Rocky Horror Picture Show Review

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The movie was made in 1975 and became a cult classic playing in theaters around the country - and world - for years. It's still as corny, brilliant, shocking, and cheesy today as it was then. It's a must see, in my opinion. There's nothing quite like it and probably never will be.

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I was one of the millions around the country who headed to the theater every Friday night at midnight with props in hand to watch Rocky Horror Picture Show. All throughout college and well beyond, I trekked with my friends through rain, snow, and sleet to see the movie over and over. Now, I own it on DVD and, while it's still great, it isn't quite the same when I scream at the screen alone. Still, I honestly believe this is one of most amazing and crazy movies ever made.

I Would Like, If I May, to Take You on a Strange Journey ...

Rocky Horror Picture Show has such a crazy plot, I don't know where to begin. Tim Curry, who is never seen out of drag (and looks great in a bustier and heels) is Frank-N-Furter, a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania. And he is making a man, with blonde hair and a tan, who's good for relieving his ... tension. Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) are an innocent young couple whose car breaks down in a rainstorm and who go looking for a phone to call for help. They end up at Frank-N-Furter's place where there's a wild party going on. From there, the two see things they never saw before and do things they never thought they would. There is also a wild dance scene (Let's do the Time Warp Again!), a murder, the revelation that the guests are actually eating the murdered guy (Meatloaf for dinner again?), a sexually out of control (and very hot) blonde guy named Rocky who Frank-N-Furter made for himself, and the handyman and his sister end up taking over and blasting the whole place back to Transylvania.

Did I mention this is a musical? And narrated by Charles Gray throughout? None of the people in this movie except for Meat Loaf, who plays the bad boy who ends up as dinner, are singers per se but they all do admirable jobs - or maybe it's just that I have heard the songs so many hundreds of times that I think they sound great. Although this movie is rated R, there is no swearing and no overt sex scenes, save one quick nipple slip. I imagine the premise - men dressed in women's clothing and lusting other men as well as women, a brother and sister who are a LITTLE too close, and suggestive songs landed the R. I don't think it would be R rated if it were remade today.

This movie is a cult classic because fans began to participate rather than just watch. Rather than watch the rain scene, fans brought squirt bottles and newspapers to cover their heads and squirted to each other. Rather than just listen to the dialog, they brought rolls of toilet paper to hurl when the line, "Great Scott!" was uttered and toast to toss when Frank-N-Further proposed one on screen. The frenzy continued as fans jumped out of their seats and performed the Time Warp (It's just a jump to the left...) dance in the theaters. Soon, fans came dressed as their favorite character and, armed with the knowledge of every word that would be uttered, came up with their own come back lines to just about everything. It wasn't a movie, it was an interactive experience.

The DVD, Rocky Horror Picture Show (25th Anniversary Edition), brings back all those memories. While it isn't quite the same when I scream to the narrator to get a neck while I am watching in my living room (He really didn't have a neck, it seemed!), it's still great fun to watch. This two DVD set has an option for turning on the audience screen comments so you never feel alone or left out and another to watch members of the Rocky Horror Picture Show fan club performing scenes like you would see if you were at the theater. The second disc has loads of cast interviews 25 years after the movie was released and outtakes from the film as well as other goodies that any fan will enjoy. If you are inclined to get this movie, this version is the one to get for all the extras as well as the higher quality video and audio compared to the earlier versions.

This movie is bizarre and corny, a take off of old horror movies as well as heavily laced with sexual innuendo and lots of then-taboo subject matter. The songs are classic though and, although they, too, are corny, they're just great to listen to especially considering that many of the stars have moved way past this film and  having been doing serious work for two decades.

Richard O'Brien wrote the screenplay and also plays the handyman, Riff-Raff. He managed to take a totally absurd plot, many then unknown or little known actors, and a shoestring budget and make a move that lives on 32 years after its release. It may not be Singing in the Rain or Casablanca but millions of people worldwide know every word to the songs and every line of the dialog. Stage productions continue to this day and probably will for years to come. Although the magic of tossing everything but your cookies at the theaters is just about gone, the Rocky Horror Picture Show (25th Anniversary Edition) DVD brings back those memories and puts a huge smile on my face.

Don't Dream It, Be It

I could recite the words to this movie in my sleep. I can't think of another movie I have seen as often as I have this one. I practically grew up watching it and, to this day, will sit down and watch it again when I am down or have a few hours to myself. (My husband missed the wave, I think.) Rocky Horror Picture Show isn't for everyone but everyone should see it once to find out which side of the fence they are on with this movie. Open your minds and enjoy it for all it is and all it isn't. It's just a fun, crazy film that manages to combine the utterly absurd with flashes of brilliance. I love it and will watch it when I am 80, if I live that long. 5 stars and, when you watch this just remember, with a bit of a mind flip, you're there in the time slip and nothing can ever be the same... ;)