Comics / Cult Favorite

Impossibly Funky: A Cashiers du Cinemart Collection

By Philip Schweier
August 31, 2010 - 17:11

I knew I was in for fun when I read the dedication to Rudy Ray Moore, an actor whose film Avenging Disco Godfather must be seen to be believed. Watching it was an epiphany to me, and opened a whole world of horribly bad movies. Mike White, the editor, is the former editor/publisher/chief bottle washer of Cashiers du Cinemart, a magazine devoted not just to film, but to those who toil away on the butt-end of show business: the snack counter, the ticket booth and the projection booth

The book begins with an essay by White detailing his experience in comparing Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992) with an earlier film, Ringo Lam’s City on Fire (1989). White went so far as to edit together a film, Who Do You Think You’re Fooling?, comparing the two movies side-by-side, which was accepted to, then pulled from, the New York Underground Film Festival. White’s point to the story is not that Tarantino borrowed from an earlier film, but that he neglected to publicly acknowledge the fact, instead allowing others to believe movie to be wholly original.

White’s entertaining anecdote illustrates his own tilting at windmills, while pompous know-it-alls look on, pretending they're not shills for the Hollywood machine.

The rest of the book is then devoted to articles reprinted from Cashiers du Cinemart, touching on many mainstream movies, many adapted from comic book material, such as “Superman: Grounded” and “The Uncredbile Hulk.” Each essay is written in a less-than-reverent tone, clearly by people who understand that the movie watching experience should be one of fun and entertainment, rather than one of high art or biblical experience.

If you’re the type who is unwilling to admit your favorite film may have a few flaws here and there, this book is not for you. But if you’re more inclined to enjoy the artsy indie film produced on a shoestring as much as the next Hollywood blockbuster franchise, you may find a few gems of commentary to enjoy with your Star Wars or Black Shampoo.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12