Our weekly look at what’s weird in theaters, on hot-off-the-presses DVDs and Blu-rays (and hot off the server VODs), and on more distant horizons…
Trailers of new release movies are generally available at the official site links.
NEW ON HOME VIDEO:
“Akio Jissoji: The Buddhist Trilogy”: Three rare films of the late Japanese New Wave: This Transient Life (1970) involves brother/sister incest, Mandara (1971) concerns a pro-rape cult, and Poem (1972) stars a young boy caught up in a plot to sell his ancestral home. Arrow Academy promises that these little-seen films are all stylized, experimental, erotic and spiritual. Blu-ray set only. Buy “Akio Jissoji: The Buddhist Trilogy”
Curse of the Cat People (1944): Read Alfred Eaker’s review. A strange childhood fantasy film with little relation to its Cat People ancestor; a few people prefer it to the horrific original, though. Out on Blu-ray for the first time from Shout! Factory. Buy Curse of the Cat People
Edward II (1991): Derek Jarman‘s experimental, queered-up version of Christopher Marlowe’s play. It’s in our reader-suggested queue, and now out on DVD, VOD and Blu-ray (for the first time) from Film Movement. Buy Edward II
Inheritance (2017): A carpenter inherits a northern California villa from the biological father he never knew; the place is haunted by family secrets. Not to be confused with Hereditary; review (of both?) coming next week. VOD only. Buy or rent Inheritance
King of Hearts (1966): In World War I, a private is mistaken for a bomb expert and sent to a French town deserted by the locals, but now occupied by the escaped inmates from a local mental asylum. This British anti-war cult favorite has long been hard to see in the U.S.; the Cohen Film Collection releases it on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD. Buy King of Hearts
Vidar the Vampire (2017): A Norwegian farmer is vampirized by a bloodsucker claiming to be Jesus Christ. Debuts in the U.S. on various streaming and on-demand outlets; check the official site for details.
CERTIFIED WEIRD (AND OTHER) REPERTORY SCREENINGS:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). We won’t list all the screenings of this audience-participation classic separately. You can use this page to find a screening near you.
- Boston, MA, 6/15-6/17, 6/19-6/21 – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). At the Coolidge Corner Theater.
- Columbus, OH, 6/16-6/21 – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). At Gateway Film Center.
- Dallas, TX, 6/21 – The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension (1984). With live music after (tickets may be purchased separately or in combination). At the Texas Theater.
- Los Angeles, CA, 6/15-6/19 – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). At the Aero Theater.
- Nashville, TN, 6/18 – Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001). At the Belcourt Theater.
- New York City, NY, 6/15 (midnight) – Pink Flamingos (1972). At Videology Bar & Cinema.
- New York City, NY, 6/15-6/16 (midnights) – Pink Flamingos (1972). At the Nitehawk Theater.
- New York City, NY, 6/15-6/16 (midnights) – El Topo (1970). At IFC Center.
- New York City, NY, 6/20 – Night of the Hunter (1955). At the Museum of Modern Art.
- Portland, OR, 6/15 – Persona (1966). At NW Film Center.
- Vancouver, BC, Canada, 6/15 – 8 1/2 (1963). At the Rio.
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.