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BREEDERS - Despite the boring DVD cover, this
1986 sci-fi anti-epic is an all-time low-budget
classic. A strange being from another world
attacks virgins and then leads them
hypnotically to a wading pool of slime in an
abandoned subway tunnel. It's sort of what
Lawrence of Arabia would be like if it was shot
on location in New York City with terrible
acting, a different storyline, and a naked girl in
every scene.
FRIDAY FOSTER - It's not quite as gritty as
Coffy or Foxy Brown, but this cool Pam Grier
vehicle based on a comic strip is terrific in
its own right, and sadly underrated. Plenty
of action, conspiracy theories, good
dialogue, and a cast that includes Yaphet
Kotto, Eartha Kitt, Ted Lange (from The
Love Boat), Godfrey Cambridge, Scatman
Crothers, Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed from
Rocky) and Mr Howell himself, Jim Backus!
THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN - If you're a fan
of 80s teen movies (of either the John Hughes
or the Porky's variety) you won't want to miss
this wild tribute to growing up. Sure it's
unrealistic and exploitative, but that's just to
draw you in to the main story. Lawrence
Monoson as Gary has my vote as the most
sympathetic teenage character ever. The
ending will get you every time. With Diane
Franklin (Better Off Dead).
REPO MAN - When I was in high school, I
would come home and watch this movie every
day. Since then, I've been onstage with Kevin
(Zander Schloss) and the Circle Jerks, seen
Bud (Harry Dean Stanton) do his boozy
nightclub act, and Lite (Sy Richardson) is
invited to my wedding. So who says movies
can't influence your life? If you've never seen
this surreal slice of cinematic wonder, then
it's time you did. In fact, see it twenty times.
See it fifty times! Get obsessed! Move to
California!
THE WIZARD OF GORE - A magician named
Montag performs tricks like driving a spike into
an audience member's temple and using a
punch press to expose another audience
member's innards. Afterwards they're fine, only
to fall apart again hours after the performance.
Those who think that this movie doesn't make
any sense just haven't watched it enough to
understand it. Then again, I don't think I've
watched it enough to understand it either. A
brilliant comment on the fragile nature of
reality, with lots of blood.
Summaries copyright 2004 Eric Henderson.