We’ll be taking a short break from catching up on 2014 releases next week before our big year-end push. Instead, we’ll start by bringing you one of those ever-popular celebrity “Top 10 Weird Movies” lists, this time by Ink/The Frame auteur Jamin Winans. On Tuesday we’ll have a little early Christmas present for you as we bring you the Alloy Orchestra’s compilation of some of the weirdest shorts of the silent era (including a couple of certifiable classics), complete with a link to watch for free courtesy of our monthly arrangement with the Movie and Music Network. And from the reader-suggested review queue, Ryan Aarset will give his opinion on Cube (seeing as how we’ve already passed on the two sequels for the List, how will the original fare?)

“Video footage of pretty girls named violet pounding on doors” may be one of the most specific sexual fetishes we’ve ever encountered, but that’s the kind of thing we see every week in our roundup of the Weirdest Search Terms of the Week. Speaking of strange fetishes, sometimes a slip of a single letter can turn an already odd search term into something weirder, as is the case with “guy in orange suit ducks a tranny.” We thought “future midget submarines” might be a winner this week, but a quick check of Google suggests that future midget submarines may really affect us in the future. So this week we’ll pick “drama set in africa where actors are playing chimps who defecate coconuts” as the weirdest search term we saw, despite the fact that we know inevitably some reader will comment “yeah, that’s Simian Love Gods of Zimbabwe he’s thinking of,” or something like that.

Here’s how the ridiculously-long and ever-growing reader-suggested review queue stands: Cube (next week!); The Real McCoy; Themroc; Candy (1968); The Fox Family; Angelus; Britannia Hospital; Continue reading WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE →

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 on the official site links.

IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):

Billy Bates: Experimental feature about an artist who has a psychotic freakout and becomes “the Warhol of his generation.” Playing NYC’s Quad Cinemas this week, and tonight’s (12/5) 7:50 screening is free to the public, with a Q&A to follow.  Billy Bates official site.

The Foxy Merkins: An asthmatic woman who aspires to be a lesbian hooker takes hints from a rich, beautiful heterosexual hustler with a gift for seducing women. From the team behind Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same. The Foxy Merkins official site.

SCREENINGS – (Cinefamily, Los Angeles, Dec. 5-8):

“Truth and Soul, Inc.: The Films of Robert Downey Sr. (a prince)”: How big film geeks are the folks at Cinefamily? They want to do a fundraiser, and they think, “what will get the people out thereto  really shell out dough? I know, a four-day retrospective of the no-budget underground movies of Robert Downey Sr.!” Director Paul Thomas Anderson, comedian Louis CK, and Downey’s own superstar progeny, Mr. Iron Man himself, enable the programmers’ delusions, thank goodness. On Dec. 5 Downey pere and fils discuss Chafed Elbows and Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight; December 6th pairs the Certified Weird Greaser’s Palace with an ultra-rare screening of 1970’s Pound (where dogs in a pound are played by human actors); on the 7th, Louis CK and Alan Arkin host a showing of Putney Swope; and the final night brings Downey Sr. and Arkin together for a twin bill of the music documentary Rittenhouse Square and No More Excuses, together with “surprises” (ooh!) A retrospective fit for a prince! “Truth and Soul, Inc.: The Films of Robert Downey Sr. (a prince)” at Cinefamily.

NEW ON DVD:

The Congress (2013): Read our review. Our favorite angry Amazon review reads, “If I could give this less than 1 star I would. This movie goes from physical form 15% of the movie to 30’s style HIPPIE cartoons for the most of the movie…” Buy The Congress.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

The Congress (2013): See description in DVD above. +Buy The Congress [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.

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 on the official site links.

SCREENINGS – (Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York City, Mon., Dec 1):

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971): Read the Certified Weird review! The Lincoln Center programmers call it “a perennial cult favorite that’s just as odd as you remembered” and are offering free popcorn to trick kids into attending! Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory at Film Society of Lincoln Center.

SCREENINGS – (Multiple Theaters, Mon., Thurs, Dec 4):

Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus (1959): Rifftrax takes on K. Gordon Murray’s Mexican Santa Claus import (you know, the one where Santa lives on  a cloud next to Merlin and fights the Devil). This kiddie matinee monstrosity was previously skewered on Mystery Science Theater, but the accompanying short, “Fun in Ballonland,” is all new and looks even weirder than the feature, if that’s possible. Correction: Fun in Ballonland is not a short that accompanies Santa Claus, it’s a full-length feature available for download.  Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus.

IN DEVELOPMENT (POST-PRODUCTION):

Devils in Disguise (2015): Lesbian lovers kill their shared boyfriend in a movie that moves back and forth between past and present, fantasy and reality. The film was made for $4500 in 11 days and is now seeking $9,500 in crowdsourcing funds for post-production and promotion. It’s going to make its goal, too, because it stars two very hot actress/models who act the entire movie in bathing suits. Devils in Disguise Indiegogo campaign.

