Thought I'd pick some of your brains for a B-movie sleepover my fiancee and I are organizing for the youth group at our church. The kids, ranging from age 12 to about 17, seem pretty excited about the idea, but I want to be careful about what movies I show them. I want to put together a triple feature that will give them a good introduction without being too challenging. The movies should be varied in years and genres, easy to ridicule, and paced so that the average teenager won't lose interest. They should also be low on the sex/violence/profanity scale, as this is a church event.
I figure it's pretty easy to find a 50s sci-fi flick that's clean and really cheesy, but which one? Perhaps Tarantula or the Killer Shrews? Plan 9? I wish I could find a copy of the Giant Claw. Other thoughts?
Then what else should I show? I thought perhaps Hercules in New York, since it shows Arnold, who will be familiar to these kids, in a way they've never seen him. I had also considered Breaker! Breaker! which shows Chuck Norris in a similar light. Lori has suggested that Breakin' might appeal to them, and the 80s fashions and dancing street gangs would be funny to them. She loved the movie at B-Fest.
Any other suggestions?
For a fifties B movie, try "Them". A very good, giant ant movie.
For a lightweight 80s movie, maybe "Night Of The Comet"
Although not really B-Movies but having a good feel, maybe "Time Bandits" or "Buckaroo Banzai"
"Flash Gordon" may be appropriate, as well
The Blob (original)
The Lost Boys
The Monster Squad
"Monster that challenged the world" - "5000 Fingers of Dr. T" - "The thing"
"Rodan" - "Queen of outer space"-"Dinosauous"
"Atomic Submarine" - " Kronos" - "Angry Red planet"
"Godzilla Vs. Mothra" - "Gamera, guardian of the U." - "Gorgo"
" Beach blanket bingo" - " It came from beneath the sea" - " 7th Voyage of Sinbad"
"The Raven(Price/Karloff) - " War gods of the deep" - " Crash of the moons"
....Well, thats all so far.
....Maby you could hold a "Spot the kenny" contest, with an approprite door prize?
....What ever else happens...have fun!
You've got to show them REPTILICUS!!!!
How 'bout Killer Klowns from Outer Space? It's a PG-13, IIRC.
Also, Corman's Little Shop of Horrors might work.
HOuston 620. No really "The thief of Bagdad" "island on top of the world"
I think I really woulda liked THE KILLER SHREWS when I was a kid. THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS would be another good one.
BRIDE OF THE MONSTER would probably be better for kids to watch than PLAN 9, which I think is probably a little too slow-moving at times [and I'm not just talking about Tor Johnson.]
Course, those are all pretty much the same genre, but I think those are the ones kids would find most enjoyable.
"Invaders from Mars"
"The Monster Squad" (maybe, I have not seen it in some time)
"The Blob"
"The Space Children"
"The Stepford Children"
Okay, beyond that "theme" list:
A godzilla or gamera film.
An old school kung fu flick (though this may give them ideas).
Batman the Movie
House
Dragonball: The Magic Begins
Robot Monster
Here's a trilogy of films to show a church youth group, as they all contain an important moral message for today's youth.
Don't look under the bed. "Fright Show"
Be afraid. Be very afraid of clowns. "Killer Klowns from Outer Space."
Don't hitchhike. "Lair of the White Worm."
No, seriously. All of the ones previously mentioned are good choices, and here are some more. Chosen from this web site.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
Battle Beyond Space
The Beastmaster (Though, this one might be too violent.)
The Black Scorpion
Cat Women of the Moon
Dark Power
Destroy All Monsters
Devil Girl from Mars
The Fly
Giant Gila Monster
Yes, any Godzilla movie
I Married a Monster from Outer Space
Masters of the Universe
The Mummy
Nosferatu
Planet of the Apes
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Tarantula
Terror of Tiny Town
And one that is not at
this site. The All Singing! All Dancing! gagster musical, "Bugsy Malone," w/ an all-child cast, including a very young Jodie Foster. Enjoy!
BoyScoutKevin wrote:
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> The Beastmaster (Though, this one might be too violent.)
I don't think the violence would be the concern here -- but the full-on boob shot might not be the best choice for a youth group.
Andrew wrote:
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> House
>
For no reason that I can understand, House is rated R (could it be the single f-bomb?); I'd feel uncomfortable explaining to parents why I showed an R-rated movie at a church youth group party.
Good one, Kevin. Showing "Lair of the White Worm" to a church youth group! :)
Ralph Wiggum: "Mr. Andy, this movie's making my white worm wriggle out of its lair! (bursts into tears)"
Likewise "The Brain From Planet Arous," with its overtly horny brainbooger.
Seriously, Gerry's nailed it: "Reptilicus." "The Giant Claw" is a good bet too, if you can find it--just explain to the kids that grown-ups have never, at any time, talked like that.
"Gamera, Guardian of the Universe" is also an excellent choice. You have to have one Kaiju flick, and it should be this one. Or "Destroy All Monsters."
Got any MST3K tapes? The little squirts will be quiet so they can catch all the gags, and you can be certain there's no nudity. Beware the 'Bots occasional bouts with bad taste, jingoism, cursing, etc.
How about "Mysterious Island"
Lots of giant killer insects and animals and not an R.
Good call on the MST3K episodes-- I got into them when I was around 12, too. Pod People is a good one, as it's in territory most of them will probably be familiar with (ET ripoff). Just curious, though, but what jingoism are you referring to? The closest thing I can think of is the Canada Song, but that seemed pretty tongue-in-cheek.
The MST3K versions of "Prince of Space" and "Invasion of the Neptune Men" (if you taped them off Sci-Fi) take some mighty cheap shots at Japan--all in "good fun" and not to be taken seriously, of course, but that's an issue for parental guidance...
Paraphrased examples:
"It's a meeting of the Subway Fondlers' Club!!"
"Is this going to be some violent porn cartoon?"
"Dear Belgium: get down on your knees and thank God you're not Japan."
"I need this like I need another one-inch weiner."
(Of course, there's "The Hitler Building" in "Neptune Men," possibly the worst choice of stock footage in movie history. The building was destroyed after WWII, but appears in the movie as existing Tokyo architecture, blasted by alien invaders.)
Europe takes its share of crap as well in "Final Justice," "Pumaman," and others...
Excellent choice by Susan! "Mysterious Island" would be perfect if you can get it! Ray Harryhausen material, much better overall than "Clash of the Titans" and not as ubiquitous as the "Sindbad" movies and "Jason and the Argonauts." "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms" might be good if the kids have seen the American "Godzilla;" now they can see the original. :)
Good point, hadn't thoughtta that. Ah well-- There are still plenty of episodes that are alright for the young'ins.
Very good suggestions. This party is looking better and better. I've managed to secure a video projector for the evening, so the kids can have a big-screen experience. I'll bring my DVD player and some spare sound equipment, and I should be able to set up a nice little theatre. Hopefully I can locate DVD copies of the movies I want, otherwise I'll have to settle for VHS. Might be a good excuse to make a movie shopping trip to Toronto sometime later this month.
To add my two cents, I think kids even around the ages I am in arew loosing interest in those charming old movies of the fifties and sixties. If I were hosting a party these would be my choices:
Krull or Master of the Universe: either one subdues younger children into their own fantasy world.
Night of the Comet: A very good B-flick that just screams for children.
Smokey and the Bandit: Because most kids like their car chases and this one has Burt Reynolds. Does it matter? No, but it's still fun.
Invaders From Mars (original) is wonderful, per Andrew's suggestion.
Them is also real cool for this age group.
Lots of good suggestions here --
peter j.
Hey, how about THE DARK CRYSTAL?