- This topic has 35 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 22 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
WARNING: INCREDIBLY LONG POST AHEAD There’s a lot of discussion on the Board about cult science fiction television (probably because that’s the whole point of the site), but I can’t recall ever discussing cult films. I was wondering what cult films the other cult T.V. fans here enjoyed.
A cult film is one that never made it big mainstream and is generally either ignored of disliked by critics and most ordinary people, but is incredibly appealing to a small group. In other words, it’s the kind of movie you could mention in a normal social setting and just get blank stares, but you could type it into a search engine and get 1,138 hits.
“Famous” cult sci-fi films include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, Blade Runner and Dune. Many disagree on which films are cult and which are popular (for example my friend considers the Alien films to be cult classics, but I think they’re widely enjoyed to the point in which they don’t qualify as cult). Here are some of my all-time favorite unsung heroes of science fiction film:
The Dark Crystal (1982)
This got a pretty harsh treatment from the critics, and the average Joe (if he’s even heard of it) thinks it’s lousy or boring or confusing. But it has a large cult following, particularly among “Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Here’s another one with a big cult following. Dated, but still good. It’s a satire, a comedy, and it is funnier than all get out, but it has a serious message. It’s about how silly international hatred and mistrust is, and how humanity is teetering on the edge of annihilation. Dr. Strangelove is funny and disquieting at the same time.Tron (1982)
This movie was never a big hit in theaters, but is a favorite of modern sci-fi addicts. It is unquestionably the best cyberpunk film (newer films in the subgenre like The Matrix and Lawnmower Man pale in comparison), and among the best sci-fi films period. Tron is visually mesmerizing, with a great plot to boot. I don’t see how you can watch this movie and not love it. I mean, it is perfection.The Black Hole (1979)
This is a wonderful movie that’s been forgotten by all but a few. It’s criticized for being a Star Wars ripoff (never mind the fact it’s based on a novel that predates A New Hope, but is actually very original. It’s almost impossible to believe that it was made in the late 70s, the special effects are just so realistic. It was the first film ever to use computer graphics. No strings, no matte lines, it’s just flawless. Even the dialog is like real life. The Black Hole follows a unique story with a scientific basis, and the visual effects are there to back it up. A real gem.Godzilla (1998)
Remakes are often bad. And even if they’re good, they get bashed anyway by purists who can’t see beyond the version that’s been imprinted in their brains. The Godzilla was a good story hampered by lousy special effects. It was inhibited by the constraints of its time. Then the sequels destroyed any dignity of the original. I’d always thought it would make for a good remake. The 1998 remake was able to recapture that core premise and, with hight-tech effects that could expand it into the image the original could have been.Lost in Space (1998)
Here’s another remake that many seem to have hated but a few (including me) really love. Like Godzilla, it took the best of the original and whipped it up into something that could fulfill the vision of the creator. As a fan of the original Lost in Space I can say the film was a great extension of that classic sci-fi legend.G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)
I know what you’re thinking. G.I. Joe, it’s just a kiddie film. But that’s wrong. G.I. Joe: The Movie is essentially an adult script used for an animated movie. It’s very well written, the plot is really better than most live-action sci-fi and certainly more sophisticated than the usual G.I. Joe cartoons. It would make a great live action-movie, now that the technology exists to realistically depict the denizens of Cobra Laa. But the script was used for an animated made-for-video movie so it could never be taken seriously.Those are my favorites, I’m wondering what cult sci-fi movies everyone else is obsessed with (since I took all the time to write this post I would appreciate a few responses).
——————
Lee P. Sherman, code name DalekTek790
Whovian, Froudian, Lexxian, etc.
quote:
Originally posted by DalekTek790:
The Dark Crystal (1982)
I didn’t *hate* this film, which is about all I can say for it. It’s not bad, really, but not good enough to merit mention, IMHO. Just leaves a bland taste in my mouth.
