I saw Clerk five or six times in the theater. I was a senior in high school. I'd cut class to go see it. Fun fact about Clerks: the original ending was a robbery where Dante is killed. Sort of the ultimate expression of "I wasn't even supposed to be here today." I think Kevin Smith was wise to cut it. A little too dark, but also kind of out of left field. Plus, if he had killed Dante, we wouldn't have gotten the sequels, and OK, they aren't great, but I legit felt all the feels watching Clerks 3.
My cult favorite is Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise. I was a twenty year old slacker when it came out, trying to succeed (and failing spectacularly) as a film major at LMU, and this movie blew me away. My buddy and I went to the Beverly Center to saw it probably four or five weekends in a row. I thought it was genius. Black and white. Zero plot. Some of its best laughs came out of dead air. It was the movie that revived Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s career. (I later saw him play at Wong’s West. He introduced “I Put a Spell on You” to the crowd of white-boy college kids, with his signature booming voice, “I know y’all here ‘cause of that song from that movie.”) Highly recommend.
My Jim Jarmusch knowledge is limited. That's an oversight I need to remedy. I loved Night on Earth... somewhere in the back of my mind I think seeing that as a teen inspired my Lyft driver stories. I'm also fond of Coffee and Cigarettes. But now I need to see Stranger Than Paradise.
I’m reflecting on 1984 now, and the movies I saw at the Beverly Center that year. It was such a good year for indies and small budget films. The Coen Brothers first movie, Blood Simple. Wim Wenders’s Paris, Texas, with the great Harry Dean Stanton. The original Terminator, too.
That is a good year! And funny too, because you so often hear about the 1980s being the era of the studio blockbuster and films that were more about marketing and merchandizing than art, which is true, I guess, but it just goes to show you that there was a powerful counterculture doing its own thing inside the larger mono-culture.
Haven't see the flick yet but agree about your assessment of Pine's ability to hold the screen, particularly in Hell and High Water and Bottle Shock, as well.
Hey Michael, long time reader/first time commenter. I have Poolman on our media server. It’s been sitting there for a while now. My partner and I have watched the trailer several times. We love the cast, the premise, the genre. But we haven’t been able to pull the trigger just yet and watch the damn thing. I’m hoping you may have put us over the edge and given us the hope we need! If not, I’ll probably wait till she goes to bed on some Tuesday night, smoke too much, and then enjoy it. Like most other titles on our media server.
Movies in the theater come and go too fast. One of my favorite cult films is Buckaroo Banzai "Is someone crying?" and I'm really sad that no sequel was made. At least Rocky Horror is still going strong; my kid is on the lighting crew in our local shadow cast.
That's very cool that your kid is part of the Rocky Horror community. Clearly, you're raising them right. And yes, films come and go way to fast. It's almost absurd.
I did see Poolman in the theater during the week that it came out (only out ONE week! Just like Idiocracy! Ouch!) I was super interested in seeing it based on the trailer and Chris Pine interviews. Seemed like my kind of movie - but I didn't laugh much. I enjoyed it a little bit, but wanted to like it so much more than I did. The theater was pretty empty, and no one laughed, and one couple walked out. It might end up being a 'slow burn' cult film, or it might just fade from existence... Just like you, I can't tell yet.
I didn’t know I was a fan of offbeat comedy until you described it in that perfect way - and seeing it with an audience that gets it is great! I’m partial to Bill & Ted’s :)… but Heathers is also a fav cult classic for me. And Chris Pine is my favorite Chris… I kinda like him with that beard too - so will have to check out Poolman sometime!
Heathers! That's a perfect example of an offbeat crime comedy. Fun fact about that movie. Originally, the director wanted to end the film with them blowing up the school. Pretty dark, huh? But they didn't have enough money to do that. So they blew up Christian Slater instead (much cheaper) and had Winona Ryder looking like a badass lighting her cigarette from the blast. Personally, I think they found a better ending.
