Siskel and Ebert are the best, if they ever invent time travel I’m going to go back in time and watch a episode of it on a classic TV on a Friday night after that, I’m going to get a film at Blockbuster, can we invent time travel.
During the 1980's into the early 90's my city had 2 Indie Movie theatres that always showed '"Cult films" every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. (Mon to Thurs were for old Classic films) I remember seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show, A Clockwork Orange, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Repo Man, Blade Runner, Down By Law & every Monty Python film.
'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' was an unusual offering, being foreign (non-American) and in a foreign language, and rather cerebral in nature, more so than many of the movies floated back then as midnight attractions. I lived in a city with a mall multiplex that during those same years on weekends screened a different midnight movie in each of its auditoriums--that is how I first saw 'Eraserhead', and even though I first saw 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' at a different venue, eventually came to house that one as well. That multiplex doesn't even physically exist anymore, and the midnight-movie phenomenon largely endures now only in the history books.
I frickin love Jeffrey Combs. He's the actor most associated with Lovecraft, and even played the Man from Providence himself in _Necronomicon:Book of the Dead._ Wonderful actor who's been in everything.
Some have seen some anticipation of Tim Curry's Frank-N-Furter in the music impresario Ronnie Barzell played by John LaZar in 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls'.
That is a good question: I MAY have an answer. BTVOTD was out of circulation for a VERY long time. You could not rent it anywhere. It did not fully come out until about the early 1990s. (I recall buying a VHS at Suncoast video store in a local mall. I went home and called some friends over - and half way thru I was like "where was this movie for my entire life?" ) . The genesis of the whole "cult movie thing" was 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 (aprox.) BTVOTD missed the chance back then . Which is REALLY too bad! It would have been nice to have seen it on a BIG SCREEN with a drunk and stoned crowd on a Saturday night at 12 midnight! It would have fit PERFECTLY along with Rocky Horror , Rock n' Roll High School, Up In Smoke, Eraserhead , Pink Floyd The Wall and Dawn of the Dead.
Yeah, they didn't dig into older stuff, like the old Russ Meyer pictures (Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill! Beyond The Valley of The Dolls etc) or Forbidden Zone (1980) Good classic selection here though, I love Koyaanisqaatsi (from '83) and Repo Man ('84)
That's really interesting to read. I remember seeing the movie in its initial theatrical release, but never got a sense that it ever really caught on as a cult movie. My father dismissed it as overly derivative of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', as if it was a wannabe cult attraction.
Back in the day: when me and my friends would join a video store membership: we would EXAMIN the "CULT" section of the store . If that store had all the Russ Meyer movies, John Waters movies and Herschel Gordon Lewis movies: we'd JOIN !
David here I been a movie buff for over fifty years and I recommend everyone here to watch the following movies with the thought that they would be a great midnight movie, phantom of the paradise Shock treatment little shop of horrors the musical, the Apple beyond the valley of the dolls. Please let me know your thoughts here.
I’m sure it’s had a cult following even if it wasn’t as obvious as the one for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” As much as I love the film, I do have two big issues with it. Both endings don’t really work for me. I’d say the original ending is the better of the two, but it seems too drawn-out and should have been edited in a way so it doesn’t wear out its welcome. Also, I think Mushnik should’ve had a number since he’s one of the principal characters. I did a bit of research at one point and discovered that there was indeed a song for Mushnik in the original theatrical version titled “Mushnik and Son.” It’s a shame it wasn’t included in the film.
Little Shop has cult status, just not on the level of Rocky Horror (which nothing else ever will, it's stronger now than even back then! A one-off phenomenon!)
I love how absolutely foreign violence in film and the concept of counter-cultures were to them in the 70s and 80s. Gives a bit of a time capsule, I think. They grew up with the old classic films, during the Hayes Code era, when censorship meant that films couldn't show things they can now. They routinely lambasted films from the 70s/80s that are now seen as classics of New Hollywood genre filmmaking PURELY because they contained violence or themes that were too much for them to stomach. I'd call them reactionary and kind of pussies, honestly, if it weren't for the very real world-altering violence and politics of the times that they didn't have in their youth. They grew up in the 50s, before a lot of shit happened and a massive societal upheaval changed everything. They truly were already too old to get it back then. I think a lot of critics are still like this, and if the Academy is any indication...it still seems movies have some requirement to be both traditional AND uplifting in order to be good. Most genre films, counter-culture films, and violent films still get trashed mercilessly by critics and it's a shame.
Well, yes and no as far as Ebert goes....he was one of those critics who did a quick about-face regarding "Bonnie & Clyde" and was the rare champion for "the Wild Bunch" when released.
@@gblatt8472 Except it didn't happen. Probably wouldn't have happened if the studio kept the original ending, but at least then it would have had a better chance.
@@MichaelGilman489 But it was a fair prediction. Also, both endings to Little Shop are good and are satisfying. I don't think that hurt it at the box office.