NEW ON DVD:

The Conformist (1970): A man finds himself in the strange situation of arranging for his mentor’s assassination, on his wedding day. Hal Hinson said that this visually stunning film about a man’s lifelong quest to be average embodies “a sort of haunted surreality in which sex, Freud, politics and philosophy are flung together in a spirit of aesthetic exuberance and daring.” Buy The Conformist.

“Mystery Science Theater 3000”: The Turkey Day Collection (XXXI) [Limited-Edition Collector’s Tin]: Four more episodes from the movie-mocking cult TV series: the white-male-reality propaganda film Jungle Goddess, the “Lassie” dog The Painted Hills, the dreadfully dull horror of The Screaming Skull, and the earthworm-attack thriller Squirm. None of the films in this collection are particularly weird (OK, killer earthworms are a bit bizarre), but we traditionally list these sets when they come out. Bargain hunters may want to wait until the vanilla version is released sans collectible tin. Buy “Mystery Science Theater 3000”: The Turkey Day Collection [Limited-Edition Collector’s Tin].

Nymphomaniac Vol 1 & 2: Extended Director’s Cut (2013): Read our review. We note this one for fans of Lars von Trier—and for fans of extended nymphomaniacs. Buy Nymphomaniac Volume 1 & 2: Extended Director’s Cut .

Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013): Read our review. This reservation-set revenge drama isn’t terribly weird, but may be appreciated by those who enjoy having their blood boiled. Buy Rhymes for Young Ghouls.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

The Conformist (1970): See description in DVD above. Buy The Conformist [Blu-ray].

Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 & 2: Extended Director’s Cut (2013): See description in DVD above. Buy Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 & 2: Extended Director’s Cut  [Blu-ray].

The Wizard of Oz 3D: Read our review of Wizard of Oz. Can’t say we’re in favor of this pop-out update of a classic: is 3-D adaptation about to become the new colorization? Still, all 500 people in the world who own a 3-D Blu-ray player will consider this an essential buy. Buy Wizard of Oz 3D.

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 on the official site links.

IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):

The Frame: We respect Jamin & Kiowa Winans‘s desire to keep the details of this long-gestating fantasy followup to 2009’s Certified Weird Ink under wraps, so suffice it to say it involves a thief, a paramedic, and an alternate universe. Playing now in the Winan’s hometown of Denver, or it can be downloaded directly from the movie’s  homepage. Look for a review soon. The Frame official site.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night: An Iranian vampire romance set in a depraved urban netherworld, stylistically influenced by Spaghetti westerns. Shocked, but delighted, that this Middle Eastern oddity is getting an actual release in the States (thanks to Vice Magazine’s venture into film distribution). Look for a review from us as soon as next week. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night official site.

The King and the Mockingbird (1980): A mockingbird takes it upon himself to thwart an evil king. This classic (and reportedly somewhat surreal) French animation was begun in 1948 and not completed until 1980; then, due to squabbles over the rights it was never released in the United States—until now. The King and the Mockingbird official site.

Story of My Death: The scenario is simply stated: it’s Casanova meets Count Dracula (literally). Another foreign vampire film we never thought we’d see on commercial U.S. screens (however limited, because as far as we know Anthology Film Archives in NYC is the only place it’s playing). Story of My Death at Anthology Film Archives.

NEW ON DVD:

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920): A traveling mesmerist and his somnamulist show up in a German town, and murder follows. Kino restores an all-time Expressionist classic, just like last year’s excellent Nosferatu release. Buy The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Christmas Evil (1980): Read our review. Vinegar Syndrome brings the best and most unusual movie in the “killer Claus” subgenre back in time for the holidays with this lavish Blu-ray/DVD combo pack complete with three commentary tracks (including one from Evil champion John Waters). Buy Christmas Evil [Blu-ray/DVD combo pack].

Mauvais Sang (1986): As a social disease is ravaging Paris, a young card shark becomes involved with a gangster’s daughter and her father’s plot to steal microbes. Leos Carax‘ films just kept (keep) getting weirder, and he’s already pretty bizarre in this second outing. The second disc of the two discs contains Mr. X, is a documentary on the pseudonymous Carax. Buy Mauvais Sang.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014): Read our review. Forget all the negative press: if you liked the first one, you’ll like the sequel. Buy Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920): See description in DVD above. At the time of this writing the Blu-ray edition was actually listing for $2.50 less than the DVD. Buy The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari [Blu-ray].

Christmas Evil (1980): See description in DVD above. Buy Christmas Evil [Blu-ray/DVD combo pack].

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): A 13-year old witch starts a broomstick-based delivery service. One of Hayao Miyazaki‘s more conventional outings, but his animations are always inspiring for fans of the weird. Buy Kiki’s Delivery Service [Blu-ray].

