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Since Pod 366 replaced our deprecated Weird Horizon column, it’s been a while since we’ve posted one of these. But with no Pod this Thanksgiving week, it’s back! Although there’s not much to report on in an off week for weird movies…

IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):

The Boy and the Heron (2023): Hayao Miyazaki‘s surprise final film involves a boy traveling to a world between the living and the dead, meeting strange animals with character designs said to rival Spirited Away. Opens in NYC and LA this week, at select IMAX theaters Dec. 4, and reaches its widest US release two weeks from today. In the meantime, we have a trailer!  The Boy and the Heron US distributor site.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Returning guest Richard Bailey will appear on next week’s Pod 366 to discuss his upcoming feature, The Dark Sisters. In December, we’ll have someone from video collective Everything is Terrible! on, and possibly some guest(s) to be named later.

In next week’s written reviews, Rafael Moreira brings our attention to António de Macedo’s rare The Twelve Hours of Maria (1977), a film about a blind girl raped by her stepfather which was condemned by the Catholic Church for blasphemy; Shane Wilson takes on another one that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue with 1986’s absurd post-apocalyptic Roller Blade; and Giles Edwards gives the Elizabeth Taylor‘s gonzo Identikit (1974) the full-length treatment (El Rob Hubbard previously reviewed it as part of the “House of Psychotic Women” box set). Meanwhile, Gregory J. Smalley works quietly behind the scenes on a not-ready-to-officially-announce if not-completely-secret project. Onward and weirdward!

What are you looking forward to? If you have any weird movie leads that we have overlooked, feel free to leave them in the COMMENTS section.

366 Weird Movies may earn commissions from purchases made through product links.

Audio only link (Soundcloud download)

(Skip to the Cory McAbee interview here)

Cory McAbee links:

Red Planet Planning Commission – Central location for all McAbee projects

Deep Astronomy and the Romantic Sciences (2022): A man must justify humanity to a female robot in this performance art collage with lectures, animation, and musical numbers. Will be available for free starting Dec. 5. Deep Astronomy and the Romantic Sciences official site.

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

“The Curse”: Discussion begins. Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder star as a couple who deal with a curse while fronting a house-flipping TV show in New Mexico. Put that way, the premise doesn’t sound too unusual, yet consider these quotes: “the weirdest, most unforgettable show of 2023” (Entertainment Weekly) and “a masterclass in incredibly strange TV” (The Daily Beast). On Showtime, with Season 1 releasing on Nov. 10 and a second season already greenlit. “The Curse” official site.

Dream Scenario: Discussion begins. Nicolas Cage stars as a nondescript professor who shows up in strangers’ dreams. We’re guessing it will be weird, in a highly mainstream way. Dream Scenario official site.

Duck Soup (1933): Discussion begins. Read Alfred Eaker’s review. The Marx Brothers‘ anarchist classic reissued on Blu-ray. Buy Duck Soup.

Perfume of the Lady in Black (1974): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. This reissued Blu-ray looks identical to previous editions, but you no longer have to search for an expensive used copy. Buy Perfume of the Lady in Black.

Screwdriver (2023): Discussion begins. A newly-divorced women goes stay with an old high school friend who manipulates her with mind games (perhaps involving hypnotism?) Low-budget psychological thriller makes its way to VOD this week. Rent Screwdriver.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Next week’s Pod 366 guest will be Scott Bateman (5000 Space Aliens).

In written reviews, Shane Wilson takes on the trippy Chappaqua (1966), while Gregory J. Smalley checks out the sexy shapeshifting in Piaffe (2022). Onward and weirdward!

366 Weird Movies may earn commissions from purchases made through product links.

Audio only link (Soundcloud download)

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

Deadgirl (2008): Discussion begins. Read Pamela De Graf’s review. A 15th Anniversary special edition of the pseudo-necromaniac film, with new interviews from cast and crew and recycled audio commentary. Buy Deadgirl.

Fascination (1979): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Indicator continues its re-release of Jean Rollin‘s catalog with this non-vampire film that may be his most polished effort. Among the special features are two deleted sex scenes (now that’s a sales pitch!) Buy Fascination.

Lips of Blood (1975): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Another new Indicator/Rollin rollout, this time with vampires (and the Castel twins). Buy Lips of Blood.

Messiah of Evil (1973): Discussion begins. Read Shane Wilson’s Apocrypha Candidate review. From an outfit called Radiance comes this nice-looking release of the spooky/weird 70s horror, in a limited edition. We think this is the first time it’s appeared on Blu-ray. Buy Messiah of Evil.

Teenage Tupelo screening: Discussion begins. Read the official Apocrypha entry! After many years of unavailability, John Michael McCarthy takes his imaginary rockabilly exploitation biography on a mini-tour. Unfortunately, we’re a week late posting this and the only one left you can possibly catch is in St. Louis tonight. If more dates are added, we’ll try to be more responsible! Teenage Tupelo at Arkadin Cinema, St. Louis.

“The Toxic Avenger Collection”: Discussion begins. A box set of Troma‘s pride and joy, containing all four Avenger movies, which start out mean-spirited and silly but just grow sillier with each installment. Released now in upgraded 4K versions to capitalize on the TA reboot with Peter Dinklage. Buy “The Toxic Avenger Collection.”

Waikiki (2023): Discussion begins. A struggling Hawaiian hulu dancer meets a mysterious homeless man. Described by its publicist as “ Lynchian,” but also a serious look at the dark side of paradise—native Hawaiians struggling to make ends meet amidst the wealthy tourists. Waikiki official site.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

We have a tentatively scheduled guest for next week’s Pod 366: Christiane Cegavske of Blood Tea and Red String (2006), who will hopefully have some updates on the progress of her upcoming stop-motion project, Seed in the Sand. In written reviews, Shane Wilson gets in the Halloween spirit with a real rarity that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue: Tim Burton‘s stop-motion version of Hansel and Gretel (1983), which only aired once; Giles Edwards tries to contain himself over Lukas Moodysson‘s experimental Container (2006); and Gregory J. Smalley goes to Waikiki (see above). Onward and weirdward!