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 DEVELOPMENT (completed, pre-release):

The Bad Batch (2016): The logline is promising: “a dystopian love story in a Texas wasteland and set in a community of cannibals.” Ana Lily Amirpour did so well with her Iranian vampire-western debut, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, that Keanu Reeves and Jim Carrey signed on to her sophomore feature. Let’s hope she can keep the momentum up (and ramp up the weirdness). Batch was partially filmed in the desert communities of Slab City and Bombay Beach, using local eccentrics as extras. The mainstream pop-culture panel embedded below used the word “weird” three times when discussing the casting. Ion Cinema’s report on The Bad Batch.

The Greasy Strangler (2016): Hard to tell what the plot of this odd-looking horror/comedy will be, but it involves a disco walking tour and the title character. Director Jim Hosking financed this debut feature after his weird “G is for Grandad” segment from The ABCs of Death 2 wowed the guys with the purse strings. Strangler debuts in the “Midnight” category of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival; other entries that could be of interest are Rob Zombie‘s killer clown horror 31, Rich Fox’s psychosexual thriller The Blackout Experiments, and Danny “Oddsac” Perez‘s paranoid stoner horror Antibirth (starring Chloë Sevigny and Natasha Lyonne). Sundance Festival 2016 Midnight Films announcement.

NEW ON DVD:

Tokyo Tribe (2014): Shion Sono’s latest (well, one of his latest) is described as a “yakuza-street gang-hip hop-musical epic.” Set in an alternate Japan, almost all of the dialogue is rapped. Buy Tokyo Tribe.

Yakuza Apocalypse (2015): Takashi Miike‘s latest (now there’s a referent we have to refresh every couple of months) is about a new yakuza boss who finds his rival is a vampire. This is the best-distributed Miike movie since 2010’s 13 Assassins, which does not guarantee that it will be one of his best, but which is nonetheless encouraging. Buy Yakuza Apocalypse.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

Tokyo Tribe (2014): See description in DVD above. Buy Tokyo Tribe [Blu-ray].

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON SNAGFILMS:

Mondo Hollywood (1967): This 2005 restoration of a 1960s mondo classic opens with a note explaining that the film was initially banned in France for “perversities, including drugs & homosexuality” and for “the psychology of its editing.” What follows is a parade of hippies, strippers, lesbians, LSD freaks, reactionary anti-Communist politicians, professional skydivers, gurus, circus performers, and celebrities, capturing the zeitgeist of America’s craziest decade from the viewpoint of its craziest town.  Watch Mondo Hollywood free on SnagFilms.

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.

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.

SCREENINGS (Various theaters nationwide, Dec. 3):

Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (Rifftrax Live): Read the Certified Weird entry! You will probably enjoy this unbelievably cheap Florida-based Christmas movie more with the humorous commentary from the Rifftrax guys, which helps you avoid the otherwise inevitable Ice Cream Bunny headache. The big news here, however, is that the film will be screened with the rarely-seen alternate Jack and the Beanstalk insert footage (rather than Thumbelina), making for an all-new experience (since the insert footage comprises the majority of the film). Check the following link to find a theater near you. Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (Rifftrax Live) from Fathom Events.

SCREENINGS – (Silver Springs, MD, AFI Silver Theater, Bov. 27 & 30):

Repulsion (1965): Catherine Deneuve‘s mind disintegrates over her fear of men in Roman Polanski‘s Certified Weird classic. Also of note at the AFI Silver Theater: the “European Union Film Showcase” runs Dec. 1-20 and includes screenings of Liza the Fox Fairy (see Alex Kittle’s brief screening note) and Matteo Garrone‘s bloody fantasy Tale of Tales among its many offerings. AFI Silver home page.

SCREENINGS – (New York City, Lincoln Center, Nov. 27-29):

“Todd Haynes: The Other Side of Dreams”: The Film Society of Lincoln Center highlights films by, and films that influenced, indie provocateur Todd Haynes. Highlights for the weird-inclined: I’m Not There (2007), a fantasy biography of Bob Dylan with six different actors playing alternate versions of the troubadour (11/27 & 29); Velvet Goldmine (1998), Haynes’ trippy Citizen Kane-styled search for a fictional glam rock star (11/28-29); and most notably the Certified Weird Performance (1970), with an ambiguous and androgynous Mick Jagger making gangster James Fox all kinds of uncomfortable (available alone or in a double-feature package with Goldmine 11/28). “Todd Haynes: The Other Side of Dreams” at Film Society of Lincoln Center.