Tbh, if you speed up some of nature's finest, like rain, wind and storm and showed an erupting volcano as your finale, contrast it to a crawling baby and a doddering octagenarian you would have made the opposite of that sasquatch movie they liked so much
And to think Ebert actually wrote the screenplay for 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls', one of the most garishly exploitative mainstream movies of its era.
It was Slasher movies they hated, they seem to give Exploitation flicks more of a fair shake (like their special celebration episode on '70s Blaxsploitation pictures, for instance)
It is the greatest cult film of all time. It has a very solid narrative, every note on the soundtrack is brilliant, and every character is etched in the memory and performed beautifully
@@alramone1 I basically agree. It starts getting tired about halfway through. I've never seen it at a midnight showing so it's probably much more enjoyable there. I passed up seeing it at a midnight showing when I was 18. Kinda regret that.
@@uhdudewhy7980 I went to one, possibly two midnight showings. It was interesting, but the people who really enjoyed it came week after week, it seemed like.
It does seem to lose some steam in the last 30 min and few of the songs are actually any good...be that as it may, the movie's look and style hasn't dated as much as other films released in the 70s!
Siskel and Ebert are the best, if they ever invent time travel I’m going to go back in time and watch a episode of it on a classic TV on a Friday night after that, I’m going to get a film at Blockbuster, can we invent time travel.
During the 1980's into the early 90's my city had 2 Indie Movie theatres that always showed '"Cult films" every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. (Mon to Thurs were for old Classic films) I remember seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show, A Clockwork Orange, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Repo Man, Blade Runner, Down By Law & every Monty Python film.
'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' was an unusual offering, being foreign (non-American) and in a foreign language, and rather cerebral in nature, more so than many of the movies floated back then as midnight attractions. I lived in a city with a mall multiplex that during those same years on weekends screened a different midnight movie in each of its auditoriums--that is how I first saw 'Eraserhead', and even though I first saw 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' at a different venue, eventually came to house that one as well. That multiplex doesn't even physically exist anymore, and the midnight-movie phenomenon largely endures now only in the history books.
@@SaintMartins Sounds like a cool place.
Harry Dean Stanton was in two of my favorite films of the 80s: Escape From New York and Repo Man.
He will always be Brett from Alien, for me.
@@branagain He was also very good in 'Paris, Texas', directed by Wim Wenders.
Hey don't forget Paris, Texas from 1984, that movie is SO GOOD!
@@Al_NERi I just saw him in an episode of the Wild Wild West from the 1960’s he was very young and did a great job in his role. 👍
I frickin love Jeffrey Combs. He's the actor most associated with Lovecraft, and even played the Man from Providence himself in _Necronomicon:Book of the Dead._ Wonderful actor who's been in everything.
He was scary in Would You Rather
Great selection. Koyaanisqatsi is the most relaxing film I've ever seen. Profound.
I love Clockwork Orange. Amazing soundtrack too.
Why not 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls'??
A cult film classic if there ever was....maybe Roger didn't like to "toot" his own horn!
I think Siskel had mocked Ebert’s involvement with that film, but it definitely works as a cult movie.
Some have seen some anticipation of Tim Curry's Frank-N-Furter in the music impresario Ronnie Barzell played by John LaZar in 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls'.
That is a good question: I MAY have an answer. BTVOTD was out of circulation for a VERY long time. You could not rent it anywhere. It did not fully come out until about the early 1990s. (I recall buying a VHS at Suncoast video store in a local mall. I went home and called some friends over - and half way thru I was like "where was this movie for my entire life?" ) . The genesis of the whole "cult movie thing" was 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 (aprox.) BTVOTD missed the chance back then . Which is REALLY too bad! It would have been nice to have seen it on a BIG SCREEN with a drunk and stoned crowd on a Saturday night at 12 midnight! It would have fit PERFECTLY along with Rocky Horror , Rock n' Roll High School, Up In Smoke, Eraserhead , Pink Floyd The Wall and Dawn of the Dead.
Yeah, they didn't dig into older stuff, like the old Russ Meyer pictures (Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill! Beyond The Valley of The Dolls etc) or Forbidden Zone (1980)
Good classic selection here though, I love Koyaanisqaatsi (from '83) and Repo Man ('84)
They used to show Little Shop....in Phoenix at midnight. Back then I didn't understand what the hype was all about but know I get it
That's really interesting to read. I remember seeing the movie in its initial theatrical release, but never got a sense that it ever really caught on as a cult movie. My father dismissed it as overly derivative of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', as if it was a wannabe cult attraction.
I love Clockwork Orange and Koyanasqaatsi. The music is incredible.
Repo Man has a powerhouse soundtrack which is generally So Cal punk.
The name of the band is Talking Heads.
Back in the day: when me and my friends would join a video store membership: we would EXAMIN the "CULT" section of the store . If that store had all the Russ Meyer movies, John Waters movies and Herschel Gordon Lewis movies: we'd JOIN !
