'70s Cult Project Update! The Lists are Rolling In! Exclamation Point!

Last week, I laid down the Midnight Warriors challenge to readers and bloggers everywhere, and I'm ecstatic to say that my cries for help haven't gone unnoticed.  Through the first week of what's now become known as FMWL's '70s Cult Project, several fine folks have posted and/or sent in their own lists of what they find to be The Most Essential Cult Films of the 1970s.  I could keep blabbering about how great it is to see these lists before me, but I'll let them do most of the talking from here on out.

First, here's a list of the fine folks who've created lists at their own blogs, complete with links so you can all see how awesome they are!

First up is the wonderful Petunia Scareum, aka Trick or Treat Pete, from Deadly Serious.  It's clear to see that she took this challenge...well...deadly seriously.  Head on over to check out her list, which leads off with Walter Hill's gang-battle classic The Warriors!

Next up, returning for another tour of duty as a Midnight Warrior, is the fabulous Morgan of The Kid in the Hall!  Check out her list, which plows straight into my heart with that dose of PJ Soles and The Ramones known as Rock 'n Roll High School!

Another repeat Midnight Warrior, and all around rockstar, is Jinx from Totally Jinxed!  She's got a supreme list up at her blog, which leads with John Waters' still-unseen-by-me (insert shame here) Pink Flamingos!  (I will see this some day...it looks totally Devine!)

If those lists aren't sick enough for you, here comes a fella whose depravity knows no bounds!  That's right, it's Joe Monster of From Beyond Depraved, who has his own list of cult treasures up, with that Time Warp treasure The Rocky Horror Picture Show taking top honors! 

The last blogger to post their own list thus far (that I know of, if you've done this and I missed you please let me know!), is the wicked cool Stonerphonic of Borderline!  Unlike myself, he saw those '70s happen, and has prepared his own detailed list which is headlined by another movie I know little about (insert more shame here), Stone! (After reading his post on it, I gotta see it!)

I know, I know.  That's A LOT of awesome '70s cult movies for you all to read about thus far.  BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!  People can email me their lists too!

Such was the case for the extremely thorough Brandon Sites of Big Daddy Horror Reviews (who just celebrated his 1000th post!!), as he emailed me this listing of his five picks:

5. George A. Romero's Martin - This is the film Romero has said he is most proud of. Has finally started to get a following all these years later due to Lionsgate giving the film a good DVD push.
4. Black Christmas - A classic with horror fans, but people who aren't die hard fans of the genre don't know about this film, even after the remake!
3. The Stepford Wives - It's hard to believe, but yes this film does fit the definitions of a cult movie to a T. The film was originally a flop when it was released and took a beating from critics. After a ton of TV followups, the Stepford Wife moniker has become a modern day pop culture reference, which has ensured this film a loyal following from a select audience.
2. Ruby - The film was forgotten about for the longest time as the film's producers re-edited the film several times behind the director's back. With the DVD release of the uncut version, the film has started to build a following again with genre fans. It was Piper Laurie's followup film after Carrie. I think this film featured elements that helped define 70's horror - a sleazy kind of quality to the film, drive-ins, possession plots, the supernatural, revenge, respected film stars of the past turning to horror to keep their career alive, etc.
1. Massacre At Central High - Fell by the wayside, because the film's distributor had no idea how to market the film, despite critical praise and it being embraced by genre fans. Heathers went on to rip this film off.

The last fine fellow to partake of this challenge thus far (again, to my knowledge, smack me upside the cyber-head if I missed you!) is the phenomenal B-Sol of The Vault of Horror, who sent me this simple, yet-effective, listing of some cult films he finds essential:

5. Faces of Death
4. Slap Shot
3. Eraserhead
2. Harold & Maude
1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

So, we've got seven lists thus far, and seven different picks for the Most Essential Cult Film of the 1970s!  Luckily, there are still EIGHT MORE DAYS to get your own lists posted or sent in!  In the meantime, you should thank all these fine folks for their help with this little project by hitting up their blogs and enjoying their respective brands of awesome!

While you all do that, I'll be continuing my own journey through the '70s Cult Project here at FMWL all week, so stay tuned for a bunch of stuff on a bunch of films (including my personal Top 5, which should be posted next weekend)!  Again, many thanks to all these fine folks for chipping in!