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.

SCREENINGS – (Cinefamily, Los Angeles, Fri. Dec 11, 10 PM):

Belladonna of Sadness (1973): Read Alex Kittle’s capsule from Fantastic Fest. A rare screening of Japan’s lost psychedelic erotic acid trip anime about medieval witchcraft. This L.A. premier is the centerpiece of an “Animation Breakdown” mini-festival at the ‘family. Belladonna of Sadness at Cinefamily.

SCREENINGS – (Lincoln Center, New York City, Dec. 11-22):

“Lynch/Rivette”: The idea behind the Lincoln Center’s new series is to pair a film by French New Wave director Jacques Rivette with a thematically similar one from David Lynch. We get The Duchess of Langais together with Blue Velvet; Joan the Maid and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me; L’amour Fou and Wild at Heart; Paris Belongs to Us and Eraserhead; Lost Highway and Duelle; Story of Marie and Julien and INLAND EMPIRE; and, in the must-see double feature, the rarely screened Celine and Julie Go Boating paired with Lynch’s most popular movie, Mulholland Drive. The movies will be individually screened throughout the next two weeks, as well. What a Christmas gift to New York cinephiles! Check out the following link for showtimes. “Lynch/Rivette” at Film Society of Lincoln Center.

NEW ON DVD:

Thundercrack! (1975): A rare underground film with hardcore sex scenes, or a hardcore sex film with cult movie sensibilities, the scenario involves an old dark house and an amorous guy in a gorilla suit. Overheated, trashy dialogue supplied by Sins of the Fleshapoids scribe George Kuchar. First time ever on DVD. Buy Thundercrack!

NEW ON BLU-RAY:

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987): Seven deformed children with antisocial attributes help a friendless kid deal with bullies. Little people in horrifying latex masks supplied by Uncanny Valley Design Co. portray the disgusting “kids” (with names like “Valerie Vomit”) in this notorious PG-rated gross-out flop. Buy The Garbage Pail Kids Movie [Blu-ray].

Thundercrack! (1975): See description in DVD above. The Blu-ray contains the bonus documentary It Came from Kuchar and a DVD packed with extras, and is actually cheaper at this writing than the standalone DVD. Buy Thundercrack! [Blu-ray].

NEPOTISM CORNER:

“The Projection Booth Phase IV Podcast”: Our own El Rob Hubbard is one of the three experts discussing poster-designer and credit-sequence specialist Saul Bass’ only feature film, Phase IV, wherein ants mobilize and threaten the human race. The original film ended with a surreal 2001-style montage that was severely edited by the studio for the theatrical release. Rob discusses the excised footage and more with podcast host Mike White and fellow guest Josh Hadley. The Projection Booth Phase IV Podcast.

FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON YOUTUBE:

Ninja III: The Domination (1984): A deceased ninja possesses the body of an aerobics instructor and forces her to carry out revenge killings. Only in the 80s! Watch Ninja III: The Domination free on YouTube.

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.