Subversive Cinema

Art Hall

There are a lot of films out there, so it's only natural that a decent amount of strange content exists. These are the films we examine. Each week, I sit down with a guest and we take a look a one of these weird, whacky, or downright wrong cinematic entries. Each of them has something about it that makes it special — I call it the "Subversive Sauce" — and that is recipe we try to break down. Is it scientific? Absolutely not. Will you learn things you didn't know? Maybe. Might you hear about films worth checking out? Most definitely. Tune in and see what the subversion is all about! read less
TV & FilmTV & Film

Season 3

The Amazing Bulk (2012)
Aug 5 2022
The Amazing Bulk (2012)
A story about super powers through science, green screens, stock footage, and running in place.Listen in as me and returning guest, Chris, sit down for another choice cut recommended to me by this masochistic friend of the show.Directed by Lewis Schoenbrun (Aliens vs. Avatars, Queen Cobra) and written by Keith Schaffner (Queen Cobra, Demonoids), The Horror Times called the film "not interesting, fun, or enjoyable," while Mondo Bizzaro said "it is so terrible that it makes me laugh." Love it or hate it, you're right. This film has no in-between viewers. The only way to know which camp you land in is to watch it yourself.It tells the story of Henry "Hank" Howard (Jordan Lawson, Sunny Family Cult, The Black Prison), a young scientist toiling over the development of a super soldier serum under the supervision of asshole General Darwin (Terence Lording, The Amazing Bulk). At the same time, Hank is schtupping Darwin's daughter, Hannah (Shevaun Kastl, Criminal Minds, Heroes). After denied Hannah's hand in marriage by douchebag Darwin, Hank decides the best way to speed along results is to make himself a test subject. He injects himself with the serum and finds that when he gets angry he turns into a tornado which then turns into a variably-sized nude, purple man-beast. This purple aberration is pursued by dopey cops, the Bulk is pursuing the evil Dr. Kantlove in his Super Mario-like castle, and all the while Darwin is pulling the strings. It's a fucking mess.The film is currently available on Tubi and VUDU.Visit Chris' YouTube channel!
Cool as Ice (1991)
Aug 12 2022
Cool as Ice (1991)
A story about forbidden love, casual breaking and entering, random dancing, and Dutch angles.Listen in as me and new guest, Ben, pull on our patchwork pants and overly embroidered jackets to revisit this abomination of a cinematic vehicle meant to launch Vanilla Ice into movie stardom. Luckily for society it was a spectacular failure.Directed by David Kellogg (Inspector Gadget, Lusty Liaisons II) and written by David Stenn (Girl 27, She Was Marked for Murder), the Washington Post called the film "a cross between an after-school special and MTV video," while TV Guide said the film's "premise is utterly insupportable and [Kellogg's] direction renders the choices flat." Did I watch the same movie? These reviews, though low on the Metacritic score, seem kind. This film was a dumpster fire of epic proportions, and I will die on that hill.It tells the story of a kind-of-a-jerk rapper named Johnny (Vanilla Ice) getting stuck in a small town and pursuing a local girl named Kathy (Kristin Minter, Home Alone) who is already dating a definite jerk named Nick (John Newton, Alive, Melrose Place). Ice, erm-I mean Johnny, ambles around the town chasing after the freshly-graduated from high school Kathy, while his crew deals with a kooky elderly couple who try to fix a broken motorcycle. There is random dancing, Ice rapping, a backstory involving witness protection, and a kidnapping. It's a bit of a roaming mess. Get stoned and watch this one.The film is currently available on Prime Video if you feel like burning some cash.Find and follow Ben on Instagram: @benschyan
The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988)
Aug 19 2022
The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988)
A story about Hollywood, a man with a dream, special effects, and UNIONS.Listen in as me and new guest, Brian, travel to Tinseltown of yesteryear with this silly, impressive, and utterly fun ode/jibe at the movie business.Written and directed by Mike Jittlov (The Wizard of Speed and Time), Time Out called the film a "bizarre and wacky conglomeration of [special effects] and fantasy slapstick," and 366 Weird Movies said "there is something genuinely charming here." I have to be honest, when Brian suggested this film I thought it was going to be wretched. I have to say that I found it to be utterly delightful. Of course, my own struggles as a filmmaker certainly play a part in how I see this film. Perhaps it might be a bit more boring and annoying to non-industry people, but listen in and see what we have to say about the experience.It tells the story of filmmaker & special effects artist Mike Jittlov (played by himself) as he struggles to get his career going. He gets a chance to produce a segment for a TV program highlighting special effects. The thing he doesn't know is that the two producers have a bet going as to whether or not he'll be able to deliver the product on time. As Mike and his friends work to make their dreams come true, they find themselves beset on all sides by impossible union rules, overly zealous law enforcement, and the tax man. This movie is zany and definitely worth a watch.The film is currently available on YouTube. Yes, you read that correct. YouTube. For FREE.