I work in a video store, and soon want to have my own (with a twist, but that is for another time to discuss) Anywho, I want to create a quality B-movie section, and would like ones from all different decades.
If you were to pick any B-movies for such a wall, which ones would you feel MUST BE on the wall for any reason...maybe not because they are your favorites, but because anyone being introduced to the B-movie world or to be called a true fan, must see such films. Perhaps mention some of the must sees according to the decade they were made.
Please post as many as you want and be as in depth about your reasons as you choose...or not. Even one or to suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks!
What is a B-Movie? I guess a low budget film or maybe something in the Horror or Sci Fi department since they don't usually win Oscars. You could fill a whole store with B-movies, but since you asked. Let's see...........
Ed Wood Films
Italian Horror
Spanish Horror
Mexican Horror
Hammer Films
Zombie films
Japanese Monster Films
Roger Corman Films
And the list goes on and on...................
Post Edited (09-07-04 19:49)
Sorority House Massacre II - Nighty Nightmare. The absolute epitome of slasher flicks.
Terminator was actually a B movie - very low budget and Schwarzenegger was relatively unknown at the time.
And then there are the giant mutated critter movies. "Them" was the classic giant ant movie. You could have one movie from every critter type - spiders, gators/crocs, aliens, sharks, etc.
If you want to make one based on new comers to the fold of crap, you might want to space in out in categories. If they are really interested in starting, the only names that are probably going to be memorable are Roger Corman and Ed Wood.
I once saw at video store they had a cult section with all types of B-movies (most notable to some group or another), thought it was a good idea, great starter kit for the novice B-movie fanatic.
Personally, I want a video store to have a Larry Cohen section, though how marketable this would be is rather tenuous. Probably forget it.
A troma section might also work out, there's quite an audience apparently...
I didn't think they were all that, but I have learned you can't have a conversation as an educated B-Movie fan without having seen Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2. It would be like getting a degree in 20th Century American Literature without ever having read Catcher in the Rye.
The ones that make the most money are the New Releases and porn. I have an idea of having many different kind of sections dedicated to film buff types. I also would like to promote certain movies to the novice watcher that they may not be aware of. For instance, if a user enjoyed 8 Legged Freaks, well then there are a variety of creature films that could tickle their fancy. And what of those newbie horror fans that learned their knowledge from Scream...well, there are plenty of reccommendations from many decades that could open doorways for them.
My whole reasoning and point is to be an information source. This store (with much help) will act as a guide and mentor for those seeking more, and a haven for those that seek long and hard for such a library of film selection and knowledge...and one that they, as a customer and friend could contribute to keep the library up to date and the best it can be.
This is my vision. There is so much to do and ideas stirring that it is hard to keep up! Only film buffs need apply to work there, specialists in certain sections. I know many with vasts amounts of film knowledge who salivate over such an idea...a place...a home away from home. Newsletters, rating cards distributied to every customer. They have the right to give their own personal review on cards distributed to them with each rental, or not if they so choose. A monthly club meeting to discuss a pre-chosen film to watch right there on a predestined night equipped with couches and tables off in a private corner of the store as to not be distracted by other onlookers, seekers, and searchers of entertainment and art. A list and fund to bring in other favs to add to the vast collection all ready established. It goes on and on......
So I thank you for lending me some help in the beginning steps to build such a place.......
:)
I find that in the world of B-movies, two main types prevail: Monster movies are definitely the way to go, and shonky B-grade horror flicks.
They are the meat market!
Mandatory viewings:
Braindead [sometimes known as Dead Alive?]
Evil Dead series
[pretty much any Zombie Movie, really]
Multiple Ed Wood flicks
Almost anything by John Waters
The Hills have Eyes
Deathstalker, and any cool-but-crappy sword and sandal fantasy movies
Various Troma movies, and related derivatives
As mentioned previously, the list does go on and on, but there are just some movies that can't be looked over.
This is a great idea, we have a few stores like that around us in the city and whatnot, where you can find all manner of cult movies. It's fantastic, knowing that there is a place to go to find all the wierd movies to satiate that strange hunger we have for the ludicrous and crappy.
I wish you luck; unfortunately, a venture like that in my area would fail miserably. Around here, if it ain't at Blockbuster, it can't be very good. Like Scott, I, too, wonder exactly how to classify "B Movies." There are the low-budget flicks that are nonetheless very good ("Casablanca" for example) and there are the ones that we love because they are so ridiculously bad (the Ed Wood movies and such). I'm not sure you can "introduce" people to movies that are so bad they're lovable; either they have already seen at least some of the classic "bad" movies and have developed an appreciation for the ridiculous or else they just don't get it. Even within the group of people that love bad movies, there is very little consensus as to which are "must sees" because we all have widely ranging senses of humor. As an example, I respect Scott's love of movies and his movie knowledge, but we don't really agree on which bad movies are funny; He finds "Wasp Woman" funny whereas I don't; I laughed through "Mesa of Lost Women" while he found it horrible (sorry Scott, don't mean to pick on you, but this example came quickly to mind). As for the genuinely good low-budget movies, you might have better luck.
Here's one thing I've seen done that might work for you: a computer-based catalog of your movie inventory made available to the customers. In that catalog, you might include an "If you liked this movie, you might also like..." section. The cards you mentioned could be used as a basis for this, or you could allow customers to enter choices in directly. It's an easily abused system, admittedly, but one that many would find useful.
I think video stores need to have something else going on in them now, like it's also a carwash, or a laundromat, or you sell food or buttplugs or something.
It's an important distinction:
B-movies vs. Badmovies.
WE are badmovies, though the spillover is understandable.
"B" pictures were usually produced by mainstream companies as leaders-in to the "A" pictures on the bill. A good evening at the movies would include a newsreel, coming attractions, one or more cartoons, at least one "B" feature, perhaps a serial episode, and -- finally -- the "A" picture, or main feature. 4 to 5 hours of screentime was commonplace.
Really excellent, arty, well-made "B" pictures would be the films of Val Lewton Productions: Curse of the Catpeople, The Body Snatchers, Bedlam, etc.
Badmovies -- essential badmovies -- are the body of Ed Wood's work and Phil Tucker's Robot Monster. Gotta have They Saved Hitler's Brain in there somewhere too -- And a big-budget stinker or 2 as well: Lost Horizon, The Musical.
peter johnson/denny crane
I'd go for a small takeshi miike selection: funny japanese horror/thriller. Lots of his work is based on manga comics
i used to live in a suburb that had an independent local chain of two outlets...their stores had a cult video section...not just limited to b-movies but very similar to what you are talking about...their cult section certainly contained many b-movies...
i'd make two suggestions...
have a b-movie fan view the store's selection and comment on what the store already owns...to give you a feel for possible selections...
second, there is a great book out there called "Video Hound's Cult Hits and Trash Pics"...i find it to be a great reference...
have fun!
mr. henry
www.310am.com