I recently watched the BFI documentary on the BBC's Moviedrome series. For those unfamiliar with it, Moviedrome was a television programme running from 1988 to 2000 that presented an eclectic selection of cult films to a wider audience. While not every feature appealed to me, it did broaden my knowledge of film. This was largely due to Moviedrome’s original host Alex Cox’s candid and informal introductions offering unique perspectives on films I wouldn't have otherwise known about. Cox provided valuable insights which were equivalent to film school for someone like myself.
Two observations I made after viewing the documentary: Mark Cousins's try-hard persona will always make him a disappointing replacement for Alex Cox — I cannot fault him for presenting both versions of The Killers, alongside The Warriors and La Haine as a double bill, though; and, we really need Moviedrome returning to our screens instead of twenty-six years worth of unbearable BBC dramas and docs made for wine-sozzled Guardianistas.
Here are some films that haven’t been shown before; a mix of old and modern favourites, that really need to be given the Moviedrome treatment, if it ever did miraculously come back just for one season:
The perfect cherry on top would be if another notable director with an appreciation for cult genre movies such as Edgar Wright were to present them.
8 comments:
Wish I'd seen this post last night. The Moviedrome documentary definitely would have been a better watch than the England game.
Didn't see the match. Watched Triangle, instead.
There seems to be a long delay in updating new posts in my blog feed. I think it's happening for everyone on Blogger.
Blogspot has definitely been acting funny recently.
Good documentary. Stewart Lee's face is quietly morphing into Jim Davidson's face.
Found out this morning that Jim Davidson appeared in a British art-house film; Peter Greenaway's A Zed & Two Noughts (1985). Had to search for a screenshot of him in it because I didn't believe it.
Jim's legendary acting skillz, honed to perfection in his sitcom Up The Elephant & Round The Castle.
I love the fact that the Up the Elephant & Round the Castle theme was by the same composer of a bunch of 80s Italian Horror flicks.
MOVIEDROME sounds like it was a great showcase for the offbeat flicks that are really worth talking about. THE SADIST is a cult film worthy of attention anyway it can get it.
Moviedrome was essential viewing. Such a shame it is no longer on TV.
I only discovered The Sadist a few years ago. Needless to say, I was amazed by how mean spirited and nihilistic it was for its time. Can't help but think it paved the way for the likes of The Last House on the Left (1972) and Straw Dogs (1971); as well as the more obvious Badlands (1973).
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