The Tattooed Woman from "Santa Sangre," in a seductive pose
We’ve all seen one (or hundreds): Weird movies can be foreign. Weird movies can be art-house type films. Weird movies can be movies that are so unintentionally good because they are so unintentionally bad. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, in no particular order, five films that you should see precisely for weird reasons:
Santa Sangre, 1989: This is an art-house-(wanna-be?)-type film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky that keeps surprising as the plot unfolds. The more you watch, the more you have no idea what’s going on, and yet, you can’t turn it off. I can say no more because I don’t want to spoil it.
Dogtooth, 2009: Read nothing of this film. Do not watch the trailer. Just rent it, or buy it, or borrow it and watch it — especially if you are into psychology or sociology or character-based stories!
Pink Flamingos, 1972: Divine, a pleasantly plump drag queen, is the picture of entertainment perfection. John Waters is a genius. I will admit that I still haven’t finished this film because I had to turn it off when a guy begins to force a girl to have sex with a live chicken. A CHICKEN that is ALIVE. For me, at this point in my life, I’m just truly not ready to watch that kind of scene.
Face/Off, 1997: Most of you have probably seen this movie and are wondering why I would include it at all. My petition to you is that you rewatch this film with a critical eye. You will notice the tone of the film is all over the place. It’s an action film one minute, a romantic/family film the next, then a comedy, then an action film again, then a dash of thriller. It’ll make your head spin. You will also re-appreciate that Nick Cage is acting like John Travolta acting like Nick Cage. Your mind will be reblown. It is a very tangled web that John Woo weaves.
Anything by David Lynch: Seriously, take your pick. If you are wearing socks while watching any of his films, prepare for them to be knocked off. My personal recommendation would be that you watch Mulholland Drive or Blue Velvet first. His other titles require a determined, curious desire. I think I watched Mulholland Drive three times before I thought I really understood it, and even then… who knows?
So why wasn’t Videodrome or A Clockwork Orange or any of Terry Gilliam’s work included? Because I thought they were too obvious, and it’s my suggestion list, so that solves that burning question.
Make your own top-five list in the comments below. I’d love to see what you come up with!
