BAD IDEA THEATER

Burning Man 2004 Movie Screenings

Silent Larry's Footnotes:

1). Ok, we cheat. Some of these movies aren't bad at all. Some of them we just like. If you were in the Bad Idea Theater and happened to see a good movie, we apologize. Really. We are sooooo sorry. Have some more punch.

2). How do you label a film that's intentionally bad? Is it bad, or good at being bad? Who needs labels anyway?

Aeon Flux (1995)
My apologies to those whom I told this DVD is in print and available. Used copies are apparently going for $20+ ish on ebay. My bad.

Barn of the Blood Llama (1997)
True Story: It's Wednesday night in the Bad Idea Theater, we are running the rare and highly deranged "Barn of the Blood Llama" for the first time ever. About 1/3 into the flick, a woman comes up to the bar and tells me "I'm in this movie!" Huh? She pointed to one of two women on the screen "That's me on the left." And it was her. She knew the lines. With her at the bar was another woman, who owned the titular barn of the blood llama! Neither one of them had ever seen a foot of the movie before they walked into Bad Idea Theater and saw it on our screen! Only at Burning Man...
Like an idiot, I did not write down her name. Oops. Next year I'll bring the DVD jacket for her autograph, should she happen by. But looking at the movie again, I'm pretty sure she is the "Janet" character (Lucinda Hinton). But I could be wrong.

Dr. Caligari (1989)
"I know you're watching me!" This is the flagship of our library. I have witnessed this film clear out theaters in the real world. At Burning Man; it packs the house. Are you looking for bizarre imagery for your theme camp? Watch this movie. Drugs are not required. This film deserves a DVD release. My laserdisc is rotting away...

The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)
A tad dated, but still has some gems. If you enjoyed the fake trailers for "Cleopatra Schwartz" & "Catholic High School Girls In Trouble", the PSA for "The United Appeal for the Dead", or the kung fu film parody "A Fistful of Yen"; you were watching this movie.

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)
A fine spoof and homage to the low-budget horror & science fiction films of the 50's, and a personal favorite. Blatant plug department; here's a Yahoo discussion group for The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, moderated by yours truly.

Lunchroom Manners (1960)
Fans of the first Pee-wee Herman Show, The (1981) (TV) (a stage act filmed for HBO) will remember portions of this grade-school propaganda short. If for nothing else, the biggest slice of cafeteria cake ever served. And for chrissakes, don't be like Mr. Bungle!

The Mystery of the Leaping Fish (1916)
When we put this on, I announced that although we show a lot of fake stuff at Bad Idea Theater, this was a real 1916 silent film. I'm not sure if anyone believed me. A parody of Sherlock Holmes, this is certainly the first film to integrate raging drug abuse into slapstick comedy.

Shake Hands With Danger (1975)
Every industrial safety film should have a theme song. But they generally don't, so this one really stands out. We have adopted it as the Bad Idea Theater camp song. Also, you wouldn't think a safety film that depicts fingers ground off, and hands severed, would get such laughs. But it does; go figure...

Wizard People, Dear Readers
I cannot tell you how heartbroken we were when technical difficulties clobbered this about one third through the showing. Next year, we get it right.