The Dark Backward (1991)

A story about sweat, garbage, terrible jokes, and a third arm.

Listen in as me and my guest, Kenny, talk through this star-studded, greasy little oddball flick.

Written and directed by Adam Rifkin (The Chase, Detroit Rock City, The Last Movie Star), this film has been lauded as a "pitch-black fable of show business at this sleaziest" by the Los Angeles Times, while also considered "a new low in cinematic ineptitude" by Rolling Stone. What is the truth? You'll have to watch and decide for yourself, but until then we take look at some of the more memorable and affecting elements of this film which has, in my mind, hands down THE best production design I've ever seen. You can just feel the oily condensation of the film's world.

It tells the story of garbage man-by-day and amateur comedian-by-night Marty Malt, played by Judd Nelson, and his smarmy, fame-seeking buddy Gus, played by Bill Paxton with his typically awesome bravado. The two casually move trash around during the day, but when the sun sets Marty takes the stage and tells some truly awful jokes, with piss poor timing to boot. All while Gus yucks it up and howls his support. One day, hot shot agent Jackie Chrome (Wayne Mr. Goddamn Vegas himself Newton) offers to check out Marty's show which sets the two friends aflutter with excitement that their train has finally come in. Unfortunately things don't go quite as planned... But all is not lost, for shortly thereafter Marty wakes up to find a third arm growing inexplicably from his back. To Jackie Chrome THAT is a talent!

Did we mention that this film also features Lara Flynn Boyle, James Can, and Rob Lowe? This movie is so delightfully weird that it cannot be missed.

The film is currently available on DVD.