The Rocky Horror Picture Show – #2 on the Entertainment Weekly Top 50 Cult Classics list

Released: 1975

Director: Jim Sharman

Writer: Jim Sharman

Genre: Comedy/Musical

Starring: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick

Favorite line: Frank:  A mental mind fuck can be nice.

Originally a British play that melded together B-movie horror, science fiction and comedy in this parody, The Rocky Horror Picture show made its way into the homes of America in the adaptation written and directed by Jim Sharman. The play ran in the UK, America and Australia before it was adapted into the screen play we all know and love today. The story focused on a newly engaged, incredibly naive and somewhat shallow couple named Brad Majors and Janet Weiss who get detoured by car problems on their way to announce their engagement causing them to stumble wet and unsuspecting into the sex-crazed, horrific world of Frank-N-Furter.

There are many taboo themes explored in this film, among them homosexuality and transvestism. It doesn’t wax political about the subjects but it does put it out there in a very in-your-face-so-deal-with-it kind of way. It’s not for the conservative, faint of heart. You definitely have to be open to the spectacle that is this movie.

I have heard rumors and they’ve never been confirmed, that Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon have tried in the past to deny their involvement in this movie. This makes absolutely no sense, especially since this is a movie role that Tim Curry took on after he originally starred as the same character in the British play.  Yet, seriously, come on… really Tim Curry? really Susan Sarandon? I don’t care how old the two of you get, you can NEVER EVER deny that you were in this film. Embrace it with open arms because it’s obviously here to stay.

I don’t know why I love this film so much. The parody of aliens posed as humans to study the world and eventually take it over is hilarious. Not to mention, it just rocks. I love the music and the humor. I could never and probably will never be able to truly define what it is I find so appealing about this movie when everything in me screams I shouldn’t like it at all but I do. That and I just like saying, “Damn it, Janet!”

It has been rumored that there will be a remake in 2012. Help us all if there is.