SCREENINGS – (Los Angeles, Cinefamily, Dec. 3):

Nutcracker Fantasy (1979): A Rankin/Bass styled stop-motion Japanese adaptation of the Nutcracker, with a two-headed Rat King and no mention of Christmas whatsoever. A holiday screening of this never-on-DVD oddity is becoming an annual tradition with Cinefamily. Nutcracker Fantasy at Cinefamily.

NEW ON DVD:

The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant (1971): Doctor Bruce Dern grafts a murderous hillbilly head onto the body of a man-child, because why not? This double-headed feature is even worse than The Thing With Two Heads, and we mention it for completeness’ sake. The release includes an optional comic commentary track by the Rifftrax crew. Buy The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant.

The Mask (1961): An otherwise drab B-movie about a magical mask that gives the audience bizarre 3-D color hallucinations when instructed to put on their anaglyph glasses. Classic replicas of the original red/blue 3D “masks” are included (yay!) in case you don’t have a 3D TV (chances are you don’t). Buy The Mask.

Star Leaf (2015): A veteran searches for a grove of extraterrestrial marijuana (!) to cure his PSTD, but finds himself in trouble when he refuses to follow the directions for safe use.  I’m fairly certain that the screenwriter would happily cop to being high when he came up with the idea. Buy Star Leaf.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant (1971): See description in DVD above. Buy The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant [Blu-ray].

The Mask (1961): If I’m reading this right, the Blu-ray release includes a new 3D short and several 3D extras, but unlike the DVD edition it does not come with 3D glasses (what the…?) Buy The Mask [Blu-ray].

“The Quay Brothers: Collected Short Films”: There are several competing compilations of surreal stop-motion shorts by the Quay Brothers on DVD, but this is the first time they have been released in the Blu-ray format. Includes the frequently-requested “Street of Crocodiles,” Christopher Nolan‘s short documentary “Quay,” commentary by the Brothers, and three post-2010 shorts that have never been released on home video before. A must to stuff in your weird love’s stocking. Buy “The Quay Brothers: Collected Short Films” [Blu-ray].

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON SNAGFILM:

Mondo Cane (1962): The first successful exploitation documentary by Jacopetti/Prosperi examines such odd human behaviors as pet cemeteries, interspecies breastfeeding, drunks at Octoberfest, nude body painting, cargo cults and more. The title translates as “a dog’s world,” and the resulting documentary is duly cynical about mankind. Watch Mondo Cane  on Sang Film (the full film, despite being incorrectly listed as “Part I”).

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.

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 DEVELOPMENT (Pre-production):

Okja (est. 2017): After his bitter experience with studio interference on his apocalyptic train allegory Snowpiercer, Korean Joon-ho Bong has signed a deal to produce a monster movie for Netflix with the assurance he will have full creative control. That could mean he’s free to go weird in this film about the relationship between a girl and a friendly giant monster. “I want to depict the two characters’ bizarre journey and adventure across the tough world in an original fashion,” says Bong. Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal are attached. Read more at Twitch.

NEW ON DVD:

Catch My Soul (1974): Have you ever heard rumors about a rock opera version of “Othello” set in the American Southwest, starring folkie Richie Havens and directed by “The Prisoner”‘s Patrick McGoohan? This film disappeared soon after opening to lousy reviews, and had long been considered lost; we’d categorize it as an oddity. Released in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack. Buy Catch My Soul [Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack].

Deep Dark (2015): A suicidal sculptor discovers a talking hole in his wall with magical powers. One Amazon reviewer calls it “just weird.” We received notice via an anonymous email tip. Buy Deep Dark (or rent on demand).

Living in Oblivion (1995): An indie comedy about the making of an independent film, done in three segments reflecting various on-set disasters. This film is something of a cult item, and features a great performance by James LeGros as a narcissistic heartthrob and  Peter Dinklage‘s debut as the dwarf typecast to play in the dream sequence. A DVD/Blu-ray combo pack. Buy Living In Oblivion [Bluray/DVD Combo].

