She Likes to Watch

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”: Give yourself over to absolute pleasure

Plenty of movies have fervent followings.

“Star Wars” has spawned multiple movies, television series and novels, conventions and costume contests. Dudes dedicated to “The Big Lebowski” gather yearly to bowl and drink White Russians. There are cults of personality dedicated to the “Evil Dead” movies, “Brazil,” “Heavy Metal” and “Mommie Dearest.”

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has to be the only cult classic that requires its fans to strip down to their underwear, shout one-liners and toss toast at the movie screen. Yet, somehow, it’s inspired an international craze.

Some theaters have become legendary for their “Rocky Horror” screenings, such as Portland’s Clinton Street Theater.

Locally, Big Purple Onion Productions presents a live “Rocky” show every month — complete with pirates, cowboys and other delights. (Imagine your funniest, most outgoing friends lipsynching to one of the zaniest movies imaginable — in costume, of course! It’s homegrown fun in an intimate setting, right here in San Luis Obispo.)

Born as a British stage musical in 1973, “Rocky Horror” inspired midnight movie mania two years later with a fantastic film version.

Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon star as Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple who find themselves stranded at night in a torrential downpour. They seek shelter in the nearest dwelling, a castle inhabited by mad scientist Frank-N- Furter (Tim Curry) and his demented staff.

As you might imagine, Brad and Janet are in for a wild night.

“Rocky’s” plot borrows elements from “Frankenstein” and other B-movie classics, mixing cabaret, rock ‘n roll and a wacky sense of humor with counter-culture issues like transvestism, extraterrestrial life and sexual awakening. Hey, everybody! It’s “Time Warp” time!

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be screened tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fremont movie theater, 1025 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $7.50.

Since “Rocky” fans tend to be a rambunctious bunch, theater management has a few ground rules: No rice, toast or hot dogs. No squirt guns or spray bottles. No lighters. (Would you want to mop up cold hot dogs or try to scrub stains out of a movie screen? No. You would not.)

Costumes and other props, such as newspapers, noisemakers, flashlights and rubber gloves, are encouraged.

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MTV’s plans to remake “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” have apparently been slammed by all those involved with the original.

Show creator Richard O’Brien, who appears in the 1975 film as Riff Raff, says he won’t be involved with any remakes. Barry Bostwick called a remake “a waste of money” and Susan Sarandon simply doesn’t see the point of rebooting such a “charming … interesting” film.

Nonetheless, a “Rocky Horror” reboot is currently in the works. At least one site, imdb.com, reports the release date as 2010.

“Donnie Darko” is, well, dark

You might describe “Donnie Darko” as an anthem for the maladjusted.

Like the goths, punks and emo kids who love the movie, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal in a star-making role) is a teenager battling real and imaginary demons — including a giant bunny named Frank.

In school, he argues with his teachers and alienates his fellow students with his weird behavior. At home, his violent schizophrenia comes out in fights with his parents and sisters and talks with his therapist. But Donnie’s imagination is an even more frightening place.

Mixing teen angst with musings about time travel and fate, “Donnie Darko” is a disturbing, fascinating psychological thriller that blurs fantasy and reality. No wonder it’s become a cult favorite.

Watch “Donnie Darko” tonight at The Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Showtimes are 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.; tickets are $7.50.

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The popular Palm Wednesday series continues next month with:

• Sept. 3: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” 
• Sept. 10: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”
• Sept. 17: “The Warriors”
• Sept. 24: “Total Recall” 

Photo courtesy of MovieWeb.com.