People argue (often to the detriment of friendships) about what actually makes something a “ cult movie.” Does it have to be a weird movie? Or is it just one that wasn’t successful initially? Some movies have become so popular as a cult hit that many might assume they’ve always been popular. But while the exact definition is up for debate, few argue what movies actually fit the bill. Like This Is Spinal Tap, for example. In the new documentary series Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time, they explore these perennial favorites.
Plausible Films
The first installment, “Midnight Movies,” discusses films that gained a following through years of late-night screenings. You’ve got The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude, David Lynch‘s Eraserhead, and John Waters’ Pink Flamingos. Jeff Bridges and John Turturro discuss The Big Lebowski; Rob Reiner and Michael McKean talk about This is Spinal Tap.
In the below exclusive clip from the doc, the first part of which is available to rent or buy on VOD Tuesday, April 21, Reiner explains that Elon Musk is a big fan of Spinal Tap. Such a big fan that he wove in the most quoted line into the design of the Tesla automobile.
So Teslas do indeed go to 11. Who’d have guessed? People who own Teslas, probably. But why shouldn’t they? It’s one louder.
Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time is a three-part series, with one part dropping each month. Each episode features hosts Joe Dante, Illeana Douglas, Kevin Pollak, and John Waters and a slew of writers, directors, actors, critics, scholars, and fans. I was honored to take part in the proceedings, so if you watch the three episodes, you’ll see your old pal Kyle Anderson quite a bit.
Episode one is “Midnight Movies” and is out April 21; episode two “Horror and Sci-Fi,” will drop May 21. It looks at movies like Blade Runner, A Clockwork Orange, Night of the Living Dead, and The Evil Dead. Jeff Goldblum himself is even on hand to discuss The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, a movie, I mention in the documentary, you can watch a million times and never fully know what it’s about. But I love it!
And episode three, “Comedy & Camp,” will premiere June 23. That one will focus on movies like The Room, Clerks, Rock & Roll High School, Office Space, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. You will also get to hear why John Cleese thinks Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a bad movie that he’s surprised anyone likes. Go figure.
Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time is available on Amazon, iTunes, Apple TV, VUDU, and all your favorite platforms.
Featured Image: Embassy Pictures
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!
