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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

“The Art of the Benshi”: Discussion begins. A series of Japanese silent films on tour, with traditional narrators (benshi) providing commentary (in Japanese, subtitled into English). Most films in the collection are obscure, but we mention it because the canonically weird A Page of Madness [Kurutta ippêji] is one of the films. It’s a bit complicated as to which films will be playing where as the program tours this April, so check out the following link for dates if you live in NYC, Washington, Chicago, or Los Angeles (or Tokyo). “The Art of the Benshi” official site.

The Beast (2023): Discussion begins. Léa Seydoux seeks to fix her present by undergoing DNA regression therapy, which allows her to experience past lives where she experienced tempestuous romances with the same man. Science fantasy from Bertrand Bonello whose ending had some critics crying “ Lynch!” The Beast official site.

Kinds of Kindness (2024): Discussion begins. A first trailer drops for Yorgos Lanthimos‘ upcoming triptych film, debuting (somewhere) on June 21, 2024. The teaser includes a brief shot of a dog drinking from a straw. Kinds of Kindness official site.

Messiah of Evil (1973): Discussion begins. Read Shane Wilson’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Previously released in a limited edition, this Blu-ray is the paradoxical “Standard Special Edition” of this eerie horror oddity. Buy Messiah of Evil.

The People’s Joker (2022): Discussion begins. An unauthorized parody of a certain comic book villain’s origin story, told as a trans metaphor. We thought this would never get released due to “rights issues,” but unnamed corporate entities seem to have decided that ignoring is the wisest course. In limited release across the country, with writer/director/star Vera Drew appearing for Q&A’s at several venues. Go to The People’s Joker official site to find out where and when it’s playing.

Rossellini on Blue Velvet: Discussion begins. Almost four decades later, Isabella Rossellini responds to Roger Ebert’s negative review of Blue Velvet. Variety got the quote.

Yannick (2023): Discussion begins. All we know about Quentin Dupieux‘s latest comedy is the premise: a man interrupts a dull theater performance and starts talking back to the onstage actors.  Streaming exclusively on Mubi. Dupieux also has a more anticipated movie, the surreal biopic Daaaaaali!, coming out later this year. Yannick official site.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

There is no guest scheduled for next Pod 366, but tune in for another discussion of the week’s news and releases. In written reviews, Shane Wilson gets into The Spirit (2008); Giles Edwards gets into The Invisible Fight (2023); and Gregory J. Smalley gets into a Hungarian Bubble Bath (1980). And who knows, there could always be a surprise popping up. Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

Amelie (2001): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s List Candidate review. A collectible steelbook of the hot magical realist romantic comedy, with a new retrospective interview with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Buy Amelie.

Bubble Bath [Habfürdö] (1980): Discussion begins. Animated musical romance from Hungary; it’s described as bohemian and stylistically all-over-the-map, and it’s in our reader-suggested queue. The Deaf Crocodile Blu-ray includes five surreal shorts from director György Kovásznai, who died a few years after completing Bubble Bath. Buy Bubble Bath.

DogMan (2023): Discussion begins. Luc Besson directs Caleb Landry Jones in this thriller about a strange and damaged man obsessed with dogs. In limited US release starting this week. Dogman official site.

La Chimera (2023): Discussion begins. A film from Alice Rohrwatcher (Happy as Lazzaro) following a modern day group of Etruscan tomb raiders. In limited release from Neon. La Chimera official site.

Phase IV (1974): Discussion begins. Read Shane Wilson’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Surprisingly, this cult item about an ant apocalypse had not been issued on Blu-ray in the U.S. until now; here it is on Blu and 4K UHD, including both the theatrical cut and the “preview” cut with the psychedelic ending. Thanks Vinegar Syndrome! Buy Phase IV.

Stice’s Satyricon (2022): Discussion begins. This 45-minute green screen video album from an oddball outfit called Stice is loosely based on the “Satyricon,” and, as you can see in the trailer below, is perhaps even more surreal than Fellini’s version.  This Blu-ray popped up out of nowhere onto our radar this week. Buy Stice’s Satyricon.

Where the Devil Roams (2023): Discussion begins. Read Giles Edwards’ Apocrypha Candidate review. The Adams family’s latest horror film is about a family of serial-killing Depression-era carnies, and witchery. On Blu-ray with a making of featurette, bonus short film, and more.  Buy Where the Devil Roams.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

We have no guest scheduled for next week’s Pod 366—although it is possible someone will pop up. In written reviews, Shane Wilson tackles one that ain’t Fellini (but is close) with the experimental hybrid documentary How Strange to Be Named Federico (2013), while Gregory J. Smalley digs into La Chimera (see above). Also, expect unannounced bonus content. Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

The End of Evangelion (1997) theatrical rerelease: Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! Hideaki Anno‘s wacko second (of three) takes on ending his Evangelion cycle is a psychedelic burst of mysticism, psychology, and giant robots. It became a cult hit here on DVD, but was never released to theaters in the U.S., so this upcoming theatrical release on March 17 and 20 will be a major event for domestic otaku. Check the link for a site near you. The End of Evangelion re-release by GKids.

Poor Things (2023): Discussion begins. Read the Apocryphally Weird entry! A Poor Things Blu-ray dropped on the very same day Lanthimos‘ Frankenstein variation was inaugurated into our Apocryphally Weird list. Coincidence? Buy Poor Things.

The President’s Analyst (1967): Discussion begins. The U.S. president’s personal psychoanalyst (James Coburn) develops paranoia, goes on the run, and discovers a Pynchonesque conspiracy involving the Phone Company. Previously available in a low quality bare-bones DVD, KL Studio Classics releases this minor cult film on Blu-ray in a brand new transfer with two commentary tracks. Buy The President’s Analyst.

Rumours (202?): Discussion begins. Guy Maddin (with collaborators Galen and Evan Johnson) has a new one that should be available soon (the best we can tell, filming was done in October 2023). Big name stars Cate Blanchett and Alicia Vikander will appear as G7 leaders who get lost in the woods during a summit meeting. Here’s an article from The Wrap.

State of Consciousness (2024): Discussion begins. Emile Hirsch headlines this psychological thriller about an accused murderer who undergoes an experimental treatment that causes him to hallucinate. From Lionsgate, it’s screening in a few theaters but will make its main impact on VOD.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

No guest scheduled for next week’s Pod 366, but Giles and Greg will return to discuss the week’s new releases. Also on YouTube, Pete Trbovich takes on a little item called The Item (1999), and wishes he hadn’t. In written reviews, Shane Wilson takes on another one that Came from the Reader-Suggested Queue with Tout va bien (1972), one of Jean-Luc Godard‘s more watchable Jean-Pierre Gorin collaborations; Giles Edwards explores a new State of Consciousness (see above); and Gregory J. Smalley decides that Space Is the Place (the third time Sun Ra’s movie has been reviewed on this site, after Alfred Eaker’s report and Pete Trbovich’s video review). Onward and weirdward!

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

Quick links/Discussed in this episode:

Hundreds of Beavers (2023): Introduction to the interview begins. Read El Rob Hubbard’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Mike Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews join us for a second time to talk about their surreal slapstick semi-silent Canadian-tinged comedy. Hundreds of Beavers official site.

Divinity (2023): Discussion begins. Read Giles Edwards’ Apocrypha Candidate review. This black and white dystopian would-be cult film  divided critics down the middle, with some camps claiming its just pretentious, and others saying its pretentious but wild enough for a recommendation. You can now decide for yourself, on VOD or Blu-ray. Buy Divinity.

Dream Scenario (2023): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. Shlubby professor Nic Cage becomes a celebrity after he starts inexplicably appearing in the background of people’s dreams. Now on Blu-ray or VOD rental or purchase. Buy Dream Scenario.

Kamikaze Girls (2004): Discussion begins. A high school girl obsessed with Lolita fashion befriends a biker chick. In our reader-suggested queue, and now on Blu-ray for the first time (in North America). Buy Kamikaze Girls.

Liarmouth (202?): Discussion begins. 77-year-old John Waters wants to film his 2022 novel “Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance.” Aubrey Plaza wants to help him by starring as sociopathic suitcase-stealer Marsha Sprinkle. We would give this union our blessing. Rumor rag World of Reel “broke” the story, but Waters himself called the news “pure speculation.”

On the Silver Globe (1977/1988): Discussion begins. Read El Rob Hubbard’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Unfortunately, this standalone Blu-ray of Andrzej Zulawski‘s unfinished weird sci-fi epic is only available in Europe at the current time. Interested parties can order On the Silver Globe from amazon.uk.

Poor Things (2023): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s Apocrypha Candidate review. Yorgos Lanthimos‘ absurdist comedy about a woman with a fetus brain is now on VOD (Blu-ray coming). It will also stream for free (for subscribers) on Hulu from March 7. Buy Poor Things on VOD.

The Third Part of the Night (1971)/The Devil (1972): Discussion begins. Read El Rob Hubbard’s reviews of The Third Part of the Night and The Devil. Andrzej Zulawski‘s first two features on a 2-disc Blu-ray set; like Silver Globe, this release is aimed at Eurofolk. Buy The Third Part of the Night/The Devil from amazon.uk.

The Tune (1992): Discussion begins. Cartoonist Bill Plympton‘s debut feature was about a songwriter entering a surreal alternate world in search of inspiration. This Deaf Crocodile Blu-ray release includes three early Plympton shorts, and a Pympton dub of the silent short “Dreams of a Rarebit Fiend,” among its extra features.  Buy The Tune.

Weirdcademy Awards: Discussion begins. It’s your last week to vote in the Weirdcademy Awards (features or shorts): winners announced on Sunday, Mar. 10.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:

There’s no guest currently scheduled for next week’s Pod 366, but Giles and Greg will be back to discuss the week’s weird movie news. Also on our YouTube channel (which you should probably subscribe to), Pete Trbovich reviews Brian O’Hara’s 1999’s spoof Rock and Roll Frankenstein on “Weird View Crew,” a movie that was recommended to us by… Brian O’Hara. Seguing to print reviews, Shane Wilson clears out Four Rooms (1995) from the reader-suggested queue, Giles Edwards creates his impression of Creating Rem Lazar (1989), and the day has finally come for Gregory J. Smalley to cover Day of the Wacko (2002). Onward and weirdward!