I am a fan of Don Siegel’s 1956 original film, but this remake is one of the scariest PG horror movies ever made. The cast really elevates the whole deal. Donald Sutherland and Leonard Nimoy alone make it worth watching. You’ll be seeing other familiar faces throughout (including Don Siegel himself as a cab driver). The FX are wet and creepy too. You can skip Abel Ferrara’s 1993 version titled Body Snatchers by the way.
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Hunter S. Thompson was one of America’s most iconoclastic writers, and his life of excess is legendary. This recommendation is for any of you readers that may only be slightly familiar with the man and his work. I personally rate his best writing on par with William S. Burroughs and Kurt Vonnegut. Aside from his books, Thompson made his life into a strange mix of comedy and performance art. There are far more of his antics on video than this documentary could contain, but thankfully most of them are available on YouTube (here’s a personal favorite). Gonzo is a solid overview of his life, and a fun watch too. I strongly suggest you read “Hell’s Angels” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” if you have not had the pleasure. Also if you haven’t seen Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing… adaptation, watch that before you read the book. I don’t think the other way around would be very satisfying.
Not available on Blu-ray.
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This is a very good crime thriller based on the real life murder of radio talk show host Alan Berg, as well as other crimes by a white power group in the ‘80s. I grew up in the Denver area and remember Berg’s killing vividly. The Order is an intelligent film that is also fast paced throughout. The whole movie looks great, with moody lighting, and unusual color choices, as well as scenic locations. It also benefits from excellent music by Jed Kurzel, who happns to be the brother of the director. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and hopefully you will be too.
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This is one of my all-time favorite childhood comedy films, along with Airplane! and Blazing Saddles. Steve Martin was a big deal for me as a kid. My brother had at least one of his comedy albums, and man I had that thing memorized. So much so that when there was an audition for the talent show at my elementary school I got up and did whole chunks of Martin’s standup. Can you imagine this? I was probably nine years old. I did NOT get to be in the show. However seeing my homeroom teacher in tears with laughter was all the reward I needed. Anyhow, yeah… The Jerk. I still love it. You should too.
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Gordon Parks is probably best known for directing Shaft, which really kicked off the Black Action craze of the ‘70s. While that is no small achievement, he was already a hugely successful photojournalist when he started making films. This documentary is a good overview of his career and also shows his influence on artists during, and after, his lifetime. Parks’ work is mind blowing on multiple levels, so don’t pass on this movie. I give it a 10/10, and my most enthusiastic recommendation.
BONUS: You can watch a short video about the excellent book “Gordon Parks: The Atmosphere of Crime, 1957” here. This publication is sadly out of print (and expensive to buy), but I highly recommend you check to see if your local library carries it. That, or any publication on Parks’ photography, is well worth seeking out. You can also see many of his photos online at the Gordon Parks Foundation website.
Not available on Blu-ray.
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Director René Laloux’s is best known for his acclaimed animated psychedelic sci-fi film Fantastic Planet (1973). Gandahar is not quite as good, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. What is missing is the involvement of Roland Topor, who was an amazing artist and also wrote the novel “The Tenant” (which was adapted as the infamous film). This screenplay was adapted by Laloux from the book “Les Hommes-machines contre Gandahar” by Jean-Pierre Andrevon. The story is epic in scope, and manages to intelligently deal with problems of the real world along the way. It involves the inhabitants of a utopian society being attacked by the fascistic Men of Metal. A lot of interesting plot developments take place over the runtime. Those twists and turns, as well as the social commentary, kept me engaged. The animation is a bit clunky, not as bad as Heavy Metal (which I enjoyed), but not as good other animated movies from the same time period. The flaws stand out because Fantastic Planet looked so innovative when it came out. However I liked this movie overall, and I am recommending it because it struck me as 100% Anomalous Cinema. There’s a small added bonus in that the English language dub features the voices of Christopher Plummer, Glenn Close, and Jennifer Grey. I hope you appreciate this weirdo sci-fi head trip as much as I did.
NOTE: This has been restored in 4K for a French disc, so I assume that means a US release is in the works.
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This is a low budget production from Ireland, and one of the better horror films I saw in 2024. Oddity really struck me with its originality and genuine creepiness. I don’t want to say much aside from the fact the plot is complicated in a good way, and dark as hell throughout. There is some pretty gruesome violence as well. If you are even a casual horror fan, you need to see this.
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The Chernobyl mini-series got a ton of well-deserved attention. However I have a feeling that only a small fraction of viewers also watched this fantastic documentary. It is just as sad and grim as you can imagine, but I think this is essential viewing for anyone not afraid to look at the dark side of history. I am astonished this was even made, as the sheer amount of source film and video footage must have been daunting. Director James Jones and crew did an amazing job assembling a tasteful and coherent documentary that succeeds in making the story of the Chernobyl disaster comprehensible.
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(AKA The Girl Who Knew Too Much)This is often cited as the first giallo film. However if you’re picturing black gloves and razors, this is not that kind of movie. It is an early Mario Bava work that is more of a comedy thriller than a horror film. That might sound disappointing, but I personally enjoyed rewatching this one recently, and recommended it for those with a fondness for Italian cult cinema. The main attraction here is that you get to watch a young John Saxon in action, and it is a total pleasure. The Evil Eye is simply a fun mystery with tons of twists and turns, and it looks great too. Keep your eyes peeled for a rare, and pretty hilarious, Mario Bava cameo.
The domestic Blu-ray is currently out of print.
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(AKA The Burden of Black Genius) If you are already a fan of Sly and the Family Stone you have probably seen this. My recommendation is for those of you that know little or nothing about Sylvester Stewart or his music. This documentary is director Questlove’s follow up to the excellent Summer of Soul. Here he does a great job of mixing old footage with new interviews that together tell the story of Sly’s life and music. The good news is that there is no attempt to gloss over the negative aspects of the man’s behavior and bad decisions. You get the bad, the good, and everything in between. SLY LIVES! also manages to reveal larger truths about Black artists and the music industry. Even if you are not a fan of soul music, you are likely to enjoy seeing this film. I liked Sly and the Family Stone before, but have gained a much deeper appreciation after watching.
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