Cult classics

The cult classics are never going out of style, whether they hit the box office well or flopped. Some of them were experiments, graphic novels and books, or just the result of a British or American TV show spinoff. What cult classics have you seen? 

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What qualifies as a cult classic? Good question. The standard is that a film must have a devoted cult following, which means a devoted fan group in different wording. It can't be a short-lived infatuation. These films don't go away and fade out of memory in a few years. They are remembered years later and have sequels in some cases.

Some films are remembered for being bad, so much so that we are laughing at the film in theatres when it isn't a comedy (like The Room). Others are classics for being good and timeless. Princess Bride, just one example, is known as a fantastic film everywhere and is unlikely to be remade or enjoyed as a remake. There are a few of these movies that are known for their unique features. Rocky Horror Picture Show is a blaring example of this, to the point that it is one of the only theatre shows that people might yell at the stage. Without further adieu, we go forward into the land of cult classics.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

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This one bombed at the box office, but yet, I have a copy at home in my collection. It became a cult classic later and is actually quite close to the graphic novel when it comes to accuracy, to the point of verbatim images and movie lines, give or take a few shots and scenes. It is a gamer classic, especially if you know what games they are referencing. It has Nintendo game music within the soundtrack and a game connected with it. You can play this movie in the form of a game.

The plot, in case you know nothing about this geeky classic, is that Scott Pilgrim meets a girl and has to defeat her seven evil exes in video-game-related battles that most nerdy and geeky fans will fangirl over. It is based tightly on a six-book graphic novel set (of which I have all of them). It didn't hit the box office well because it is for a special audience. When it comes to video game imitation only Wreck-It Ralph 1 and 2 can compete. The specialized audience that it was made for flocked to it and continues to watch it long past its release to theatres.

Sharknado

This one is rather brainless in nature, but that is kind of why some people watched it and funded it

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enough to make sequels. I do not understand how it made money. Somehow this plot, which people ate up with a spoon, of sharks and tornadoes has six sequels. The first one was not a comedy. The rest of them were given a facade of seriousness so that the nature of comedy could still be there. It was clear to the people filming this weird stuff that their serious film was taken as comedic and did well in the genre. 

The plot, if there even is one, is that Los Angeles is flooded with shark-infested waters and mayhem ensues. Reading the plot alone is comedy. It is like a badly written film of Jaws, only they made it so ridiculous that "a boating accident" can't even be blamed. I have no words for this series. I'm pretty dang sure that people watch it to make fun of it and because they don't want to think. 18 reviews were made on rotten tomatoes - and they said it was fun, brainless, and should probably be watched while drunk (paraphrasing several reviews, not exact wording). I'm sure it would make sense if you stopped using your brain and consumed a few bottles of wine and a keg of beer. All the same, I don't understand why they made it.

Here is the plot. Have fun laughing! : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharknado

Jaws

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Speaking of sharks, here is a film that is supposed to be horror, but is suspense instead. Compared to what horror films about sharks we have now I'd say it is good. It always will be. It just isn't as scary as it used to be considered. I love this film. Classics don't die. 

The plot is simple and makes sense (unlike the other shark movie I just referenced). Police Chief Martin Brody recognizes a shark attack, but is denied authority to close the beaches. Some more shark attacks come up on the fourth of July. This leads to an agreement to hire someone to hunt the shark. The sequels focus on the Brody family and how shark attacks seem to follow them. There are only three sequels. This one is worth the time to see.

The Room

This film showed in the theatre, but I can tell you that it was not because it was quality. The world made

Photo by VICE

fun of this movie, from dialogue to acting to plot. I've seen it. It was not intended to be a comedy, and yet, it gets laughs when it is shown. The director wrote it, starred in it, and produced it. It has around nine sex scenes (all of which are not good). 

The plot, though incoherent and awful, is that Johnny is living the American dream and his wife is cheating on him. It is supposed to have a sad ending. I, personally, was too busy laughing at the bad acting. If that is any clue to the overall film you can just guess how much camera film they wasted. There is a film about the making of The Room called The Disaster Artist.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

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There are two versions (and I hear both are good). The basic plotline is that a newly engaged couple, on their way to announce this to a friend, get a flat tire and end up at a mansion of sexually active aliens (an understatement, if you've seen this movie). At this point, the plot gets weirder and odder until you have a suspicion that someone drugged your Cheetos, popcorn, or soda. It all boils down to a psychopath who plays with people like they are toys and acts like an adult child when they don't comply. 

