Hedwig and the Angry Itch / The Andromeda Strain

Hedwig and the Angry Itch (2001) dir. John Cameron Mitchell

The Andromeda Strain (1971) dir. Robert Wise

This unlikely pairing was pure happenstance, which seems to make it all the more enjoyable.  I caught Hedwig at ImageOut, Rochester's annual festival of queer cinematic delights, and finally got around to watching The Andromeda Strain after my first attempt while working at Video Rodeo was interrupted by a distracting amount of pizza, beer, and friendly visits.  Visually striking but moving along a patient, science-driven narrative, Wise's apocalyptic epic demands your full attention.  On the other hand, Hedwig should only be viewed in the company of loud, drunk friends who don't mind singing along.  This transgender punk-opera is in the same camp as Rocky Horror, but, for my money, takes the musical elements to a catchier, freakier level.  The cultural landscapes of East Germany and Middle America glow in this film, complemented by the scathing riffs and soothing ballads offered up by The Angry Itch.  It's a lullaby for your stable sexuality.  

Dune / THX 1138

Dune (1984) dir. David Lynch

 THX 1138 (1971) dir. George Lucas

I really enjoyed watching this pair because each film touches a very distinct corner of science-fiction.  Lynch develops the mythos of Dune with techo-surrealist imagery that often bleeds into the grotesque.  The dystopian sterility of THX 1138 counterpoints this ethereal vision by planting the viewer on much firmer (read: foreboding) ground.  Plus, you get to see what George Lucas was doing before Star Wars ate the world.

Rebecca / Lolita

Rebecca (1940) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

 Lolita (1962) dir. Stanley Kubrick

A strong pair of leading ladies, even though,**spoiler alert** you never actually see the titular Rebecca. She is, however, terrifyingly present. Peter Sellers probably plays the strongest character in Lolita besides Sue Lyon whose career seemed to peak with this film.  I'll always associate this double feature with a special someone. Try it with a person like that.

Wake of the Red Witch / Through a Glass Darkly

Wake of the Red Witch (1948) dir. Edward Ludwig

Through a Glass Darkly (1961) dir. Ingmar Bergman

John Wayne plays an alcoholic, heartbroken, but inevitably likeable sea captain on-board a more subtle critique of colonial exploitation in the south Pacific. There's also a giant octopus that's probably a metaphor or something. Cut this gem with Bergman's Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film** and you get a duel of schizoid protagonists that won't disappoint.

**This award most recently went to Dogtooth, an agreeably unsettling family drama/science-fiction/black comedy from Giorgos Lanthimos.

Crimes and Misdemeanors / Blow-Up

Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) dir. Woody Allen

 Blow-Up (1966) dir. Michelangelo Antonioni

Two colorful ways men find themselves entangled in murder

Deliverance / The Shining

Deliverance (1972) dir. John Boorman

 

The Shining (1980) dir. Stanley Kubrick

This pair is a bit hard to get through.  Both of these movies kind of destroy you--in every way sounds and images can.  Wine helps.  I also suggest tackling this duo with some friends, good friends.  Or at least someone who's going to tell you it's all going to be okay.

SPECIAL TRIPLE FEATURE! The 39 Steps / A Fish Called Wanda / Gothic

The 39 Steps (1935) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

 A Fish Called Wanda (1988) dir. Charles Crichton & John Cleese

Gothic (1986) dir. Ken Russell

Three visions of England, and reassurance that Americans aren't the only psychos in the world speaking English. If you're unfamiliar with the work of Ken Russell, check out: Altered States, The Devils, and Lair of the White Worm.  His career is a bit under appreciated (partly due to his negotiation of taboo and "blasphemous" subject matter) but contains some truly remarkable pieces of cinema history along with some of its most haunting, memorable images.