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

Discussed in this episode:

8/12 (1963): Read the Canonically Weird entry! A true classic of cinema gets its 4K UHD upgrade from the Criterion collection. Alternate Blu-ray included for the UHD-impaired. Buy 8/12.

Abruptio (2023): Read Giles Edwards’ Apocrypha Candidate review. An all-puppet tale of a man forced into heinous deeds due to the threat of a bomb implanted in his neck. The Blu-ray includes cast interviews and two commentary tracks, one with the director and producer and one with the puppeteer. We’re planning on interviewing director Evan Marlowe on next week’s Pod 366. Buy or rent Abruptio.

The Addiction (1995): Read Alice Stoehr’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Abel Ferrara‘s arty b&w vampire metaphor gets a 4K UHD upgrade from Arrow. A new transfer, but note that this package is UHD only, no Blu-ray. Buy The Addiction.

Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin’ Out (2024): Just like they did in 2022, Adult Swim and  Casper Kelly drop a Yule Log without advance warning. In this one, apparently, survivor Zoe attempts to move past her Christmas trauma, but the evil log is still out there causing mischief. It’s available for free at Adult Swim’s website until Jan. 8.

The Beast (2023): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Not related to The Beast, this is Bertrand Bonello‘s time-tripping (loose) adaptation of a Henry James story, but with doomed lovers reincarnated in belle epoque France, turn of the millennium Los Angeles, and a blandly dystopian future. This Janus Contemporaries Blu-ray release includes an interview with the director as its only special feature.  Buy The Beast.

Bradlee (est. Feb. 2025): A “surreal and nightmarish journey through the mind of a serial killer” (the logline could use some fleshing out) needs post-production funds. Director Zak Ferguson describes his previous work as “mad-cap, seizure-inducing, hallucinatory, nightmarish, experimental short films,” and the sample stills suggest he ain’t kidding. Executive-produced by Fang director Richard Burgin. The campaign ends on Dec. 15 and, as we write this, has surpassed its modest $1000 goal (but I’m sure they’d appreciate more, and put it to good use). Bradlee at Indiegogo.

Daft Punk & Leiji Matsumoto’s Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003): This is the story of an alien band who are abducted and forced to perform for Earthlings; a visual album (but with a narrative) done anime-style. This cinematic rerelease is supposed to be in theaters one night only (and that would be yesterday night), but we found screenings listed on the official site through Dec. 15 (and there could be more in your locality). At any rate, this event likely presages a VOD/physical media release to come. Check for dates and theaters at Daft Punk & Leiji Matsumoto’s Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem official site.

The Escapees (1981): Two girls escape from a mental institution and drift across the French countryside. This is a minor film from Jean Rollin, with no vampires and less nudity than usual (what’s left in a Rollin film when you take out the vampires and nudity?) At any rate, Indicator continues their rollout of Rollin’s catalog on jam-packed 4K UHD editions (identical Blu-ray sold separately).  Buy The Escapees.

It’s Not Me (2024): An experimental autobiography/essay film from Leos Carax, remixing his own oeuvre (and other media) in a style reminiscent of late Godard. It’s under 50 minutes long, is in some theaters, and simultaneously on VOD (at premium prices). It’s Not Me official site.

Requiem for a Vampire (1973): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s List Candidate review. One of Jean Rollin’s crazier movies, which starts out as an arty surrealist picture about lesbian clowns and eventually turns into a sadomasochistic vampire orgy with a vagina bat. Indicator’s 4K (UHD or Blu-ray) release has the usual wealth of features, including the original French cut of the film and alternate sequences. Buy Requiem for a Vampire.

Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979): Read Shane Wilson’s review. The teenage rebellion cult comedy joins the 4K UHD ranks this week (Blu-ray included); haven’t checked every feature, but it’s at least substantially identical to Shout’s 2019 40th anniversary release. Buy Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Next week’s Pod 366 guest will be Abruptio auteur Evan Marlowe (see above). In written content, Shane Wilson finds a hidden gem in the reader-suggested queue in Xan Price’s nonsensical Nitwit; Giles Edwards unravels the 2024 psychological thriller The Unraveling; and Gregory J. Smalley zones out in front of Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin’ Out (see above). Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972): Read Giles Edwards’ review. This is the 4K UHD upgrade of the weird-adjacent Herzog/Kinski jungle fever classic.  Buy Aguirre: The Wrath of God.

