The Apple (1980)
June 4, 2024 3:21 PM - Subscribe
[TRAILER] In the glitzy, glittering futuristic world of 1994, music is king -- and the man who controls it is all-powerful malicious mogul Mr. Boogalow. Now he has his eye on two fresh-faced young singers, Alphie and Bibi, who score a hit at his WorldVision Song Festival and fall under the irresistible spell of fame, money, and temptation. A science-fiction musical also known as Star Rock.
Starring Catherine Mary Stewart, George Gilmour, Grace Kennedy, Allan Love, Joss Ackland, Vladek Sheybal, Ray Shell, Miriam Margolyes, Derek Deadman, Michael Logan, and the singing voice of Mary Hylan.
Written and directed by Menahem Golan. Story by Coby Recht, Iris Recht. Produced by Yoram Globus, Menahem Golan, and a giant pile of cocaine for NF Geria II/Filmgesellschaft mbH. Cinematography by David Gurfinkel. Edited by Alain Jakubowicz. Music by George Clinton (but not that George Clinton, this one), Coby Recht, Iris Recht (Songs).
27% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and commonly included on the lists of the worst films ever made.
Currently streaming in the US on Pluto. JustWatch listing.
Starring Catherine Mary Stewart, George Gilmour, Grace Kennedy, Allan Love, Joss Ackland, Vladek Sheybal, Ray Shell, Miriam Margolyes, Derek Deadman, Michael Logan, and the singing voice of Mary Hylan.
Written and directed by Menahem Golan. Story by Coby Recht, Iris Recht. Produced by Yoram Globus, Menahem Golan, and a giant pile of cocaine for NF Geria II/Filmgesellschaft mbH. Cinematography by David Gurfinkel. Edited by Alain Jakubowicz. Music by George Clinton (but not that George Clinton, this one), Coby Recht, Iris Recht (Songs).
27% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and commonly included on the lists of the worst films ever made.
Currently streaming in the US on Pluto. JustWatch listing.
There is also a RiffTrax of this, which is how I learned it. I want to share it with the world. It's SO, SO HORRIBLY BAD and I LOVE IT and nothing can prepare you for the ending, the reggae-ish song, or the idea that, you know what, universal 2pm calisthenics might not be a bad idea.
BIM! IS ON THE WAY!
posted by cobaltnine at 9:05 PM on June 4 [4 favorites]
BIM! IS ON THE WAY!
posted by cobaltnine at 9:05 PM on June 4 [4 favorites]
SO MUCH BEARD GLITTER!
I would not be surprised if the costume/makeup design folks for Hunger Games movies had seen this and taken some notes for dressing the Capitol district folks.
I saw this as part of a 24 hour sci-fi movie marathon and we had NO IDEA what the heck we were in for. Obviously, if they'd gotten THAT George Clinton to do the music, it would've been way better and way more WILD FUTURISTIC AWESOME as far as the aesthetic.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:47 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
I would not be surprised if the costume/makeup design folks for Hunger Games movies had seen this and taken some notes for dressing the Capitol district folks.
I saw this as part of a 24 hour sci-fi movie marathon and we had NO IDEA what the heck we were in for. Obviously, if they'd gotten THAT George Clinton to do the music, it would've been way better and way more WILD FUTURISTIC AWESOME as far as the aesthetic.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:47 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
I have listened to that Rifftrax in the background I don't know how many times now. I might do it again today, now that I think of it.
It's unfair to Miriam Margolyes that this is the movie I always think of her in, considering how big a personality she is.
I really want that satin "Amazing Stories" bathrobe and I know very well I will never find it. It was wasted on this movie.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:31 AM on June 5
It's unfair to Miriam Margolyes that this is the movie I always think of her in, considering how big a personality she is.
I really want that satin "Amazing Stories" bathrobe and I know very well I will never find it. It was wasted on this movie.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:31 AM on June 5
BIM! IS ON THE WAY!
When I worked in architecture we were told we would soon be using the design practice of Building Information Modeling and that the requirement was coming soon. Nobody else laughed but I was in hysterics.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:35 AM on June 5 [4 favorites]
When I worked in architecture we were told we would soon be using the design practice of Building Information Modeling and that the requirement was coming soon. Nobody else laughed but I was in hysterics.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:35 AM on June 5 [4 favorites]
Dystopian Eurovision is such a fucking bonkers premise.
You really have to tip your hat.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:03 AM on June 5 [1 favorite]
You really have to tip your hat.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:03 AM on June 5 [1 favorite]
I became aware of this film through Nathan Rabin's AV Club column. And indeed it is a hoot and a holler.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 5:03 PM on June 5
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 5:03 PM on June 5
I love this terrible movie so much. I don't believe in relationship "litmus tests" (beyond checking for shared basic core values), but I've shown this to every partner and important person in my life and every time I've caught myself metaphorically holding my breath hoping they appreciate it for what it is or at least understand why I do, because I genuinely don't know how I'd feel if someone important to me reacted poorly to it! So far, so good, though.
It's one of the few I own on physical media since it disappears from streaming services so often. I've actually never seen the Rifftrax, but I saw it for the first time at the same 24-hour movie marathon mentioned above and it was definitely an interactive audience experience.
It was years before I made the connection and realized that this is technically a Cannon Film. It shows up in the documentary Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, which is worth watching.
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:15 PM on June 5 [4 favorites]
It's one of the few I own on physical media since it disappears from streaming services so often. I've actually never seen the Rifftrax, but I saw it for the first time at the same 24-hour movie marathon mentioned above and it was definitely an interactive audience experience.
It was years before I made the connection and realized that this is technically a Cannon Film. It shows up in the documentary Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, which is worth watching.
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:15 PM on June 5 [4 favorites]
Previously. As I did in that old thread, I stand unapologetically loving this film and I find it endlessly delightful. No need for Rifftrax to sully it. It is very much a Cannon film.
As is my habit, I will mention the Canadian content - Catherine Mary Stewart is Canadian and was also known for her role as Kayla Brady on Days of Our Lives. Also one Canadian town was mentioned - Moosejaw, SK.
posted by Ashwagandha at 9:59 AM on June 6 [2 favorites]
As is my habit, I will mention the Canadian content - Catherine Mary Stewart is Canadian and was also known for her role as Kayla Brady on Days of Our Lives. Also one Canadian town was mentioned - Moosejaw, SK.
posted by Ashwagandha at 9:59 AM on June 6 [2 favorites]
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posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:42 PM on June 4 [2 favorites]