quote
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Hell has frozen over. I actually agree with DT on something. Mark your calendar, as one of the seven seals has just been broken. This is one of the greatest films of all time. I’d shy away from calling it a “cult” film, as it has a fairly sizable following, and is at least respected, if not exactly loved, among informed cinephiles and is a stunning critical success to this day. Thanks to a bang-up script by Terry Southern and expressive (bordering on expressionistic) direction from the late, great Stanley Kubrick, it is a prime example of successful cinematic satire. Add top-notch performances from Peter Sellers (in 3 roles), Slim Pickens, George C. Scott and a supporting cast of wonderful actors (including James Earl Jones and Keenan Wynn), and you’ve got a movie that will last until the final bomb falls.
quote
Tron (1982)
And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I couldn’t disagree more with this choice. Lousy, half-baked script *may* have been an inspiration to and been inspired by cyberpunk fiction, but is less than the sum of its parts. It looks great, but suffers from the same problems that befell all Disney productions in the 1970’s. Filmmaking by committee bringing about unsatisfactory product. The DVD should be re-released with an editing function that allows you to remove all non-CGI-enhanced scenes, so you can turn the sound down and put on an album while some decent eye candy runs on-screen. See also The Black Hole, though it looks awful and features even worse performances.
quote
Godzilla (1998)
Everyone involved should be shot on sight.
Here’s a history lesson. The 1956 Japanese film Gojira addressed symbolically the collective guilt felt after WWII and the horrors of Hiroshima. It depicted a rarely-seen giant horror visiting destruction on a people who had created it with H-bomb tests. Detailed, intricately created miniatures stood in for Tokyo as a vast punishment was visited upon them. It was a sobering, serious, poetic and important film. 42 years later, the braniacs that told you that you could take down an alien threat with a computer virus because they were Mac-compatible in Independence Day decided to remake it. They ignored the hopes of fans worldwide that this beloved science fiction icon would be brought up-to-date (though the original studios had done this successfully in Japan over the course of the previous 13 years), and threw out everything that was worthwhile about the original. Where the original was serious, this one gave us silly parodies of Siskel and Ebert. Where the original placed the blame for the destruction where it belonged, the remake blamed the French (?!?). Where the original was inspired by horror classics and Ray Bradbury, the remake simply ripped off the previous year’s hit (Jurassic Park) for its final 1/3. Awful, awful filmmaking that should be buried forever and forgotten. So infuriated Toho, the original studio, that they brought the original Godzilla out of retirement for Godzilla 2000, an altogether more successful film. The ’98 film, though, is a complete desecration of the intent of the creators of the original, and sinks to levels not seen since Godzilla vs. Megalon.quote
Lost in Space (1998)
See above. Lousy movie. Waste of time.
Cult Sci-Fi films worth watching?
Brazil. Terry Gilliam’s post-modern satire on bureacracy, corporate oppression, conformity and government intrusion in the lives and rights of the individual. A brilliant film that was nearly suppressed itself in a brilliant bit of irony.
Seconds. John Frankenheimer directs Rock Hudson in this mid-60’s tale of paranoia run amok. An aging businessman, dissatisfied with his life, agrees to have his body changed into that of a “perfect” man, and takes on a new identity. Explores the toll taken on a person forced to live a lie, which resonates even more deeply when considering the private life of Rock Hudson. Mind-blowing film with one of the most jaw-dropping endings ever filmed, and an expert performance by Hudson in the role of his career.
Dark Star. John Carpenter’s first film has him teaming up with screenwriter Dan (Alien) O’Bannon for a funny, and yes, dark, science fiction parody. An increasingly bored crew tries to not go nuts whiling away the time aboard a ship that blows up planets. Makes one wonder if Paul Donovan watched this one a few too many times.
Death Race 2000. Campy, campy, campy film produced by Roger Corman and directed by Paul (Eating Raoul) Bartel. Impossible to take seriously, but you weren’t supposed to in the first place. A parody of the then-current vogue of futuristic dystopian films (POTA, Soylent Green, etc.), and as misanthropically funny as any episode of LEXX, this film has great performances by a cast of great character actors, and Sylvester Stallone’s best-ever acting job in the role of “Machine Gun” Joe Viterbo. Cheaply made, but effectively done.
Planet of the Vampires. This 1960’s film that is rumored to have inspired Alien is a perfect example of what can be accomplished on a low budget and few sets. Italian film maestro Mario Bava creates a highly atmospheric and completely inventive experience. Soon to be released on DVD through MGM’s “Midnite Movies” line (excellent films all, and extremely cheap). A must-see.
