From filmmaker, musician, former FANGORIA magazine editor-in-chief, DELIRIUM magazine co-founder/editor and CORMAN/POE author Chris Alexander comes ART! TRASH! TERROR!: Adventures in Strange Cinema, a new book from Headpress Publishing that collects a treasure trove of in-depth essays and edifying interviews that both analyze and celebrate some of the most eccentric and unforgettable movies in cult cinema history. From recognized classics, to misunderstood masterpieces, to unfairly maligned movies, ART! TRASH! TERROR! takes an alternately serious and playful – but always personal – look at several strains of diverse international horror, dark fantasy and exploitation film work; motion pictures that transform, transgress, challenge, infuriate, shock, and entertain.
To celebrate the release of the book, Cinelounge Sunset has teamed up with Alexander for the screening series “Chris Alexander’s ART! TRASH! TERROR! – Strange Cinema Celebration”. Taking over the theatre on January 25th and 26th, Alexander has curated a series of wild cult, horror and exploitation movies – including one of his own – and will read from his book while also welcoming some of his famous friends to the show to introduce the screenings and engage in lively, edifying Q&As.
Tickets are on sale now from the Cinelounge Eventbrite page.
The schedule is as follows:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25th
7pm – GRAVEYARD SHIFT (1990, actor Stephen Macht in attendance)
Based on the grimy Stephen King short story (published in his iconic anthology book “Night Shift”), director Ralph S. Singleton’s atmospheric, filthy and frightening over-the-edge monster movie has been often maligned and dismissed by many, including the author himself. But how very, very wrong those naysayers are! Featuring hordes of blood-hungry rats, layers of greasy sleaze, a stunning subterranean creature and a pair of wild performances courtesy of Brad Dourif and Stephen Macht, GRAVEYARD SHIFT is ripe (in more ways than one) for a renaissance! Joining Alexander for the show will be Macht, who will dissect the picture and tell tales of bringing his fascist foreman to lurid life!
9pm – MANIAC (1980, director William Lustig in attendance)
Taking its cues from TAXI DRIVER, “New Wave” psychodramas and Italian giallo films, director William Lustig’s unsparing New York-set slasher saga MANIAC needs no introduction – but Alexander and Lustig will give it just that, screening the film and then sitting down to speak about it, with each other and the audience. Lustig will be bringing the new 4K/7.1 surround sound version of the film, making this the “mother” of all MANIAC celebrations!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26th
4pm – NECROPOLIS: LEGION (2020 actors Augie Duke and Ali Chappell in attendance)
Chris Alexander’s first film for iconic exploitation film studio Full Moon is an ultra-low budget “spiritual sequel” to the riotous 1988 VHS rental favorite NECROPOLIS. Blending elements of that film, Mario Bava’s BLACK SUNDAY, Lucio Fulci’s THE BEYOND, the films of Jess Franco and Alexander’s own female-centric fever dreams, NECROPOLIS: LEGION (which features a moody score by RE-ANIMATOR’S Richard Band) tells the tale of vengeful, “mouth-breasted” vampire witch that rises from the grave to possess a too-curious writer who has moved into her house. Actors Augie Duke (TV’s MAYANS, MOON GARDEN) and Ali Chappell (GIRL WITH A STRAIGHT RAZOR) will introduce the movie along with some special surprise guest appearances!
7pm – RABID (1977, producer Don Carmody in attendance)
Director David Cronenberg’s second shocker (made right after 1975’s SHIVERS) might just be his “purest” horror film – a cold, creepy tale of a modern-day “Typhoid Mary” plague carrier named Rose (played by porn star Marilyn Chambers) who marauds around Montreal sucking blood through a penis in her armpit and leaving a horde of psychotic zombies in her wake. With eerie “scratch score” music, bright red gore, a sympathetic central turn and endless mad science and mayhem, RABID is a Canadian horror masterpiece. Joining Alexander at the show will be veteran producer Don Carmody, who not only also produced SHIVERS but is one of the founding fathers of the Canadian exploitation film.
9pm – NIGHT PATROL (1984, director Jackie Kong in attendance)
From the madwoman who made the deranged H.G. Lewis homage BLOOD DINER comes this even more maniacal comedy, a masterclass in bad taste and bizarre, near-surrealist transgressive filmmaking. From its first frames, this hilarious and vulgar sister to POLICE ADADEMY defies you to like it, as Kong and company cheerfully break every taboo that comes their way. Also starring THE EXORCIST’s Linda Blair and LEGEND’s Billy Barty among other oddball talents, NIGHT PATROL stands alone! Queen Kong herself will come to the show to speak about her mother of all dirty joke joints and take questions from the no-doubt dumbfounded audiences.
Copies of Chris Alexander’s book ART! TRASH! TERROR!: Adventures in Strange Cinema will be available at each screening. In addition to the Cinelounge event, Alexander will be signing the book at venerable Burbank horror culture bookstore Dark Delicacies on January 25th from 3pm-5pm. Joing Alexander will be filmmakers Joe Dante (THE HOWLING), Brett Leonard (HIDEAWAY, THE LAWNMOWER MAN), Anna Biller (THE LOVE WITCH) and more. Visit www.DarkDel.com for more details.
