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):

Queen of Earth (2015): A wealthy woman under stress retires to the countryside with an old friend, where her mental condition continues to deteriorate. From Impolex‘s Alex Ross Perry, this has earned a few cautious comparisons to Repulsion, Persona, and other female-identity disorder films. Queen of Earth at IFC films.

Windsor Drive (2015): A Hollywood actor with a dead girlfriend has a mental breakdown. Directed by Natalie Bible’ (the extra ‘ is an affectation, not a typo, making for dopey-looking constructions like “Natalie Bible”s newest film,” but we won’t hold that against the movie). Windsor Drive official site.

SCREENINGS – (New York City, weekend of Aug 28-30):

Various: We came across a blog that NYC area weird movie fans are going to want to bookmark. Midnight Grind’s purpose is simple and to the point: it provides a weekly list of midnight movie screenings in the NY metro area. Not all of the films are weird (or even cult movies), but there are enough outre offerings in the Big Apple that everyone should be able to find something strange to entertain them late nights. This weekend’s highlights are Blue Velvet at the IFC and (naturally) The Rocky Horror Picture Show (multiple locations). We may have to link to these guys weekly. Midnight Grind.

SCREENINGS – (Cinefamily, Los Angeles, Saturday Aug. 29):

3 Women (1977): Read the Certified Weird entry! Cinefamily screens Robert Altman‘s dream about two (well, three) delusional women in the Mojave desert as part of their irregular “Women of Cinefamily” series. 3 Women at Cinefamily.

SCREENINGS – (AFI Silver Theater, Silver Springs, MD, Sunday Aug. 30):

Blue Velvet (1986): Read the Certified Weird entry! David Lynch‘s perverse classic caps off AFI’s summer series of “totally awesome” 1980s classics. In dreams, I walk with you… Blue Velvet at AFI Silver Theater.

FILM FESTIVALS – Cambridge Film Festival (Cambridge, UK, Sep. 3-13):

The Cambridge festival, which is overshadowed by the Venice International Film Festival on the continent, nevertheless has a nice mix of relatively big American movies (Dope and Irrational Man), smaller experimental films, and classy revivals (the films of silent master Victor Sjöström are one of the features this year).

• Begotten – A very rare 16mm screening of the bizarre, Certified Weird creation fable, with a new live improvised soundtrack, accompanied by two seldom-seen shorts from Derek Jarman. This magnificent event is part of a series called “Dark Pictures” and it happens on Fri., Sep 4.
• By Our Selves – Experimental film by Andrew Kotting retracing the steps of a forest journey by the 19th century poet John Clare, followed by a straw bear. Sep. 5.
• Children of the Night [AKA Limbo] – Movie about a colony of child vampires being indoctrinated into believing they are a master race. UK premiere on Sep 7th.
• Hellions – Bruce McDonald (Pontypool) Halloween-themed horror about a pregnant girl terrorized by childlike monsters; reportedly surreal visuals. Screens Sep. 3.
• The Reflecting Skin – Another screening of a Certified Weird classic; director Philip Ridley will be on hand to discuss this childhood death fantasy on Sep. 8.
• Schmitke – Mildly absurd/surreal Czech film about a wind turbine engineer entering a strange forest. The UK premiere is Sep 4th and it screens again on the 7th.
• Splendor Solis – Daniel Fawcett (half of the team behind Savage Witches) has composed a feature length experimental twin-screen film out of footage he has collected for the past 17 years. Screens Sep. 11. More information at the Underground Film Studio.

Cambridge Film Festival Home Page.

IN DEVELOPMENT:

Forever Phibes (est. Halloween 2016): Not a whole lot of information here, but the “official” Dr. Phibes blog has announced a new Phibes movie, to star Malcolm McDowell as the deadly deco doctor. More info if/when it becomes available. Press release at the Official Dr. Phibes blog.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

Angel Heart (1987): Read our review. We don’t consider it one of the weirdest of all time, but Alan Parker‘s voodoo neo-noir is atmospheric as Hell. Buy Angel Heart [Blu-ray].

The Doors (1991): Val Kilmer stars as Jim Morrison, who takes acid, spouts poetry, converses with his Native American spirit guide, and occasionally records rock n’ roll hits. This psychedelic feature was the beginning of Oliver Stone‘s brief “weird” period that climaxed with 1994’s Natural Born Killers. Buy The Doors [Blu-ray].

Jacob’s Ladder (1990): Read the Certified Weird entry! Jacob’s Ladder has been out on Blu-ray before and there are no special features advertised, except for a digital HD copy of the film. Buy Jacob’s Ladder [Blu-ray].

The Last Dragon (1985): A young Harlem kung fu expert searches for a master to teach him “the glow,” but finds songstress Vanity instead, in this martial arts/comedy/musical with breakdancing bits. Perhaps more “goofy” than weird, but this 1980s cult film is out of the ordinary and high in cheesy nostalgia value.  Buy The Last Dragon [Blu-ray].

Vampire Hunter D (1985): In a post-apocalyptic world, a girl recruits the mysterious “D” to save her from a vampire’s curse.  An influential fantasy anime with a cult following. Buy Vampire Hunter D [Blu-ray].

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.