Bizarre Movies

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Rated PG

Spirited Away is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film tells the story of Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who is separated from her parents and forced to work in a mysterious bathhouse in the spirit world. With the help of the bathhouse workers, Chihiro must learn to navigate the strange, magical world she has stumbled into, while also trying to save her parents and find a way to get them back to the human world. Along the way, she makes allies and friends, faces terrifying creatures, and discovers her own inner strength and courage.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr. It follows four characters—Sara Goldfarb, her son Harry, his girlfriend Marion, and his friend Tyrone—and their attempts to achieve their respective dreams, which quickly descend into addiction and despair. The film is characterized by its emotionally charged subject matter, dream-like visuals, and intense editing. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential films of the 2000s and has been the subject of critical and popular acclaim.

From David Lynch, starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud
Rated PG

The Elephant Man is a 1980 British-American biographical drama film directed by David Lynch and starring John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, and Michael Elphick. The film is based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (Hurt), a severely disfigured man in late 19th century London. Merrick suffers from physical deformities and is shunned by society. Dr. Frederick Treves (Hopkins) discovers Merrick and presents him to the London Hospital as a medical curiosity. Treves soon realizes that Merrick is intelligent and kind and decides to help him. Treves finds a home for Merrick at the London Hospital and attempts to bring him out of his isolated world into the public eye. The film follows Merrick's journey as he is accepted and rejected by 19th century society and the inner strength he discovers within himself.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr
Rated PG

The Wizard of Oz is an iconic 1939 musical fantasy film based on the novel of the same name by L. Frank Baum. The movie stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is transported to the magical Land of Oz by a tornado. Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, who help her on her quest to find the Wizard of Oz and find her way back home. Along the way, Dorothy and her companions have to face off against the Wicked Witch of the West and her army of flying monkeys. In the end, Dorothy learns the power of friendship and courage and is able to make it back home with the help of her newfound friends.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is a psychological horror-thriller film about a disturbed teenager, Donnie Darko, who is troubled by visions of a large, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. Donnie begins to question what he is seeing and begins to uncover a sinister conspiracy involving time travel and paranormal phenomena. As he struggles to make sense of his visions, Donnie must also deal with his increasingly unstable mental state and the pressure of fitting into his suburban community. With the help of his therapist, his sister, and a mysterious new friend, Donnie embarks on a journey of self-discovery as the world around him spirals out of control.

From Spike Jonze, starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
Rated R

Being John Malkovich is a 1999 dark comedy film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. It stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, and John Malkovich. The film follows a puppeteer named Craig Schwartz (Cusack) who discovers a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich (played by himself). After Craig and his co-worker Maxine (Keener) start charging people to be John Malkovich for 15 minutes each, they both become entangled in a bizarre love triangle with Maxine’s wife Lotte (Diaz). The film follows Craig’s bizarre journey of self-discovery as he comes to terms with his own identity and realizes the power of the portal.

From Tod Browning, starring Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Roscoe Ates
Rated Not Rated

Freaks is a 1932 American horror movie directed by Tod Browning and starring Wallace Ford, Harry Earles and Olga Baclanova. The movie follows a damaged carnival sideshow whose members are tricked and tormented by a trapeze artist, who eventually suffers a horrific fate. The movie was highly controversial upon its release due to its graphic depictions of physical deformity and its sympathetic portrayal of the truly "freakish". It has since become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror films of all time.

From Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas, Zamira Saunders, Juan Ferrara
Rated R

The Holy Mountain is an avant-garde surrealist fantasy film written and directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. The story follows a Thief who joins a group of people on a journey to find the legendary Holy Mountain, where it is said that those who reach the top will be granted immortality. The journey is filled with surrealistic and psychedelic imagery, and the group of seekers must overcome numerous spiritual and physical challenges along the way. The film explores themes of mythology, mysticism, and enlightenment. It is an exploration of the human condition, our search for meaning and purpose, and our ultimate quest for spiritual transcendence.

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker
Rated NC-17

From Jim Sharman, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien
Rated R

From David Lynch, starring Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph, Jeanne Bates
Rated Not Rated

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart
Rated R

From Andrzej Zulawski, starring Isabelle Adjani, Sam Neill, Margit Carstensen, Heinz Bennent
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky
Rated R

From Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky, José Legarreta, Alfonso Arau
Rated Not Rated

From Takashi Miike, starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Tetsu Sawaki, Jun Kunimura
Rated R

From David Slade, starring Patrick Wilson, Elliot Page, Sandra Oh, Odessa Rae
Rated R

From Clive Barker, starring Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm, Julian Sands
Rated R

From David Lynch, starring Karolina Gruszka, Krzysztof Majchrzak, Grace Zabriskie, Laura Dern
Rated R

From Tatia Rosenthal, starring Geoffrey Rush, Anthony LaPaglia, Samuel Johnson, Barry Otto
Rated R

From Apichatpong Weerasethakul, starring Thanapat Saisaymar, Jenjira Pongpas, Sakda Kaewbuadee, Natthakarn Aphaiwonk
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez, starring Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard, Bob Griffin
Rated R

From Peter Jackson, starring Terry Potter, Pete O'Herne, Craig Smith, Mike Minett
Rated Not Rated

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Debbie Doebereiner, Omar Cowan, Dustin James Ashley, Phyllis Workman
Rated R