Dark City. Another paranoiac experience expertly done. Obviously inspired by the works of Philip K. Dick, this explores the questions of identity, reality, and perception, and the interrelation between the three. Incredibly designed film, beautifully directed. The problem I had upon first viewing it was that I initially thought that none of the actors fit their characters, but then I realized that this was part of the film’s point. GREAT film that deserves to be re-discovered.
The Man Who Fell To Earth. Sure, it’s ripped off from Stranger in a Strange Land. But Nicolas Roeg’s immaculate direction coaxes a tremendous performance out of David Bowie, and it remains as compelling as any film from this period.
–Aleck
[This message has been edited by Aleck (edited August 02, 2001).]
Dark Crystal– I _love_ that movie.
Dr. Strangelove– I’m embarrased to say I’ve never seen it all the way through, but the parts I did see had me laughing hysterically and thinking seriously about war at the same time. Nice.
Godzilla and Lost in Space remakes– As a rule, I avoid remakes (although I did like the new Planet of the Apes). I liked the old Godzilla too much to see its remake, and didn’t like Lost in Space enough to care about its remake.
Brazil– Great movie, but I always get a headache watching it.
Another great one:
Labryinth– Possibly my favorite cult movie. David Bowie as the Goblin King, a ridiculously melodramatic heroine, cool Muppet-creature-things and music you’re afraid to admit you like but catch yourself humming for days afterwards.——————
Gideon: I thought you said you don’t hold a grudge.
Galen: I don’t. I have no surviving enemies. At all.“I’d far rather be happy than right any day.”
“And are you?”
“No. That’s where it falls down, of course.”–Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“It’s all in the mind.”–George Harrison
WARNING STUPID AND POINTLESS POST AHEAD.
Im not reading all that!!!
——————
“Its Going down his leg i think we are going to have to amputate.
“No, dont take the leg, dont let them take the leg, they cant take the leg!!!”
“Its heading for his testicles”
“Take it, take the leg!!!”I have and its not half bad.
——————
Yoda of Borg are we: Futile, resistance is. Assimilate you, we will. Hmmm?I mean to read all of this some day but want to add a movie first.
(hope I spell it right)
Barbarella It was the Lexx of its time you could say. Jane Fonda has to change her clothes every 15 min. as they tend to get riped off her alot. Soft porn.
Trivia ? for you- A rock band took its name form a person in this movie. Do you know who it is?——————
Monkey
quote:
Originally posted by Monkey:
Barbarella It was the Lexx of its time you could say. Jane Fonda has to change her clothes every 15 min. as they tend to get riped off her alot. Soft porn.
Trivia ? for you- A rock band took its name form a person in this movie. Do you know who it is?
Aaaah, Barbarella. WONDERFUL movie, completely captures the feel of the French comic it was based on. I wouldn’t call it soft porn, as there’s really not much nudity at all in it, and it’s mostly innuendo (like LEXX, actually). Love it, love it, love it.
And the band? Duran Duran, named after the villain of the movie. Later had a single titled “Electric Barbarella.”
–Aleck
quote:
Originally posted by Catalina:
Dark Crystal– I _love_ that movie.Another great one:
Labryinth– Possibly my favorite cult movie. David Bowie as the Goblin King, a ridiculously melodramatic heroine, cool Muppet-creature-things and music you’re afraid to admit you like but catch yourself humming for days afterwards.
Yes, I love The Dark Crystal. And, okay, I’ll admit it. I do own the Labyrinth soundtrack. I just love the songs in it – especially “As the World Falls Down”. Another great cult film is definitely Flash Gordon. Oh, and it might not be popular enough to be a cult movie, but I love the Rocky Horror sequel “Shock Treatment”. It has great songs throughout!
——————
“I love you” “I know” – Princess Leia and Han Solo
“First you wanna kill me, now you wanna kiss me, blow” – Ash from Army of Darkness
“Darling, you idiot!” – Lum from Urusei Yatsura
“Who is this Anya!? Is she prettier than me!?” Xander’s sock puppet friend from Buffy the Vampire SlayerI had expected a negatory reaction to some of my favorites. The whole idea of a cult film is that a bunch of other people will think you’re crazy for liking it.
