Our weekly look at what’s weird in theaters, on hot-off-the-presses DVDs and Blu-rays (and hot off the server VODs), and on more distant horizons…
Trailers of new release movies are generally available at the official site links.
IN THEATERS (WIDE RELEASE):
Annihilation (2018): A group of scientists investigate a paranormal phenomenon called “the Shimmer.” This highly-anticipated feature from Alex (Ex Machina) Garland is hard sci-fi with a final act that at least one critic found “intensely weird.” Annihilation official Facebook page.
IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):
November (2017): Read our List Candidate entry! The early forerunner for Weirdest Picture of 2018 gets its NYC debut, to be followed by screenings in major cities throughout the Spring. November official site.
We Are Not Cats (2018): An indie love story between trichophagiacs (people compelled to eat their own hair). Maybe more darkly quirky than weird, but it’s a queasy subject that hasn’t been explored before. We Are Not Cats official site.
NEW ON HOME VIDEO:
Mom and Dad (2017): Pitch black comedy wherein mass hysteria causes parents to hunt their own children; what makes it notable, however, is cranky director Brian Taylor teaming up (again) with ever-hammy Nicolas Cage. Out on DVD, VOD and Blu-ray. Buy Mom and Dad
The Night Walker (1964): Read Pamela De Graff’s review. William Castle‘s surreal B-horror was never released on DVD, but Shout! Factory ships it straight to Blu-ray. Buy The Night Walker
Underground (1995): A black market arms dealer locks his partner in an underground compound so he won’t figure out that the war is over. Emir Kusturica‘s Palme D’or winning surreal satire hasn’t been easy to find recently, but Kino Lorber unleashes a lavish set which includes the expanded television version (six episodes, each about an hour long). It comes in either three DVD or one Blu-ray, two DVD flavors. Buy Underground
NEW EXCLUSIVELY ON NETFLIX:
On Body and Soul [Teströl és lélekröl] (2017): Two slaughterhouse workers find that they share a common dream (literally—they each have the exact same dream night after night). We’re not fond of Netflix exclusive releases for smaller foreign films—treasures like Skins can get buried and lost—but it is better than the movie sitting on a distributor’s shelf forever.
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.
- Chicago, IL, 2/24-2/25 – Beauty and the Beast [La Belle et la Bete] (1946). At the Music Box Theater.
- New York City, NY, 2/23-2/24 (midnights) – Possession (1981). At Nighthawk Cinema.
- New York City, NY, 2/23-2/24 – A Clockwork Orange (1971). At the IFC Center.
- New York City, NY, 2/23-2/24 (midnights) – Suspiria (1977). At the IFC Center.
- New York City, NY, 2/26 – Adaptation. (2002). At Videology Bar & Cinema.
- Seattle, WA, 2/23-3/1 – Suspiria (1977). At Ark Lodge Cinemas.
FREE MOVIES ON TUBI.TV:
Akira (1988): Read the Certified Weird entry! If Neo-Tokyo’s all-time cult anime has somehow evaded you, here’s your chance. Watch out for the motorcycle clowns! Watch Akira free on Tubi.tv.
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.
.
The “Liquid Sky Revisited” documentary featurette does most of the heavy lifting for the extras. Tsukerman and company walk us through the background, production history, and other tidbits of information with input from leading lady Anne Carlisle, some peripheral characters, the co-producer (Tsukerman’s wife), the cinematographer, the costume designer, and the lead make-up guy. We learn how comprehensively Liquid Sky shows us the late ’70s/early ’80s New York City punk/art/New Wave scene; no coincidence, as many of the key players from that time and place were involved in it. (I found it sweet how all these counterculture types banded together under the direction of a sweet, older Russian/Jewish immigré documentarian).