CultFlicks.net

Rating:

Review

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland is a fantastic family adventure. Its cult status is solidly confirmed after resting in overall obscurity since its release in 1989. It follows the adventures of Nemo, a boy who pretends to sleepwalk in order to sneak off and steal some pie. He is visited at night by Professor Genius who is out to capture him and take him to Slumberland. Though it sounds like the perfect plot device for a CSI kidnap/rape case, it actually sets off a whimsical tale of love and escapism.

Reason to Watch

Little Nemo may seem like a children’s story, and it overtly is, but the ending is dark and twisted, the villains believable and sinister, and the plot progresses at a quality immediate pace. It sticks out in memory far and beyond family films of its kind.

Context

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland is simply one of the best children’s fantasy stories from Japan, and seems to include every specific cliche and plot device to make it as lovable and endearing as possible. To name a few- pretty princesses, flying squirrels, a circus, and a huge trainset.

Most Memorable Quote(s)

• Nemo: What are you wanted for? 
  Flip: Having fun. 
  Nemo: Having fun? 
  Flip: Yeah, they don’t like it when you have fun here. Heh. 
• Flip: Care to come along Princess’y? I’ll even let you carry my cigars. 
• Professor Genius: I am a professor. I am a genius. You may call me Professor Genius. And this is Bon Bon. 

What You Need to Get Through This Movie

A whimsical point of view of a nine year old boy, a love of toys, trains, and kings. No? Too hard? find a time machine or go watch some depressing story about a middle aged male with a receding hair line and 2 years shy of a midlife crisis

Trivia

• The Imp was the only character from the original comic strip to not make an appearance in this movie due to his racial caricature.
• This is the first anime film to receive a widespread national U.S. theatrical release.

Educational Content

Pretending to sleepwalk works if you want pie, doesn’t work if you want to go out to the bar late at night and pretend it wasn’t “you”

Justification for Rating

It may not be the most typical cult film, but in the world of family-friendly adventure films from Japan featuring boys in dreams, this one is surely the cream of the crop.

Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69637mM5-vM

Rating:

Review

A cult status can really elevate a film into something truly special. Highlander is an excellent film through and through. Upon its release, it received mediocre ratings and an overall pass. Yet through years of a dedicated following, the film saw a resurgence in the form of 4 terrible sequels, merchandise, and iconic status in its catchphrase and dialogue. There can be only one! Highlander is the story of a group of warriors who have been fighting to the “death” for centuries. The catch? The warriors are immortal, and only destiny can determine when this vicious battle will end. Connor is a skilled tactical fighter, but he obtains the training from Juan Sqanchex, played by Sean Connery, and the film really elevates into something unique.

Highlander is well constructed and enthralling, and for a cult film, it doesn’t rely on cheesy atypical scenarios and doesn’t break its own rules (probably because it wasn’t really meant to be a cult film given the actors and budget). Highlander’s intriguing plot stands the test of time.

Reason to Watch

Other than the fact that it truly is a cult classic in all regards, and essentially represents cult film-making in its prime form, it also has some amazing choreographed fight scenes. Sort of like Mortal Kombat, except with more tights.

Context

Highlander tells two key stories, and follows characters through hundreds of years of violence and trouble. outside of the premise, and it is quite a premise, you have a film that says a lot about the changing tides of culture wrapped in a casing of excellent swordsmanship and classic lines from Sean Connery.

Most Memorable Quote(s)

• Ramirez: Why does the sun come up, or are the stars just pinholes in the curtain of night? 
• Kurgan: Tonight you sleep in hell. 
• Angus MacLeod: He’s a Highlander, by God, and the last sound he hears should not be that of a wailing woman! 

What You Need to Get Through This Movie

You will probably need a to mail order a $1,000 sword from highlander. it’s hard to resist not buying one after Highlander.

Trivia

Christopher Lambert, who played Connor, had just barely learned to speak English when he took this role.

Rock band Queen scored the film.

All of Sean Connery‘s scenes had to be filmed in a week due to Connery’s schedule. He had a bet with director Russell Mulcahy that they would not finish in seven days, but Mulcahy won the bet. 

Educational Content

Sean Connery is a better teacher than you

Queen can record a great soundtrack better than you

Everyone and everything involved with this film is better than you

Justification for Rating

Highlander is just about the quintessential cult film, with a phenomenal and innovative story. The many sequels that get exponentially worse after each one, soils the premise and franchise

Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYOE_b4aYD0