On that note, I’ll critique some of the other cult sci-fi movies that’ve been brought up 
:Brazil (1985)
An uninspired and painfully dull film. The plot is almost impossible to follow, and the “film noir” style that’s supposed to make it dark and suspenseful only succeeds in making it boring and migraine-inducing. Rather like Blade Runner, only even more difficult to watch.Barbarella (1968)
I wouldn’t have called this a cult film. I wasn’t aware it had any sort of following, since it seems to be pretty much universally despised. Barbarella shows us just how bad science fiction can get if the makers aren’t careful. I’ve been told Plan 9 from Outer Space[/i] is worse, but I’m skeptical. This is the lousy film, the personification of everything bad in the low-tech under-written under-acted sci-fi films of that era. There is not a drop of creativity or originality in the whole movie, it’s just recycled elements from other movies. Very much a product of its time.The band is a lot better than the movie. There’s a Duran Duran song on one of my Modern Rock C.D.s, and it’s pretty good.
As you might have guessed from my Froudian status, I am a fan of Labyrinth. I won’t comment on it here since it’s not sci-fi.
——————
Lee P. Sherman, code name DalekTek790
Whovian, Froudian, Lexxian, etc.Let me see if I’ve got this straight, Dalek:
You count “The Dark Crystal” as sci-fi, but not “Labyrinth”? How exactly do you figure that one?
——————
Gideon: I thought you said you don’t hold a grudge.
Galen: I don’t. I have no surviving enemies. At all.“I’d far rather be happy than right any day.”
“And are you?”
“No. That’s where it falls down, of course.”–Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“It’s all in the mind.”–George Harrison
quote:
Originally posted by Catalina:
Let me see if I’ve got this straight, Dalek:You count “The Dark Crystal” as sci-fi, but not “Labyrinth”? How exactly do you figure that one?
The Dark Crystal is science-fantasy. It contains certain fantastic elements, but it is mostly based upon scientific concepts. It takes place on another planet in another solar system. All of the characters are extraterrestrial xenomorphs, one is a cyborg, and quantum physics figure into the back story. That qualifies it as a sci-fi movie in my book.
I have spent countless hours documenting the information given in The Dark Crystal and the companion material from Brian Froud and other official sources. I hope one day soon to put my work on the internet on my planned science fiction website. Unfortunately, this dream has been continually plagued by computer and human errors, and I can not be sure when it will actually become a reality. Anyway, back to the movies.
Labyrinth, though a great film, is pure fantasy. It follows a classic (Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz etc.) plotline of a mortal human stumbling into a fantastic world. The main character makes a foolish wish, and a metaphysical being hears it and turns the universe upsidedown to fulfill it, even though she doesn’t really want it to come true. These are textbook fantasy elements, nothing sci-fi.
Ya understand now?
——————
“Exterminate!” -Dalek warrior, The Daleks: Episode 4-The Ambush
“Feel the power of the dark Crystal!” -skekTek the Scientist, The Dark Crystal
“I will love you forever!” -drone #790, Lexx 1.1: I Worship His Shadow
*gives Dalek an incredulous look* Cyborg? Are you talking about the scary lady with the detachable eye? If you are, that is never explained as being scientific, and if that’s not what you’re talking about…then I don’t know what you are talking about.
I rarely differentiate between sci-fi and fantasy…they’re both cool and I like them both…so they get put in the same category as far as I’m concerned. Don’t get all technical on me.
——————
Gideon: I thought you said you don’t hold a grudge.
Galen: I don’t. I have no surviving enemies. At all.“I’d far rather be happy than right any day.”
“And are you?”
“No. That’s where it falls down, of course.”–Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“It’s all in the mind.”–George Harrison
In the novel it says skekTek the scientist has components of a Skeksis, Gelfling, and Podling all sewn together along with mechanical components he built himself. All for the purpose of prolonging life.
I make a fine distinction between science fiction and fantasy. Some movies are science fantasy, like The Dark Crystal, White Dwarf, Wizards of the Demon Sword, Quest of the Delta Knights, The Adventures of Baron von Münchhausen, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Langoliers, Naked Lunch, and Time Bandits to name a few. They get to be on my site, even though they contain fantasy elements.
