Polyester

In Odorama!!!

Polyester stars Divine as Francine Fishpaw, an unhappy housewife whose porno-theater owner husband's adulterous behavior drives her into alcoholism. To make things worse, her daughter Lulu gets knock-up by Bo Bo (Stiv Bators of Lords of the New Church), a juvenile delinquent and her son Dexter, is the infamous Foot Stomper wanted by the law. To top it off, her mother is trying to drive her mad and embezzle Francine's money by using her slimy boyfriend (Tab Hunter) as bait. Luckily, she has Cuddles (Edith Massey) who is a true friend and the only person in this rotten world she can count on. 

Polyester is one of my top favorite films by John Waters (Pink Flamingos). Drawing inspiration from his idol William Castle, John Waters cleverly adds his own gimmick creation to the movie called Odorama. The film has classic one liners and also stars Mink Stole. 

Buy the movie

Seconds

I think therefore I am..but am I me?

Seconds stars Rock Hudson, as a man who ends up undergoing a life-changing operation, which completely alters his appearance. He is given a new identity to go along with his improved face. His old self, as a stodgy, boring man is now "dead". He has been replaced as a handsome, swinging-playboy artist who lives in a community amongst other "Reborns".

Seconds raises many questions about self worth, vanity and the social expectations and taboos that hold us back from being our real selves. The film's contemporary subject of plastic surgery demonstrates that altering your outward appearance doesn't change who you are on the inside. The film offers a profound examination into one's psyche and the happiness within ourselves.

Seconds (1966) directed by John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) is clever and disturbing. The film was shot in black and white, which gives it a foreboding feeling of loneliness and despair. The cinematography is at times avant garde and surreal, creating a twisted reality.

Buy the film

View the Preview:

Coffy

Revenge is sweet, bitter and black like Coffy.

Coffy (1973) stars Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), along with Sid Haig (House of 1000 Corpses) and other seasoned actors. The acting in the film is sensational and  adds to the powerful script that is funny, action-packed and disturbing. Pam Grier believably portrays Coffy, a bad-ass woman that is sexy, smart and tough. 

Coffy is out to settle the score after her kid sister gets hooked on smack. Coffy hunts down the guilty drug pushers and takes the law in her own hands to get even. After a violent attack on her friend, she decides to infiltrate the mob in order to bring down the whole drug cartel. Coffy uses her seductive ways to earn trust within the tight circle. She is willing to stop at nothing to achieve her goal. 

The film contains great dialogue and outrageous costumes. The character King George, who is a pimp, looks the part in form fitting jumpsuits, platform shoes, hats, etc.  Coffy wears low-cut dresses, go-go boots, etc. The film is a wonderful time capsule of early 70's fashion. 

Coffy was written and directed by Jack Hill, who was also the man behind Foxy Brown and one of my all time favorite movies, Switchblade Sisters. 

Buy the film

View the preview: 

Velvet Goldmine

Platform shoes, boas and glam rock; this movie has it all AND Ewan McGregor. 

Velvet Goldmine directed by Todd Haynes is a fictional story loosely based and intertwined with real life people and events. Instead of a docudrama, it is more of a homage to the short-lived, yet extremely influential glam rock period and its cohorts. 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a convincing rock-star on the rise. His character has elements of Bowie and Marc Bolan (T. Rex), which mirror their change from folk-based guitar to rock gods. The more apparent similarities to these rock legends are the costumes, hair, make-up and glitzy live performances. Ewan McGregor portrays a raw character that is very similar to Iggy Pop. It is when Ewan and Jonathan's characters meet, that the story has influences of Lou Reed's life immediately after the Velvet Underground. The film has a clever way of twisting all of these real-life stories and mixing them with fiction to create an amalgamation that is fun, glamorous and tragic.

The costumes in this film are incredible. I am a huge fan of the glam rock style, so for me this film is pure heaven. There are platform shoes, fitted long jackets, outrageous wigs, feathered boas, colored hair, leather pants, glitter make-up, etc. Another great element of the film is the music. The soundtrack is filled with actual glam rock songs from the period, along with original music made for the film.   

But the film

Watch a montage of the film: 

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. 

Buy the film

View the Preview:

Motel Hell

Motel Hell centers around one of my favorite cult movie topics; cannibalism. A strange set of siblings run a roadside motel (Motel Hello - the "O" on the neon sign is on the fritz) and a smoked meat business. Their "secret recipe" jerky is world famous and people come from miles around to get the stuff. But, what exactly makes their meat so special? If you haven't already guessed, some motel patrons check-in but they don't check-out.

The movie has a nice balance of comedy and horror along with a twisted romance. Like Psycho, House of 1000 Corpses and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, after viewing this film you'll most likely think twice about entering a roadside business in the middle of nowhere, because they're probably owned by sociopathic entrepreneurs. 

Buy the Movie (a double feature with Deranged)

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. 

Buy the film

View the Preview: