Nothing makes a Friday night like a deliciously corny and cheesy (some might even say trashy) cult movie. These films, which are often reclaimed for the value they have to a particular group, are often very unusual, quirky, and sometimes even disgusting. If you are looking for a movie like this to entertain yourself during a boring Friday night, then consider either “Serial Mom” or “Mommie Dearest,” both of which became hits on the cult film circuit.
“Serial Mom”
John Waters has become something of a celebrity when it comes to making cult movies, and “Serial Mom” is no exception. Although it stars Kathleen Turner and Sam Waterston (two stars with very big names), the film deliberately sets out to make a mockery of the celebrity culture that often surrounds those who are accused (and sometimes convicted) of murder. Perpetually tongue-in-cheek and more than slightly mocking, this is a cult movie that has aged well.
“Mommie Dearest”
Perhaps no film falls into the definition of cult movie better than this one. “Mommie Dearest” tells the story of the adopted daughter of Joan Crawford and the incredibly tumultuous relationship between the two as Joan tries to control her daughter and force her into a mold of her imagining.
Although you might be fooled into thinking the film has something of an autobiographical bent, Faye Dunaway’s over the top performance as the megalomaniacal Joan makes this something more. After watching this movie, you’ll get a whole new perspective on the lives of the rich and famous, and on the children who often live with them.
Although they are rarely as successful as their mainstream cousins, cult films still manage to keep themselves afloat by appealing to niche audiences and capturing something of the timeless in their often quirky and unusual narratives and filming styles. Whether it’s the signature filmmaking of John Waters or the antics of an over the top actress (playing another over the top actress), cult films remind us of the many faces of the cinema.
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