I started this topic so everyone here could share their personal cult favorites, not to discuss the scientific elements of Froud films.
——————
“Exterminate!” -Dalek warrior, The Daleks: Episode 4-The Ambush
“Feel the power of the dark Crystal!” -skekTek the Scientist, The Dark Crystal
“I will love you forever!” -drone #790, Lexx 1.1: I Worship His Shadow
Hi, im just here to add another pointless contribution to this thread, nice to see u all…
erm…
bye
——————
“Its Going down his leg i think we are going to have to amputate.
“No, dont take the leg, dont let them take the leg, they cant take the leg!!!”
“Its heading for his testicles”
“Take it, take the leg!!!”Oh, there’s a novel. No one ever tells me these things…now I’m gonna have to hunt it down and read it…
——————
Gideon: I thought you said you don’t hold a grudge.
Galen: I don’t. I have no surviving enemies. At all.“I’d far rather be happy than right any day.”
“And are you?”
“No. That’s where it falls down, of course.”–Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“It’s all in the mind.”–George Harrison
Blade Runner is my all time favorite movie, in my book the greatest film ever made.
Followed closely by Dune and Brazil.
Of course A Clockwork Orange competes with those three depending on what time of day it is, as does 2001.
While Legend may be more fantasy I still think it qualifies as a great cult film and the only Tom Cruise film worth watching.
Johnny Mnemonic had potential, I would have much preffered a full on Neuromancer film rather than only one chapter of the great Gibson novel.Deathrace 2000 was on a couple of hours ago, I just had to watch it again.
Other favorites:
Soylent Green
Hell comes to Frogtown
They Live
From Beyond
12 Monkeys
Andromeda Strain
Demon Seed
Altered States
Scanners
Dark City
Metropolis
PI
City of Lost ChildrenantiZero
.
SOYLENT GRUEN IST MENSCHENFLEISCH
quote:
Originally posted by antizero:
Other favorites:
Soylent Green
Hell comes to Frogtown
They Live
From Beyond
12 Monkeys
Andromeda Strain
Demon Seed
Altered States
Scanners
Dark City
Metropolis
PI
City of Lost Children
Excellent list, there. A few I’d forgotten to name, even though I own them. A few more I’d add are:
The Brood
Shivers (aka They Come From Within)
Re-Animator (though it’s a horror film, it has a scientific basis for everything that occurs, so I’ll label it SciFi)
Quatermass and the Pit–Aleck
quote:
Originally posted by Aleck:
Quatermass and the Pit
That was supposedly the inspiration for the Doctor Who episode The Dæmons. Definately cult.
——————
“Exterminate!” -Dalek warrior, The Daleks: Episode 4-The Ambush
“Feel the power of the dark Crystal!” -skekTek the Scientist, The Dark Crystal
“I will love you forever!” -drone #790, Lexx 1.1: I Worship His Shadow
quote:
Excellent list, there. A few I’d forgotten to name, even though I own them.
Thanks
Here are a few more I forgot to mention last night:Logans Run
THX 1138
VideoDrome
1984
Hardware
A Boy and His Dog
Heavy Metal
Tetsuo: Iron Man
Tetsuo: Body HammerEraserHead while not exactly SciFi, nonetheless a great cult classic.
quote:
Shivers (aka They Come From Within)
Re-Animator (though it’s a horror film, it has a scientific basis for everything that occurs, so I’ll label it SciFi)
Oh yeah, Re-Animator I have not seen that movie ina long time. I could add another whole list of horror movies and label them sciFi, but I better not dilute this thread anymore. heeH
——————
antiZero.
SOYLENT GRUEN IST MENSCHENFLEISCH[This message has been edited by antizero (edited August 13, 2001).]
Would anyone consider The Guyver or maybe Gremlins as cult movies??
——————
“The Minbari say. . .something really profound.” -Marcus
(B5 blooper)Tolandria-Here are some examples of cult sci-fi movies-
The Adventures of Baron von Münchhausen
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension
Akira
Basket Case
Blade Runner
Bleeders
Blood Type Blue
Brazil
The Clan of the Cave Bear
A Clockwork Orange
Creepozoids
Critters
Curse
Damnation Alley
Danger: Diabolik!