The trailer is hilarious. I will definitely watch one rainy day when it's streaming for free. You're absolutely right. Some movies are like wine. They shouldn't be uncorked for a few years.
I had a small part in a horror movie that I hoped would never see the light of a box office day-- well-- it's a cult classic but not in the vein of Swingers or Clerks. Frankenhooker. Ugh.
Yup, LA dude born and raised. As for those entertainment billboards, I'll let you in on a secret. Studios buy them to appease talent. "Look, I've got a billboard on Sunset!" Makes people in the industry feel good, like the studio is marketing the hell out of their project.
Haven't seen, now I will. Seen Chris Pine sporting that crazy beard now it all makes sense
Yeah, he did do some press for the movie looking like a slacker.
1. Haven't seen or heard about the film until now, but based on the trailer and the fact that it's a slacker noir - I can't wait to watch it!
2. My favorite cult classics are Reality Bites, Dazed and Confused, Clerks, Chasing Amy, Mall Rats, Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski!
3. It absolutely tied the room together man!
4. He hasn't. Ever.
I saw Clerk five or six times in the theater. I was a senior in high school. I'd cut class to go see it. Fun fact about Clerks: the original ending was a robbery where Dante is killed. Sort of the ultimate expression of "I wasn't even supposed to be here today." I think Kevin Smith was wise to cut it. A little too dark, but also kind of out of left field. Plus, if he had killed Dante, we wouldn't have gotten the sequels, and OK, they aren't great, but I legit felt all the feels watching Clerks 3.
I’m 100% with you! Kevin Smith is a genius and I’m so glad he didn’t kill Dante! :)
Have you seen An Evening With Kevin Smith? It's him telling stories on stage, and it's great!
I’ll look for it! Thank youuu
1) Haven’t seen it, hadn’t heard of it, but having read this now I want to. What a great cast!
2) Too obvious to say “The Big Lebowski,” huh? So I’m going with “Shaun of the Dead.”
3) Oh hell yeah. Especially with a White Russian spilled on it.
4) Not that I know of.
Shaun of the Dead is great! And yeah, The Big Lebowski is obvious, but also always welcome!
My cult favorite is Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise. I was a twenty year old slacker when it came out, trying to succeed (and failing spectacularly) as a film major at LMU, and this movie blew me away. My buddy and I went to the Beverly Center to saw it probably four or five weekends in a row. I thought it was genius. Black and white. Zero plot. Some of its best laughs came out of dead air. It was the movie that revived Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s career. (I later saw him play at Wong’s West. He introduced “I Put a Spell on You” to the crowd of white-boy college kids, with his signature booming voice, “I know y’all here ‘cause of that song from that movie.”) Highly recommend.
My Jim Jarmusch knowledge is limited. That's an oversight I need to remedy. I loved Night on Earth... somewhere in the back of my mind I think seeing that as a teen inspired my Lyft driver stories. I'm also fond of Coffee and Cigarettes. But now I need to see Stranger Than Paradise.
Do so as soon as possible, Michael!
Just found the trailer on youtube, then I caught Richard Linklater talking about the movie. Damn. I need to see this one.
I’m reflecting on 1984 now, and the movies I saw at the Beverly Center that year. It was such a good year for indies and small budget films. The Coen Brothers first movie, Blood Simple. Wim Wenders’s Paris, Texas, with the great Harry Dean Stanton. The original Terminator, too.
That is a good year! And funny too, because you so often hear about the 1980s being the era of the studio blockbuster and films that were more about marketing and merchandizing than art, which is true, I guess, but it just goes to show you that there was a powerful counterculture doing its own thing inside the larger mono-culture.
Haven't see the flick yet but agree about your assessment of Pine's ability to hold the screen, particularly in Hell and High Water and Bottle Shock, as well.
Thanks, but that's not my assessment (although I agree). That's Owen Gleiberman.
Ah, well, I see.
