Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - It’s almost seems like a cliché to put this at the top of the list, but it is the definitive midnight movie. Sure maybe pretentious drama students have ruined the “Time Warp” for me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy “Science Fiction Double Feature.” However, I digress; this film is only for those of a certain sense of humor. Others are warned; you will be in for a strange, taboo breaking, trip with Brad and Janet. If you get the chance, check this one out at a theatre. They sometimes do event showings. All the fans come out and it makes it an immersive experience (Caution: You will be very uncomfortable if you’re expecting a quite night at this movie.)
El Topo (1970) – Ok, I don’t know where to start with this one. It is an acid western and has philosophical undertones. This film was directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, who is a master of surrealistic metaphors. Now, if you are one of those people who enjoy simple plots and characters of mainstream cinema (I don’t know why you’re reading this list in the first place?) you will not find this here. All you will be left with is a headache and more questions than answers. What is El Topo’s quest all about? What’s with the dwarfs? Why is he a Buddhist monk? What is going on? Oh and this film was financed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, so that should tell you something.
Pink Floyd The Wall (1970) – When Syd Barret left Pink Floyd, they went down a more dark and brooding route with their music. The Wall is probably their darkest work to date and this film serves as a companion piece to the album. Pink Floyd The Wall is basically a troubled musician locked in his hotel room, slowly losing what is left of his mind. Sounds like fun, no? Well it gets better; he becomes so alienated from everyone around him that he becomes a sadistic dictator who destroys everything in his path. Afterwards, he is exposed to a jury of his peers. Now this is all presented in fragmented segments of avant-garde animation and bizarre day dreams. So, The Wall is more for those nights, when you’re feeling down and you want a good soundtrack of madness to help you through your own malaise.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) – Now, I was split between this and Night of the Living Dead, but this one is much more fun. It’s "splatterific," if I might be so bold as to use the phrase. Also, it’s a vicious comment about consumerism in America. Let’s recap: Zombies, check…campy gore effects, check…modern commentary on society, check. Looks like we have everything we need to have a good night in Romero land.
Eraserhead (1977) - I have already talked about Eraserhead enough on a previous blog entry. It still one of the only films to make me feel uneasy throughout it’s running time. Anything David Lynch has the ability to make your subconscious crawl.
The Warriors (1975) – “Can you dig it?” I don’t know about you, but there are two things I like in this film: the absurd costumes and the chase. Also, the whole story is a modern revisionist take on the Greek story Anabasis by Xenophon. Did I mention it ends with the song “In the City” by John Walsh? What more do you want? “Warriors come out and play.”
Harold and Muade (1971) – This is a dark comedy about a suicidal boy who learns to enjoy life from a much older woman. Now this is an oversimplification and might not seem to catch your attention at first. If Harold’s amusing morbid sensibility doesn’t attract you, then Maude’s free-thinking renegade attitude will. Harold and Muade also has one of the best edited endings ever constructed. “Trouble” by Cat Stevens is masterly used as the ending song that will stick to your soul.
Freaks (1932) – This is an old film that still has the ability to shock. Now I won’t say much about this gem of early exploitation cinema. It is dark, twisted, misanthropic and ends on a dreadful note of poetic justice.
Donnie Darko (2001) – This is a modern one among the midnight crowd. It was most poignant when I was an angsty teenager and it is still resonant. If you pull away all the science fiction, you get the story of a person trying to transcend the materialistic world around him. Throw in a demented bunny, an unusual tone, a striking 80’s soundtrack and you get this time travelling spin down the rabbit hole of suburbia.
Rock n’ Roll High School (1979) – Thought I’d put in a positive note. The Ramones invade a school and punk anarchy breaks loose. Basically it is every teenage high school fantasy brought to fruition.
Army of Darkness (1992) - I consider this more of a cult classic, then a midnight movie. However, as Ash would say, it’s all “groovy.”
Phantom of the Paradise (1974) – Rock n’ Roll Phantom of the Opera and Brain De Palma, I think I just woke up in a pleasant fever dream of ambitious proportions.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) – Clowns from outer space use cotton candy ray guns, need I say more?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) – “There's no earthly way of knowing.. which direction we are going! There's no knowing where we are going! Or which way the wind is BLOW-OW-ING!!"