Darkman
Deep Red
Demolition Man
Dune
Escape from New York
Fist of the North Star
The Fly
Galaxy of Terror
Gargoyles
The Guyver
The Hunt for the Red October
The Incredible Melting Man
It’s Alive!
Laserblast
Liquid Sky
Mad Max
Maximum Overdrive
Misfits of Science
Naked Lunch
One Million Years B.C.
Pod People
Quatermass
Quest of the Delta Knights
Repo Man
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Scanners
A Switch in Time: Norman’s Awesome Experience
They Live
Time Bandits
The Tommyknockers
The Toxic Avenger
Weird Science
White Dwarf
Wizards of the Demon Sword
ZardozThat should give you an idea of what “cult” is.
——————
Lee P. Sherman, code name DalekTek790
Whovian, Froudian, Lexxian, etc.
quote:
Originally posted by tolandria:
Would anyone consider The Guyver or maybe Gremlins as cult movies??
The Guyver, yes.
Gremlins, no. It was a large, mainstream success, and has too large a fan base to qualify as “cult.” Its self-referential humor and spoofy nature gives it a connection to many cult films, though, primarily because its director (Joe Dante) has helmed a number of cult favorites himself. The Howling, Piranha, and Hollywood Boulevard are all good examples of this, and were all done by Dante. Gremlins, though, is one of the few times he broke through to a mainstream market, and therefore isn’t a “cult” film.–Aleck
I had to go fishing around for this topic again because I saw another great cult movie the other night – Ice Pirates. Anybody else familiar with it? It was one of my favorite movies when I was little. I hadn’t seen it in so long. I’m guessing that it’s a cult movie because I just don’t think that it would have been a big hit.
I would NOT place japanese anime in the same category as “cult science-fiction”.
You really have to be tolerant of anime first before you can enjoy any of those movies. For newbies, you have to sit them down and go through the whole lecture that not all cartoons are for children, that the japanese have been making adult-oriented comics and cartoons for years, and that it’s a sad thing that Heavy Metal is the only popular adult-oriented western animated movie. Most people are still fixated on the idea that all cartoons are for kids.
With live-action movies, you don’t have to educate new viewers and convince them that it’s okay for them to watch it.
Myself, I find the vast majority of anime to be annoying. (Now STOP, I haven’t finished!) It was explained to me a long time ago by this nice japanese girl I met in art school. There are all sorts of anime. There’s anime for young children, pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults, and dirty old b*stards (This is the big difference between anime and popular western cartoons.) I can only stomach anime that is directed at young adults or older. I’m extremely picky about what anime I prefer.
Too many times I’ve been recommended some anime only to be disappointed. It’s rare that I come across anime that is worth a second viewing. I’ll never forget Vampire Hunter D or whatever it was called. I was told that it was one of the coolest. Not. And then there’s Fist of the North Star. Yeah, right, I wanted watch an anime wrestling movie. Not.
Some of the anime movies I like are Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Princess Mononoke, and Naussica. There aren’t many others I like. But none of them I would consider cult sci-fi classics. None. They remain in the category of anime, or (at best, though not encouraged) under the category of animation in general.
Vampire Hunter D is a great movie!…I haven’t seen any of the others you mentioned, although I really want to see Akira…
Thanks for clearing that up for me DalekTek 790 and Alek.
And Catalina and Flamegrape, did hear about the new Vampire Hunter D movie that they made?
Princess Bride – best movie ever
So I married an axe murderer – second best movie ever
may not be cult classics so I’ll have to start one
and Flamegrape, I love your choices of Anime,I would agree with you wholeheartedlyother cult favs: Dune, Fantastic Planet, The Breakfast Club
I came a little late to this thread, but I have a couple of entries that haven’t been mentioned yet, that are my all-time faves:
1. Phantom of the Paradise..early DePalma movie shot here in Dallas, with Paul Williams and Gerrit Graham, and features the lovely Jessica whatsername from Suspiria..
2. Logans Run, also shot here in Dallas, with Micheal York, etc. both of these are personal faves especially since I had extra parts in both productions that actually made it to the screen, for which I was thankful.
