VERSUS THE SCARECROW EPISODE 2: ATTACK OF THE CULTS: I decided to challenge myself and really open the doors of my film knowledge and take on “The Scarecrow Video Movie Guide”. It’s 808 pages of movies and movie reviews from some of the most knowledgeable movie people you don’t know. It’s a book put together by a staff that praises, and destroys, some of our favorites and not so favorites.
Each episode, I’m going to tackle three films from three different categories. Two films will be films I’ve never seen before and one will be one I’ve seen before or own. For the new films, well, new to me, I’m going to review them like a typical FTS review using the TOAST Rating system. But, for the films I’ve seen, I’m going give a quick paragraph or two about why I like or don’t like the film. We’ll try to include the poster and trailer for each film.
First I tackled the cult film The Harder They Come, now it’s on to Mad Max, and then The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Mad Max (1976) Directed by George Miller. Written by: George Miller and James McCausland. Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel and Hugh Keays-Byrne. IMDB says: “In a dystopic future Australia, a vicious biker gang murder a cop’s family and make his fight with them personal.”
If you listen to the podcast, you’ll know I’m a HUGE fan of the indie film Bellflower. A large portion of that film revolves around the idea that the two main characters were in the love with the idea that the apocalypse was coming and the world was going to be like Mad Max. After falling in love with that film, I decided to take a look at what inspired a big chunk of it and I was a little underwhelmed.
The film opens on a sparse and empty Australian wasteland as cops are chasing down a man whose being pursued for reasons unknown. They can’t catch him but who can? Mad Max. He’s fearless? Sure. Deadly? Definitely. But crazy? Not really. By 1970s standards, maybe, but nowadays, the film comes off as tame despite the countless explosions and mutilations. Mel Gibson seems out of place as the film tends to focus more on the setting and the world the characters live in instead of the characters. The dialog is hokey at times (obviously) (and fun fact: when originally released in theaters, distributors were concerned that American audiences wouldn’t be able to understand it so they had it redubbed) and the story tends to drag but the only reason you’re watching this film is to see explosions and Max get his revenge on the biker gang terrorizing his family and the local community. The soundtrack is pretty exciting (Queen’s Brian May holds it down!) and the films ends rather quickly, but overall it’s enjoyable from start to finish. Recommend for Mel Gibson fans (if you’re bold enough to declare so) and those who enjoy others views on how the apocalypse might turn out.
This film, although cult in its execution and die-hard fandom surrounding it, currently (as of this post) sports a 95% on RottenTomatoes. Many cult films don’t do that. Most are low ratings because they are an acquired taste. This film started as a cult film when released, but when an American distributor picked it up, it gained much more mainstream acclaim and helped launch Mel Gibson’s career.
Read the first part of this episode here, where I review The Harder They Come. Also, check back tomorrow for the conclusion of episode two with my thoughts on the cult hit The Rocky Horror Picture Show.