Post by darkwingdork on Sept 23, 2009 14:34:56 GMT -5
As a public service, I've decided to present this list of the different levels of B-movie watching so that people like you could be well informed as to just how much commitment is put into the whole process.
As an example, I've decided to include animation viewing habits as a sample category for each level.
Level 1: Mainstream movie watcher
Viewing habits: "Only Hollywood movies, d**n it! I don't want to watch anything that doesn't feature movie stars or wasn't market-tested to make sure it had enough explosions." Has probably stumbled across a B-movie during late-night channel surfing or a trip to the Sci-Fi Channel. May or may not pique further interest.
Animation viewing: "Only Disney! I don't want any of that Japanese crap!"
Level 2: B-curious
Viewing habits: Still primarily a mainstream movie watcher (75%-95%) but has started to venture into checking out the more well-known B-movies. At this level, the viewer will probable have their first experience with Roger Corman movies. Will stick with movies that at least are acknowledged in the mainstream media, like Scanners or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Animation viewing: Still sticking mostly with Disney, but will have checked out some Don Bluth animation as well. Maybe watched a safe anime movie, like a Miyazaki film.
Level 3: B-movie fan
Viewing habits: While at least 50%-75% of his viewing habit will be mainstream films, at this point the viewer has began actively seeking out B-movies that are popular among genre fans. At this level you'll be watching The Evil Dead, Dead Alive and Hard-Boiled. When people tell the viewer they need to check out some lesser-known slasher movie from the early '80s like The Burning or Just Before Dawn or some cheesy, gory monster movie like Piranha or Q, he will do so.
Animation viewing: Stumbled away from mainstream animation at this point. At this level, the viewer may have their first viewing of a Ralph Bakshi film. Anime like Vampire Hunter D or Blood: The Last Vampire will be seen for the first time at this level.
Extra-curricular activities: The viewer will be scanning B-movie websites at this point, learning from the masters which movies are the ones to watch and which ones should be avoided. Plus he is picking up genre terms at this point.
Level 4: B-movie devotee
Viewing habits: Has invested a considerable amount of his viewing to B-movies by this point. Can go into great detail about the directing style of Larry Cohen, Albert Pyun, Roger Corman or Tobe Hooper. Maybe beginning to deride big-budget Hollywood schlock movies as being empty rip-offs of genre classics. ("Why the hell are they remaking The Hitcher? It was done right the first time!") Is familiar with production companies by name. At this level, should easily have watched a dozen or so movies that could kindly be described as homages to Alien ("I liked Mutant, but Creature was even better!"). Should be an MST3K or Joe Bob Briggs fan. Has most certainly watched a few Troma films.
Animation viewing:Long past staying in the mainstream at this point. HAS watched stuff like Heavy Metal, Rock 'N Rule and Allegro non troppo. You know that anime section at your local Best Buy? Yeah, this person actually buys stuff from there.
Extra-curricular activities: Started to attend conventions. May be involved in the making a low-budget exploitation film.
Level 5: B-movie madman
Viewing habits: Watches B-movies as primary means of entertainment. Has gone so far overboard that he considers Corman to be mainstream. Herschell Gordon Lewis and Ed Wood are lauded as geniuses. Can't understand why Russ Meyer was never given the credit he deserves. Watches direct-to-video sh*t like Killjoy and Leprechaun 4 without the slightest sense of irony.
Animation viewing: Bootlegs of foreign animated movies that never get released in the U.S. Watches tentacle-rape hentai animation. Knows where to score the uncut versions of offensive cartoons predating the Civil Rights movement.
Extra-curricular activities: Definitely knows some people who are making low-budget horror movies. May have attended enough conventions that he knows genre actors like Kane Hodder and Linnea Quigley on the first name basis. Has hired Larry Zerner to represent them for legal issues.
As an example, I've decided to include animation viewing habits as a sample category for each level.
Level 1: Mainstream movie watcher
Viewing habits: "Only Hollywood movies, d**n it! I don't want to watch anything that doesn't feature movie stars or wasn't market-tested to make sure it had enough explosions." Has probably stumbled across a B-movie during late-night channel surfing or a trip to the Sci-Fi Channel. May or may not pique further interest.
Animation viewing: "Only Disney! I don't want any of that Japanese crap!"
Level 2: B-curious
Viewing habits: Still primarily a mainstream movie watcher (75%-95%) but has started to venture into checking out the more well-known B-movies. At this level, the viewer will probable have their first experience with Roger Corman movies. Will stick with movies that at least are acknowledged in the mainstream media, like Scanners or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Animation viewing: Still sticking mostly with Disney, but will have checked out some Don Bluth animation as well. Maybe watched a safe anime movie, like a Miyazaki film.
Level 3: B-movie fan
Viewing habits: While at least 50%-75% of his viewing habit will be mainstream films, at this point the viewer has began actively seeking out B-movies that are popular among genre fans. At this level you'll be watching The Evil Dead, Dead Alive and Hard-Boiled. When people tell the viewer they need to check out some lesser-known slasher movie from the early '80s like The Burning or Just Before Dawn or some cheesy, gory monster movie like Piranha or Q, he will do so.
Animation viewing: Stumbled away from mainstream animation at this point. At this level, the viewer may have their first viewing of a Ralph Bakshi film. Anime like Vampire Hunter D or Blood: The Last Vampire will be seen for the first time at this level.
Extra-curricular activities: The viewer will be scanning B-movie websites at this point, learning from the masters which movies are the ones to watch and which ones should be avoided. Plus he is picking up genre terms at this point.
Level 4: B-movie devotee
Viewing habits: Has invested a considerable amount of his viewing to B-movies by this point. Can go into great detail about the directing style of Larry Cohen, Albert Pyun, Roger Corman or Tobe Hooper. Maybe beginning to deride big-budget Hollywood schlock movies as being empty rip-offs of genre classics. ("Why the hell are they remaking The Hitcher? It was done right the first time!") Is familiar with production companies by name. At this level, should easily have watched a dozen or so movies that could kindly be described as homages to Alien ("I liked Mutant, but Creature was even better!"). Should be an MST3K or Joe Bob Briggs fan. Has most certainly watched a few Troma films.
Animation viewing:Long past staying in the mainstream at this point. HAS watched stuff like Heavy Metal, Rock 'N Rule and Allegro non troppo. You know that anime section at your local Best Buy? Yeah, this person actually buys stuff from there.
Extra-curricular activities: Started to attend conventions. May be involved in the making a low-budget exploitation film.
Level 5: B-movie madman
Viewing habits: Watches B-movies as primary means of entertainment. Has gone so far overboard that he considers Corman to be mainstream. Herschell Gordon Lewis and Ed Wood are lauded as geniuses. Can't understand why Russ Meyer was never given the credit he deserves. Watches direct-to-video sh*t like Killjoy and Leprechaun 4 without the slightest sense of irony.
Animation viewing: Bootlegs of foreign animated movies that never get released in the U.S. Watches tentacle-rape hentai animation. Knows where to score the uncut versions of offensive cartoons predating the Civil Rights movement.
Extra-curricular activities: Definitely knows some people who are making low-budget horror movies. May have attended enough conventions that he knows genre actors like Kane Hodder and Linnea Quigley on the first name basis. Has hired Larry Zerner to represent them for legal issues.