This series delves into the captivating world of cult classic films. Each volume explores the unique aspects of these unconventional cinematic works, from their origins to their enduring impact on pop culture. Readers can expect in-depth analyses that reveal what makes a movie truly iconic and beloved by a dedicated following. It's essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the phenomenon of films that defy mainstream trends.
Sean Redmond excavates the many significances of Blade Runner (1982): its breakthrough use of special effects as a narrative tool; its revolutionary representation of the future city; its treatment of racial and sexual politics; and its unique status as a text whose meaning was fundamentally altered in its re-released forms.
And now for something completely different... a low-budget comedy gore film from New Zealand, influenced as much by the work of Monty Python and Buster Keaton as by the splatter masters, like Sam Raimi and George A. Romero. Composed by the gifted hands of Peter Jackson and his collaborators, Bad Taste is a steady-earning cult classic that launched the career of the world's highest-paid filmmaker. This book recounts the fascinating story of the film's unconventional, homemade production and its unexpected success at the Cannes Film Festival. It concludes with an examation of the work's global cult appeal and status as a pioneering work of -splatstick.-
Within just a few years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show grew from an oddball musical to a celebrated cinematic experience of midnight features and outrageous audience participation. This study tells the extraordinary story of the film from initial reception to eventual cult status. Uncovering the film's non-conformist sexual politics and glam-rock attitude, this volume explores its emphasis on the theatrical body (tattooed, cross-gendered, flamboyant), and its defiant queering of cinema history.
With its gothic tale of a troubled teen haunted by visions of a figure in a Halloween rabbit suit, "Donnie Darko" was among the first cult movie phenomena of the twenty-first century, making debut director Richard Kelly Hollywood hot property before he reached his thirtieth birthday. This study narrates the film's journey from box-office bemusement through word of mouth success to the recent director's cut of the film, and also discusses fans' reactions to the film's enigmatic conclusion, explaining how "Donnie Darko" gripped the imagination of Generation X teenagers across the world.