Last time around (#40-36), I talked about a giant singing man-eating plant, an unstoppable shapeshifting monster, an annual racing bloodsport, a murder mystery told from differing perspectives, and a folk concert tribute. And now for part 4.
dir. Don Coscarelli
Comedy/Fantasy/Horror
Bruce Campbell is Elvis, Ossie Davis is JFK, and there is a mummy on the loose at their old folks home trying to suck out everyone's souls. A concept like this is basically a coin flip, because it could have been too much and absolutely suck, but obviously I wound up loving it a lot. Campbell's Elvis is wonderful, totally over-the-top, and still incredibly sympathetic and well-rounded as a character. He's the soul of this movie, and the performance itself still surprises me with how emotional it is. The action scenes are fun, there's a good deal of suspense, great humor... But really it all does come back to Elvis. There aren't many cheesy movies like this that I get emotionally invested in, but this is one huge exception. Also, it's my favorite mummy movie.
dir. Stuart Gordon
Comedy/Horror/Sci-Fi
The first of three wonderful movies centered around Jeffrey Combs' hilariously twisted scientist Herbert West, and easily the best in the trilogy. Loosely based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and what I consider to be the best of his adaptations. I love the sense of humor and the over-the-top nature of the story, with plenty of corny effects and great jokes built around the horror/grotesque elements. It may not be the most technically proficient or impressive film when it comes to the practical effects, but with some cool visuals (the glowint green liquid is a nice touch), one great central performance/character, and a script that isn't afraid to throw in some levity, you've got a great combo and one of my favorites of the 1980s.
dir. Peter Jackson
Fantasy/Adventure
a totally game-changing fantasy epic that took one of the most well-loved fantasy novels ever written, through a ton of money into it, assemble a great cast, and didn't shy away from A3 hour runtime. There's a scope and attention to detail in this first movie that just blew me away. Transitions from location to location, and with a clear and focused story that didn't cut between storyline like the others did, this journey felt real and you really got a strong feel for the characters as it went along. There was a sense of wonder and overwhelming danger, and neither of the following movies could ever top it. This was a masterpiece that changed blockbusters -- for better or worse.
dir. Jim Sharman
Musical/Comedy/Sci-Fi
One of the greatest cult movies ever made, and a cultural milestone that can never be replicated...no matter how desperately they've tried. A wacked-out musical full of memorable songs, quotes, and characters, nothing stands out quite as much as the incomparable Tim Curry as the eccentric Dr. Frank N. Furter. Not only is he one of my favorite mad scientists ever (shameless plug for my Top 10 Mad Scientists in TV & Movies post!), but one of my favorite movie characters and performances of the 1970s as a whole. This is a weird movie that is never less than entertaining no matter how many times I watch it -- or how many annoying people in the audience are shouting at it.
dir. Trey Parker
Musical/Comedy
Even with how much I love Little Shop and Rocky Horror, my favorite musical would have to be this Trey Parker/Matt Stone Troma production. Full of hilarious and ridiculously catchy songs, this musical has great rewatchability and never lets it's budgetary restraints keep it from telling a pretty big story. In fact, the low budget helps make it even funnier, with several characters wearing ridiculous beards and costume designs being middle school quality. I like most things Parker and Stone have done, and while I still love Team America, this one has taken over as the movie of theirs I enjoy most. It's cheesy, awful, messy, and I love it.
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