If you notice that gay pride signs are all through this one, you may also notice a lot of inuendoes. There is no cussing in this movie,  but they don't need it after you count all the endless sex jokes. This is a broadway show, then a movie later. It was never a failure in the broadway sense, but did flop originally in the movie theatre. Actually, audiences watched this movie to yell at the screen, dress up in costumes, bring props, and trash the theatre viewing room. Some people watch this movie daily in theatres late at night. 

Be aware that if you are seeing it for the first time, broadway or movie theatre, you might have a lipstick V (for virgin) put on your forehead and be seated at the front of the theatre. You might be embarrassed in front of others. If you wish to save someone sitting with you from this embarrassment because they are not of the temperament to stand it don't tell anyone it is their first time. Don't let them say it, either. It may even be a better idea to rent the movie and watch it at home (where no one can do anything to you). It depends on your friend that you brought. Or you.

The Princess Bride

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I think we all know that this movie can never be redone because it is perfect as is. In case you don't know the plot, I'll give you the gist of it. Buttercup and Wesley have a romance until Wesley is thought to be killed by the dread pirate Roberts. Buttercup then marries a prince (but never professes to love him) and Wesley turns out to be alive. From there chaos ensues. I'm not going to give you every little detail. I want you to watch this one and enjoy the fairytale that it is. 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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This one is not everyone's cup of tea. It is British humor. If you like that you will love this movie. It doesn't take a brain and can be a great rest from writing a paper for your college classes. It is the search for the Holy Grail by King Arther and his knights of the round table. Monty Python is known for being rather silly. That is what makes this gem what it is. I encourage you to watch this one, too, and laugh for a while as the English make fun of themselves. It is absurd humor that doesn't have to make sense. An overly serious mind will stare at this                                                                                   and go "What?". 

Blues Brothers

I liked this one. You see, it is a musical in movie form and sucks you into the plot (and forgetting

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everything on your to-do list). Pull this out when you don't have a long list of things that need doing because you will find you have nothing done after you begin watching. That is precisely why it is good. It keeps your attention. 

The plot is that The Blues Brothers reunite the band to save an orphanage in their city that raised them. It is all jazz music and gospel music that pops up at nearly every scene. It is rated well, according to google (nearly all ratings are five stars), so I'd say it is doing well. 

Pulp Fiction

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The film has its own genre, practically, due to the nature of the film. It involves gangs, money, drugs, a gangster's wife overdosing and being revived, a boxer, armed bandits, and a fixer. It gets complicated and has an updated Noir feel to it (Neo-Noir). It is directed by Quentin Tarantino. If you know that director you know his quirks. He is rather violent in nature with his plots. It was received well by audiences and critics. 

        Star Trek

Fun fact, the actors thought they were making dumpster trash. Now people dress like Klingons to go cosplaying. It seems it was not garbage after all. The budget for the original was not high, unsurprisingly, so you can tell when they did get more money for the production of it and the budget rose. It has not died and probably won't die out in our entertainment because of the large fandom that is supporting it - young and old alike. 

If you don't know the basic plot, it is set in the future when humans and aliens are existing together and explore galaxies together through starships. It is often compared with Star Wars, which is not the same plot. We have the original series starting 1966-69, The Next Generation from 1987-94, Deep Space Nine from 1993-99, Voyager from 1995 -2001, Enterprise from 2001-2005, Discovery starting in 2017, and Picard starting in 2020. I would not be surprised if I missed a series, so let me know if I did. 

Sources:

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/level-up-why-scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-endures-as-a-cult-favorite-beyond-its-geek-appeal/

https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/12/2/16720012/the-room-tommy-wiseau-backstory-explained

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/plotsummary

Brave and magic

Here we are discussing Brave, only today we are tackling the magic and folklore of the Brave movie. What are wisps? Do they really lead you to your fate or doom? Keep reading to find out.