Dream Team (2024): Read Giles Edwards’ review. An absurdist/surrealist take on sexy late night cable thrillers about sexy Interpol agents taking on a sexy case involving psychic coral. Buy or rent Dream Team.

“Hard Wood: The Adult Features Of Ed Wood“: Read Alfred Eaker’s survey of Ed Wood’s declining years and descent into porn. Sad and bad, these are Ed Wood, Jr.‘s final, pornographic, films. The main features are Necromania (1971) (with a puffy, booze-ravaged Wood in drag), The Only House in Town, a never-before-seen version of The Young Marrieds, and the Wood-written Shotgun Wedding, with lots of special features including the Wood episode from Britain’s influential “Incredibly Strange Film Show.”  Buy “Hard Wood: The Adult Features Of Ed Wood“.

Hundreds of Beavers (2022): Read El Rob Hubbard’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Variant “special editions” of the modern slapstick classic were released to eager fans this week, including ones that came in a special wooden case (!) (a few of these were still available as we write this. Standard editions should be available come Jan. 25, but for now you can  buy Hundreds of Beavers from Vinegar Syndrome or directly from the filmmakers.

Nightbitch (2024): It starts as a regular mommy comedy as a post-natal Amy Adams deals with the furstrations of a newborn, but gets stranger as mom finds herself turning into a dog. On the borderline of weird, but at least it has an unexpected premise. Nightbitch official site.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

No guest is scheduled for Pod 366 next week (unless a surprise pops up), but Giles and Greg will return to discuss the week’s weird news and new releases. In written reviews, Shane Wilson watches a double-feature of films that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue with Endgame (2000) and Operation: Endgame (2010), while Gregory J. Smalley takes an experimental Family Portrait (2023). Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

Movies from Hell on X (Twitter) and BlueSky

Movies from Hell Patreon

Movies from Hell Website

Movies from Hell interview with Greg and Giles

Adult Swim Yule Log (2022): Read the Apocryphally Weird review! Crack open a Nurse Nutmeg and dig into this limited edition with a lenticular cover, two audio commentaries, and more. These 2000 units are available currently only from Vinegar Syndrome and their select retail partners. We’d expect a standard edition soon enough.

Bug (2006): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. William Friedkin‘s paranoid psychothriller comes to 4K UHD/Blu-ray next week (when Pod 366 will be off for Thanksgiving). Pre-order Bug.

“CC40”: A box set of 40 Criterion Collection titles, chosen because they were the films most often picked by visitors to the Criterion Closet. The Canonically Weird films making the cut are 8 1/2 , Repo Man , Weekend, Night of the Hunter, 3 Women , House [Hausu], and Persona, alongside the Apocryphally Weird Mirror [Zerkalo].  “Buy CC40.”

The Dark Crystal (1982): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s uncanny valley puppet fantasy on 4K UHD (and Blu-ray) in a big, fancy box with lots of stuff, including a replica crystal shard. Simultaneously, it’s also being released in a more modest but still collectible UHD+Blu-ray Steelbook exclusive to Walmart. Buy The Dark Crystal (Limited Collector’s Edition).

Labyrinth (1986): Read Gregory J, Smalley’s review. Jim Henson goes it alone for this fairy-tale fantasy that mixes Muppets-style creatures with live actors Jennifer Connelly and Goblin King David Bowie. A companion to the Dark Crystal box above, but this one comes with a glass-etched crystal ball (and a juggling tutorial as one of the many video extras). As with it’s companion feature, you can also get the Steelbook via Walmart. Buy Labyrinth (Limited Collector’s Edition).

