Porno (2019) Not as naughty as it thinks horror-comedy has teens tired of being lectured about religion unwittingly summoning a demon when they rebel and watch a film they shouldn't. TIL: Well, not much need to add any extra religious commentary to that summary is there?
Blood Rage (1987) Evil twin slices more than turkey breast at Thanksgiving. Super gory slasher that, if nothing else, is worth it for Louise Lasser's unhinged performance. TIL: God doesn't need or get anything out of our thanks and praise, but giving it absolutely changes us.
And as a public service...
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) P.J. Soles leads a student rebellion against her school's Ramones-hating principal. Utterly ridiculous and so much better than it has any right to be. TIL: Not exactly a rock star, but Pope John Paul II managed to release two multi-platinum CDs.
Still Voices - Killer Tongue (1996) "Violence of the tongue is very real - sharper than any knife, wounding and creating bitterness that only the grace of God can heal." - St. Teresa of Calcutta
Alice Cooper: The Nightmare (1975) The godfather of shock rock brings his act to TV. Further proof the boob tube was way more interesting in the 70's. TIL: “Even when I wasn’t Christian, I was saying that. God and the Devil. Don’t pick the Devil. It’s a bad idea.” - Alice Cooper
Dad Rock Diary: Yes - 90125 (1983) It eschews the band's progressive roots and leans into the corporate, but get over that and it actually holds up really well as a piece of 80's radio-ready rock. Laudable Lyrics: When we reach, we believe in eternity. I believe in eternity.
And finally, since it's World Toilet Day, be sure to read up on The Stufetta of Cardinal Bibbiena, the infamous bathroom on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City known for its elaborate frescoes with mythological scenes painted by none other than the Raphael school.
Sudden Death (1995) Peter Hyam's hostage thriller features Van Damme locked in mortal combat with a penguin mascot. That's sort of required viewing, right? TIL: 2 Timothy mentions being hostage to the devil, which means being so influenced by him that you comply with his will.
Dad Rock Diary: Spirit - The Family That Plays Together (1968) Yet another excellent eclectic jazz-tinted psych album with a hit single that's arguably its weakest track. Gets bonus points for the OG Psalm 133. Laudable Lyrics: Hineh Mah tov umah na'im shevet achim gam yachad.
Car Wash (1976) A day with crazy customers and crew. Above average as "hang-out" movies go. Could use more Richard Pryor, but what couldn't? TIL: Lots of ritual washing in the Bible, but the phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness” is actually from a 1778 sermon by John Wesley.
Sing A New Song: AC/DC - Power Up (2020) Remember the nervous breakdown the entire planet had when New Coke came out? Some formulas don't need changing and AC/DC knows it. Keep on rocking, lads. Laudable Lyrics: Crystal balls and an almanac; she gonna take you to hell and back.
The Most Dangerous Game (1932) Castaways find themselves hunted by a sociopathic sportsman. The original in its genre and still one of the best. TIL: Brought to fervid faith after encountering a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, Hubert is now the patron Saint of hunters.
Dad Rock Diary: New Order - Power, Corruption And Lies (1983) So, you thought synthesizers in the 80's were all about pep and pop? Poor deluded fools. Even the fastest songs here are somber and downbeat. Laudable Lyrics: Everybody makes mistakes, even me. Just be free.
Cats (2019) That blubbering noise you make when you wiggle your finger up and down between your lips. That's it. That's my whole review. TIL: Catholic liturgical drama started around the 10th century, though it wasn't part of mass and sure as heck didn't look anything like this.
Funny Book Philosophy: All-Star Comics 016 (1943)
Dad Rock Diary: Elvis Presley - Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite (1973) Maybe not his best live material (except for maybe An American Trilogy) but something about the totality of it all just really works. Laudable Lyrics: Glory, glory hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
The Intruder Within (1981) TV flick with great cast tries to do Alien on an oil rig and manages a pretty decent job given its budgetary limitations. TIL: While not a binding teaching, avid environmentalist Pope Francis suggests Catholics avoid fossil fuel-related investments.
Dad Rock Diary: Psychic TV - Dreams Less Sweet (1983) Schizophrenic mix of industrial, psych-pop, and hymnody might put some off for sure, but is just right for those who like the eclectic. Laudable Lyrics: And in the morning, after the night, I fall in love with the light.
And finally…
Johnny Firecloud (1975) Native American massacres the rednecks who lynched his grandfather. Nothing new, but perfect if you like'em gritty and mean. TIL: St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American Saint, did not massacre anyone. She did pray and fast a lot, though.
Dad Rock Diary: Cold Blood - Cold Blood (1969) Worthy, overlooked effort in the white-girl-sings-the-blues genre with a nice dash of horn rock thrown in for good measure. Laudable Lyrics: I wish I knew how It would feel to be free. I wish I could break all the chains holding me.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Phantom + Faust + Dorian Gray + DePalma + Paul Williams music + Beef adds up to 110% must watch dark looniness. TIL: Satan can't own souls, but people can sell them in the sense that they have the freedom to willfully submit to Satan’s service.
Sing A New Song: Tricot - 10 (2020) Because all-female Japanese math-rock with heavy King Crimson leanings is absolutely something you want to listen to. Laudable (sketchily translated) Lyrics: Weaving dance. Door leading to the spirit world. Become a circle. Call God!
13 Ghosts (1960) Family inherits their uncle's house, hidden treasure, and collection of really noisy spirits. Pure William castle fun, not to be taken seriously. TIL: It's important to remember that the Holy Ghost is a person, not an impersonal force. You can talk to a person.
Also, I completely disagree with Bogus Journey being on the list, but otherwise Catholic Skywalker offers up a pretty solid list of crushing disappointment in his continuing list of the 50 most disappointing movies of all time.
Zelig (1983) Brilliant Woody Allen mockumentary about a nobody who assimilates by taking on the appearance of anyone he meets. TIL: St. Paul's advice to be all things to all people doesn't mean to become them, but to share God with them in a way that's personally meaningful.
Mad Monster Party? (1967) Dr. Frankenstein assembles the world's finest fiends to announce his retirement. Pure animated gold for any monster kid. TIL: Pope Benedict XVI's retirement package was pretty decent, consisting of free housing, healthcare and about $3,300 per month.
And lest we forget, we may have lost the legendary Sean Connery, but thanks to him we will always have ZARDOZ, the most F'ed up pro-natural law movie made. My review from the archives.
The Parallax View (1974) Perfectly made piece of political paranoia has reporter Warren Beatty discovering just who it is that really runs our country. TIL: According to the Catechism, as authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself, it must act for the common good.
One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Nashville (1975) "Government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." - H. L. Mencken
And finally, here’s a little something I wrote for Scenes four years ago that seems even more appropriate this time around. - "No Safe Places: Horror Movies, the Election, and the Loss of Control."