Thursday, January 6, 2011

New Cult Classic Exhibits the Passion of Tennessee Williams








If the cult movie scene is the cave of wonders in the animated classic Aladdin, then Tommy Wiseau is the diamond in the rough. As writer, director, producer and lead actor, one might say that The Room is his narciss-artistic love-child.


Photo from The Box Set


The Room was released to the world in 2003 as a drama of epic proportions -- newer dvd releases have been modified to better prepare the viewer for the "dark comedy" that has become the next Rocky Horror of the midnight movie scene. Tommy Wiseau plays the role of Johnny-- just your all-around-great-guy whose life falls apart when his future wife and best friend betray him. He was confused about the difference between 35mm and HD formats, so he filmed it with two cameras mounted side by side... and at one time planned on writing a book about it, I think...

Midnight showings are deservedly sweeping the nation (with the greatest and oldest following based out of LA). In the great state of Texas, the film is often shown at The Inwood Theatre in Dallas (SHOWING THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY!), and sometimes at The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX. You can also, you know, torrent it or buy it off Amazon for relatively cheap.

Actually, I would even recommend this because the film is great for small house parties or gatherings. A lot of the beauty of the film lies in the terribly awkward and hilarious dialogue, which (i've experienced) can be hard to catch if you're at a theatre full of die-hard fans-- throwing spoons and screaming "Because you're a woman!" is routine.

The mere fact that this movie exists makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I love watching it, I love watching other people see it for the first time, I love that Tommy spent millions on the movie and yet uses footage from the same sex scene to represent two separate encounters (rumor is the actress refused to do another take). I love it. And I dare you to sit through the whole thing without shutting your eyes...


~~**~~ Want to read the same thing in half the words? ~~**~~

The Room is the next Rocky Horror of the midnight movie scene. It can best be described the narciss-artistic love-child of writer, director, producer and lead actor, Tommy Wiseau.

Midnight showings are deservedly sweeping the nation-- throwing spoons and screaming "Because you're a woman!" is routine. In the great state of Texas, the film is showing THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT at The Inwood Theatre in Dallas. You can also, you know, torrent it or buy it off of Amazon for relatively cheap. Actually, I would even recommend this because the film is great for small house parties or gatherings.

I love The Room; if only because Tommy spent millions on the movie and yet uses footage from the same sex scene to represent two separate encounters (rumor is the actress refused to do another take). And I dare you to sit through the whole thing without shutting your eyes...

~~**~~ or half that? ~~**~~

The Room is the next Rocky Horror of the midnight movie scene. It can best be described the narciss-artistic love-child of writer, director, producer and lead actor, Tommy Wiseau.

The film is showing THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT at The Inwood Theatre in Dallas, TX! Do ittt!


2 comments:

  1. Ah, I'm very intrigued by this film now. I've always wanted all of the excitement of A Rocky Horror Picture Show midnight showing without having to watch A Rocky Horror Picture Show. This sounds promising.

    The Aladdin analogy is beautiful.

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  2. I like your aladdin analogy! very nice

    ReplyDelete