3. From Beyond, with Jeffrey Combs,and Barbara Crampton. Hey anthing that Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna do is ok in my book..
And the last scene where Barbara goes from hysterical crying to hysterical laughter should have gotten her an academy award.4. Wicked City (live action version) Very over the top, even for Hong Kong flicks.
5. Heroic Trio, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, and Anita Mui, and the inimitable Anthony Wong type-cast again as the raving maniac.
6. Kronos….early sci-fi from out of the blue, (not the vampire remake) killer sfx for it’s time, about an energy drainer from outer space..
7. Pinocchio 964, Japanese cyberpunk flick, must be seen to be explained fully, like Tetsuo Body Hammer.
8. Dunwich Horror, with Dean Stockwell and Sandra Dee. (she’ll NEVER live down this movie) and Dean was a bad mamma-jamma, too.
9.Phantasm (1 only) Absolutely scared the living crap out of me, when I first saw it.
10. Videodrome, (I think someone did actually mention this one) James Woods and Debra Harry were astounding in this early cypberpunk flick. And the subject matter must have been tough to do, for the times.
I’m sure there are more faves out there, but it’s still early, I may come up with more later…
quote:
Originally posted by mayaxiong:
1. Phantom of the Paradise..early DePalma movie shot here in Dallas, with Paul Williams and Gerrit Graham, and features the lovely Jessica whatsername from Suspiria..
Jessica Harper, she is. And don’t forget William Finley in the role of his lifetime as Winslow Leach/The Phantom. One of my favorite films of all time. Not sci-fi, so it doesn’t really belong here, but a good choice nonetheless. Interesting Sidenote #1: Author Bill Warren posted on another BB I frequent that he attended an early screening/party when it debuted, and a friend of his showed up dressed like The Phantom. He, later that month, went to a Paul Williams concert in the same outfit. Before the show started, security grabbed him and took him backstage. He thought he was about to be arrested or something, when Paul Williams walked up to him and said “Winslow, dear boy, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Interesting sidenote #2: Jessica Harper is a tremendously friendly person who now writes children’s books and music. Got an email from her not too long ago (though it was just a warning about a computer virus that was replicating via her address book, the surprising thing was that she still had me in her address book).quote
3. From Beyond, with Jeffrey Combs,and Barbara Crampton. Hey anthing that Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna do is ok in my book..
Mine too, though I’d list Re-Animator for Gordon and Society for Yuzna.
quote
6. Kronos….early sci-fi from out of the blue, (not the vampire remake) killer sfx for it’s time, about an energy drainer from outer space..
Guillermo del Toro’s Chronos is not a remake of Kronos. It’s a whole other animal, though it has a similar name.
quote
8. Dunwich Horror, with Dean Stockwell and Sandra Dee. (she’ll NEVER live down this movie) and Dean was a bad mamma-jamma, too.
Odd little film. It’s not really *good* in any sense (though it is kind of groovy in that late-60s/early 70s way), and Dean Stockwell is just *wrong* as Wilbur Whately, but it’s entertaining in a goofy way. Requires lots of drugs, though.
quote
9.Phantasm (1 only) Absolutely scared the living crap out of me, when I first saw it.
Another odd one. Though I think this one works. It (along with Nightmare on Elm Street) seems to capture the disorientation of a nightmare really well (especially in the kind of blanket acceptance that people give to insane things, like the girl/grandmother pair at the beginning). It doesn’t really make a lot of sense, and the revelation at the end is just outlandish, but it all fits together and works like a well-oiled machine. It seems to change genres every couple of minutes, and that’s a good thing. In retrospect, though, I’d say that the only really blood-curdling thing in the movie is when Jody and Reggie (wearing a Rolling Stones t-shirt and a derby???) team up to sing a really frightening folk song.
quote
10. Videodrome, (I think someone did actually mention this one) James Woods and Debra Harry were astounding in this early cypberpunk flick. And the subject matter must have been tough to do, for the times.
