The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I've seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) so many times that I could quote most of it and sing along with about every song. It's not the best musical ever made, but it's so damn quirky and catchy that you can't help but love it.

The story follows newlyweds Brad and Janet as their car gets a flat tire near a creepy old castle. They decide the best thing to do is see who's home and ask for help. Upon entering the castle they find a party going on, but nobody at the party is quite normal and they haven't seen anything yet. They stumble upon a twisted transvestite doctor's diabolical plan to create the perfect man. While distracted by this, others in the group hatch a plan to overthrow the doctor and Brad and Janet become caught in the middle of it all. The movie is paced very well and the music keeps the mood upbeat through most of the movie. Things get a little jumbled toward the end, but by the time it's all done that doesn't really matter. It's really a movie that is experienced rather than just watched.

A personal favorite of mine, even with its obviously low production values. (8.6/10)

Meet the Spartans

While looking over previous posts I've realized that even though I've reviewed some movies I didn't like, I never reviewed an absolutely terrible movie. That's where Meet the Spartans (2008) comes in.

Even though it was universally panned when it was released, I got suckered into watching it for myself. And I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The story made barely any sense, as though it were just a thin line of ideas to string pop culture references together. I could picture people in the audience going "haha, Paris Hilton is totally like that" or "wow, that was a spot on Britney Spears impression." It was the same filth from the same people who killed the once-great MadTV and I can't say enough terrible things about it. The only redeeming factor was the eye candy that is Sean McGuire. Beyond that I couldn't take watching the movie.

A 0.0/10 film gets a slight bump up for including a hot guy. I guess I'm just that shallow. (1.5/10)

Showgirls

If I had to make a list of movies that were personal favorites, movies I could watch over and over as opposed to movies that I thought were made well and acted well, I would put Showgirls (1995) in the top five.

From the moment you meet Nomi Malone in the opening scene, you know you're in for a trip. The story follows a female hitchhiker who makes her way to Las Vegas. After being abandoned by her ride she meets the tailor for one of the glitzy, adult Vegas shows. Long story short, Nomi gets into the show and that's when all of her new troubles start. The movie itself is not all that bad. The direction and cinematography are wonderful and most of the acting is above average. The problem comes with the overall feel that things are pushed too far in the wrong directions and with the editing choices including several cuts and scenes that are wholly unnecessary.

Despite its faults, I think Showgirls will come to be seen as a classic and I cross my fingers that one day studios will embrace the NC-17 rating as an open door for creative filmmakers. (8.3/10)

Polyester

My first time watching Polyester (1981) was not that long ago. Being a big John Waters fan after viewing Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, A Dirty Shame, etc. I wanted to see one of his lesser known films. What I got was confirmation that even with only the most basic necessities needed to make a film, Waters still creates an enjoyable movie.

The story itself is highly dramatic and over-the-top. The main character, Francine Fishpaw as played by Divine, is married to the owner of a porn theater who wants nothing more than to embarrass and put down his wife. Her kids are a mile on the wrong side of the tracks, and her only friend in the world is a mentally retarded rich woman named Cuddles. The story progresses where Francine thinks she's found a way out of her horrible life, only to discover it's all been a set-up. Waters presents the whole movie in a way where I kept laughing from one scene to the next.

I would put this in my top 5 John Waters films, a great comedy any way you look at it. (8.1/10)

Bring It On

I remember being back in middle school and seeing Bring It On (2000) for the first time. I was on the floor laughing because I'd never seen anything so funny before. Although some of the jokes have gotten old and the movie now looks a little dated, it's still a very funny film.

I think the mix of serious drama and slapstick humor is what makes Bring It On a success. There is a real story and, even though the story isn't necessarily about something you care about, to the characters, it's their world. The end of the movie is probably too easily resolved, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt in saying that it wouldn't have ended better any other way.

Still a very funny movie and great to watch with friends. (7.8/10)

Circus of Horrors

I stumbled upon this movie on TCM after watching the terrific final sequence of Tod Browning's Freaks. They were having a circus night and I knew I couldn't watch the whole movie, so I recorded it and watched it later. It was definitely an interesting experience.

Circus of Horrors (1960) looks like it was made on a micro-budget. The only part that's really impressive is the circus set-up itself, which was apparently an already existing circus. The film centers around a plastic surgeon who uses a circus as a front to "fix" deformed female criminals and keep them bound to his circus by blackmailing them with their past crimes. Anytime one of them tries to leave the circus, he finds a way to "accidently" kill them during the show.

The acting was on par with most smaller movies from the time period; a bit of overacting, but generally not too bad. I have to say my biggest dissatisfaction comes from a bear mauling that happens at the beginning of the film. The bear is clearly a large stuffed animal, if not a person in a bear suit, and it gives the scene a hokeyness that doesn't sit well with the rest of the film.

Overall, a good effort and a decently entertaining film. (6.3/10)