Cult Favorites

Yes, I'm finally getting around to this. I've been busy writing and working and studying and earning A's in all my classes; that's right! And I decided it's wrong to call these classics, because none of these movies are what I'd truly term classical in any sense. But they're definitely favorites just outside the mainstream, and that gives them a certain clout - a respect, for the half-assed brilliance they exhibit. For their unique oddness, for the oddity of their uniqueness. They're different but familiar. And they're my friggin' choices, so, there's possibly some kind of theme buried within the subtext here. I tend to do that. I also tend to put things in some kind of order, so here's the chronological:

Midnight Madness
It's goofy, it's silly, it's corny, it's part of the bridge from 70's punk to 80's pop...okay not so much the latter, but come on! Co-starring Michael J. Fox as a teenager, when he actually still was one! David Naughton post-Dr. Pepper and pre-American Werewolf! Stephen Furst as a villain instead of the sap from Animal House! Eddie Deezen & Paul Reubens in the same movie!! It's been spoofed on Robot Chicken, for Leon's sake! If you were born in the 60's or 70's, check it out. It'll take you back.

A Muppet Family Christmas
Okay, so it's a t.v. special, not a movie. So what. It has two important qualities that make it a cult favorite: it's a one-shot deal that combines & crosses over previously set boundaries of fictional realms defined by its own creators, and, it's unavailable in its original form. First, Jim Henson was still alive, so the show has all the magic (and voices) that made the Muppets what they were. Second, the show has characters from different parts of the Muppet universe that had never interacted before, and I don't believe they have since, for the most part - folks from the Muppet Show & Sesame Street, all in the same place? There'd been some crossover there before, but not like this...even the Muppet Babies put in an appearance. And the Fraggles turn up! Do you have any idea how weird that is? It's freakin' awesome, okay? Fraggles rock!

It's no longer available in its original form because, I believe, they don't have the rights to some of the songs, so the current video & DVD releases are missing some scenes, and otherwise edited. Also, Disney owns Henson productions, or at least some of the distribution rights, and they're always chopping things up to suit whatever stupid crappy concept they have for it. They suck. The good news is, there are still old recordings and VHS copies of the original special, and while I'm not lucky enough to own one, I would certainly recommend tracking it down if you have the means. Or you could always buy it for me.

UHF
I'm one of the dozen or so people who actually saw this during its ludicrously brief theatrical release in the summer of 1989. And it only cost $1 - back when there were second-run theaters, this could happen! Totally worth it. It was funny then and it's funny now. It's not the most eloquent of films, and the production values are often laughable, though sometimes this is intentional...a good farcical parody (or parodic farce) is hard to find, you know? It's going to be cheesy and cheap if it's going to be good. Look at all the junk they're churning out these days - Disaster Movie, Epic Movie, Date Movie, Scary Movie 3...I think it's mainly the same group of guys (you know it's guys; women don't produce this kind of work) pooping them out, stinking up the cinematic landscape. Weird Al is a genius god next to these losers. Even Michael Richards was still talented back then - if there's an Oscar equivalent for playing a dumbass goofball, he earned it here.

Freaked
Not a very widely known film, but that's what makes it a cult favorite. If you ever wondered what happened to Alex Winter, widely recognized as Bill S Preston Esq. of Bill & Ted...well, this movie pretty much tells that story - he turned into a hideous mutated freak and moved behind the camera. It has those same qualities as UHF that make it fun - cheap and cheesy, with good comic timing. Randy Quaid as an evil madman! Keanu Reeves as an uncredited Dog-Boy! A cameo by David Bowe from UHF! Shakespeare with monsters! A movie doesn't always have to be good to be good, if you know what I mean...as long as it isn't lousy.

S.F.W.
This movie is a product of its time - I'm not sure people really get it anymore. Folks of a certain generation will recognize the discontent complacency, the desire to change one's life without making an effort...I know these are contradictory sentiments, but that's what it does. It shows how meaningless life can feel, as if all anyone could do is go along for the ride, whatever the ride is. The movie reflects this, the music reflects this, and Stephen Dorff's performance says it all. He exists, but he's not doing anything about it.

I wouldn't say anything in this movie is brilliant, exactly, but it certainly captures the essence of its own story, by making it a semi-comic satire of the world around it, and within it. Besides, it's got a young Reese Witherspoon...the "fuckin' special" version of Radiohead's first big hit 'Creep'...Jake Busey as a douchebag! You can't go wrong, if you look at it right.


I left out things like Creepshow & Killer Klowns From Outer Space because...well, I've talked about those before, and they're more widely accepted for being what they are, or more well known, or something. I just didn't want to, okay? And no promises this time regarding my next topic, or its expected date of publishment. I does what I does and we'll sees what that is. Thanks for reading!