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

Catch My Soul (1974): See description in DVD above. Buy Catch My Soul [Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack].

The City of Lost Children (1995): Read the Certified Weird entry! Remastered and with new bonus features, this “20th Anniversary Edition” is a welcome upgrade for this classic dream-stealing fairy tale that was previously unavailable on Blu-ray in English. Buy The City of Lost Children [Blu-ray].

“The Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki”: This set includes all eleven movies directed by legendary animator Miyazaki, including the two fantasies that we Certified Weird (Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away). Each disc includes the original subtitled versions along with Disney’s excellent dubs. Say what you will about the Mouse, but he has treated these international cinema treasures with tremendous respect. Buy “The Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki” [Blu-ray].

Living in Oblivion (1995): See description in DVD above. Buy Living In Oblivion [Bluray/DVD Combo].

Lost, Lost, Lost (1976)/Walden (1969): Two experimental diary films from critic-turned-director Jonas Mekas. Walden is probably more popular for its glimpses of celebrities like Timothy Leary, Andy Warhol and John Lennon than for its chaotic visuals (Mekas likes to jerk and spin the camera incoherently). Buy Lost Lost Lost/Walden [Blu-ray].

Trashology (2013): Three gag-inducing vignettes involving Ouija boards, fat fetishes, and revenge killings. Low-budget tribute to John Waters-style filmmaking shot in beautiful Louisville, KY. Buy Trashology [Blu-ray].

Troll (1986)/Troll 2 (1990): Two bad movies on one disk! The original Troll was a strangish PG-13 B-movie fantasy set in an apartment building pitting an actual troll against a kid and a good witch. Troll 2, related to the first in name only, is a laugh riot of incompetence that contains no trolls, only man-eating vegetarian goblins (you heard me right). Buy Troll/Troll 2 [Blu-ray].

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON YOUTUBE:

In Dreams (1999): Annette Bening plays a housewife who sees visions of a serial killer in her dreams that turn out to be premonitions. Trippy sequences abound in this psychological sleeper (hee hee) from Neil Jordan, courtesy of the Paramount Vault dump. Watch In Dreams free on YouTube.

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.

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):

Entertainment (2015): A struggling comedian with a tragic combover tours the Southwest. We’re excited about this black comedy with surrealist touches and positive reviews. Entertainment official site.

SCREENINGS – (Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York City, Nov. 13-17):

“Action and Anarchy: The Films of Seijun Suzuki”: This retrospective of the remarkable career of experimental B-movie auteur Seijun Suzuki actually began last week, but kicks into high gear tonight with the classic deranged yakuza double feature of Tokyo Drifter and the Certified Weird Branded to Kill. Through Tuesday you can catch the arty trilogy comprised of Tsigoineruwaizen, Kagero-za and Yumeji, followed by Suzuki’s later works, the bizarre Branded spiritual sequel Pistol Opera and the fantasy musical Princess Raccoon. The series ends with a return to his 1960s exploitation work for Nikkatsu Studios with the lesbian-themed sleaze of Carmen from Kawachi and the gangster film Kanto Wanderer.  “Action and Anarchy: The Films of Seijun Suzuki” at Film Society of Lincoln Center.

SCREENINGS – (Cinefamily, Los Angeles, Nov. 13, 7:45 PT):

Daisies (1966): Read the Certified Weird entry! This screening of the subversive feminist/Surrealist Czech classic is presented by “Women of Cinefamily.” Women of Cinefamily present Daisies.

IN DEVELOPMENT:

Grindsploitation 2: The Lost Reels (est. 2016): Anthology of horror short-shorts “from twisted minds of filmmakers from across the globe.” Lloyd Kaufman lends a cameo to “UFO John vs. Space Zombies,” and “Heart Attack Theater”‘s Kelly Hughes offers the intriguingly titled “Don’t Kill Grandpa Until We Strangle the Babysitter.” We didn’t even know there was a Grindsploitation 1. Grindsploitation 2: The Lost Reels official home page.

NEW ON DVD:

Forbidden Zone (1980): Read the Certified Weird entry! After numerous delays, the Richard Elfman approved version of the Sixth Dimensional weirdo classic is finally released on DVD. Buy Forbidden Zone.

