November 28, 2010

The New Class of Midnight Movies


There is a gradual escalation for a movie until it technically becomes "cult." Point markers for a film climbing that ladder to a cult like status include: Frat boys constantly quoting it, t-shirts at Hot Topic and eventually a three day festival in its honor.

A midnight showing of your favorite movie is an experience everyone should partake in. It gives the film an electric excitement that it hasn't had since your very first viewing. Being surrounded by fellow fans who laugh and cheer at the exact right moments and who quote along with the actors gets kinda addicting. These movies, either mainstream or indie, that become the headliners at your favorite cinema dives are usually unpredictable. From Rocky Horror to The Room to Donnie Darko to Office Space the only thing these films have in common is the loyal fan base that love these films to death and that want to share that experience with other people over and over and over again.

So what do you think are going to be the new Midnight Movies? What are going to be the new movies that people will recite lines, bring props and dress up as the characters? Throw away any concrete definition of cult movies you might hold. History shows the diversity of these "cult" films is too far and wide to be too selective. I just want to know what you think will be the next Goonies or Big Lebowski. I have started a short list of films that I think have a good shot of becoming the next Clerks and I would love to hear what you would want to add.
Suggestion: Don't name anything that's already on this list.

In no particular order, here are my picks for the new class of midnight movies:

In Bruges (2008)
This film is one of the most quotable movies that I have seen in a long time. The more this movie gets seen the more steam it picks up. This clip is all the convincing you will need.



Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Scott Pilgrim was able to combine cinema and video games into one entertaining and visually stunning film. It was pretty funny to boot. Again, it is a very quotable film with a huge cast of characters for people to dress up as. Oh and the music is excellent. People love good music.


Idiocracy (2006)
Mike Judge is like a cult leader. The creator of Beavis and Butthead and Office Space seems to have written the book on how to create a cult hit. And he definitely did it again with Idiocracy. A movie that the studio didn't know what to do with and that didn't fall into any known marketable demographic, is a movie perfect for the midnight masses.




Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
(2005)
The return of Shane Black did not commence with a big bang. A murder mystery, a strong cast and some great writing didn't get the people in the theaters. But this movie is like wine, or Jon Stewart, it got better with age.





Kick-Ass
(2010)
Two things automatically make Kick-Ass a cult movie contender. One: Hit Girl. Two: Nick Cage's acting and mustache. It's also ultra violent and isn't afraid of going way over the top. Like, a child ruthlessly killing dozens of people over-the-top.




The Descent (2005)
One of the best and underappreciated horror films of the last decade The Decent has a loyal following already. If you haven't seen it yet make sure not to see the "American" version (Read: Happy Ending).


Anchorman (2004)
I really shouldn't be telling you how funny this movie is. And I don't know why people aren't dressing up like the Channel 4 news team, roaming the streets of San Diego looking for a fight at this very moment. This movie just needs a little push to reach Lebowski Fest heights, I'm telling you.




The Hangover (2009)
Zach Galifianakis. Nuf said





There are a lot more and I need your help. What other films do you see yourself going to see on a Friday night at midnight with your best friends and throwing rubber snakes at the screen?



1 comment:

  1. Nice article.

    Btw, Descent.

    Others:
    Brick
    The Pineapple Express
    Tropic Thunder
    Shaun of the Dead
    To Live and Die in LA (I don't care what anyone says but this film is ridiculously funny at this point)
    Hot Rod

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