Rock It, Elvis! Rock It!
As you can see, Elvis and his pelvis are VERY excited about the ten films I am about to share with you! What could go wrong?
Well, Patty Duke needs her “dolls”, because this list has some of the greatest cult films of all time!
My countdown of “Movies A-Z” is now on the letter “V”, which is full of amazing performances, campy cult films, and Elvis Presley as well!
Let’s get started with one of the greatest “camp” films of all time, a cult classic based on a provocative best seller!
Original Cinema Quad Poster – Movie Film Posters
10 – “Valley Of The Dolls”
What a way to start! This 1967 camp classic was based on the best-selling novel the year before by Jacqueline Susann…the story of young women making their way through a “far out” Hollywood!
Here is the trailer:
Patty Duke chews the scenery Neely O’ Hara, who succumbs to the temptations of Hollywood. This is the film that gave us the character of “Ted Casablanca”, a name used years later by the E! Entertainment Columnist.
Of course, a sequel of inevitable, but it wasn’t the sequel anyone saw coming!
That’s right, Softcore Director Russ Meyer teamed up on a sequel with Roger Ebert – YES, ROGER EBERT!
Click here to see how it ended!
https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/08/roger-ebert-teams-up-with-russ-meyer-russ-and-roger-go-beyond/
Exploitation cinema may have nudity and adult situations, but that doesn’t mean they are classic films!
9 – “The Vampire Lovers”
Hammer Studios decided to take a more “adult” approach to horror films int eh early 70’s, and this great cult film is the result!
Here is the trailer:
This is a great, atmospheric horror film, part of a great “Hammer Horror” trilogy – see more here:
Since we are talking Vampires, here is one more great erotic horror film from that era:
8 – “Vampyros Lesbos”
This 1971 film told the story of a Vampire temptress who favored the blood of another woman! Soledad Miranda became a star because of her performance – see the trailer here:
Miranda’s fame was short-lived, however, due to a tragic car accident. She the story of her biggest film – and her sad end – here:
Time to take a break a let “the King” entertain us!
7 – “Viva Las Vegas!”
How can this go wrong? Elvis! Ann-Margret! THAT SONG! Let’s check out the trailer!
Elvis made movies with thin plots, but he more than made up for it when he had a blast like this! And Ann-Margret may have been one of the 60’s most popular sex kittens, but she was amazingly talented as well!
This movie is a lot of fun, but if you want to know more about the incredible Ann Margret, click only story here:
Now, one of Paul Newman’s greatest performances:
6 – “The Verdict”
The great Director Sidney Lumet made this film, about an alcoholic Attorney who gets the case of a lifetime. Here is the trailer:
The film was nominated as Best Picture of 1982, and Lumet and Newman were both nominated as well. This is a great legal thriller, so check it out!
Now, time for a movie that was NEVER destined to be oscar-worthy, but boy is it entertaining!
5 – “Vixen!”
Russ Meyer made a name for himself with such classic films as “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” In 1968, he pushed the boundaries of cinema with “Vixen!”
Here is the trailer:
Meyer loved buxom women, but all of his films starred empowered women who kicked ass – here is a look at all of his movies:
https://johnrieber.com/2012/03/16/sexploitation-classics-the-russ-meyer-edition/
My wife Alex mentioned to me that I had to include her favorite “movie with a V”:
4 – “Vision Quest!”
Matthew Modine stars in this terrific 1985 coming of age story set in Spokane, Washington.
Matthew Modine and Frank Jasper wrestle in Vision Quest.
Matthew Modine stars as a high school wrestler with girls on his mind. Here is the trailer:
Linda Fiorentino stars as the girl who captures his imagination. It’s a really good movie, with terrific performances as well.
Speaking of classic performances:
3 – “Vertigo”
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films, and an example of what a great Actor James Stewart was as well. Here is the trailer for this masterpiece:
The film was shot in San Francisco, and the city’s iconic Cost tower is seen many times…here is a look at this iconic tower:
In the early 70’s, many filmmakers took on the establishment with low-budget films that tackled the Vietnam war, racism and police brutality…this film tackled them all:
2 – “Vanishing Point”
If you haven’t seen this counter-culture film, you are missing out on a wild, wild ride…here is the trailer:
I posted a story about this film, and the “cameo” role to top them all: “naked girl on motorcycle!”
See more here:
Finally, my list of “V” movies ends with visionary Director Takashi Miike, best known for this cerebral horror film “Audition” – but has made some of the most provocative films ever!
1 – “Visitor Q”
Almost impossible to describe, Miike’s film take viewers on a surreal ride.
Here is the wild wild wild trailer:
Miike has made a number of raw, edgy films like “Ichi The Killer”, but also mainstream films like “Thirteen Assassins” as well – here are some of his best:
So take some “Dolls” and dig into these films!
