C.H.U.D

Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers - the BEST acronym ever!!

C.H.U.D (1984) has one of the cleverest film titles of all time; for that reason alone it has become a cult movie icon. C.H.U.D could have easily been a b-movie, but it rises above such a status due to its talented cast which includes John Heard (After Hours), Daniel Stern (Diner) and Kim Greist (Brazil). 

The film takes place in NYC's SoHo district, where there is something strange going on in the sewers. Could it be Alligators? Demented homeless people? Toxic waste? Is there a conspiracy afoot? 

If you like comedy with your horror then check this gem out!

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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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Suburbia

Punk rock + the burbs = hell for all. 

Suburbia is about a group of disconnected youth who call themselves T.R. (The Rejected). The young characters are a mix of teens who have been abused, ignored or mistreated by their parents and have found salvation in punk.  Their lives at home were so terrible that they'd rather live together as squatters in a roach infested, condemned house on the edge of the suburban jungle. It is here, at the T.R. house, through the unconventional family they've created where they finally have a sense of security and love. 

The T.R. kids are punk, in the true sense of the word. They are revolting against all convention; because the "normal" world has rejected them for too long. Why should they want to be part of something that didn't want them in the first place? With every great punk story, you must have great punk music. Suburbia has live performances by T.S.O.L, DI and The Vandals. 

The film was written and directed by Penelope Spheeris who before had documented the punk scene in the film The Decline of the Western Civilization. Later she went on to direct another movie centered around rock, Wayne's World. 

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Killer Klowns from Outer Space

A flying saucer shaped as a circus tent, deadly cotton candy, popcorn shooting ray guns and CLOWNS.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a goofy horror movie that pokes fun at the sci-fi/horror genre. Its tag-line "In space no one can eat ice cream" is a spoof on Alien. However, in this movie the aliens are clowns and their cocoons are made out of cotton candy. 

A small town is invaded by evil clowns, but the police are slow to act. Now a guy, his girlfriend and a couple of dudes in an ice cream truck have to save the town and possibly the universe. 

Although the clowns are menacing, they are cute in a demonic way. If you have a serious fear of clowns, you might find this movie scary. The characters and situations are meant to be goofy and over-the-top. 

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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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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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