What do you think?
Rate this book
Cult Midnight Movies: Discover the 37 Best Weird, Sleazy, Sexy, and Crazy Good Cinema Classics
Eraserhead to Blue Velvet to The Rocky Horror Picture Show to Harold and Maude—midnight movies keep you up way past your bedtime, whether you’re curled up on the couch or in a theater full of like-minded enthusiasts. They invoke responses ranging from “Why am I watching this?” to “I can’t believe I’m watching this!” In this collection of 37 essays drawn from his revered Cult Movies series, cult film specialist Danny Peary examines, dissects, defends, and exalts midnight movies from his unique and engaging perspective. His writing is a cornerstone of the cult film culture that continues to flourish today. New to this ebook series are Danny Peary’s cult movie checklists for each genre. Every midnight movie fan will walk away with newly discovered gems to watch, and a newfound appreciation of his or her favorites.
- GenresNonfictionFilm
478 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2014
15 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 14, 2015
I recently read and reviewed Danny Peary's Cult Horror Movies and I feel like that review pretty much sums up my thoughts on this one as well. Awesome selection of films, ranging from obvious to very obscure with great essays and interesting facts in each chapter. Great film read!
*Obtained through Netgalley for an honest review*
*Obtained through Netgalley for an honest review*
October 23, 2020
Books such as this, where an author highlights selected films (or albums, or games, or whatever) are always going to rely on the reader having more than a nodding interest in the selected works and the writer having more than just a basic knowledge of the underpinning subject. If neither are present then all one has is a collection of blog posts that can be passed over blithely.
Thankfully Peary's 'Cult Midnight Movies' is a very good effort that meets both criteria. The films he has selected are a relatively esoteric group, though he does have a penchant for movies of the 1960s and 1970s (perhaps due to the prolific production of cult films during those decades). There are some obvious choices ('The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Glen or Glenda', 'Last Tango in Paris') and some that are definitely out of left field ('El Topo', 'Cafe Flesh', 'Ms 45'). Peary's articles on each film are cogent critical discussions that provoke the reader to think about those movies he or she has seen, or pique one's curiosity if unseen, and most importantly the essays don't pull apart each film to the point of redundancy.
Peary's prose is mostly clear and easy to read, though at times it could be said he boxes a little too clever for anyone other than film fanatics. It is to be commended that he brings much of his own personal stories and emotions to each film discussion; movies, and especially those that are worthy of being called cult movies, need to evoke strong feelings of attachment, nostalgia, passion. After all, why would anyone want to sit through 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' for example if one doesn't want to really engage with the unique cinematic values of its director Russ Meyer? That Peary is critical of Meyer than perhaps other film fans or writers may be is of interest. Conversely, and as one who has had a long interest in the life and work of Ed Wood, Peary makes an intriguing argument for the intellectual artistry of that legendary Z-Grade director's work.
Probably the highest praise I can give Peary and this book is that where he writes about films I have seen he makes telling arguments that may confirm or conflict with my opinions. As for those films I've not seen his discussion of the movie makes me curious to see them. Like a great degustation menu or a compilation album 'Cult Midnight Movies' offers a range of items that supports a theme, and each one of those provide an impetus for further enjoyment.
In conclusion I have no qualms in recommending Peary's book to anyone who is a film fan with a penchant for the left-of-centre, the slightly obscure and the challenging. It might not be the most helpful entry point for those new to cult films (though there is a very extensive list of suggested titles in the appendix), however for dedicated lovers of weird and wonderful cinematic art it's a real page turner.
Thankfully Peary's 'Cult Midnight Movies' is a very good effort that meets both criteria. The films he has selected are a relatively esoteric group, though he does have a penchant for movies of the 1960s and 1970s (perhaps due to the prolific production of cult films during those decades). There are some obvious choices ('The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Glen or Glenda', 'Last Tango in Paris') and some that are definitely out of left field ('El Topo', 'Cafe Flesh', 'Ms 45'). Peary's articles on each film are cogent critical discussions that provoke the reader to think about those movies he or she has seen, or pique one's curiosity if unseen, and most importantly the essays don't pull apart each film to the point of redundancy.
Peary's prose is mostly clear and easy to read, though at times it could be said he boxes a little too clever for anyone other than film fanatics. It is to be commended that he brings much of his own personal stories and emotions to each film discussion; movies, and especially those that are worthy of being called cult movies, need to evoke strong feelings of attachment, nostalgia, passion. After all, why would anyone want to sit through 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' for example if one doesn't want to really engage with the unique cinematic values of its director Russ Meyer? That Peary is critical of Meyer than perhaps other film fans or writers may be is of interest. Conversely, and as one who has had a long interest in the life and work of Ed Wood, Peary makes an intriguing argument for the intellectual artistry of that legendary Z-Grade director's work.
Probably the highest praise I can give Peary and this book is that where he writes about films I have seen he makes telling arguments that may confirm or conflict with my opinions. As for those films I've not seen his discussion of the movie makes me curious to see them. Like a great degustation menu or a compilation album 'Cult Midnight Movies' offers a range of items that supports a theme, and each one of those provide an impetus for further enjoyment.
