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):
Officer Downe (2016): An LA supercop is repeatedly brought back from the dead to fight crime. A couple of early reviewers have used the “w” word to characterize this stylized, campy and violent graphic novel adaptation with cult movie aspirations, directed by the drummer from the band Slipknot, who normally dresses like a clown. Concurrently available for video-on-demand rental. Officer Downe official site.
SCREENINGS – (IFC Center, New York City, Nov 18-19):
Wild at Heart (1990): Read the Certified Weird entry! IFC Center has been semi-religiously screening Blue Velvet on weekends at midnight; this week, they mix things up with David Lynch’s wild Nic Cage Elvis-tribute road movie. (Don’t worry, Velvet is playing on the opposite screen, giving you your choice of mid-career midnight Lynch this week). Wild at Heart at IFC Center.
SCREENINGS – (AFI Silver Theater, Silver Spring, MD, Nov 19-23):
“Objects of Desire: The Films of Luis Buñuel”: A restoration of the not-so-weird Tristana (starring Catherine Deneuve as the titular target of nobleman Fernando Rey‘s unhealthy obsession) is the headliner here, but look for screenings of the more classically surreal Belle de Jour on the 19th, 22nd and 23rd, and Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie on the 20th and 23rd. Objects of Desire: The Films of Luis Buñuel at AFI Silver Theater.
IN DEVELOPMENT (IN PRODUCTION):
The Thousand Miles (est. 2017): Animator Sylvain Chomet‘s latest project will be his first with dialogue (in English). It’s set at an Italian road race and based on the dream journals of Federico Fellini. This is promising. Read more at Variety.
IN DEVELOPMENT (crowdfunding):
Mondo Weirdo/Vampiros Sexos [AKA I Was a Teenage Zabbadoing]: Here’s your second notice that Cult Epics has a month to go to raise a lot of money to release five previously unseen movies, including the title oddities (described in more detail here) and The Flesh, a rare Marco Ferreri title (clip below). Funding is flexible and rights have been secured, so these will be released in some form and your pledge will be honored—this is more of an opportunity to score some nice pre-order bonuses, ensure that the extras and packaging will be top notch, and support their acquisition of future titles (I don’t want to spread rumors, but at least one of the names whispered about is high on our weird wishlist for a film that desperately needs a new video release). Cult Epics indiegogo campaign.
NEW ON DVD:
Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990): Akira Kurosawa, one of the most celebrated film directors of all time, capped his career with this anthology film in which he adapted his own dreams for the screen. A major 2-disc release for the Criterion Collection and for weird movie lovers, and a longtime reader-suggested review queue stalwart. Buy Akira Kuorsawa’s Dreams.
NEW ON BLU-RAY:
Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990): See description in DVD above. The “Making of Dreams” featurette, which is thirty minutes longer than the actual movie, fits on a single Blu-ray (the DVD version requires an extra disc to fit it). Buy Akira Kuorsawa’s Dreams [Blu-ray].
Dead Ringers (1988): Read the Certified Weird entry! David Cronenberg‘s classic about twin gynecologists addicted to barbiturates gets a Blu-ray collector’s edition release from Shout! Factory. Buy Dead Ringers [Blu-ray Collector’s Edition].
Punch-Drunk Love (2002): Read “Brad”‘s reader recommendation! The weirdest thing about Paul Thomas Anderson‘s offbeat romantic comedy, released by the Criterion Collection this week, is almost certainly the universal praise for the performance of its unlikely star—the much-despised Adam Sandler. Buy Punch-Drunk Love [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.