A 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 on the official site links.
IN THEATERS (LIMITED RELEASE):
The Illusionist [L’illusionniste] (2009): Animator Sylvain Chomet’s followup to The Triplets of Belleville is a nearly silent animated feature about an out-of-fashion magician, based on an unproduced script by Jacques Tati. This may not be precisely what we’d call “weird,” but given that the studios like to play it safe and friendly for the holidays, this may have to do if you’ve already seen Black Swan and are looking for something else to challenge you. Opens in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas Day, making its way across the rest of the country in January and February. The Illusionist official site.
IN DEVELOPMENT:
“Manos”: The Search for Valley Lodge (est. 2011): We’re keeping a slightly skeptical eye on the progress of this Manos: The Hands of Fate sequel. Torgo impressionist Rupert Talbot Munch Sr. has been making some fairly hilarious YouTube shorts, but could a full-length campy comedy version of the horrible El Paso horror movie really work, when nearly every deliberately campy horror spoof fails? Can this movie be made by someone who, as far as we can tell, has absolutely no background in the fertilizer industry? The latest news is that Tom Neyman will be reprising his role as the Master in the sequel. Tom’s now on pace to get his second IMDB credit a mere 45 years after his first one. Keep up with all the latest news at TorgoLives.com.
NEW ON DVD:
Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus (2010): Fresh off his victory over Giant Octopus, Mega Shark returns in more mega-aquatic silliness from the SyFy Channel. We like his chances against Crocosaurus, but can he stop a grown-up Urkel? Honestly, the Mega Piranha was probably enough for us, but we understand some people can’t get their fill of seafood. Buy Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus
The Strange (2010): This is strange. This title just showed up on Amazon with no fanfare; it’s from Pathfinder Home Entertainment, who distribute Elevator Movie along with other obscure titles that sound pretty weird even to us (titles like Sex & the Celts and Hitler Meets Christ). It’s not listed on the IMDB but Justin Lin (Fast & Furious) is credited as director. Since there’s no other information on the film we quote from the product description: “a bizarre film experience that will accustom you to the kind of abnormal behavior you may have only heard or read about, but never seen. Why did the couple and the mime have a deadly standoff?” It’s billed as a “dark comedy.” Strange indeed. Buy The Strange
FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON YOUTUBE:
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960): This is Roger Corman‘s original low-budget black comedy about a nerd’s complex relationship with his blood-drinking plant, later remade as a popular 1980s musical. Featuring an early appearance by Jack Nicholson as the masochistic dental patient. “I’ve eaten in flower shops all over the world, and I’ve noticed that the places that have the most weird and unusual plants do the best business,” advises Dick Miller. Watch The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) 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.