Hey Michael, long time reader/first time commenter. I have Poolman on our media server. It’s been sitting there for a while now. My partner and I have watched the trailer several times. We love the cast, the premise, the genre. But we haven’t been able to pull the trigger just yet and watch the damn thing. I’m hoping you may have put us over the edge and given us the hope we need! If not, I’ll probably wait till she goes to bed on some Tuesday night, smoke too much, and then enjoy it. Like most other titles on our media server.
Keep on keep in on. Love your stuff!
Thanks Trevor! Really appreciate a long time reader/first time commenter. Hope you get a chance to see Poolman. And I hope you enjoy it!
My cult classics not previously mentioned by others are Under the Silver Lake, Inherent Vice, and Goin’ South (Slacker Western Comedy).
Good choices all around, Ken! I'm especially fond of Inherent Vice. Every time I see that one I see something new.
I like Chris Pine and I liked the trailer. But I probably still won't see it...
The important thing is that you like Chris Pine. That's all that matters.
He's the perfect kind of straight man.
High praise.
Movies in the theater come and go too fast. One of my favorite cult films is Buckaroo Banzai "Is someone crying?" and I'm really sad that no sequel was made. At least Rocky Horror is still going strong; my kid is on the lighting crew in our local shadow cast.
That's very cool that your kid is part of the Rocky Horror community. Clearly, you're raising them right. And yes, films come and go way to fast. It's almost absurd.
My favorite cult movie is Wet Hot American Summer.
Yes, Danny DeVito can do no wrong.
I’ve never seen or heard of Poolman, but I wish you both continued success!
Wet Hot American Summer! I'm so glad you mentioned that one. Love that movie.
I did see Poolman in the theater during the week that it came out (only out ONE week! Just like Idiocracy! Ouch!) I was super interested in seeing it based on the trailer and Chris Pine interviews. Seemed like my kind of movie - but I didn't laugh much. I enjoyed it a little bit, but wanted to like it so much more than I did. The theater was pretty empty, and no one laughed, and one couple walked out. It might end up being a 'slow burn' cult film, or it might just fade from existence... Just like you, I can't tell yet.
Thank you for doing your part and seeing Poolman in the theater. I appreciate this report, Eric!
I didn’t know I was a fan of offbeat comedy until you described it in that perfect way - and seeing it with an audience that gets it is great! I’m partial to Bill & Ted’s :)… but Heathers is also a fav cult classic for me. And Chris Pine is my favorite Chris… I kinda like him with that beard too - so will have to check out Poolman sometime!
Heathers! That's a perfect example of an offbeat crime comedy. Fun fact about that movie. Originally, the director wanted to end the film with them blowing up the school. Pretty dark, huh? But they didn't have enough money to do that. So they blew up Christian Slater instead (much cheaper) and had Winona Ryder looking like a badass lighting her cigarette from the blast. Personally, I think they found a better ending.
Haha, yes, love that ending!
The trailer is hilarious. I will definitely watch one rainy day when it's streaming for free. You're absolutely right. Some movies are like wine. They shouldn't be uncorked for a few years.
I had a small part in a horror movie that I hoped would never see the light of a box office day-- well-- it's a cult classic but not in the vein of Swingers or Clerks. Frankenhooker. Ugh.
Have you written about the Frankenhooker experience? If so, I'd love to read it.
You have inspired me to try to find a copy of Poolman to watch.
Enjoy!
I'm back in LA this week and Michael I figured you for LA dude. I always dig all the entertainment billboards that I'll never here boo about up in SF
Yup, LA dude born and raised. As for those entertainment billboards, I'll let you in on a secret. Studios buy them to appease talent. "Look, I've got a billboard on Sunset!" Makes people in the industry feel good, like the studio is marketing the hell out of their project.
A new Big Lebowski-esque film? Done. Thanks for teaching me the term 'Slacker noir', which I immediately want to make a lifestyle name too.