Why do we love B-Movies?

[diamondwaspvenom]

Hey, guys! It's been a super long while since I last posted here.

Now, this is a topic I figure would initiate an interesting discussion. Why do we love b-movies? What is it about them that have us coming back for more when most movie goers would turn up their nose at the mention of titles like "Bride of the Monster", "Laserblast" and "Manos: The Hands of Fate"?

For me, I simply enjoy the silliness of the feature. Even if the acting, creature FX or even lighting aren't up to par with your typical Hollywood picture, one gets the feeling that the cast and crew were having a ball while working on the production. Shoddy/dodgy special FX can be charming and even entertaining to the eyes. Monsters performed via hand puppets, costumes or stop motion in a way is refreshing to watch given that we live in an age where films are bloated with CGI. Don't get me wrong, CGI definitely has its place but it's so overused.

Of course, the plots need to be mentioned. Some of them are so incredibly ludicrous that one can't help but marvel at the absurdity of the story. That's also what makes b-movies more fun: they aren't afraid to take risks with preposterous concepts. Most of the time (there have always been exceptions), the goal of the b-movie is to entertain and it for sure delivers. Sometimes not taking themselves seriously adds to the fun, but one can easily laugh 'till it hurts with a movie that takes itself TOO seriously for its own good. Either way, it makes for a memorable experience.

Well, I've gone on and on. Time for you guys to give your two cents. 

[indianasmith]

Well, they are B movies, after all - and who doesn't love the three B's?

Blood

Breasts

Beasts

[Trevor]

First of all, welcome back. 

Secondly: I started with this POS when I was six - never been the same since.

 

[Alex]

For me when I get a movie that everyone involved in set out with all the best intentions to make good, but it just doesn't work out. A combination of overambitious director and over acting but all with loads of enthusiasm are generally vital ingredients. Asylum type stuff is ok, but since they set out to make bad movies or just don't care they just feel like they have something missing.

[etmoviesb]

I think because we know that movies are 99% nonsense. Guns does not work as in the movies, life does not work as in the movies, space travel does not....

So, usually A-movies take themselves too seriously and often people involved have a big ego and since the result is nonsense I find this annoying.
In B-movies instead the fact that movies are nonsense is accepted and played with, this makes the results more coherent and funnier.

[voltron]

I think it's the fact that b-movies don't have these astronomical budgets to work with so the movies themselves had to have something special to offer without all the eye candy and superstar casts of mainstream films.

[Allhallowsday]

I am of the opinion that a "B movie" is a low budget movie, but not necessarily "bad".  As Trevor pointed out, the 1973 LOST HORIZON is a notorious "POS" that I'm sure was expensive to produce (therefore, a "bad" A movie).  The term "B movie" is only meant to point out a film's cost and likely place on a double bill (the "B" picture). 

[voltron]

I am of the opinion that a "B movie" is a low budget movie, but not necessarily "bad".  As Trevor pointed out, the 1973 LOST HORIZON is a notorious "POS" that I'm sure was expensive to produce (therefore, a "bad" A movie).  The term "B movie" is only meant to point out a film's cost and likely place on a double bill (the "B" picture). 

I'm in total agreement AHD. The term b-movie unfortunately sometimes gets confused with "bad" a lot and this couldn't be further from the truth. Take a movie like Carnival Of Souls for instance. It has a miniscule budget and a cast of unknowns but dammit it's more creepy and effective than the horses**t that's being passed off as horror over the past many many years. A movie like Cool As Ice however is bad because you could tell they were trying to make a serious movie and they failed miserably on all levels. I think the main reason I love "good" b-movies is that they're not trying to be something they're not. I don't know how to explain it any better than that really.

[Trevor]

I am of the opinion that a "B movie" is a low budget movie, but not necessarily "bad".  As Trevor pointed out, the 1973 LOST HORIZON is a notorious "POS" that I'm sure was expensive to produce (therefore, a "bad" A movie).  The term "B movie" is only meant to point out a film's cost and likely place on a double bill (the "B" picture). 

Agreed: the Frank Capra version was great, but this one:  Even at six (1973) I knew it was orful. 

[The Burgomaster]

B movies remind me of my youth.  I was a kid during the 1970s when drive-in theaters were plentiful in my area.  There were 3 drive-ins within a 10 minute drive of my house and dozens more if you were willing to travel a mere 25 or 30 miles.  Sure, they showed major releases.   But they also showed many, many B movies.  I often preferred those.  I saw these "classics" and many others at the drive-in during the glorious 1970s (and early 80s):

* Ben
* Don't Go in the House
* The Fifth Floor
* Last House on the Left
* The House that Vanished
* The House that Dripped Blood
* Cherry Hill High
* The Erotic Adventures of Pinocchio

When I watch these movies now (and other similar movies), I get transported back to a great time in my life. 

[LilCerberus]

there's more of them...

[bob]

I first got into them due to things like Troll 2, The Room and Mommie Dearest which were hilarious to me. Then there's things like Manos, The Creeping Terror and Leonard Part 6  and where there's just something about them where it becomes hypnotic and I like them for whatever reason.

[RCMerchant]

As has been pointed out-big difference between "B-Movies"-eg-D.O.A. (1950), low budget independents that have become classics -NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968),and just plain BAD-which can be a big budget piece of s**t or a a so bad it's good film.
BAD movies are fun because the total nonsensical nature of them-it's so impossibly implausible that it's funny. Like a Tex Avery cartoon. Or other reasons-sometimes I just like the old fashioned feel of old ultra low budget movies-the bad actors-the bad sets-the one good old timey actor--as you gave as an example-BRIDE OF THE MONSTER.
It reminds me of them old Our Gang  comedies-"Hey gang-we got the old barn-let's put on a show!"

[LilCerberus]

What group of kids want to go out in their back yard & pretend they're Doctor Zhivago?

[RCMerchant]

What group of kids want to go out in their back yard & pretend they're Doctor Zhivago?

Exactly!
Put on a Frankenstein mask and crank up the old 8mm camera!