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Anytime a collection of movies become known as cult films, you as the prospective watcher of said movies have a pretty good idea of what you are in for, right? Then again, like many words these days, the term ‘cult film’ has almost lost a bit of its meaning because it’s been used into the ground. In the same way that not all movies are legendary or all-time classics, not every movie that seems a little different can be considered to have reached cult status. Inevitably, this leaves one question — what exactly is a cult film? That’s a tough question to answer. Labeling a movie as a cult film means something different to just about everyone you’ll encounter. Some will tell you that the a movie that had obvious genius but was panned by critics & had low box-office numbers is perfect for cult status. Then again, others will say that a cult movie is better defined as having had low box-office numbers and been panned by audiences yet loved by critics. Well, which one is it? Other cult films tend to have a ton of nostalgic baggage that comes along with them, which makes you wonder whether people keep watching a bad movie because it’s actually good or because it reminds them of when they were kids. Still others can’t believe you’ve never seen such a great movie, but they are also hesitant on having too many people be aware of their prized cult classic because then it would be tainted. Whichever way you look at it, here are five movies that have achieved cult status. How said status was claimed and by what definition it came from isn’t the real concern here. This just happen to be a handful of cult films that you should have already seen and certainly bear a repeat viewing: Easy Rider — Perhaps one of the great counterculture movies ever made regardless of the era. It’s the ending that has probably given this movie so much traction over the decades, but you can’t argue with its impact. They Live — During the decade of excess (1980s), this movie comes along and lets a complete nobody see the world for what it is. We’re being duped, and unless we do something about it, we’re toast. This movie has some serious themes brewing. Showgirls — A notorious film that essentially derailed the promising career of a young TV starlet trying to go big in Hollywood. It’s been blasted for terrible acting, writing, and just about everything involved in its making, but in the last few years, it’s been talked about as a sleeper of a masterpiece. Freaks — One of the more infamous films ever made, and it’s a horror film to boot. A revenge horror film cast with circus performers with actual disabilities, the audience is not allowed the safety of knowing what they’re seeing isn’t real. The Room — Known as the worst movie ever made in many circles, this movie finds itself being hailed as high art. Watch it to say you’ve seen it, and make a decision for yourself. If you feel a certain way about it, you’re right. Finally, one point that often emerges when discussing cult films is whether they are actually any good. Truth be told, sometimes a movie is just terrible and trying to attribute genius to it does a disservice to movies as a whole. What’s more, just because you “get it” and others don’t doesn’t mean they’re idiots — it might just mean you have terrible taste in movies. Click here for the cult films in Albuquerque ABQ that will become tomorrow’s cult classics.
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