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.
IN THEATERS (WIDE RELEASE):
Midsommar (2019): Read our review! Ari Aster‘s while-the-iron-is-hot followup to the hit horror-drama Hereditary is a relationship movie done in the style of The Wicker Man. Midsommar official site.
NEW ON HOME VIDEO:
The Passing (1984): Converging science fiction tale about a couple of elderly WWII veterans and a young death row inmate which is described as “increasingly surreal.” Probably the least anticipated of the four movies Vinegar Syndrome is releasing this week (which includes two titles listed below along with the low budget 1993 vampire flick Night Owl). The DVD/Blu-ray combo pack includes four 1970s shorts from director John Huckert. Buy The Passing
Putney Swope (1969): Read our review. This Robert Downey, Sr. (a Prince) absurdist satire about a militant black man becomes head of a Madison Avenue advertising agency receives its first-ever Blu-ray release from Vinegar Syndrome. They even got Downey to record a commentary track, among the many extra features. A DVD/Blu-ray combo pack. Buy Putney Swope
Taking Tiger Mountain (1983): Radical feminists brainwash a World War III draft-dodger (Bill Paxton, in his film debut) and send him on a mission to assassinate the Welsh Minister of Prostitution. An experimental film adapted from a William S. Burroughs story that was left unfinished in 1974 and completed by a different director in 1983, now in a DVD/Blu-ray combo from Vinegar Syndrome. It’s also in our reader suggested review queue. Buy Taking Tiger Mountain
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.
- Columbus, OH, 7/9-7/10 – Videodrome (1983). At Gateway Film Center.
- Dallas, TX, 7/5 – Last Year at Marienbad [L’Année Dernière à Marienbad] (1961). At the Texas Theatre.
- Memphis, TN, 7/11 – Head (1968). At Crosstown Theater.
- New York City, NY, 7/5 & 7/6 – Teorema (1968). At the Metrograph.
- New York City, NY, 7/5-7/6 (midnights) – Eraserhead (1977). At IFC Center.
- New York City, NY, 7/5-7/6 (midnights) – Mulholland Drive (2001). At IFC Center.
- New York City, NY, 7/5-7-11 – Audition [Ôdishon] (1999). At the Metrograph.
- New York City, NY, 7/10 – Fantastic Planet [La Planète Sauvage] (1973), with new live score by Morricone Youth. At Nitehawk Cinema (Prospect Park).
- Oakland, CA, 7/11 – Natural Born Killers (1994). At the New Parkway Theater.
- San Francisco, CA, 7/10 – Zardoz (1974). At the Alamo Drafthouse.
- Silver Spring, MD, 7/6-7/7, 7/10-7/11 – Night of the Hunter (1955). At AFI Silver Theater.
- Toronto, Ont., Canada, 7/9 – Dogtooth [Kynodontas] (2009). At the Royal.
- Vancouver, BC, Canada, 7/7 – Stalker (1979). At the Rio Theatre.
WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE: After pushing up the review of Midsommar to yesterday, we have a minimal slate on tap next week. A review of the punk-feminist grindhouse experiment Dead Hooker in a Trunk is certain, and we should be able to fit in another mystery title. Giles Edwards is busy packing his bags for the Fantasia Festival 2019 (which actually begins this Thursday, although he’ll likely need some time to settle in and actually see something before sending out dispatches). Stay tuned to the homepage for developments (or follow us on Facebook or Twitter). Onward and weirdward!
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.