TRASH OR TREASURE? Harnessing the social power of ‘bad’ movies
A look at how my new BAR TRASH season TRASH OR TREASURE? is harnessing the power of ‘bad’ movies to get people talking.
ANNOUNCEMENT: New season of BAR TRASH – TRASH OR TREASURE? – to launch at Genesis Cinema on 18 Jan 2023!
TRASH OR TREASURE? For the new season of BAR TRASH, I’ll be resurrecting one of the most controversial movie lists of all time, The Golden Turkey Awards!
SUGAR HILL (1974)
An atmospheric blaxploitation revenger’s tale starring pant-suited Marki Bey & her silver-eyed zombie hitmen.
ANNOUNCEMENT: BAR TRASH presents TRASH PLANET – Full season revealed!
TRASH PLANET is a thrilling new season of 1970s eco-horror where nature goes on the rampage but man is the ultimate monster… Tickets from £1!
THE BLACK PHONE (2021)
Scott Derrickson’s highly theatrical adaptation of Joe Hill’s story of family and fraternity enduring violent threat has thrilling echoes of STAND BY ME.
BAR TRASH: A brief history of exploitation cinema, where imagination reigns supreme
A look back at a century of exploitation cinema as a source of “pure enjoyment and delight, despite improbable plots, ‘bad’ acting, or ragged film technique.”
PSYCHO (1960/Uncut 4K Restoration)
Not so much a review of the film, more of a reflection on the restoration – which is stunningly vivid – and the uncut theatrical version – which amplifies the horror.
FIRESTARTER (2022)
Keith Thomas’ remake is like food from a hastily arranged trip to the park with one of those disposable BBQ trays: burnt at the edges and raw in the middle.
FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973)
One line of dialogue says it all: “To know death, Otto, you have to fuck life… in the gall bladder!”. For once, a film that fully delivers on its promises, which will probably dictate whether or not it’s for you…
MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN (1994)
As if the lunatics of Bedlam have staged an amateur theatrical production of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece novel after seeing James Whale’s remarkable films… Hysterical, and not in a good way…
ANNOUNCEMENT: Our first QUEER HORROR NIGHTS season is all Q-RATED!
Queer Horror Nights are coming to London in 2022! The first season is Q-RATED!, a celebration of horror movies directed by queer filmmakers.
THE VELVET VAMPIRE (1971)
A young swinging couple get seduced in the desert lair of a mind-warping lady vamp, mourning the loss of her long-deceased husband whilst playing the game from both ends.