I think that *every* David Cronenberg film must have been tough to do for the times. Videodrome is, quite possibly, his crowning achievement in his genre films, but all of them are worthy of note. Especially Scanners (avoid all sequels) and The Brood, two of my personal favorites. Outside of his genre work, Dead Ringers is nearly perfect, and Crash is brilliant. Cronenberg should have been given Hannibal. He would have done wonderful things with that. He is just misanthropic enough to make it work (though I do like Ridley Scott’s version, up until we get to Mason Verger’s estate and the events immediately leading up to it, and I lament some of the lost elements — martinis made of children’s tears and Margo in particular).
–Aleck
Aleck, once again, you’ve prooved you’re not just a pretty face, but I think I”ve said that before..
Re: Kronos vs Chronos, I know they’re not the same storyline, but I felt I had to mention the difference because I’ve seen them referred that way in other posts.
Re: Jessica Harper, I knew her last name, but the reference was meant to be facetious for my own reasons…heheheh..I ran across a few more in my collection that I (in my sleep-deprived state) neglected to mention.
Galaxina: with the late great Dorothy Stratten. Any planet that has Harley-Davidson worshippers deserves it’s own category!
Barbarella: more mainstream that the previous entry, but still great for the underlying current of sex drugs and rock and roll, thanks Jane..
Repo Man: Some wouldn’t consider this a sci-fi flick, but dead aliens in the trunk of a car being driven by a mad scientist pretty much ranks it up there for me. Funniest scene, when Emilio, etc, are discussing Ron L. Hubbards Dianetics, and discussing time travel and aliens, Emilio asks the questions burning in all of our minds…”You..uh..do a lot of acid, there Terry?” And Harry Dean Stanton basically stole the movie.
Stalker: Looonnnggg (double-length) movie, another import entry, now a member of the “must have” for those beefing up their collection.
Rodan: Don’t make fun of me cause I like this movie, I thought it was extremely well done for the small budget it had, and kept my attention quite well, the sight of the pink high heel in the volcanic sand left behind by the girl swept away by the creature haunted me for days after I saw it.
5 Million Years to Earth/Quartermass and the Pit: Astounding movie, I ran out and tackled the clerk at Best Buy when I saw it was released on dvd….pant… It opens up all kinds of questions about our presence on this planet.
Lifeforce: Incredible movie featuring the always angst-ridden Steve Railsback, but whatever happened to the female space vampire is beyond me, I’ve never seen her in anything since. The sfx were incredible in this movie, and the acting top-notch..guilty pleasure..
(needless to say, I have my faves that are mainstream, such as Blade Runner, Dune, etc. that would at one time have belonged in this cult category, but have now transcended into classic status.)
I haven’t seen these mentioned yet:
Quintet
Year of the Quiet Sun
On the Beach
Morons from Outer SpaceHas anyone else seen Alphaville? It’s 1960’s Godard so it’s not a totally painless experience (usual pontification
), but I’d definitely call it cult. A cross between film noir and sci fi–with an evil computer yet. Also interesting is that through lighting and choice of locations, he makes 1960’s Paris into his city of the future–no fancy (or not so fancy) sets.elmey
Hey Dalek!
which ‘The Adventures of Baron von Münchhausen’ do you mean, not the Pythonesque one surly! I hope you mean the German version (1920’s) or something. Now THAT was very cool and absolutely cult! (couldn’t get into the modern cersion (not enough naked women I suppose
)quote:
Originally posted by SadGeezer:
which ‘The Adventures of Baron von Münchhausen’ do you mean, not the Pythonesque one surly! I hope you mean the German version (1920’s) or something. Now THAT was very cool and absolutely cult! (couldn’t get into the modern cersion (not enough naked women I suppose )
I was talking about the one from like the eighties with John Neville. It wasn’t a real hit, but some people are really into it.
ORIGNALLY POSTED BY ALECK (post was deleted because of a corrupt date stamp)
quote:
Originally posted by DalekTek790:
I was talking about the one from like the eighties with John Neville. It wasn’t a real hit, but some people are really into it.
Then the English title is The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. No “von” and no umlaut. The German title uses a von and an umlaut, but as it’s an American film (British actors, writer, and director, but US money, but that’s immaterial), the English original title is the generally accepted one.
–Aleck
it was’nt great sci-fi but just a lot of fun: Transformers- The Movie.
Baweep grahnna weep ninni bohn.i am the horse
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.