Followers

Monday, 10 September 2012

70's


1970's

Pink Flamingos (John Waters)




In terms of reaction and audience, this film is infamous. It broke boundaries, it was obscene and people adore it for those factors.

It's the first true 'exploitation' film I've covered, due to it's notorious low budget and nature of the film's protagonist (Drag-queen Divine).

Harold and Maude (Hal Ashby)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mz3TkxJhPc



As I know that I'm focusing on audiences, I scrolled down past the trailer for the infamous 'Harold and Maude' and saw this comment by an audience member:









A film responsible for a change on life outlook is well worth a mention.
It becomes ever so clear to me as my research into numerous cult films has gone on than a very simple argument can be made as to why films become that of 'cult'

They're different. Just that, different. The films speak and visualise the topics of the untouched and socially unacceptable.

- Black Actors in Lead Roles
- Obscene Gore
- Reflective Humour
- Gelatine based enemies
- Personal obsession with death

So far these films are touching the audience nerves of which are left untouched By Harry Potter, Italian Gangsters or Mickey Mouse.

The every man would say these cult films are simply loved by the weird, I see it differently. These films are loved by those with a broader view on the realities of our cultures and social conventions.

1960's


Cult film

1960's

Night of the living dead (George A. Romero)



The importance of this film in regards to modern zombie films, undead rules, parodies and tributes can never be overstated. It is constantly quoted by fans both casually and professionally.

It propelled the career of acclaimed and legendary horror director George A. Romero, as well as introducing the age based rating system.


Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock)



Arguably responsible for the 'slasher' sub genre of horror. Parodied and revered. 

I found a book that might help

http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3685047?uid=3738032&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21101036706943

Cult film

The definition of a cult film is simple: A film that results in a significant fan base that can be identified as a culture.

I want to pick two films from each decade starting from 1950, that may be identified as 'cult' films.

I think both films should be of differing genres and quality, for diversity, as well as to illustrate that cult film may not have to be identified as traditionally 'poor'

1950's

Plan 9 from outer space (Edwood D. Wood Jr)



Notorious for being one of the worst films ever made, consequently gaining a cult following in recognition of it's poor production values and the film's main driving power: Edwood D. Wood Jr.

Recognition is so wide infact, that a director by the name of Tim Burton made a film in tribute to Plan 9's director, which also documents the creation of the film:

Ed Wood (Tim Burton)


This film alone stands as a testament to and for cult film, as well as it's audience. More on that later.
Though universally considered to be a terrible film, the following surrounding the director and the film itself has subsequently led to it's non existence of IMDB's bottom 100 films of all time:


Infact, the director may garner praise for his achievements and triumphs of adversity:

(Ed Wood tribute)

The Blob (Irvin Yeaworth)



Defiantly a film worth choosing for it's value with audiences. It is often identified as B-Movie.

It required a bigger budget and investment and even featured Steve Mcqueen, evidence suggesting it's stance as a modern day Hollywood film.


So popular is the film that it's acquired it's own annual festival, held in the town of which the film's most infamous scene took place:


It's appreciated widely for it's aesthetic, technological advancement and subject matter.

Thursday, 6 September 2012

Cult film: useful links



For me, without a shadow of a doubt, the shining example of a cult film is:

The Princess Bride:

 

 Ideally, this would be my focus film as it fills my pre-set criteria of how a cult film is identified. It gained far more recognition and fame after it's intitial resale and is widely talked about many years post release. It's responsible for many memorable quotes, memes and memorabilia.Thus creating a miniature 'princess bride culture'

The Blob:

 
 

An interesting specimen due to it's infamous reputation with the very people who inhabit the town in which the film's most famous scene happens. As I'm desiring to cover 

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Proposed investigation

Title: The cult film, how does it happen?

Focus film: The big lebowski

Other films: The Room, Babe: Pig in the city, Batman mask of the phantasm, Brazil, This is spinal tap