miaa | Cult Movies

Edgar Ulmers story was quite fascinating, originally an A film maker, but soon after a top dog B-cinema director. His carrear actually flourished as a B movie director after being dismissed by the big-shots. He didn’t have to follow the restrictions, expectations, and guidelines from the other studios. He was immensely resourceful and eccentric as a director. The finished 55-70 minute films in less than 7 days working with low budgets and shitty sets. The films made were versatile and ended up falling into the categories of camp and paracinema. The manipulation he played with on the cameras turned into a cliches, but was still extremely creative and worked really fucking well to get his points across. For example his shots of the foggy street sign and the scenes that go in and out of focus were excellent ways of the viewers to understand what s going on inside the characters head. In Detour he had only a hand full of sets dude to his lack of funding, and the car scenes set me into a trance. The backgrounds were as if they were on loop and had a dream like quality. Throughout his time directing he developed an artistic and serene. Unlike the glamorous A shot film noirs, Ulmers were more authentic and raw.

After conversations with friends in the class and a quick reference to the list… it is clear as to why the is considered a cult film. It is more-so Ulmers approach as a director and his defiance of the mainstream movie making tendencies. As expected his quick production of these films had its flaws. After a second viewing of the movies it is funnier than the first time. SO many inconstancies, in the narration, their life stories, his destination, and SUE. What the hell happened to this woman?? He “spoke” to her on the phone, but not ever in front of other people. Was he really going to see her in LA? or was he just trying to get away from his sad ass life? Also let us not forget about Vera. The batshit heroine of the film. Honestly go Vera, she had that man wrapped all around her finger, made me laugh a couple times how he just puts up with it. She used him for money and blackmailed him about the guy who he accidentally killed. The whole movies AL is passive and seeks pity, and Vera has no point to put up with it. She even says “your philosophy stinks pal,” and it is true because women has the time to put up with that sulking shit

a lovely and entrancing shot

In all honestly I think the film was just a figment of Al Roberts imagination. It seemed like a compilation of his sorrows getting to the best of him. This is partially because of the whole foggy fragmented atmosphere of the film and Ulmers use of the cameras view. I will probably watch this movie for a third time, because I enjoyed it! its dreamy! Enticing! Funny! errryyttinnngg…. this movie may have been made under B movie production, but to me it is an A plus.

SEE! mans is so spiffy in front of Sue, but never anywhere else! She fake!

Frankly I have a small understanding and knowledge of cult films, I do know I am attracted alternative niches in films that I am ready to explore. The tough part of the first two weeks -and probably will be throughout the entirety of the class- is understanding what makes a film a cult film. From the readings assigned in class and the discussions followed, I gained a brief introduction into the basic of defining cult film.

Screaming Movie Theater GIF by Domino Recording Co.

Some terms and concepts which I see important to understanding CULT FILMS-

The Philosophy- phenomenological approach to critiquing cult films, this approach relies on the shock elements and how the film was received from the audience. Then there’s an ontological approach, relying on the formal elements of the film.

The Elements- Critical elements in most cult films include some basic anatomy lessons; transgression aka their level of crudeness and defiance, how morally bad they are (or strangeness), the level of nostalgia evoked from the viewers, the level of gore, puzzling loose ends, liveliness or the level of celebration from the viewer post release, cultural sensitivity (yikes!), and lastly the politics imbedded in the film.

The start of this Cult Films class we were first shown a cult film classic Maniac, a jaw-dropping disaster. Based off multiple readings we discussed in class, Maniac was highly reactive to the current depressive era and Dwain Espar released this as an “educational film,” to avoid movie codes. Though entertaining, cinematically it is a b-a-d movie with no plot, random cat scenes, and horrible acting. More so a reason it is now considered a cult film, Espar was defiant and taboo in his subject matter.

Related image

This week watched a second film, well a documentary on exploration films, which most allude to being named a cult film. American Grindhouse was loaded with content on every type of exploitation film imaginable, and where it all began. The narrators speak upon the hub of exploitation films, 42nd street where showings went on day and night.

Image result for 42nd street exploitation

Ultimately the Filmmakers were in it to make money, but the movie-goers were their to escape their depressive realities. These were short Adult-Only films without constraints of top dog production companies. Exploitation films surrounded some of these general genres; Sexploitation (ie. porn-o-copias), blaxploitation, gore, baby birthings, bdsm violence, and nazi exploitation.

I found “The Roughies” type of exploitation (sexploitation) films to be the most outrageous. These seedy thriller soft-core films began with the traveling acts of burlesque. Hence the term, Grindhouse, and the term before that “bump and grind” an act familiar in burlesque showings. These short films shown through night, were mostly the for men to use women as an object of their imagination, since actual sex wasn’t allowed to be shown in the grind houses.

I’m quite excited for what this semester has to offer, these next couple movies were about to watch- I have been told- are fantastic! For example Pink Flamingos, The Warriors, and Detroit Rock City. I can’t wait to have more involved conversations, and get to know other students points of view and opinions about the movies we are going to view. Also candy, I will bring more candy to class, I think that will help me focus.