You can tell Siskel wanted Ebert to correct is take on A Clockwork Orange, rightly so.
Siskel trying to follow Eraserhead like it's a standard movie narrative is hilarious to think about.
David here I been a movie buff for over fifty years and I recommend everyone here to watch the following movies with the thought that they would be a great midnight movie, phantom of the paradise
Shock treatment little shop of horrors the musical, the Apple beyond the valley of the dolls. Please let me know your thoughts here.
Ps I forgot Higwig and the angry inch
I have no problem at all with UHF. I didn’t take it the slightest bit seriously and I think that is a must for movies like UHF. I laughed a lot.
Rocky Horror was when we first saw Jesse Ventura as Riff Raff
No one's come to take *him* back to his home planet yet (which may be Abraxas)
Little Shop of Horrors is absolutely fantastic and it’s a shame it didn’t even get the cult status
The 1960 original is definitely a "cult classic"!
I’m sure it’s had a cult following even if it wasn’t as obvious as the one for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” As much as I love the film, I do have two big issues with it. Both endings don’t really work for me. I’d say the original ending is the better of the two, but it seems too drawn-out and should have been edited in a way so it doesn’t wear out its welcome. Also, I think Mushnik should’ve had a number since he’s one of the principal characters. I did a bit of research at one point and discovered that there was indeed a song for Mushnik in the original theatrical version titled “Mushnik and Son.” It’s a shame it wasn’t included in the film.
what are you talking about; it absolutely is a cult classic
Little Shop has cult status, just not on the level of Rocky Horror (which nothing else ever will, it's stronger now than even back then! A one-off phenomenon!)
I love how absolutely foreign violence in film and the concept of counter-cultures were to them in the 70s and 80s. Gives a bit of a time capsule, I think. They grew up with the old classic films, during the Hayes Code era, when censorship meant that films couldn't show things they can now. They routinely lambasted films from the 70s/80s that are now seen as classics of New Hollywood genre filmmaking PURELY because they contained violence or themes that were too much for them to stomach. I'd call them reactionary and kind of pussies, honestly, if it weren't for the very real world-altering violence and politics of the times that they didn't have in their youth. They grew up in the 50s, before a lot of shit happened and a massive societal upheaval changed everything.
They truly were already too old to get it back then. I think a lot of critics are still like this, and if the Academy is any indication...it still seems movies have some requirement to be both traditional AND uplifting in order to be good. Most genre films, counter-culture films, and violent films still get trashed mercilessly by critics and it's a shame.
Well, yes and no as far as Ebert goes....he was one of those critics who did a quick about-face regarding "Bonnie & Clyde" and was the rare champion for "the Wild Bunch" when released.
Little shop of horrors good remake but the 60s version is better in my opinion ❤
Ebert is so eager to predict the next cult film that it's genuinely painful to witness
I don’t disagree lol, but I think most movie buffs desire to find hidden gems whether they are as overt about it or not.
It was a good prediction.
@@gblatt8472 Except it didn't happen.
Probably wouldn't have happened if the studio kept the original ending, but at least then it would have had a better chance.
@@MichaelGilman489 But it was a fair prediction. Also, both endings to Little Shop are good and are satisfying. I don't think that hurt it at the box office.
Except that it DID happen....in some circles, Little Shop of Horrors is huge and plays all the time. It happened only exactly like he predicted.
Tbh, if you speed up some of nature's finest, like rain, wind and storm and showed an erupting volcano as your finale, contrast it to a crawling baby and a doddering octagenarian you would have made the opposite of that sasquatch movie they liked so much
nah, you wouldn't have the haunting soundtrack
To think how these two hate "exploitation" films and both enjoyed Reanimator...🤯
how are those two things even remotely the same
And to think Ebert actually wrote the screenplay for 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls', one of the most garishly exploitative mainstream movies of its era.
It was Slasher movies they hated,
they seem to give Exploitation flicks more of a fair shake (like their special celebration episode on '70s Blaxsploitation pictures, for instance)
I DIDN'T LIKE REPO MAN. THUMBS 👎👎👎👎👎👎
Rocky Horror is the most overrated musical/film of all time. Zero story, one good song tops, one memorable character and a lot of dead wood.
It is the greatest cult film of all time. It has a very solid narrative, every note on the soundtrack is brilliant, and every character is etched in the memory and performed beautifully
About half the songs are great but the film goes on way too long -- it could easily be cut by about 30 minutes.
@@alramone1 I basically agree. It starts getting tired about halfway through. I've never seen it at a midnight showing so it's probably much more enjoyable there. I passed up seeing it at a midnight showing when I was 18. Kinda regret that.
@@uhdudewhy7980 I went to one, possibly two midnight showings. It was interesting, but the people who really enjoyed it came week after week, it seemed like.
It does seem to lose some steam in the last 30 min and few of the songs are actually any good...be that as it may, the movie's look and style hasn't dated as much as other films released in the 70s!