The Reflecting Skin (1990): Read the Canonically Weird entry! This appears to be a re-release of Film Movement’s 2019 Blu-ray, with one new advertised feature (an essay by film writers Travis Crawford and Heather Hyche), but, thankfully, retaining the “Angels & Atom Bombs” extra (preserving 366 Weird Movies’ cameo appearance). Pre-order The Reflecting Skin.

“Seven Chances” (1925)/Sherlock Jr.” (1924): Read Alfred Eaker’s reviews of “Seven Chances” and “Sherlock Jr.”. A pair of innovatice Buster Keaton silent comedies that have been issued many times; this Kino double feature seems like a decent bargain, and includes extras like audio commentaries and a Three Stooges short (!)  Buy “Seven Chances” (1925)/Sherlock Jr.” (1924).

Street Trash (2024): Ryan Kruger remakes the grossout classick about hobos melted by rotgut liquor, relocating it to Cape Town and adding a more political slant. Matt Donato of Daily Dead called it “a cacophony of fever-dream nonsense” (though he didn’t mean it as a compliment). Playing in theaters somewhere or other, but it’s simultaneously premiering on VOD.  Street Trash official Facebook page.

Tomie (1998): This adaptation of an “opaque” Junjo Ito manga series deals with a spate of murders by a beautiful girl (or girls) named Tomie, and adds a subplot about another girl suffering from amnesia. Tomie was a recurring character and Ito wrote a lot of other stories (inspiring seven more feature films); one short was included in Netflix’s “Jungo Ito Maniac” series. The Arrow disc marks the film’s Blu-ray debut in the US and is, of course, loaded with extras. Buy Tomie.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

No Pod 366 next week as we’ll be taking a Thanksgiving break; we’ll be back Dec. 6. We’ll still have a slate of print reviews for you to devour, however, as Shane Wilson uncovers Tetsuya Nakashima‘s Confessions (2010); Giles Edwards celebrates Corey Feldman‘s The Birthday (2004); and it’s been done before, but, dammit, Gregory J. Smalley considers Toby Dammit (1968). Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

“All the Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror, Vol. 2”: Another astounding collection of rarities, including two Canonically Weird movies in the set: the surreal stop-motion fairy tale Blood Tea and Red String (2006) and the bleak Estonian pagan fable November (2017).  Pre-order All the Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror, Vol. 2.”

Dream Team (2024): A spoof of softcore cable TV erotica of the 1990s, with a plot involving psychic coral. The promotional material proudly proclaims it is “beautifully weird,” I Saw the TV Glow‘s Jane Schoenbrun is a producer, and it debuts at NYC’s Metrograph this week (distribution plans past that are unclear at this time).  Dream Team official site.

Ghost Cat Anzu (2024): Read Giles Edwards’ Apocrypha Candidate review. From GKids, so this kid-friendly, Spirited Away-adjacent anime fantasy will be getting decent theatrical distribution. Ghost Cat Anzu U.S. distributor site.

“Golden Harvest Volume 1: Supernatural Shockers”: A misleadingly titled box set from Shout! Factory: with Hong Kong New Wave features Sex and Zen; Erotic Ghost Story I, II, & III; Dr. Vampire; and Robotrix, this should have been titled “Sexy Supernatural Shockers.”  All are Cat III features full of nudity and violence, including Sex and Zen‘s infamous “organ” transplant scene. Buy “Golden Harvest Volume 1: Supernatural Shockers.”

Häxan (1922): Read the Canonically Weird review! Radiance out-criterions the Criterion collection with this lavish limited edition of the witchcraft documentary that contains four different cuts of the film in addition to its many other extras. The Amazon listing says that it is an all-region Blu-ray.  Buy Häxan.

Maniac (1934): Read the Canonically Weird entry for Maniac! In conjunction with Something Weird, Kino releases the maniacal 1934 shocker with a commentary track and some rare Dwain Esper shorts as “Forbidden Fruit: The Golden Age of the Exploitation Picture Vol. 17.” The cats eat the rats, the rats eat the cats, and you get the Blu-ray. Buy Maniac.

