Comic Book Confidential (1988)

Comic Book Confidential is documentary by Ron Mann that examines the phenomenon of comic books in the United States since their inception in the 1930's up to the present (which at the time was the late 1980's).

The film does a nice job of explaining the history of the medium through an array of quality interviews with comic pioneers like William M. Gaines (founder of EC Comics and MAD Magazine), Jack Kirby (creator of Captain America) and Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit). The documentary also examines much of the controversy that surrounded comic books in their early days when many, including the US government, were of a mind that comic books could be the downfall of the nation's youth.

The film touches on the super hero genre (with interviews with Marvel's Stan Lee) but mainly focuses on the outsiders and underground comic evolution. There are many great interviews with R. Crumb (Zap!, Mr. Natural, Fritz the Cat), Art Spiegelman (RAW, Maus), Gilbert Shelton (The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) and Harvey Pekar (American Splendor). There is also an examination of the role of women in comic books with the likes of Lynda Barry (Ernie Pook's Comeek) and Shary Flenniken (Trots and Bonnie). The film also visits with some then relatively new faces to the art form like Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets), Frank Miller (The Watchmen) and Sue Coe (How to Commit Suicide in South Africa).

The interviews are fantastic and are juxtaposed together nicely with examples of the artist's work, often narrated by the artist themselves. Fans of comic books will definitely enjoy this trip through the diverse and wonderful world of comics.

Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982)

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains is a long-lost teen punk rock movie from 1981, that was shelved by Paramount and never saw and official release. Since then the movie has obtained a cult following by those who actually saw the film at midnight showings in art house theaters or, more likely, on late night cable TV.

The film follows a group of runaway teenage girls, lead by the sassy Diane Lane (only 15 at the time of filming). Posing as a band (The Stains), even though none of them have any musical experience, the girls quickly end up on a rag-tag rock tour with an aging glam rock band (The Metal Corpses), an up-and-coming punk band (The Looters, featuring members of the Sex Pistols and the Clash) and a Jamacian bus driver named Lawnboy. What they lack in experience they make up for in attitude and style and quickly (almost comically so) gain a devoted following of young girls.

The film isn't perfect. Some of the acting isn't great and the story is pretty far from realistic. But LAGTFS is a fun jab at the music industry and features a lot of surprisingly good punk rock music. Some may even say this movie was the genesis of the Riot Grrl movement of the early 90's. The real gem of the movie, though, is the young, engaging Diane Lane who is so good as the troubled teen it's easy to see why she went on to become such a celebrated actress. Fans of vintage punk rock will delight in the excellent, quirky music (I may have to purchase the soundtrack) and fans of 80's teen movies will connect with the young stars as they bash their way through the brutal world of rock 'n roll.

The Apple (1980)

The Apple is unlike any film you've ever seen before. A futuristic, sci-fi, Biblical musical! Absolutely ridiculous in every way. Set in the distant future of 1994(!), the "plot" centers around a pair of naive, young musicians, Bibi and Alphi (played by Catherine Mary Stewart and George Gilmour), who quickly get caught up in the decadent and sinister music industry. The couple enters an American Idol-esque talent competition and quickly gain the attention of Mr. Boogalow (played by Vladek Sheybal), all-mighty music producer and president of BIM: Boogalow International Music. Apparently, in 1994 BIM is a giant, controlling conglomerate that rules over almost all facets of public life. Bibi and Alphi are quickly taken under BIM's wing and offered a recording contract. While Bibi is excited by the offer, Alphi is hesitant and untrusting of Mr. Boogalow. The pair are soon separated as Bibi gets swept up in the glitzy world of show business as Alphi constructs a plan to get her back. As ridiculous as it sounds.

The movie features some of the most ill-concieved and mind-numbingly cheesy musical numbers in film history. Still, you can't help but be drawn in by just how silly the film is. With each scene being more ridiculous than the last, the film will never have you bored. With as much camp value as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this is a must-see for fans of classic cult cinema.