Author: vergeoflight

Visual artist / graphic designer / former experimental musician - Portland, OR.

Serial Mom (1994)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I am a big John Waters fan, but have somehow never featured one of his films here. I really enjoyed his book “Crackpot,” his yearly top 10 lists are amazing, and my partner and I saw him do his live show in 2023 (on his 77th birthday no less!). Yet I didn’t recommend one of his movies as I figured that if you liked any of his work you’d have seen it already. Serial Mom is a bit of an outlier among Waters’ output though. It’s neither the gross out legend of Pink Flamingos, or the crowd pleasing schmaltz of Polyester. It also went years without being available on disc, until Shout Factory released a really nice looking restored edition in 2017. I recall looking to see if this was available to stream anywhere a while back, and was surprised to find it was not. Fortunately it looks as if the previously mentioned disc version is now streaming. The title tells you all you need to know about the movie. It’s campy, ridiculous, dark, and a hell of a lot of fun. If you’ve never seen Serial Mom, or it’s been a few years, sit your ass down and enjoy. Also do NOT wear white after Labor Day.

Available on Blu-ray from Shout Factory.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Zulu (1964)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a weird one to recommend to people nowadays, but this website ain’t called Conventional Cinema. It is based on the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift between British soldiers and the Zulu nation. Should the English Empire have been in South Africa? Should a movie about white “heroes” vs native tribal Africans be taken seriously in contemporary society? If you automatically are saying “no” to both questions then you should skip this movie. Anyone with a brain knows that imperialism is evil and that racism is stupid. I look at this like other historical war movies where the people we’re supposed to be rooting for are mostly white soldiers, and the “bad guys” are Vietnamese, Afghani, Somali, etc. The racial aspect is disgusting, but in the case of Zulu at least, these are soldiers who are not gung-ho nationalists. They are just trying to help their cohorts and themselves survive. With all that in mind, I believe this is a fantastic, and seriously epic war film. Keep your ears open for the samples that Dead Can Dance used on their song “The Fatal Impact.”

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

When Trumpets Fade (1998)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

Here’s a surprisingly good WWII movie made for HBO in response to Saving Private Ryan. A low-ranking burnout is ashamed of his conduct in action but gets promoted anyway and goes on to lead a dangerous mission. You will probably recognize many actors in this movie. It’s more fun if I don’t list them. When Trumpets Fade is not action packed, but it’s a proper length, never dull, and dark as hell.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Quiet Family (1998)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (sorry about the poor quality)

The first guest at a mountain inn commits suicide and wackiness ensues. This is a very good horror comedy by director Kim Jee-woon who also made the excellent A Bittersweet Life and I Saw the Devil, among other popular SK films. I just learned that The Quiet Family was also the inspiration for Miike’s The Happiness of the Katakuris that I recommended previously. This one is not a musical however. Do I really need to tell you more?

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (fan-made – sorry)

Two guys on a fishing trip make the mistake of picking up a hitching psychopath. If you’re an old person like myself you’ll recognize the psycho as William Talman, who played DA Hamilton Berger on the old Perry Mason TV series. Even if you have no clue what any of that last sentence meant you might very well enjoy this grim film noir. I only saw it for the first time recently and was throughly entertained. This was directed by the multi-talented Ida Lupino who also helmed the classic Twilight Zone episode The Masks (1964). She was also the lead actress in the episode The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (1959). Ida must have had to put up with a ton of bullshit during her career, but I for one am glad she did.

Available on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

American Splendor (2003)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a very good dramatization / sorta-documentary combo based on the comic series “American Splendor” by Harvey Pekar. He’s essentially a grumpy loser, but somehow his perspective on an average American life is consistently amusing. The best part of this film is the choice of Paul Giamatti to play Pekar. The guy who plays Robert Crumb nails it too. If you enjoyed Ghost World, this will be right up your alley. It’s often not laugh out loud funny, but that’s not really the point. I’d call American Splendor a throughly entertaining look at lovable weirdos. However, if you’ve had enough of straight white men, you better skip this one.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Cisco Pike (1971)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Kris Kristofferson plays a musician and former drug dealer who gets forced by a bad cop (Gene Hackman) to try and sell a bunch o’ stuff in one weekend. My first experience with this was when I saw a 35mm print a few years ago, and I really enjoyed it. Cisco Pike is packed with gritty and goofy early ‘70s counter culture stuff, and so many choice actors from that era too. If you grew up anywhere near that time you’ll be pointing at the screen every few minutes. Don’t go expecting non-stop action and you’ll probably like, dig this flick.

Available on Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

All of Us Strangers (2023)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

If someone would have told me that this was just as good as the critics say, AND has touches of Jacob’s Ladder I would have watched it much sooner. Lucky for you, I just told you that. Get ready to be sad, but yes, this movie is excellent.

Not available on Blu-ray (release date TBA).

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV (2023)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Nam June Paik was the king of video art back in its infancy. Every major art museum owns his work, and much of it still looks impressive today. This doc does a good job of reviewing his life and career. It does feel a little long, but there’s so much information to get across that the runtime is justifiable. This inspiring documentary is essential viewing for anyone interested in visual art. Using Steven Yeun (Beef, Nope, etc) for the voiceovers is a nice bonus too.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

A Revolution on Canvas (2023)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

Sorry I got my wires crossed and have done two Max posts in a row. I will do my best to avoid that in the future.

The Iranian visual artist Nickzad Nodjoumi exhibited 100+ artworks at the beginning of Ayatollah Kohmeni’s reign in 1981. He had to flee the country due to controversy the exhibition stirred up, and his work has been held by the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art ever since. This documentary was made by his daughter and deals with Nickzad’s life, career, family, as well as his attempt to reclaim his work. I was unfamiliar with the artist before seeing the film and I am now a fan. His art is often dark, brave, and scathingly critical, but always beautiful. The story of his family is engrossing as well. I tip my hat to Max for releasing this film. I learned things, and so will you. 

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.