The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

After checking out The Ring last night, I decided to let Jolene pick the next movie that would be reviewed. Predictably, she chose her favorite movie for our viewing pleasure tonight, 1975s The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Plot/ A newly engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

Before I begin, I know that The Rocky Horror Picture Show can’t be given its just due unless you watch one of the midnight shows that make it an amazing journey into the surreal. I love watching it in that setting and can’t wait to go into the next show (hopefully, next week for my birthday). However, this film can be enjoyed at home, if you watch it with and open mind and a sense of humor. We try to watch it at least once every couple of months, and after that atrocity that was remade for television, I had to definitely wash that out of my mind before enjoying another show. As a movie, it is mixed with good and bad, but overall it is extremely entertaining. The minimalist cast is tremendous, the musical aspects are catchy and perfect for the show, and the script is spot on. Yes, the special effects are uneven and the production qualities in some ways are lacking, but that is to be expected in a low budget B-Movie. In the end, I am amazed at the amount of people that have never seen this film either at home or live on a Saturday night. This is one of the first cult classics and a film that should be watched and enjoyed for generations. I just hope no one tries to remake it again; it can’t be done!

Demons (1985)

With my evening winding down after working on some nonfiction writing samples, I decided that I needed a trip into something mindless to help keep myself focused. What did I watch to help keep me motivated, nothing other than the 1985 classic Demons?

Plot/ A group of people are trapped in a large movie theater in West Berlin that is infected by ravenous demons who proceed to kill and posses the humans one-by-one, thereby multiplying their numbers.

If you were around in the 1980s and a horror fan, you should definitely remember what real horror looks like. There was none of this watered-down PG-13 crap masquerading as horror flicks; there was blood, gore, violence, and nudity. Honestly, there was anything and everything, and personally, I long for those days of cinema. This movie captures all of the excess of that decade and creates a memorable trip into the horror realm. Yes, it makes little sense, but that was the point, it was just fun mindless horror in an era that needed it. Helped by Italian horror masters Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava, this one has blood, guts, gore, and the kitchen sink. Hell, it even featured an interesting soundtrack that is a perfect trip down memory lane. In the end, if you love 1980s horror, you have to watch this one if you haven’t seen it already. Yes, there may be some flaws and dated effects, but it is a mindless romp through a dark and twisted world.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Hollywood Theater (Pittsburgh)

Last night was awesome! Finally, after three years here in Pennsylvania, we made our way to another showing of the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This showing, at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont, was backed by the Junior Chamber of Commerce Players (steelcityrockyhorror.com), who were tremendous. This performance will ale be part of a documentary in the film, Rocky Horror Saved My Life, which was filming throughout. 

The atmosphere rocked, the people friendly, and all had a good time. Plus, what made this showing even better was the fact that we decided to take three of the daughters to it for their first time. Sure, because of their ages, they did not take part in some of the early fanfare, but I am sure, their lives were changed for the better after experiencing the awesomeness of Rocky Horror with a cast.

Here are some pictures from last night:

The Theatre Bizarre (2011)

After taking a week or so off, it was time to get back into the swing of things. Of course, there were some good points to being away from the blog. I got to hang-out with my younger brother and enjoy an awesome show headlined by Flogging Molly. Then, I got to watch one of the daughters score their first goal in soccer as her team prepares for the playoffs next weekend. Not to mention, hanging out and enjoying Mother’s Day with Brenda, my mother and my grandmother... Yet, it was time to get back at it with an interesting flick, one Brenda picked out, The Theatre Bizarre from 2011.

Plot/ Down a seedy city street in her neighborhood, young Enola Penny is obsessed with what appears to be a long abandoned theatre. One night, she sees that the front door is slightly ajar and impulsively decides to sneak inside. Little did she know that in the dark, decrepit auditorium, a show unlike any other would unfold before her eyes.

I am a huge fan of anthologies, especially ones that are a bit strange and non-linear. This flick, much like Little Deaths definitely, walks to its own vision. Yes, there are some issues, which keep it from being one of the best as it lacks some coherent scripting, natural flow, characterization and as usual, some pieces are much better than others are. Fortunately, there is something in each one that delivers some entertainment (some mare warped than most), and in the end keeps it entertaining. Yes, this flick is not for everyone, and people who do not like gore, blood, darkness or madness should stay far away, but if you do, check it out! It is an entertaining way to spend a couple hours.

Night of the Living Dead (The Play)

Last night I was able to take the family to Edison, NJ, to see the Backstage Players at Middlesex County College perform thier stage adaptation of Night of the Living Dead. While not perfect, it was definitely an interesting take that stayed pretty true to the original storyline from the movie. I will admit, sitting in a theatre with zombies moving around the rows was an awesome sight. With that in mind, I decided to dust off one of my copies of the movie to watch it with the kids tonight.

While watching it, the parallels between the two were evident, yet, my daughters had differing opinions on which was the better forum to watch it. Two of the decided that the play version with live zombies were much better than the film version, while the other chose the movie. Personally, I felt that the stage version, although good, lacked the depth of the film and came up short (not surprising though considering Night of the Living Dead is one of the most influencial horror films of all time). However, the visal effects to maintain the black and white feel were awesome!

In the end, it was great to see a college and its drama department take on such a project. Many times, we as fans do not get a chance to enjoy our favorite classic films in a different setting from a different perspective. I wish that many more university's or theatres would take on more projects like this, not only is it good entertainment, but it exposes many more fans to the genius that exists within the horror community.