Je T’Aime, Je T’aime (1968): Read Giles Edwards’ capsule review. Kino Lorber surprises with a fanfare-free release of Alain Resnais‘ overlooked, weirdly fractured time travel experiment. Buy Je T’aime, Je T’aime.

Queen of Blood (2014): A vampire who sucks blood through her fingertips wanders through the woods. This slow-paced feature, which is heavily indebted to Jean Rollin, is a direct sequel to 2012’s Blood for Irina. Buy Queen of Blood.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

Forbidden Zone (1980): See description in DVD above. Buy Forbidden Zone [Blu-ray]. Also available: Forbidden Zone “Ultimate Edition”, which includes a CD of the film soundtrack.

Je T’Aime, Je T’aime (1968): See description in DVD above. Buy Je T’aime, Je T’aime [Blu-ray].

Queen of Blood (2014): See description in DVD above. Buy Queen of Blood [Blu-ray].

YOU LINK US! YOU REALLY LINK US!:

Alfred Eaker‘s essay on Maya Deren‘s “At Land” was selected as supplemental reading for an A2-level film course.

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON YOUTUBE:

The Second Coming: Brought To You In Low Definition (2014): A mealy-mouthed hippie comes to believe he is the second coming of Jesus. This microbudget feature was proudly shot on VHS and has a scene set inside the main character’s bowels. Director Andrew Savage claims Giuseppe Andrews, Adam Cooley, Harmony Korine and gross-out comedies as inspirations. Contains pixelated nudity, scatological humor, and vulgar language, but it’s not as tasteless as some of its inspirations. Watch The Second Coming: Brought To You In Low Definition for free.

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.

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.

SCREENINGS – (AFI Silver Theater, Silver Springs, MD, Nov. 6-17):

There’s an uncommon amount of great weird stuff screening at the American Film Institute’s east coast outpost this week. We’ll start off by mentioning that Charles Laughton‘s lone directorial effort, the Certified Weird Appalachian noir Night of the Hunter, will be playing all week. The continuing silent movie series also rocks this week, with the Expressionist masterpiece Cabinet of Dr. Caligari taking the spotlight tonight at 7:00 PM, while Lotte Reiniger‘s cutout fantasia The Adventures of Prince Achmed  plays a hip Saturday matinee at noon. Both silents feature live musical accompaniment by composer Gabriel Thibaudeau, and Caligari offers an unbeatable perk: free admission. Finally, actor Keir Dullea will be on hand Sunday for Q&A screenings of Otto Preminger‘s odd thriller Bunny Lake Is Missing (at 4 PM) followed by a little movie some of you may have heard of, 2001: A Space Odyssey, at 7 PM. Classic weird movie fans in Maryland should be in heaven. AFI Silver Theater homepage.

IN DEVELOPMENT (POST-PRODUCTION):

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016): We don’t have great hopes for this long-gestating project: the graphic novel seemed original when it came out in 2009 but was beat to the screen long ago by lousy period undead ripoffs like 2012’s Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. Still, the autumn doldrums have fallen on the weird movie horizon like a lead curtain, and there are few rays of hope to highlight. P&P&Z could end up as passable amusing entertainment, though it does seem aimed at the mainstream.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

Roar (1981): A gang of lions, leopards and tigers attack African homesteaders in a nonstop barrage of fangs and claws. The danger was very real; the ad copy brags that over 70 members of the cast and crew were injured making this insane feature! Not necessarily “weird” but definitely out-there and hard-to-believe. Buy Roar [Blu-ray].

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON SNAGFILM:

The Bedroom [AKA Unfaithful Wife: Shameful Torture] (1992): “Pink” movie set in a fetishistic club where female volunteers are drugged with a sedative/hallucinogen, then left to the pleasure of their male clients. Things are complicated when real life murders start to occur at the club. Speaking of real life murders, one of the actors in the film is Issei Sagawa, a confessed cannibal who murdered (and partially ate) a Dutch woman, but was set free due to a bizarre series of international legal conflicts. Because of his presence, some may have moral objections to the movie even beyond its perverse content (the synopsis should tell you this is not one for the kiddies). Watch The Bedroom free on SnagFilm.

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.