Photo courtesy of Surf and Sunshine

 Those cute little blue flames are real folklore. Wisps are as bad as pixies. They are spirits of the dead or spirits of fairies that lead travelers off the beaten path and lead you to your doom (which does in fact change your fate) or treasure. According to folklore, you should be wary of them if you are out after sunset on an unfamiliar path.  Ignus Fatuus, or foolish fire, often leads lost travelers into the marshes. Why? Because it is a natural phenomenon that is due to decaying plants in marshy areas. It is a case of biology explained by the folk tales. Fun, right? So, please, don't follow those blue flames into the marshes and get stuck. They are not actually dead spirits or fairies. You will die in the bogs or drown there. People used to follow these "wisps" and get too far into the bog to be saved, which is your doom and does change your fate - just not for the better. Folklore says chasing these things are like cats catching laser pointers - you can't get it. Ultimately, the one doing the chasing ends up lost and alone. 

The video below is the closest I can get to showing you the real nature spectacle. It gets confused for spirit orbs quite often. They resemble lanterns. Animated blue things look a little bit less weird, but the fact is that it is hard to find anything on youtube, other than stuff like this that doesn't look all that clear, that represents wisps in real life.

The legend does ring true to Merida's story because she does end up led to a witch, which makes things far worse, because of those cute blue flames. They probably intended her doom, really, because her decision tore apart her kingdom, which she had to face. While Merida and her mother did end up better off as mother and daughter and the kingdom was restored, it could have been a smoother ride without dealing with a witch's spell, a spell that had been done before and was proven to shatter kingdoms. Mordu was a huge neon warning sign and may have also been shown the way by wisps. Mordu ended up alone. Merida changed her ways and reunified her kingdom, but Mordu never mended his ways in time. He was forever trapped in the form of a bear that had the strength of ten men. Oops, times ten!

Other things that make Brave authentic

Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland

You see those standing stones in a circle that the horse won't go near? Those are real. In the outer Hebrides is a circle of stones - the Calanais standing stones. They were constructed 5000 years ago. We don't know why. They may have something astrological about them or they may be a religious ceremonial place, but they are there regardless. Until we invent a time machine and watch what the people do with the stones, we know nothing. 

The Highland games are real, even the throwing of big poles. If you win the games you win honor and a

Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland

name for yourself. Merida was a warrior of a woman, even disarming her own father to save her mother and hitting targets on horseback. I'll say it again - she would have done well to be born a boy. She doesn't fit the domestic role she was born and prepared for. She outshot all the suiters and split an arrow! (I know the suiters weren't good at archery, yes, but still, she split an arrow!) Nowadays all genders can compete in the games. Even some women toss cabers.

Photo courtesy of Balkan Celts

Artio, a bear goddess, may have inspired Elinor's transformation. The Helvetii tribe worshipped her. She was called upon during hunting rituals and there were white bear-shaped candles of her carved. She was a feminine goddess brought from Switzerland to the UK to Scotland.

                What isn't quite right

As expected we have some costumes that are portrayed inaccurately. Also, it only shows the highland. Strangely, bears may have been extinct in Scotland then. According to a historian the feel of the movie and settings were actually quite good, but only a few things were off. This film crew did their homework and research well. The chessboard was accurate to the time period if you look at it in a museum and then watch the movie. Most movies are not entirely accurate in historical senses unless they are documentaries or reenactments of some form. They got close, very close, but not quite correct. 

The link here can show you more details about the historical accuracy of the film Brave:

https://apprenticeofthechosenone.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/disney-pixars-brave-historically-accurate/

Sources:

 https://www.surfandsunshine.com/will-o-the-wisp-brave/

https://www.babysavers.com/what-are-the-wisps-in-disneypixars-brave-bravecarslandevent/

https://thefairytaletraveler.com/2016/06/17/Disney-brave-Scotland-legends/#:~:text=Folklore%20%E2%80%93%20Scottish%20Legends%20Featured%20in%20Brave&text=To%20avoid%20an%20arranged%20marriage,a%20bear%20goddess%20called%20Artio.&text=Artio%20could%20have%20partly%20inspired%20Queen%20Elinor's%20transformation.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/29/scottish-historian-view-brave

Rare Finds: movies accurate to the book

 I am here to show you the unicorn of movies - the ones that are accurate to the books! Yes, I know, I'm showing you long lost treasure. If anyone else is disappointed by films that don't reflect their source material read further and allow me to show you some hope.

