My OWN Film Festival!

As the biggest Quentin Tarantino fan that lives, naturally i've followed his film festivals closely for years. The movies are always supercool hidden films of the genre that in many cases could only be SEEN at his fests. One of the most popular ones for instance, Dion Brothers, is a complete ghost of a movie. It exists nowhere in any form or ever has from what I gather, except for in QT's vault. But anyway. Lately i've been keeping up with the New Beverly theater in LA where other writers and directors have been stepping up to the plate with their own film festivals of movies that have molded them and influenced their careers. So when a friend sent me the facts on the current fest going on right now it made me think of what I'd show at my own fest. And that's what this post is about. I present to you... for the first time anywhere... my list of what would be shown if only I got the chance to do it!

Day 1 - Kill 'Em All Night!

Do you like movies where everybody dies at the end? Me too! These non-stop shot-em-ups are aimed to please!

Deadly Prey
Commando

Don't get too attached to anybody in this one. Characters are usually introduced and executed in the same scene! Our mullet-haired warrior will not quit until you are dead! (only available on VHS)

I tried to keep movies that are already wildly succesful out, but this is the exception. First of all it's a great double feature with Deadly Prey and second of all this movie don't let up for a minute! It's hands down one of the best action movies ever made and helmed by one of my favorite directors Mark Lester.

Day 2 - Trouble In Paradise Night

Planet Of The Dinosaurs
Nightmare In Badham County

Planet Of The Dinosaurs I swear, could be considered a perfect movie. It's one I could write a long critical analysis on. I'll keep this brief, but the story, characters, music, conflicts, SPECIAL EFFECTS, are all top notch. Highly recommended.

Nightmare In Badham County actually changes gears quite a bit from the last one. This is a women-in-prison movie that'll tear your heart out! The girls act so naturally that you really do believe it's happening to them. It's cruel but fantastically shot and i'd definitely be excited to show it to you! (only available on VHS)

Day 3 - Ass-Kicking Chicks Night

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Ginger

This IS the best exploitation movie ever made. EVERYTHING works in this one. Russ Meyer's ode to the violence in women is one I'll never tire of. It's pure entertainment. I'd go ga-ga right here explaining it but I'll save it for the show! (Only available as a Region 2 DVD)

Ginger has one of the best trailers of all time and it actually lives up to it. Cheri Caffaro goes undercover and plays sexploitation at it's best! It's also the first installment of a trilogy with the second and thirds being The Abductors and Girls Are Made For Loving.

Day 4 - Seriously Underrated Slasher Night

Fade To Black
Jason Goes to Hell

If I were to ever remake a movie, Fade To Black would be it. This is a movie geek's movie! The killer in the movie re-enacts scenes of killer's in the movies to take care of his own victims! It's brilliant the way it is, but i've got great ideas for an update.

I know people that consider this the Halloween 3 of the Friday movies because Jason possesses other peoples bodies most of the time instead of wearing the hockey mask. I tell ya, I think it works tremendously and gives a great spin to the franchise. Plus for me, the whole movie has that Paul Verhoeven feel to it, another of my favorite directors.

Day 5 - Don't Do Drugs Night

Death Drug
Brain Damage

Philip Michael Thomas playing a guy that loses everything and goes completely out of his mind on drugs. It's hilarious. Not to mention the music video that's in the middle of the movie that will have you blowing beer out your nose. (Only available on VHS)

From Frank Henenlotter the director of the Basketcase movies and Frankenhooker, comes Brain Damage. This one'll surely scare you straight after you see the mad hallucinations of this guy! From tearing your own ear off to a psychedelic junkyard to a little monster voiced by Zacherle, you'll say you pass on grass afetr this one!

Day 6 - Balls to The Wall Kung Fu Night

Kill Squad
Master Of The Flying Guillotine

The first half of Kill Squad is one where you'll be asking yourself, "Why aren't all movies this good?" It's nonstop scenarios of ass-kicking while the gang gets back together. Everyone is a kung fu master in this. From the car dealers to the bikini chicks by the pool you'll see ass-whooping like you've never seen before! One guy pulls a parking meter outta the sidewalk just to club a guy with it! (Only available on VHS)

Master Of The Flying Guillotine is a really cool movie. Crazy characters using different styles to get to the top kind of like Mortal Kombat. It's fast paced, features great special effects and a bit of the music was used in Kill Bill.

Day 7 - Get Into Some Gangsta Shit Night

Massacre Mafia Style
Gone With The Pope

These two Duke Mitchell movies are off the hook badass. Massacre Mafia style has my favorite trailer of all time. It's just guys getting blown away for two and a half minutes while this happy Italian song plays over it. It's genius and the movie lives up to it. These movies are supposed to have a proper DVD release sometime this year, so let's hope that happens.


Okay that's my week! I left a lot of favorites out that didn't fit into a double feature, so maybe next time around. (Listen to me. As if this is actually freakin' happening)

My rules for this thing were pick movies that are fairly to very obscure, most of which are not on DVD and I absolutely fucking love with a passion. My buddy Cheech then said alright "12 movies, 6 Double features" since he says the grouping is the best part. Thanks for inspiring me to do this!

If any of you out there care to tell me your own imaginary film fest lists, please do!

Coming Soon!

I'm thinking of a June release. (Note: I didn't say what year.)