Megalopolis (2024): Read Gregory J. Smalley, Giles Edwards, and El Rob Hubbard’s Apocrypha Candidate review. We’ve talked for a year now about Francis Ford Coppola‘s glorious folly, and now it’s rentable (at premium pricing) on VOD for those who missed it in theaters. We also have a Pod 366 episode (with featured extra Nadia Robertson) almost entirely dedicated to this one. Rent Megalopolis.

Pedro Páramo (2024): Adaptation of a classical magical realist novel about a dusty Mexican town where the living may be the dead, this is the directing debut of award-winning cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto. Pedro Páramo on Netflix.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

Next week’s guests on Pod 366 will be Bradley Kornish and Dan Pullen of Movies from Hell (a reciprocal appearance after Giles and Greg guested on their podcast back in early October.) In written reviews, Shane Wilson goes outside the reader-suggestion queue for a second look at Beau Is Afraid (you can probably guess what that means); Giles Edwards addresses the dreaminess of Dream Team (see above); and Gregory J. Smalley plans to knock our both a new release and a reader suggestion with the Pharrell Williams Lego autobiography Piece by Piece. Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

A Different Man (2024): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. A man has miracle surgery to correct his facial disfigurement, then regrets his decision when a pseudo-doppelganger of his old self steals the role he was born to play. A24 puts out this excellent, if decidedly noncommercial, film on VOD this week; as always with A24, it’s offered at a premium on release, so if you’re a renter you may want to wait for the price to come down. Buy or rent A Different Man.

Don Hertzfeldt projects: We’re a little behind on officially announcing the debut of a new Hertzfeldt short (although we did promote it on social media). It’s called “Me,” it’s a musical (recut from a different musical that fell apart), and it features his usual blend of stick figures, witty existentialism, and psychedelic visuals. It’s available to rent (and will probably eventually appear on some physical media compilation.) In other Hertzfeld news, he has his first true feature-length project (called Antarctica) in the works, and he’ll be collaborating with other animators for the first time. Antarctica has been in development for decades, but Ari Aster now is on board as producer, so it’s about to get real. Learn more in this new, long interview with Sam Adams of Slate.

Hippo (2023): Read Giles Edwards’ Hippo Apocrypha candidate review and interview with star Kimball Farley and DP William Babcock. The black comedy about siblings home-schooled by a UFO believer gets a limited theatrical release this week in NY, with LA dates next week; VOD announcements expected  to come son. The Myspace-style official site is interesting.

Once Within a Time (2023): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Our editor’s choice for Weirdest Film of 2023, Godfrey Reggio‘s 45-minute surrealist romp is an apocalyptic-yet-hopeful dream that almost no one had seen—until now. It releases on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD this week, so hearken to the call of its oddly recognizable tattooed saxophonist. Buy Once Within a Time.

Suspiria (2018): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. OK, this is the (interesting in itself) remake, not the Canonically Weird original. But it’s one hell of a limited edition set from Australia’s Imprint label: a 4K UHD disc, an (all-region) Blu-ray housing the movie, a new commentary track (from author Miranda Corcoran), and a third Blu-ray housing nothing but special feature after special feature. Buy Suspiria (2018).

Wizard of Oz (1939): Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. OK, you’ve seen this (if you haven’t, rush to see it now, youngster) and it’s been re-released on home video a billion times already. This is the current “ultimate” edition: a 4K UHD disc plus a Blu-ray with lots of extras (most of which we believe have been seen before). The selling point on this one (besides the 4K disc) are the steelbook format and the physical collectibles: 12 lobby cards/posters and reproductions of the original invitation, recreation of an original program, and a replica ticket from Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Wizheads take note! Buy Wizard of Oz (4K Steelbook).

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

We’ll be back with Pod 366 next week, although as mentioned potential guests and co-hosts are still up in the air. Things are more settled in terms of written review, as Shane Wilson braves one that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue in Nicolas Winding Refn‘s mall-cop mystery Fear X (2003); Giles Edwards enters the Solar System by Slinghsot (2024); and Gregroy J. Smalley heads to Africa (virtually) to investigate The Omen (2023). Onward and weirdward!