Photo courtesy of In Their Own League

Most movies take some creative liberties and have budgets to deal with. It is also possible that insurance says no to some stunts. Taking a book from a novel to a screenplay is actually rather hard to do. You can't always do every scene from the book. After taking a scriptwriting class I found that out for myself when I took my own short story and had to pull it apart beyond belief to make it fit the play form. I give Hollywood some slack after that. I gave Hollywood even more slack after I took a film class at Malone University and couldn't use the places I wanted to make my documentary on my fiance, so yeah, we don't always get the locations we want. It is not easy to make a film or write a script. On top of those struggles, you can't always have the actors you want and some actors won't do certain things.

That being said, some people hit the nail on the head and did an awesome job of adapting novels into films. It took work, actors who read the book, and so many extra hours to make it so good and satisfying for us. We love it. Let's look at who put in the extra hours. 

Hercule Poirot  starring David Suchet

Photo courtesy of WNYC

I love Agatha Christie's novels and the Hercule Poirot series was spot on. Read the books, watch the Suchet series, and be prepared to listen for exact dialogue from the books. I am not joking. David Suchet learned to walk like Poirot by pinching a penny between his butt cheeks while walking. He read the books before filming. He became the Poirot from the books. I love it so much and my fiance got them all for me. No other Poirot I have ever watched has gotten it so exact. Check out this unicorn from your public library and read the book before you watch the corresponding                                                                                episode. Prepare to be amazed!

Little Women (2019)

I read the book after watching the movie. It stood up to the test, minus a few tiny, microscopic details

photo courtesy of MoMA

that only avid readers would notice (like the fact that Jo's husband was actually supposed to be 40 years old). It changed only a few tiny details that our time period may not entirely understand, but it kept the most important details and parts of the book other adaptations missed in the script. The book is long and a bit old English at parts, so filmmakers did cut some parts and extremely minor characters out, but they got the essence of everything important in the film and have verbatim dialogue written into the script. It is worth comparing to the book. 

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

photo courtesy of Offscreen

This movie, this was so perfect and so accurate that the only thing they omitted was a homosexual connection between two characters, and that wasn't truly important to the plotline (didn't make a difference in the storyline). They got it nearly completely correct. I was floored at how accurate this was. I read the book after the movie, even, and saw lines from the movie verbatim. Read, watch, compare, and let your jaw drop to the floor. It was like they wrote the script with the novel sitting beside the typewriter. Test this one for yourself.

The Big Sleep (1946)

This is the same actor as Maltese Falcom, yes, and his last wife as his costar. This one was close. I read

photo courtesy of Decider

this book first and I will say it is not exact, but they have the essence of it. It is close enough and there are two versions (the first being the most accurate) because apparently there wasn't enough Bacall in it. I have a DVD with both versions (one side original, one side the added scenes). I was particularly happy with this adaptation of a noir classic.

LOTR (Lord of the Rings)

photo courtesy of Taste of Cinema

This one was a large scale project and could in no way be completely accurate, for reasons of how fantastic the story itself is and how deep the meaning of it goes.  That aside, it is pretty darn close because LOTR fans are kind of obsessive over accuracy. Yes, a few characters were left out, but there is a limit on budget. Scriptwriting is not easy when you have a deep, complex novel that needs to become one movie. One movie can't last ten hours (though I know LOTR fans would actually watch it), but this fandom is unique because they will marathon the extended editions for a whole day and not lose attention span. This fandom will notice tiny, microscopic details, so the filmmakers have to pay attention and notice them, too. 

Conclusion

I know that filmmakers do deal with producers, actors, and everyone else while making these films. Like I said at the beginning, it isn't easy, but test these films out after reading the book. The film crews did the authors of these books a wonderful favor. 

Sources:

https://www.shortlist.com/lists/40-best-film-adaptations

https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Tolkien_vs._Jackson:_Differences_Between_Story_and_Screenplay