Mauvais Sang (1986): See description in DVD above. Buy Mauvais Sang [Blu-ray].

Princess Mononoke (1997): A young warrior tries to intercede in a war between humans and forest spirits in this fantasy parable. Disney is getting close to the end of their Miyazaki Blu-ray upgrades, though we’re still awaiting Spirited Away. Buy Princess Mononoke [Blu-ray].

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014): See description in DVD above. The Blu-ray pack includes a DVD and a 3D disc (that almost no one has the hardware to play). Buy Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For [Blu-ray].

MISCELLANEOUS:

David Lynch/Patti Smith conversation: BBC’s “Newsnight” runs a series called “Encounters,” which I’ve never heard of before but which apparently involves bringing two celebrities/experts together for a conversation. The pairing of punk poet Patti Smith and neo-Surrealist icon David Lynch is inspired. They discuss creativity, Pussy Riot, Blue Velvet (the song and the movie), and “Twin Peaks,” and there are Eraserhead clips. Must see webcasting. Patti Smith and David Lynch talk Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet and Pussy Riot and BBC.co.uk.

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 on the official site links.

IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):

Miss Meadows: Katie Holmes stars as a Marry Poppins-like schoolmarm with a vigilante streak. The irony here seems a little on-the-nose. Miss Meadows official site.

Thou Wast Mild and Lovely: A hired hand has an affair with the farmer’s daughter in what director Josephine Decker describes as “an intimate magical realist erotic thriller.” On opening day only, this film is screening alongside the same director’s 2013 effort Butter on the Latch, a similar (but weirder-sounding) erotic effort about a young woman at a Balkan music retreat. Playing NYC this week only. Thou Wast Mild and Lovely official site.

SCREENINGS – (Cinefamily, Los Angeles, CA, Fri. 11/14, 7:45PM/ 10:30 PM PST):

“SpectreFest”: The opening feature in this mini-festival is a screening of the peerless silent classic Metropolis (1927), with a new score by synthesizer artist “Chrome Canyon.” Next up is Starry Eyes, a horror about Hollywood; a young actress lands a big part, and finds her body and mind transformed. As we always suspected, it turns out a Satanic cult plays a role in casting. The co-directors and cast of Starry Eyes will be in attendance; the film is still touring international film festivals before presumably hitting DVD/VOD.  Tickets to each screening are sold separately. SpectreFest 2014 at Cinefamily.

NEW ON DVD:

Mood Indigo (2013): Michel Gondry directs a lighthearted surreal romance from a novel by Boris Vian, starring Amelie‘s Audrey Tautou as the female love interest. No wonder it’s in our reader-suggested review queue. Buy Mood Indigo.

The Shooting (1966)/Ride in the Whirlwind (1966): Read our review of The Shooting. Originally B-movie experiments from Roger Corman‘s wild period, these two “existential” Westerns partnering cult director Monte Hellman and future superstar Jack Nicholson are now honored by the Criterion Collection as great works of American movie art. Buy The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind.

Welcome to the Space Show (2010): An alien dog takes a group of kids to the outermost reaches of the universe in this psychedelic exhibition of kiddie surrealism from (where else?) Japan. Anyone who paid $100,049.00 for a limited-release DVD earlier this year is going to feel silly now that it’s been marked down to $17.97. Buy Welcome to the Space Show.

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

“Gamera: Showa & Heisei Collection”: Mill Creek collects 11 of the 12 films featuring the friendly, fire-breathing flying turtle in one Blu-ray bundle. Particularly recommended is 1969’s Gamera vs. Gyaos [AKA Attack of the Monsters], which is sort of like Hansel and Gretel with a giant knife-headed monster. Buy “Gamera: The Showa & Heisei Collection” [Blu-ray].

Mood Indigo (2013): See description in DVD above. Buy Mood Indigo [Blu-ray].

The Shooting (1966)/Ride in the Whirlwind (1966): See description in DVD above. Buy The Shooting/Ride in the Whirlwind [Blu-ray].

UHF (1989): Read our review. Weird Al Yankovich’s cult comedy gets the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray treatment with a rich array of extras. Buy UHF [25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray].

Welcome to the Space Show (2010): See description in DVD above. Buy Welcome to the Space Show [Blu-ray].

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON YOUTUBE:

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Manos: The Hands of Fate: Read our review of Manos. One of the worst movies of all time (“your ‘average Joe’ has never even seen a film like today’s experiment… the ‘average person on the street’ has not even begun to conceptualize the horror which is your experiment today…”) leads to what is widely regarded as one of the movie-mocking crew’s funniest shows (“every frame looks like someone’s last known photograph!”) Asa side note, the fact that they are now putting the most popular episodes of the show up on YouTube (with ads) leads me to suspect they’re running out of ways to monetize this fading franchise—but it’s a good deal for consumers.

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.