John Waters' early stuff - just go for it?

[Narshty]

I do love Serial Mom, and was thinking of picking up that, Pink Flamingos/Female Trouble and Polyester/Desperate Living.

Apart from the near-legendary commentaries, are the films themselves just as much fun as these quotes suggest?

"Francine! Don't you know it's bad luck to let retarded people into your home?"

"I'm not getting married! I'm getting an abortion and I can't wait!"

"I wouldn't suck your dick if I was suffocating and your balls were full of oxygen!"

"You can lick my raw hemorrhoids, you fat pig!"

"You better not have left any pecker tracks on my gown!"

"I believe my porno theater PREVENTS rape!"

"Does blood excite you?" "Yes it does! Not only does it turn me on, it makes me come!"

[Michael Brooke]

Seldom has the phrase "acquired taste" been more appropriate - so it's really up to you!

But I imagine (I haven't listened to them yet) John Waters' commentaries make up for one hell of a lot.

For historical/cultural reasons, the <I>Pink Flamingos/Female Trouble</I> set is probably the one to go for (<I>Female Trouble</I> is my personal favourite of the four films) - though you should be warned that we're talking the production values and budget of an early 1970s home movie, and apparently the anamorphic transfer has had the unhappy side-effect of cropping the original 4:3 compositions, which I'm not too happy about (let's face it, with films shot on ultra-grainy 16mm, anamorphic enhancement really isn't going to make much difference!). For more details, see DVD File's review <A HREF="http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_4/waterscollection_3.html">here</A>.

The other two films are rather more accomplished technically (having the cinematography done by someone other than Waters made a <U>big</U> difference, and <I>Polyester</I> was even in 35mm), though I don't find them quite as satisfying as films. That said, I haven't seen them in fifteen years or so and I haven't got round to watching the DVDs yet, so I may change my mind. Again, here's DVD File's <A HREF="http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_3/waterscollection_2.html">review</A> - and, for contrast, here's a DVD Verdict <A HREF="http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/johnwaterscoll.shtml">review</A> which... well, let's just say the author clearly isn't a John Waters fan and is never likely to be!

[APPRIA40WR]

I recently watched the DVDs Polyester and Desperate Loving and although I 'enjoyed' Polyester I thought DL was completely disgusting (be warned not a film for dog lovers) :D

If you like the look of them then go and get them cos it's worth the admission!

You'll find reviews of his 4 'classics' here (http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_4/waterscollection_3.html) & here (http://www.dvdauthority.com/polyester.htm)


You'll find Pink Flamingos and Female trouble (2 DVD set) at the unbeatable price of £15.99inc from www.*********.com For the other 2 DVD set try www.absound.ca or www.dvdboxoffice.com for the best price.

[AndyWilson]

I've recently watched all 6 films in the John Waters collection, most of the early ones I hadn't seen for years, and I'm gonna be heretical and say that Hairspray is Waters' best movie by far.

Looking back at Pink Flamingos with the benefit of 3 decades of hindsight the deliberate "shock tactics" date it badly, although I've yet to listen to the commentary which will undoubtedly redeem it and place it more in context. (I would recommend, if not insist on, a purchase of the documentary Divine Trash for any John Waters fan too!) The only movie in the collection I hadn't seen before was Desperate Living and I was pleasantly suprised - I thought it would really suffer from the lack of Divine but it had enough of Waters' one liners to keep me sniggering throughout, and the commentary is again unmissable, although (insert name of actress I've forgotten) doesn't seem to be the smartest egg in the basket (PF pun unitentional). I didn't have good memories of Polyester but re-watching it, it does seem to be the movie where Divine proves he can really act, and sets him up for his wonderful Hairspray performance.

Of the commentaries I've listened too in the collection, again Hairspray is the best, athough I might be prejudiced 'cos I love the film so much. It's just a pity Waters and Lake were recorded seperately, I'd love to have heard them talking about the film together!

[Michael Brooke]

<B>I'm gonna be heretical and say that Hairspray is Waters' best movie by far.</B>

Nothing heretical about that at all - loads of people would agree with you, including me.

In fact, I'll go even further and say that <I>Hairspray</I> is Waters' only total and unequivocal success as a film - everything else is severely flawed on several levels, both artistically and technically. I love him madly as a person, but he's an awful director!

[FaustBos]

Originally posted by AndyWilson
I've recently watched all 6 films in the John Waters collection, most of the early ones I hadn't seen for years, and I'm gonna be heretical and say that Hairspray is Waters' best movie by far. Me too. I think its his best. I didnt realize it was out! So glad I found this thread. I take it this a box set of films? Can anyone comment on the OAR of each disk? I haven't checked yet. Im most interested in Hairspray, but would like to have the others if the commentaries are as good as i'm hearing.

Jim

Added later: Ah, the links to the reviews had the info I needed!

[Michael Brooke]

New Line's John Waters discs are presented as three double-bill packs at amazingly low prices: <I>Pink Flamingos/Female Trouble</I>, <I>Desperate Living/Polyester</I> (the latter with a scratch-and-sniff Odorama card) and <I>Hairspray/Pecker</I>.

Other Waters titles available include <I>Serial Mom</I> and <I>Cecil B Demented</I> (<I>Pecker</I> was also available as a one-off, but it's identical to the disc in the double-bill pack, so it's not worth buying on its own), which leaves <I>Cry-Baby</I> and the early features <I>Multiple Maniacs</I> and <I>Mondo Trasho</I> still to be released.

Every single film contains a Waters commentary, and on the strength of the four I've listened to they can all be thoroughly recommended - he's an absolute natural as a DVD commentator. In fact, the commentaries tend to make the films a fair bit funnier (I thought <I>Cecil B Demented</I> was pretty rancid as a film, but after listening to Waters' commentary I almost liked it!)

[Michael Brooke]

<B>Can anyone comment on the OAR of each disk? </B>

The DVDs are all 16:9 anamorphic - which is fine for the later films, but <I>Pink Flamingos</I> and <I>Female Trouble</I> were very definitely originally shot in 4:3, and have therefore been cropped - and apparently the cropping is very noticeable. I'm quite surprised Waters didn't comment on this, given his involvement.

I don't know what ratio <I>Desperate Living</I> was in - like the first two, it was shot in 16mm, but I think Waters knew about theatrical aspect ratios by then (having learned the hard way with his earlier, semi-amateur efforts), so it may have been composed for widescreen. I haven't watched the DVD yet.

[APPRIA40WR]

NB: The Polyester/Desperate Living link above has been corrected.

Desperate Living is full screen (as it was made) and relatively speaking compared to Polyester it's a poor transfer.

I assume that's the best they could get/do.

[Narshty]

Right, that's that ordered, then! :) At least, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Desperate Living and Polyester. I remember loving Hairspray on Channel 4 once, but then being made to go to bed. Since it comes with Pecker, a film I have not the slightest interest in, I'll get it for Christmas, possibly along with Serial Mom (a personal fave!)

Wish me luck! :(

[APPRIA40WR]

I hated Pecker -I just didn't 'connect' :D

I enjoyed Hairspray (how can someone resist a film with a character called Franklin von Tussle :D) and loved Kathleen Turner in Serial Mom.