In conclusion I have no qualms in recommending Peary's book to anyone who is a film fan with a penchant for the left-of-centre, the slightly obscure and the challenging. It might not be the most helpful entry point for those new to cult films (though there is a very extensive list of suggested titles in the appendix), however for dedicated lovers of weird and wonderful cinematic art it's a real page turner.
August 22, 2022
Cult Midnight Movies explores 37 weird cult films. Each movie includes a few pages of a synopsis that is coupled with a bit of an essay exploring what makes the movie bizarre and strange. Out of the movies on this list, I had only seen about 3-4 of them, but it does include a good sampling of many I am aware of even if I've not seen them fully, including multiple David Lynch and Warhol movies, the beloved Rocky Horror Picture Show, and many similar films which are lesser known. It includes stills from the movie to split up the text of the synopsis. Most of the movies mentioned in here are older, and a lot of their "shock factor" just comes from featuring genuinely atrocious characters and plots including violence against animals and children, homophobia and transphobia, and just general nastiness, and doesn't really feature any nearer ones within this genre such as Donnie Darko, The Room, etc.
There is a long appendix at the back of films which fit the bill but weren't included in the 37 featured films of the book. I was hoping that perhaps this book would delve further into the history of Midnight Movies and what makes them unique from other cult genres, and perhaps delve into the culture of fan followings of each film (do they dress up as a specific character at screenings, do something unique like how The Room viewings often have a spoon throwing, quote specific lines to one another?) This read a little more like an article of "Top 37 Midnight Films" than what I was looking for.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
There is a long appendix at the back of films which fit the bill but weren't included in the 37 featured films of the book. I was hoping that perhaps this book would delve further into the history of Midnight Movies and what makes them unique from other cult genres, and perhaps delve into the culture of fan followings of each film (do they dress up as a specific character at screenings, do something unique like how The Room viewings often have a spoon throwing, quote specific lines to one another?) This read a little more like an article of "Top 37 Midnight Films" than what I was looking for.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
May 4, 2019
'Cult Midnight Movies: Discover the 37 Best Weird, Sleazy, Sexy, and Crazy Good Cinema Classics' by Danny Peary is an interesting overview of some cult classics, but the book could use some updating.
Every film includes a list of the stars, a synopsis, some stills from the film and Danny Peary's assessment of the film. The book has the classics like Easy Rider and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Eraserhead and Harold and Maude are included. There are films included that I wasn't familiar with like Greetings and Ms. 45.
I had a couple issues with the book. There are quite a few films the author doesn't actually seem to like. The inclusion of films that have fallen off the radar tells me this is an older book, and the lack of films from the late 1980s on would confirm this. There is an appendix that includes newer films like The Room.
I have seen a number of these. Some at midnight, some in art houses. Some of them hold up a bit better than others. It's an interesting collection if you are looking for something offbeat to watch.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Every film includes a list of the stars, a synopsis, some stills from the film and Danny Peary's assessment of the film. The book has the classics like Easy Rider and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Eraserhead and Harold and Maude are included. There are films included that I wasn't familiar with like Greetings and Ms. 45.
I had a couple issues with the book. There are quite a few films the author doesn't actually seem to like. The inclusion of films that have fallen off the radar tells me this is an older book, and the lack of films from the late 1980s on would confirm this. There is an appendix that includes newer films like The Room.
I have seen a number of these. Some at midnight, some in art houses. Some of them hold up a bit better than others. It's an interesting collection if you are looking for something offbeat to watch.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
February 1, 2018
Not a bad book
It might benefit from some updating to add other cult movies. But in general this was an enjoyable reminder of a youth spent watching many, if not most, of the films discussed.
It might benefit from some updating to add other cult movies. But in general this was an enjoyable reminder of a youth spent watching many, if not most, of the films discussed.
October 29, 2017
If you've read Peary's "Cult Movies" books you'll recognise a lot of these essays (and screenshots).
April 20, 2015
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
This book is a collection of 37 movies that could only be categorized as true cult movies, the subtext being the best weird, sleazy, sexy and crazy. The author gives very in-depth detail of the top movies in this genre. He includes, not only the details of the movies, his opinions no the movies, but also information on the actors, the making of the movies, the stories behind them, and also sorts of info.
I'm a huge movie fan. I love watching off-beat movies that would be considered cult favorites. However, I had only heard of some of the movies in this book, like John Waters' Pink Flamingos with the late great Divine, and had only watched one or two of them. This book gave me some great ideas for movies to try to track down. I would recommend it for anyone that loves these kinds of movies.
This book is a collection of 37 movies that could only be categorized as true cult movies, the subtext being the best weird, sleazy, sexy and crazy. The author gives very in-depth detail of the top movies in this genre. He includes, not only the details of the movies, his opinions no the movies, but also information on the actors, the making of the movies, the stories behind them, and also sorts of info.
I'm a huge movie fan. I love watching off-beat movies that would be considered cult favorites. However, I had only heard of some of the movies in this book, like John Waters' Pink Flamingos with the late great Divine, and had only watched one or two of them. This book gave me some great ideas for movies to try to track down. I would recommend it for anyone that loves these kinds of movies.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews