Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream

While I have not watched EL TOPO (and probably never will due to its extreme violence), I have seen the five other films discussed in this documentary about so-called "midnight movies". While I have reviewed nearly 5000 movies and have an appreciation for all kinds of films, the ones shown in this documentary aren't ones I particularly like and that isn't super surprising, as the films definitely are counter-culture--films that appeal to a very select group. In spite of this, I still enjoyed this documentary and found it well worth seeing because of all the fascinating background information it gave. And, because I was not a fan of the films but the documentary made me appreciate them more, you know it must be a pretty good film. Think about it--creating excitement about a topic I normally would not care about--that's the sign of a good film.

By the way, the films discussed were EL TOPO, PINK FLAMINGOS, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, ERASERHEAD and THE HARDER THEY COME. I am a bit surprised they also didn't mention MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, as it, too, made a killing at midnight showings and was a cheap independent film as well.

I found this on my TV instead of another listed program and was quite happy the cable guide screwed up. A romp through some of my favorite spunk filled films of all time. the midnight film has a spirit that most films being released these days fail to capture. this was fun to view. Maybe I've heard the same words before but we could all use hearing these words again. Very inspiring. Love this stuff! John Waters, George A. Romero, and the Rocky Horror picture show. What else do I need to get my ass in gear to make another film. did I mention this is inspiring to those who love underground cinema. This ain't smut...this is art.

I watched this film the other night on TV- it's based on a book of the same name (the authors appear in the film as well)- and it did its job perfectly. It kept me interested by films I've seen and loved, heard of, or got introduced to during the program. And, the history itself behind the actual movie-going experience of the 'midnight movies' of the late 60's and 70's makes for fascinated viewing. We get interviews from filmmakers (John Waters, George Romero, Alejandro Jodorowsky, David Lynch, among several others) who go over the legends of their big 'cult' films, which either were made specifically for it, or just happened that way.

One of the things I love about documentaries about movies, like the Martin Scorsese documentaries on American and Italian movies or Decade Under the Influence, is that there's a new awareness to material that I've never seen before. Most of the films selected here I have seen, but the ones that I didn't not only were impressive on their own, but gave me the feeling "I have to check these out, if I can find them." The most prominent one for me, which served as the sort of birthplace of the "midnight movie", is El Topo, Jodorowsky's madness of a film, that goes all out to do everything in its power to offend and act violent, nutty, obscene, while still maintaining a deranged sense of humor. It became a huge success as the first "midnight movie" that attracted a mass (or cult) of young people (almost all pot smokers, even in the theaters). Other films like Pink Flamingos and The Harder They Come looked equally interesting (and funny) to see. And getting some more back-stories on Night of the Living Dead, Eraserhead, and even The Rocky Horror Picture Show (which I was never much a fan of) kept me glued to the TV even in the later hours of night.

For a movie buff this is a must-see to catch, another of the "good old days" kind of documentaries where one feels as much excitement and historical interest as slight sadness. There are still theaters around the country that have midnight showings of movies, almost by demand 'cultish', but the whole mystique and pandemonium around it- the kind of excitement that in its own realm was stronger as for the big Hollywood films- is gone.

Although "Midnight Movies" still exist today they are very scarce since the early 80's when video tape became popular and changed everything. Midnight movies are cult movies that cater to a certain kind of audience. This documentary deals with a few of the most successful Midnight Movies ever made, back when certain audiences were hungry for something different in their movie going. Movies featured are El Topo, Night of the living dead, Pink Flamingos, The Harder they come, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Eraserhead. Back when they came out they were considered different than anything that came before and even hold up today. The documentary explains how these movies became popular in the midnight time slot even though some of them were tried at regular time showings. John Waters' Pink Flamingo's had a ten year straight run while The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the reigning champ with midnight screenings today where people dress as the characters and sing along to the catchy tunes in the film. There are people who have seen the film over 1000 times, not on DVD, but in an actual theater. Eraserhead by David Lynch was only a success after a year of midnight showings. It would be impossible for this to happen today as movies need to be an immediate hit. Interesting movie for those interested in a different kind of cinema. Good Stuff!

Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Highly entertaining documentary that traces the start and end of the midnight movie. El Topo, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Night of the Living Dead, Pink Flamingos and Eraserhead are discussed by critics, their filmmakers and those who made them famous. The documentary does a great job at showing the appeal of these films and why they've lived on for so many years after, for the most part, they couldn't even get into theaters early on. George Romeo, David Lynch, John Waters and even Roger Ebert are all interviewed as well as others.