THE GREATEST CULT FILMS OF THE 1970's

One of the coolest guys out there, The Mike of From Midnight, With Love has graced many horror journalists the world over to come up with five of our Most Essential Cult Movies of the 1970's.  While horror is surely my forte, I would be lying if I didn't confess my undying love for all things campy and feathered.  The challenge is to do a top 5 list, and trying to assemble all of my love for 70's cult films into just 5 was EXTREMELY difficult. That being said, here are my top 5.

05) BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS

One of the most "schlocking" films of its time, Russ Meyer roundhouse kicked down the bar of going over the top with the now infamous sequel.  Following The Kelly Affair (later the Carrie Nations), a overhyped femme rock band, on their route to Los Angeles to track down Kelly's estranged aunt.  On the way they run into rock mogul Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzel and are thrust into the rock and roll lifestyle of raunchy sexual experimentations, drugs up the ying yang, and partying like it's 1999.  The film is ridiculously tasteless and yet I could watch it every day of my life.  Thanks, Roger Ebert

04) I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE/DAY OF THE WOMAN

It goes without saying that ISOYG/DOTW is one of my favorite films of all time.  Rape/Revenge aside, ISOYG/DOTW has gained a cult-like status of near epic proportions, but unfortunately finds itself amongst the ranks of other upcoming watered down and tragically remade horror classics.  I still have my fingers crossed for it to not totally suck, but I'm not holding my breath.

03) DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS

This is by far the biggest cock-tease of any lesbian vampire movie of the 1970's.  It really doesn't get much better though.  The movie is incredibly sadistic and chock full of sexual tension, but never gives a straight up scene of using thighs as earmuffs.  Most people see it as a let down, but I find it to be an extremely effective tool.  I love this movie, and you should too.

02) SUSPIRIA

That video is the reason why. Enough said.

01) THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

If anyone out there assumed I'd pick anything other than this, they clearly haven't been paying attention to anything in the past two years.  I'm obsessed with RHPS, but the best part is that I'm in good company.  Unconventional conventionalists travel along in packs to spread the love for Rocky Horror even today, 35 years later.  It is THE granddaddy of all cult films, and there's absolutely NOTHING that can even come close to its magnitude of brilliance.