Movies have a unique way of shifting and changing to better fit the next generations it's targeting. No longer do we have black and white movies, or awkwardly-thrown-in dance numbers that have no correlation to the plot. Instead we have insane graphics and visions that focus on the issues we face in our current societies and cultures. Yet, even with this change, we have a select few that maintain their high title in the genre of 'cult classics'. A cult classic is a film that's focused specifically for a group of people, yet everyone has somehow seen it. These highly unusual yet mind-thrillingly stunning movies are hypnotic and almost spiritual. Here's a list of the top five best cult classics of our time.
1. Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This all time classic is weird and hilarious with an aesthetic to die for. Not only are the musical numbers addictive, but the characters are wacky enough to easily fall in love with. Tim Curry plays the illustrious Dr. Frankenfurter who plays god and creates a man. The story follows a young couple who 'happen' to get stuck and need help from Frankenfurter, but their lives take a dramatic twist from rather bland and prudish to...a rather more exotic lifestyle.
2. Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller about time and how certain events can completely alter the future. Following the story of Donnie (a little baby Jake Gyllenhaal), the audience watches how he struggles with knowing when the end of the world will happen, yet no one seems to believe him. Along with a creepy bunny, an amazing soundtrack, and a stellar cast, Donnie Darko will get you hooked...and then make you reevaluate your whole life.
3. The Virgin Suicides (2000)
From the pretty clear title, this movie is not the happiest. Following the lives of these oppressed sisters through the narration of the neighborhood boys, you get easily sucked into their extremely pure and strict lives with rapt attention. They embody all that their parents want them to be, until the youngest one kills herself. From there it goes even further down hill, pulling you in with them. A bit of a triggering film, this soft colored movie has an incredible script and a must see ending that'll leave you even more intrigued.
4. American Beauty (1999)
In this rather provocative film for its time, American Beauty follows the strange lust that Lester (a young Kevin Spacey) has for the friend of his daughter. Deciding to take his life into his own hands, Lester quits his job, ruins relationships between himself and his family, gets into drugs and buys a really horrible car. A mid-life crisis at its finest. It's a hilariously dark movie that you must watch until its very ambiguous ending.
5. Lolita (1998)
Though many versions of this iconic Russian classic exists, the 1998 version is the most clever and visually beautiful. Strictly following the novel and the taboo topic of a very forbidden lust, this movie is witty and complex in so many ways the Freud would have had a conniption. Not for those who become easily uncomfortable, Lolita is tragic and beautiful and ignorant in such a lovely way.
