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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.
ONLINE DEBUTS (ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE ON DEMAND):
Psychomagic, A Healing Art (2019): Alejandro Jodorowsky‘s long-simmering documentary about his own brand of ritual psychotherapy final arrives in America. We have our doubts about the clinical efficacy of psychomagic, but little doubt that the documentary will be worth a look. The 8/8 screening will include a Q&A with Jodorowsky. Rent Psychomagic, A Healing Art on demand.
FILM FESTIVALS – Fantasia International Film Festival (Online–Geolocked to Canada, 8/20-9/2):
If you’ve been reading the site for a while, you know we make a big deal about Fantasia every year: it’s a huge genre festival and, although it doesn’t focus specifically on our brand of weird, the programmers’ tastes are wide enough that we discover a list-worthy film or two there just about every year. In 2020, unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic has forced the festival online, where only Canadians (and journalists) will be able to enjoy the festivities. We’ve been able to get a special dispensation and will be able to screen many of the films virtually, as well as maybe bring you some live-on-tape interviews with available talent. Here’s just a few of the titles we’ll be wrangling to see:
- #ShakespearesShitstorm – Another grossout take on the Bard from Troma studios, this time taking the wind out of “The Tempest.”
- 2011 – A film editor on the edge of sanity struggles to complete a feature while distracted by strange noises coming from the apartment next door.
- The Day of the Beast (1995) – The presence of a restored version of Alex de la Iglesia‘s Satanic horror-comedy on Fantasia’s program surely heralds an imminent re-release of this cult item, which has been shockingly unavailable in North America.
- Fried Barry – An alien possesses the body of a South African drug addict.
- Labyrinth of Cinema – Cinemagoers find themselves transported in time to key moments in Japanese history; the final film from Nobuhiko Obayashi (Hausu).
And of course, we usually find a left-field surprise or two.
Fantasia International Film Festival official home page.
IN DEVELOPMENT (post-production):
“World of Tomorrow: Episode Three – The Absent Destinations of David Prime” (201?): Don Hertzfeldt dropped a surprise trailer this week for the third episode in his “World of Tomorrow” series. It’s teased as “coming soon” with no further details. Little Winona Mae is growing older by the day, so who knows how much longer he can keep these up? They grow up too fast. Film Stage got Hertzfeld to talk about it a little.
https://youtu.be/q3fBai6k_fU
NEW ON HOME VIDEO:
Coma [Koma] (2019): An architect in a coma finds himself in a shared dream-world made up of the memories of those in a similar predicament. It’s Russia’s take on Hollywood mindbenders like Inception (whose famous visuals it rips off) and The Matrix. On DVD, Blu-ray, or VOD. Buy Coma
“Dispatches from Elsewhere, Season 1”: Jason Segel produces and stars in this “confusing” series about the mysterious “Jejune Institute” and its nefarious (?) plans. Season 1 is in the books and available for purchase on DVD, Blu-ray, or VOD. Buy “Dispatches from Elsewhere, Season 1”
She Dies Tomorrow (2020): Read our review. This recommended macabre drama about a contagion that causes people to believe they will die tomorrow makes it to VOD this week. Buy or rent She Dies Tomorrow
Toto the Hero (1991): Read the Canonically Weird entry! At long last, Jaco Van Dormael‘s debut—about a deluded man who convinces himself he was switched at birth with a neighbor in order to justify his erotic attachment to his sister—makes it to home video in North America. Arrow Academy is our hero. Blu-ray only. Buy Toto the Hero
CANONICALLY WEIRD (AND OTHER) REPERTORY SCREENINGS:
Independent theaters are cautiously starting to reopen across North America at diminished capacity, although the big chains remain shuttered. That said, we have a dribble of screenings to announce this week: one major repertory theater opening online only, a drive-in screening, Canadians, and a test-run by an Alamo Drafthouse franchisee. We expect this section to continue to grow slowly throughout the summer, although we wouldn’t predict things to return to anywhere near normal until the fall, at the earliest. You’ll have to use your own judgment as to whether it’s safe to go to non-drive-in, non-virtual movie theaters at this time.
- New York City, NY
- The Metrograph (online live screenings only for the moment. Some shows may require membership.)
- Perfect Blue (1997), 8/7-10
- Mind Game (2004), 8/12
- The Metrograph (online live screenings only for the moment. Some shows may require membership.)
- Santa Ana, CA
- Vancouver, BC
- The Rio
- Eraserhead (1977), 8/7
- Fight Club (1999), 8/7,9
- Come and See (1985), 8/10
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), 8/11
- The Rio
- Winchester, VA
- Alamo Drafthouse – Vertigo (1958), 8/7-12
FREE (LEGITIMATE RELEASE) MOVIES ON TUBI.TV:
Bubba Ho-Tep (2002): Read the Canonically Weird review! Bruce Campbell as Elvis, Ossie Davis as JFK, and the mummy as itself; Don Coscarelli‘s cult flick is now listed as “leaving soon” on Tubi, so catch it for free while you can. Watch Bubba Ho-Tep free on Tubi.tv.
NEPOTISM CORNER:
“The Completists” (podcast/webcast): 366’s own Shane Wilson has started a podcast (together with co-host Ted Price) premised on the idea of watching and opining on an entire movie series. They’re starting off with the James Bond franchise. You may see/hear another 366 contributor on as a guest someday. (And if you’re wondering why there’s no official 366 podcast yet—we’re seriously considering it, but focused right now on producing the book version of the List, which is at least a year out). Anyway, “The Completists” is highly recommended, especially for Bond fans, and you can listen on your favorite podcast app or watch/listen on Vokal Now.
WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:
Saturday night’s Weird Netflix Watch Party will be the classic The Wicker Man (1973). As usual, we start at 10:15 ET tomorrow, and post the link to join around 10 PM here, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
In next week’s reviews, Giles Edwards looks at Capone (2020), the biopic that dares to put Tom Hardy in a diaper, while
What are you looking forward to? If you have any weird movie leads that we have overlooked, feel free to leave them in the COMMENTS section.