Repo Man (1984) - Alex Cox

I wish there was a reason why I've avoided Alex Cox's work up until now, but I have no reason. So fitting that I start at the beginning with his first film and one that almost instantly fell into the cult film market. A flop upon its release it suffered from the same affliction that plagues most future cult films, no one knew how to market it. In fact it was originally marketed as an action film which is pretty laughable. Now this is not a film that one viewing will really do justice to. In fact one of the details of the film frequently pointed out is that none of the watches in the film have hands. I'm gonna be honest I didn't even notice this so clearly there's more under the surface. The film is that wry comedy where we're not exactly expecting great gags, but chuckling throughout the film. The dialog is quotable and downright silly for most of the film. Cox takes stabs at everything ranging from UFO conspirators, car culture, TV preachers, mass marketing, and good old suburban teen angst. Sure the picture is a product of its time, and the music is a great chronicle of LA's underground hardcore/punk scene, and the Circle Jerks even appear in the film, to which Otto (Estevez) says "I can't believe I used to like these guys". A cult classic through and through, and an essential for any "cult movie" enthusiast.