The Word Cloud

THE PERFECT ‘B’ MOVIE. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE AND WHY?

[Posted by Harry, but what follows is from Kim. Don't ask me to explain. Just believe me. Trust. Have faith.]

The power of epic blockbusters is an inspiration to all of us writers. The great one liners that we all remember and wish very much we had written stay with us for all eternity.

But what of the ‘B’ movie? The other day I made a list of my favourite screenplays and was shocked by just how many of them had impressed me beyond words but had failed to have the same impact at the box office.

Here are two of my favourites. What are yours and why?

1. Regarding Henry. 1991 (J. J. Abrams)

Regarding Henry tells the tale of an unfaithful, self-obsessed, hot-shot lawyer whose life is turned upside-down overnight when he is shot in the head. He becomes paralysed from the neck down, has no memories and cannot speak. The plot follows his journey of recovery and his re-assessment of life’s priorities. What impressed me most was the way in which the writer tackled the growth of all of the characters, not just the protagonist. It is, for me, the perfect blend of a wakeup call and unashamed gooeyness.

2. The Doctor. 1991 (Ed Rosenbaum – book / Robert Caswell – screenplay)

Adapted from the book ‘ A Taste of My Own Medicine’, a true story, William Hurt’s portrayal of the charismatic but tactless surgeon Jack McKee in this film is sublime. From moment one we are drawn into his enviable lifestyle until, one day, cancer hits. We all tend to think that if this happened to us we would, without thought, turn for support to those closest to us, our spouses, parent or friends. But in this story the protagonist turns not to his wife or co-surgeons but to a complete stranger, a fellow radiotherapy patient. The writer touches our hearts by portraying how it is never too late to change and how it is perfectly possible to teach an old doctor new tricks.

Um, how about Evil Dead 2? Not sure if it counts as a B movie since it's achieved such cult status. Totally brilliant film though...

Loved that film. I was an usherette once in the summer holidays and saw it about 80 times. the alternative films were The Living Daylights or the Aristocrats, so I watched evil dead 2, twice a night for 8 weeks. It just got funnier and funnier.

And following that train of thought, Army Of Darkness is an amazing film too.

"Bubba Ho-Tep": Proved beyond doubt that Elvis is not only still alive and living in a nursing home, but that he has saved the world from a Zombie take over (with help from JFK, who is also still alive, after being made to look like an African-American). Nice one, Elvis!

"Home Boy": Mickey Rourke flick with Christopher Walken, soundtrack by Eric Clapton. A great film about a shy, used up boxer that was a total FLOP. As a lifelong Bob Dylan fan, it was good to read his autobiography and discover that, while making the 1989 album ("Oh Mercy!"), which is a favourite of mine, he went off alone to the cinema, saw this movie, and was as blown away by it as I was... particularly with Rourke's amazing performance.

"Repo Man": You have to see it to believe it. See it. Believe it. Rewatch it.

Bubba Ho Tep is a good shout. Seems like anything with Bruce Campbell in makes it into this list.
Fear of a Black Hat - anyone seen this hilarious film? Also on the B movie list - a bit darker but really funny with it - Man Bites Dog. Psycho Pat - Repo Man - brilliant!

Der

I love Regarding Henry too and The Princess Bride. Gosh, there are so many. How to choose? I oncce watched a film with a crowd of people called, SOB. It had a number of well known faces in it, including Julie Andrews, who played against type and exposed her breasts. It was directed by her husband, Blake Edwards. At the time, we found it hysterical, but I'm not sure if it had more to do with the wine we were drinking at the time. I don't normally like slapstick humour, but this one really made me laugh. I don't want to see it again, in case it is not as funny as I remember.

Mike Binder's "The Sex Monster" I laughed my ar$$ off.
It won "Best Film" and Binder won "Best Actor" at the 2001 Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen.

Nice to know I am not alone when it comes to liking certain films... The Princess Bride gets my shout! I think the important thing is that you can re-watch it and it still holds together.

Nice to know I am not alone when it comes to liking certain films... The Princess Bride gets my shout! I think the important thing is that you can re-watch it and it still holds together.

Not the Dread Pirate Roberts!
What is a 'B' Movie?
Second funniest film of all time: 'Young Frankenstien.'

Right now I know:

Thunder Road, Krull, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape from New York...

I remember watching 100 greatest movies about 10 years ago and was shocked that Zelig wasn't on the list! This being my favourite film of all time. Some B movies turn in to cult classics - Withnail and I has to be one of the funniest films I've ever seen - every line has me in stitches!

Almost forgot, 'The Fastest Indian' - true story about Burt Monroe taking his bike to the Salt Flats to win the land speed record! Excellent film and an amazing man.

His quote:

'You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime.'

Should say 'The World's Fastest Indian'

I always liked The Wages of Fear. Classic b/w thing about a group of tough but poverty stricken men driving trucks of gelignite along precarious mountain track. Very tense!