The environment in which you watch a film can define,
transform, reshape and cut new angles into it in ways you never thought.
I’ve watched Carpenter’s The Fog in the hull of a boat with
100 people in the pissing rain, a physical, tangible atmosphere you couldn’t replicate.
I’ve watched The Entity alone in the house, terrified to even be in the house
as soon as the credits end. Something watching it with a crowd could never have
given me. What I’m saying is, sometimes it’s not just the film itself that
gives you impact. It’s ~how~ you watch films that also do it.
VHS Trashfest, which it seems is now a yearly event, piled
in with Physical Impossibility and Scalarama Glasgow to tapebend and ritualise
one of the truest and purest and most revered formats for all genre lovers: the
VHS tape. And what better way than to show 3 totally whacked out, cult, weird,
funny, gory, disgusting films that you’d steal from yer uncle’s house when he
was on holiday in Egypt. Not only that BUT there’s raffle prizes, trailers, good
beer and a fucking VHS swapshop beforehand where you can trade, buy and get a
hoot out of tapes. And maybe, secretly, have a good smell of those clamshells
baby. Oh aye! The Video Namaste boys joined by Owen and Scott were inhaling
copies of Lethal Weapon 2 like Dennis Hopper fae Blue Velvet.
knees are sweaty, stallones spaghetti
Screenings like this are important as fuck, not because we
all had to sing happy birthday to a Video Player, no no, but because group
screenings are a great way to share experience, meet fans of the genre, see
things you’d never be able to and generally support local cinema and Feed The
Scene. Go!
Get Crazy (1983)
Right, okay. I’m not going to do gigantic spiels on all
these films because they’re all too good and it’ll last forever but Get Crazy
is the best. Full on shambling, rip roaring, anarchic, punk rock, backstage
documentary, drug-filled, drug-fuelled, kitchen sink, ideafest with amazing
humour, constant non-sequiturs and daft stunts. Basically a new wave riot in
the shape of the Critter ball, all about saving a theatre from being shut down
and a huge New Year’s Eve party. Replete with cameos from Lou Reed, Lee Ving of
Fear, Dick Miller and Fabian, this film does not stop. If one gag misses, there’s
one like 30 seconds away that’s sure to actually have you clutching yourself
with laughter. I’ll never stop laughing thinking about Malcolm McDowell’s
arsehole-Mick-Jagger-type character Reggie Wanker, getting his heart broken and
singing the most fucking hilariously pokerfaced emotional song. Lost in the
mire of rights and producers, Get Crazy hasn’t been released on DVD or Blu-ray
so seeing this was a genuine treat.
Night of the Creeps (1986)
An all timer. Fred Dekker’s 50’s b-movie, brain eating
parasite throwback is full of beautiful cinematography, hilarious lines,
belting practical effects, wee naked aliens and most importantly: some of the
most loveable and iconic characters of the 80’s. A first time for Richie, Owen
and Scott who all seemed to love it big time. For me and for Danny, it was one
of those showings that I mentioned at the start. Reshaped. I’d always watched
Night of the Creeps on my own or maybe with one other person, but in a room
full of people who Got It, it totally changed. I noticed the soundtrack more,
the beats and the laughs were noticeably so well placed, the deep love for the
characters ~deepened~ by the crowd’s reaction to them and the little self-aware
references in the film were clearer. Like, the Vaseline was wiped from the lens
and I saw Night of the Creeps not as one of my favourite little underrated
horrors but a full on party film. A fucking joy.
Blood Diner (1987)
YES. I love Blood Diner, man. Oh so it’s a loose sequel to
Blood Feast, but set in a small town and features two weird as fuck brothers
taking orders from their dead uncles brain in a jar to kill and take parts of women
to build a new woman so that you can invoke an ancient Egyptian goddess? Ah cool,
wait its directed by a woman? SIGN ME UP. Blood Diner is fucking disgusting,
hilarious, and one of those vhs fever dreams of crushed blacks, misty lightning,
body parts in fridges and a singular riotous vision from the great Jackie Kong.
If there was ever a bleary-late-night film to site and warp yourself to. It’s this.
VHS Trashfest was fucking great. Amazing films run by truly
nice and accommodating and welcoming people. If you can’t go to these things,
or if there’s none around you. Make one. Get a bedsheet, borrow a projector,
start your own club. Do the good stuff, the thing that everyone wants: Gross your
friends out and show them a good time.
Thanks VHS Trashfest/Physical Impossibility/Scalarama! Yous
are the best
-findlay
Dannys genuine heartbreak caught on camera
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