Our weekly look at what’s weird in theaters, on hot-off-the-presses DVDs, and on more distant horizons…
Trailers of new release movies are generally available at the official site links.
IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017): Giorgos Lanthimos‘ latest reunites him with The Lobster‘s Colin Farrell, playing a cardiologist who befriends a 16-year old boy. Much anticipated, and finally here (well, at least it’s in selected U.S. cities). The Killing of a Sacred Deer official site.
Never Here (2017): An artist whose work violates others’ privacy finds herself pretending to be a witness to a murder while slowly losing her mind. Reviews were mixed but generally positive, and the poster describes it as “Lynchian,” but the main press coverage has revolved around the fact that it’s the last film appearance for the late Sam Shepard. No official site found.
IN DEVELOPMENT:
Chained for Life (est. 2018): The title is a reference to (although not a remake of) a 1952 exploitation film starring conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton (who also appeared in Freaks). We found this one in a casting call listing looking for female twins, a giant, a dwarf, an amputee, and an actor with Down syndrome. The listing explains it’s about “freaks” cast in a movie who “swipe the film’s camera equipment after-hours and make their own film.” Sounds like an exploitation-era throwback, but we note it’s the upcoming sophomore feature of Aaron Schimberg, whose praised but little-seen debut Go Down Death earned comparisons to the work of Guy Maddin. Chained for Life casting call (closed) at Backstage.
NEW ON DVD:
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004): Read the Certified Weird entry! GKIDS acquired the license to all of Hayao Miyazaki‘s films from Disney and is re-releasing this steampunk/fantasy along with a number of others this week. Buy Howl’s Moving Castle [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): A teenage witch starts her own delivery-by-broomstick service. Part of GKIDS’ wave of Miyaki reissues (see also Howl’s Moving Castle). Buy Kiki’s Delivery Service [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
My Neighbor Totoro (1988): Read our review. Miyazki’s first crossover hit in America is about an (imaginary?) magical childhood friend. Buy My Neighbor Totoro [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Ponyo (2008): Read our capsule review. Japan’s environmentalist take on “The Little Mermaid,” full of Miyazaki’s childlike magical realism. Buy Ponyo [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Princess Mononoke (1997): A warrior tries to intercede in a war between a mining colony and followers of a forest god. Typical Miyazki fantasy mixed with environmental themes. Buy Princess Mononoke [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Spirited Away (2001): Read the Certified Weird entry! Miyaki’s most popular and acclaimed movie, about a little girl lost in the spirit world, may also be his weirdest. Buy Spirited Away [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992): Read our review. This Criterion Collection edition of the prequel to “Twin Peaks” repeats a lot of material available on other releases (particularly the “Entire Mystery
NEW ON BLU-RAY:
“Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection”: A set of 15 of Alfred Hitchcock‘s greatest hits, including, of course, the Certified Weird Vertigo (1958), along with two discs with select episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Obviously a big-ticket item, but at a list price of $85, it actually comes out to a bargain at $5 per disc. Buy “Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection”
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004): See description in DVD above. All the GKIDS Miyazaki releases are available in dual format combo packs only. Buy Howl’s Moving Castle [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): See description in DVD above. Buy Kiki’s Delivery Service [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
My Neighbor Totoro (1988): See description in DVD above. Buy My Neighbor Totoro [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Ponyo (2008): See description in DVD above. Buy Ponyo [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Princess Mononoke (1997): See description in DVD above. Buy Princess Mononoke [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Spirited Away (2001): See description in DVD above. Buy Spirited Away [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992): See description in DVD above. Buy Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me [Blu-ray]
The Voice of the Moon (1990): An escaped mental patient (Roberto Benigni) Federico Fellini‘s final movie never received North American distribution and has remained a largely unseen curiosity in his filmography; Arrow Academy tries to reverse that perception with this 2-disc special Blu-ray. Buy The Voice of the Moon [Blu-ray]
DVR ALERT!:
Turner Classic Movies: TCM’s October lineup includes several Certified Weird features, screened commercial-free. If you still have cable or satellite and a big pot of coffee, you can check out a double feature of Eyes Without a Face and Kwaidan overnight on Monday (heading into Tuesday) starting at 2:00 AM EST. Wednesday brings us Carnival of Souls at 8:00 PM. Check your local listings or see the entire schedule at Thought Catalog.
CERTIFIED WEIRD (AND OTHER) REPERTORY SCREENINGS:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). We won’t list all the screenings of this audience-participation classic separately. You can use this page to find a screening near you.
- Bloomington, IN, 10/20 (midnight) – Bubba Ho-Tep (2002). At Indiana University Cinema.
- Chicago, IL, 10/20-10/21 (midnights) – Jacob’s Ladder (1990). At Music Box Theater.
- Louisville, KY, 10/20 – Donnie Darko (2001). Free patio screening. At Lydia House.
- Oakland, CA, 10/22 – Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001). At the New Parkway Theater.
- Pittsburgh, PA, 10/21, 10/23 -10/26 – Evil Dead II (1987). At the Row House Cinema.
- Pittsburgh, PA, 10/21, 10/23-10/26 – Suspiria (1977). At the Row House Cinema.
- Pittsburgh, PA, 10/22, 10/26 – Nosferatu (1922). At the Row House Cinema.
- Pittsburgh, PA, 10/22 – Vampyr (1932). At the Row House Cinema.
- Pittsburgh, PA, 10/22 – Häxan [Witchcraft Through the Ages] (1922). At the Row House Cinema.
- Tuscon, AZ, 10/21 – The Wicker Man (1973). The “Final Cut.” Free outdoor screening at MOCA Tuscon.
- Vancouver, BC, Canada, 10/26 – Suspiria (1977). At the Rio Theater.
- Yonkers, NY, 10/20 – House [Hausu] (1977). At the Drafthouse.
- Yonkers, NY, 10/25 – Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977). At the Drafthouse.
What are you looking forward to? If you have any weird movie leads that I have overlooked, feel free to leave them in the COMMENTS section.