a master of setting up grotesque shots of bright red blood and severed limbs. The movie centers around Fuad Ramses who spends the film gathering up victims and dismembering them. The acting is appalling, but that adds to the appeal and charm of Blood Feast. 

The film was groundbreaking for its use of blood and gore; even with today's standards this film still holds up as gruesome.  

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Liquid Sky

80's New Wave. UFOs, fashion, drugs, bisexuals, and night clubs. The sound track is awesome too.

Liquid Sky is one of my favorite movies of all time. Anne Carlisle who co-wrote the screenplay plays two characters, one female (Margaret) the other male (Jimmy). She's so convincing in both roles that most people don't even notice that Ann is playing two characters within one scene. 

After a UFO lands on Margaret's rooftop, she suddenly has the ability to make people disappear when she has sex with them. One body after another starts vanishing. What does it all mean? You must watch the film to find out. 

The film's backdrop is the East Village, NYC during the early 80's. The soundtrack is very new wave and sets the mood throughout the film. Fashion is another driving force in the film; with awesome costumes, make-up and hair. 

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Hot Rods To Hell

Hot rods, hot chicks, juvenile delinquents and one set of tormented, square parents on the road. Buckle up for the ride.

Hot Rods To Hell is a classic cult tale of the youth culture vs. the unhip gown-ups. Filmed in the mid-60's, when the baby boomers were out numbering their elders, it captures America's unease and fear of these ruffians taking over the country. Don't Trust Anyone Over 30 was the teen diatribe of the times and this movie coveys the 60's youth's distain of their authority figures. 

What better way to get back at your elders then to chase them off the road with a tricked out hot rod and a blonde chick gyrating with excitement holding on for the ride. Like other road movies; such as The Hitcher and Duel, this film demonstrates that the highway can be a very scary place. However, this film has cool hot rods and no seat belts.

You may find this movie goofy and dated, but that's exactly what I love about it. The parents are total stereotypes with melodramatic expressions. The youth are all troubled and seem to have no hope for a better future because they lack ambition and goals. The over the top dramatic delivery of the dialogue also adds to the humor. 

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Smithereens

New Wave movie that captures the East Village in the early 80's. What's a homeless, female rockstar to do?

Smithereens was directed by Susan Seidelman; who went on to direct Desperately Seeking Susan. Both films are similar in some ways (quirky story, female lead, backdrop of East Village in the 80's, etc) but Smithereens is more gritty and raw. The film's edgy quality gives it a realistic feel and it captures the energy of the down and out, yet up and coming art/music scene that was taking place in the East Village during the early 80's.

 

The main character is Wren (Susan Berman) who is determined to be a star in the downtown scene. Richard Hell (punk icon who sang Blank Generation) also stars in the film as a East Village rock star with a major attitude. Wren is an opportunist and latches on to anything that might help her get ahead on her road to fame. 

The film is a wonderful snap shot of the 80's East Village music, art and fashion scene that influenced a generation. Smithereens truly takes you back in time to the exciting energy of the scene with all of the grit and grime of downtown NYC. Warning - this movie will make you run out and buy a pair of checkerboard sun glasses!

I first saw Smithereens on Night Flight; which was an awesome TV show that showcased a variety of New Wave movies and videos. Night Flight had a profound impact on my life and the movies they showed have a special place in my nostalgic heart. Some of the other great films that Night Flight aired were: Rude Boy (with The Clash), Breaking Glass (with Hazel O'Conner), and Ladies and Gentleman the Fabulous Stains (with Laura Dern). 

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Repo Man

Aliens, punk rock, AND Harry Dean Stanton. This is one of my FAVE movies of all time. Lot's of quotable lines too.

Repo Man 

Directed by Alex Cox (Sid and Nancy, Wonderland)

Starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton

Produced by Michael Nesmith (former Monkee and whose mom invented white-out)

Emilio Estevez plays Otto, a punk kid whose parents are more interested in their cult leader than him. So what's an ex-stock boy to do for cash? He reluctantly gets a job repossessing cars, but soon finds out that the life of a repo man in always intense. Meanwhile, there's a crazy dude driving around with radioactive aliens in the trunk of his car. 

Not only is this movie funny but on a higher level it deals with the power of chance meetings and their consequences. But are these mere coincidences or the result of fate? Is everything in the universe actually connected? 

Repo Man has an awesome soundtrack that includes the title song by Iggy Pop along with Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, Fear, etc.  

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