Cult Films by Ellen V.

The knowledge and following of cult films in out generation seems to be a dying art. A cult film is a film that often failed in the box office but has a small, rabid following even years after its opening. Though many may be duds to varying personal opinions, one finds one they like, it will likely become a movie one will watch many times afterwards. This is a review of some of the best in cult film history.
The Big Lebowski, made in 1998, is a movie about Jeffery Lebowki (Jeff Bridges); self titled “The Dude”. Living in Los Angeles, he is mistaken for another Lebowski, this one a millionaire. Two thugs, thinking he’s the millionaire Lebowski, urinate on his rug because they think he owes them money. After confronting the millionaire Lebowski, the Dude gets pulled into a one-time job for a great deal of money. With help from his friend Walter (John Goodman), he gets too far into the job for his own good. The Dude, high in almost every scene and swearing every other word, somehow figures out this mystery almost impossible for a rookie to conceive.
Five Deadly Venoms is a ‘70s Chinese movie dubbed over in English. A dying kung-fu teacher asks his last student to track down his five former pupils. He taught each pupil a unique form of kung-fu, The Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad. His last student knows a little of both. The teacher wants this man to figure out which former students are good, and which are evil, whom the final student must kill. The beauty of this film is in the kung-fu moves; it is easy to tell that the kung-fu fighters are not actually touching each other and there is a cracking sound very much like clapping at each blow.
Harold and Maude (1971) is about teenaged Harold who likes to scare his mother be performing very elaborate suicides for his mother. When attending a funeral for a man he did not know – he does this quite often – he meets seventy-nine-year-old Maude. They become friends and very soon they fall in love. If you can get over the weirdness of this situation, the extreme cuteness of this movie shines through.
Mocumentary This is Spinal Tap, tracks the sad, sad attempt at an American comeback tour by British heavy metal band Spinal Tap. This monumental movie is widely viewed as the funniest movie of all time. The forerunner of famous movies such as Best in Show, this movie exceeds all like it in every way. An absolute must see.
Finally, the legendary Rocky Horror Picture Show. There is no other movie like this one. Brad and Janet are newly wed at the beginning of this film. When driving in the rain, they get caught with a flat. Looking for to use the phone, they stumble upon transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle. Death, lust, and the making of a man follow, accompanied by a wide variety of unforgettable songs. The first time, the viewer may be unable to get over the undeniable weirdness of this movie. But if given another chance, it will be seen as unbelievably brilliant.