A few notable top film lists - Bottom of the Barrel Approved!

I'm usually not all for these lists that appear online picking the top films in a certain category; half the time the person writing the list really don't know what they are talking about. Only the IMDB Bottom 100 has provided one of the more decent lists in recent memory. But there has been a few lists appearing online that are worth checking, especially if you read this site regularly:

Wired compiled a list of exploitation flicks in time for the release of Machete in theatres, referencing some great titles like Lady Terminator, Death Wish 3, and The Car. The list can be read at http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/09/exploitation-movies/?intcid=postnav.

When the low budget horror Chain Letter was released, MSN Online provided a surprisingly entertaining list called the "Dumbest Horror Movie Plot", which includes a Bottom of the Barrel favourite Jack Frost. This list can be found at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39386825/.

Finally, film critic Michael Adams posted an article at Rotten Tomatoes of films so bad you cannot miss. This list, which came to fruition during the writing of his new book Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made, contains a few golden standards as well as a few hidden gems. The list can be found at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/showgirls/news/1868670/25_movies_so_bad_theyre_unmissable.

If there is another list worth checking out, strike back below with a link!

Roger Corman interview on Rue Morgue Radio

You may remember my tribute to the great Roger Corman from back in September last year. It turns out Rue Morgue felt the same way about him and conducted a fantastic two-part interview with him on their weekly podcast Rue Morgue Radio. You can now find them in their archive at http://ruemorgueradio.com/?a=archives; Part 1 is on December 4th, 2009, Part 2 is on January 8th, 2010. If you're not convinced Roger Corman is a great man, interview ought to do it. Enjoy!

Roger Corman

“ I can make a film about the Fall of the Roman Empire with two extras and a sagebush” – Roger Corman

Today we give praise to an icon in the world of b-movie filmmaking: Roger Corman.

As one of the most prolific filmmakers ever, Corman has more than 350 films produced under his belt. He is behind some of the most memorable b-movies every created, including “It Conquered The World”, “The Wasp Woman”, “X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes”, “Caged Heat”, and “Carnosaur”. He is notorious for producing quality ‘b’ products in a short time span, often in a mere few days. He never spends more than a couple million on one title, will often reuse sets and crew to keep costs now, and always assures a return on each film. His films are so popular, that some have even crossed over into television, theatre, and even music. He is responsible for adapting the most memorable versions of the work of Edgar Allan Poe, starting the great Vincent Price. He is the man behind the now infamous, never released-version of The Fantastic Four. He is responsible for kick-starting the careers of some of the most successful filmmakers and actors ever, including James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, and Sylvester Stallone. Roger Corman is one of the greatest filmmakers ever and a legend to filmmakers around the word.

And yet, that is not the reason why Bottom of the Barrel is celebrating Roger Corman. Of course all the aforementioned accomplishments are more than enough to honour this great man and should not be ignored, but that not why we’re here today. No, the reason we’re honouring Roger Corman today is because he did all of the above… AND will be getting an Oscar!

In a recent announcement, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences have declared that Roger Corman will be receiving an honourary Academy Award for all of his contributions to the world of cinema. That’s right; the man behind “Death Race 2000” is getting an Oscar! How cool is that?

It’s a bit unexpected that the Academy would honour b-grade talent like this, but they clearly recognize an influential genius when they see it. Corman is behind some of the greatest films and greatest talent to ever work in the business, both directly and indirectly. And though his films have not won any awards, he refuses to change his ways and sell out. He remains true to himself, he gives what the people want, and after 45 years in this business he doesn’t show signs of slowing down. He is a filmmaker’s filmmaker. He is a true auteur. There is no question that Roger Corman deserves this honour.

So, raise a glass, pop in a copy of “A Bucket of Blood”, and give praise to one of the greatest things that have ever happened to the world of b-movies! Hell, if Oscar will honour him, why not you?

Here’s to Roger Corman, a true cinematic legend and a hero to all b-movie lovers! Keep ‘em coming sir!

Wanna see more? Go buy this excellent box set of Roger Corman films:


You should also buy a copy of his excellent biography "How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime":

Mystery Science Theatre 3000

Here’s to the greatest thing to happen to b-movies since Ed Wood: Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Let’s face it; if it weren’t for this series, Bottom of the Barrel would cease to exist. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 opened many eyes to the joy of watching b-movies with their amusing sketches even funnier commentary. Many felt the show prematurely ended, and although we would welcome more episodes, you have to admit that eleven seasons and nearly 200 episodes is pretty satisfying for any b-movie aficionado (and not many shows can say they lasted eleven season, let alone a cult show like MST3k).

We’ve seen the show, we know the premise, we laughed on countless occasions. We all have our favourite episodes, we all have our favourite ‘stingers’, and we even have our favourite characters. It helped us discover some b-movies titles once unknown to us, and still manages to provide the suitable attention to the classics we all know and love (or loathe). Hell, they even made half of those films watchable, even ‘Manos: The Hands of Fate.’ It taught us to appreciate those old propaganda-style short films from yesteryear. They even made a movie; they didn’t need to make a movie, but they did, and we watched it, and we laughed! We had all wished we could have our own Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot at home. We found a home in ‘ward E’. And you have to admit; you giggle like a schoolgirl every time you see three lone heads in silhouette at the front row of a theatre. Yes, MST3k has touched all of our lives in one-way or another.

Like many other series it did have its fair share of controversy. But it didn’t deserve it; it doesn’t matter if Joel Hodgson was a better host than Mike Nelson, or vice versa (and that was a silly argument for anyone that participated in it by the way); it was still a funny show no matter who was hosting it. It shouldn’t matter that the set design was cheap and sub-par; that’s what made the show better! And to the filmmakers that complained about their film being ‘riffed’ on the show, they clearly did not realize the honour they had of being on that show in the first place. Instead, they should have been happy that anyone was watching their film at all. In brief, any backlash against the show was completely unjustified.

Though I am over the fact that the series had ended, it is a travesty that it doesn’t continue to play in syndication. This show is now under the threat of being forgotten, thanks to no current syndication play. Without syndication MST3k may not find a new audience and may not stand the test of time. Sure, there are the DVD releases, but that won’t be enough to find a new audience. Does this mean we’ll have to resort to circulating the tapes (or DVDs) once again? Not if you ask your local television station or your favourite sci-fi or comedy-themed station to continue playing the episodes, even if it is late at night. That way, MST3k can live on and possibly resurge in popularity, and what’s wrong with that?

One time Mike Nelson asked an audience at a convention “Is any one here over the age of 25? Where are you seeing this show?” This occurrence clearly shows that the show was popular to all age groups, not just one. It has a timeless quality, and if you’re local television station knew that they would tap into it and play MST3k wherever possible. But until that happens, us fans have to keep the hype alive. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 is a true classic! It is a great show that truly appreciated the art of the b-movie and greatly helped in putting many notable titles on the b-movie map. Without Mystery Science Theatre 3000, our lives would be a little less witty, and b-movies would be a lot more monotonous. But we do have a show like Mystery Science Theatre 3000, and because of that we have something to be thankful for. Long live Mystery Science Theatre 3000! And if there is a mad scientist out there looking to take over the world by making people watch b-movies to turn them into mindless zombie slaves, I am more than happy to be your guinea pig! I’m sure many of you reading this would love to be one too.

Keep circulating the tapes!

Buy MST3k DVDs here: http://www.rhino.com/mst3k/