New Cult Classics is a new monthly movie event that I’m hosting through Columbus Underground in cooperation with the fine folks at Studio 35.
Why am I doing this? Mostly for fun. I’m a fan of strange movies, cult movies, and all of the energy that goes along with a fun film event done right. I think my first exposure to “midnight movies” was at the Lennox AMC Theater back in High School. We’d make the drive from Marysville with friends to watch films like Army of Darkness, Dead Alive, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. But sprinkled in with those “classics” were several newer movies that have gone on to become cult classics of their own. Tromeo & Juliet and Orgazmo come to mind. Those were films that had such a limited release at the time that it makes me proud to say that I saw them in the theater in the late 90s. And even though watching movies at home has gotten easier these days, there’s still nothing quite like watching a movie on the big screen with the right group of friends.
So while it’s not too hard to find annual showings of cult films in Columbus, I feel like there’s quite a few newer movies that are somewhere in between “new releases” and “cult films” that aren’t getting a whole lot of big screen airtime. What I’d like to do is a provide a venue for people to see these films on the big screen for the first time and help them to live on in the future as the New Cult Classics.
We’ve got the first three films picked out for the trial run, but we’re going to open it up to suggestions after that. The films we’re looking for should somewhat loosely be picked with the following criteria in mind:
- Released within the past 10 years (1999-2009).
- Relatively poor/underwhelming box-office performance either due to limited release or poor theatrical reception.
- Growing fan base through DVD sales, downloads, youtube clips, and general online presence.
- Fun films to watch. Some sample genres include comedies, sci-fi, parodies, martial arts, action, etc.
In order to play up the energy of these events, we’ll be doing some themed contests, giveaways and prizes, as well as airing some shorts and trailers before each main feature. I don’t want to give away too many surprises in advance, but let me just say that if you show up to see Idiocracy at our first event on Saturday May 30th, you may go home with an embarrassing new T-Shirt, a gift card to a restaurant that will come in very handy in the year 2505, or something even better. Something that will quench your thirst. Something with electrolytes!
Anyway, to make a long story short… I want you to come watch some movies with me. It might not change your life… but it will be fun. More details online here: NewCultClassics.com.