#1 VAMPIRE CLAY-A weird & whimsical blend of ’80s slasher & Raimisploitation. Gooey & gory; terrific midnight movie. Read my full review here!
#2 THOROUGHBREDS-Stylish but indulgent rich kid fantasy. Yelchin shines, laughs, but thinks it’s more profound than it is. Read Nathan Smith’s take here!
#3 RIFT-?Cheap scares hamper a rather compelling—and beautifully shot—supernatural-ish relationship drama.
#4 LET THE CORPSES TAN-A gangbusters soundtrack & healthy leather fetish propel this greasy, grimy neo-spaghetti western.
#5 KING COHEN– Funny, charming, & inspiring look at the career of a Daily Grindhouse favorite. Will make you want to make movies. Watch Matt Wedge’s interview with Cohen and the film’s director, Steve Mitchell here!
#6 BAT PUSSY-Always a pleasure to enjoy that sleazy Something Weird aesthetic. Nasty & funny regional XXX parody.
#7 MANIAC COP 2-A serious dose of nostalgia for my late night cable obsessed adolescence. Terrific fun on the big screen.
#8 APPLECART-Weird, clever enough tale of witchery; best when over the top. Barbara Crampton hams it up to amusing effect. Watch my interview with the cast and crew here!
#9 BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99– Walter Hill simplicity & gangbusters ultra violence are terrific; takes so damn long to get somewhere meaningful.
#10 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL-A wry sense of humor & colorful costumes help propel this beautiful & ultraviolet samurai tale.
#11 TAKE IT OUT IN TRADE-A delightfully sleazy & silly lost Ed Wood film. Lots of scantily clad, beautiful women. Swingin’! Check out my piece on the Something Weird aesthetic!
#12 GERALD’S GAME-A gallows sense of humor helps this gruesome, compelling, & clever adaptation from getting too bleak. Matt Wedge reviews the film here.
#13 GILBERT-A funny look at the life & career of Gilbert Gottfried, who informed my love of genre film with USA Up All Night.
#14 ANYAB-The “Egyptian ROCKY HORROR” blends Batman ’66, Bowie & a foxy cast with terrific tunes into wonderful weirdness. Read my full review here!
#15 TOP KNOT DETECTIVE-Superbly executed and very funny mockumentary riff on weirdo Japanese TV & true crime documentary. Read my full review here.
#16 MY FRIEND DAHMER-Compelling performances & period detail sell this challenging, sad & even funny character study. Read Nathan Smith’s take here!
#17 3FT BALL & SOULS-A very clever and whimsical mediation on suicide, empathy, & anxiety. Funny & engaging.
#18 REVENGE-Stylish & bloody rape revenge thriller, but ultimately empty.
#19 V.I.P.-Stylishly shot, compelling tough-guy procedural thriller with a cool score & healthy nihilism.
#20 DARKLAND-Strong character beats lend gravitas to this good looking revenge drama.
#21 FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSELLIES-Ultra-cool costuming, art design, & photography elevate this South African neo-Western.
#22 78/52-Great interview subjects elevate this doc about a famous film sequence Cool, laser focused film history class. Read my review here!
#23 DOWNSIZING-A charming cast sells this sweet & silly, high concept meditation on finding ones purpose in life.
Until next year…
–MIKE VANDERBILT
- Vampsploitation - January 15, 2018
- Hiatussploitation - December 5, 2017
- Live From Fantastic Fest, 2017 - September 28, 2017
Tags: 3FT Ball And Soulds, 78/52, Anyab, Applecart, Bat Pussy, Blade of the Immortal, Brawl in Cell Block 99, Darkland, Downsizing, Ed Wood, Fantastic Fest, Five Fingers For Marsellies, Gerald's Game, Gilbert, King Cohen, Larry Cohen, Let The Corpses Tan, maniac cop 2, Mike Flanagan, My Friend Dahmer, Revenge, Stephen King, Take It Out In Trade, Thoroughbreds, Top Knot Detective, V.I.P, Vampire Clay
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