Cult Movie Bracket: Semifinal

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Mike Glyer

By Hampus Eckerman: For each pair, vote for the top cult movie. Vote for what is memorable, what is fun, what is interesting, what is cult. You will have at least 24 hours to answer, but after that it depends on when I have time to count the votes.

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Time Bandits (1981)

Discover more from File 770

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.

63 thoughts on “Cult Movie Bracket: Semifinal”

Al the Great and Powerful on July 31, 2016 at 11:05 am said:

1. ESSENTIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1)
The Princess Bride (2)
Time Bandits (3)
Mike Glyer on July 31, 2016 at 11:06 am said:

I have put back Hampus’ original caption for #1 — ESSENCIAL CULT.

I didn’t mean to ruin his pun.
Jim Henley on July 31, 2016 at 11:13 am said:

Going Cult this time:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) – Strangelove is by far the greater movie, hence it loses here.

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

How convenient that they came pre-sorted!
Iphinome on July 31, 2016 at 11:14 am said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN

1 Time Bandits (1981)
2 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3 The Princess Bride (1987)

3. GODSTALK

Godstalk
Camestros Felapton on July 31, 2016 at 11:15 am said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Yes.
Aaron on July 31, 2016 at 11:19 am said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. Time Bandits (1981)
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. The Princess Bride (1987)
Cheryl S. on July 31, 2016 at 11:21 am said:

I liked “rememberable.”

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
Hampus Eckerman on July 31, 2016 at 11:27 am said:

“I liked “rememberable.””

I was thinking of changing it to rememorable to the final.
Cally on July 31, 2016 at 11:37 am said:

Forehead Cloths! Getcher Official Bracket Forehead Cloths Now! Time is Running Out! Get Them Today ~~before they spontaneously combust and burn down the warehouse~~! Act Now!
Cally on July 31, 2016 at 11:44 am said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2 The Princess Bride (1987)
3 Time Bandits (1981)
Charon D. on July 31, 2016 at 12:14 pm said:

1. Rocky Horror Picture Show
Because we wouldn’t even be having this discussion without RHPS.

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Princess Bride
Time Bandits
(Last place has the fewest memorable lines)
David Brain on July 31, 2016 at 12:15 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. Time Bandits (1981)
Kyra on July 31, 2016 at 12:29 pm said:

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Dr. Strangelove is a great movie! But it’s still not cult. It’s just … well-regarded and popular. The Rocky Horror Picture show, on the other hand, is so cult it pretty much literally has a cult.

2.
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

I have many fond memories of Time Bandits, but it doesn’t compare in quality to the other two. It was also quite successful at the box office, making me wonder at its cultiness. It goes third.

Holy Grail vs. Princess Bride, though … Yay, a rare bracket where I can pick the best cult movie rather than the only cult movie! And then … arg, a bracket where the choice is extremely difficult!

I’m practically flipping a coin on this one, and on another day I might choose something different, but today I go with … Princess Bride. I think it holds up just a wee bit better.
John Lorentz on July 31, 2016 at 12:40 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. The Princess Bride (1987)
1. Time Bandits (1981)
Sylvia Sotomayor on July 31, 2016 at 12:42 pm said:

1. Rocky Horror!
2. Princess Bride, then Holy Grail
Bonnie McDaniel on July 31, 2016 at 12:47 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

HONORARY CULTINESS: David Bowie’s pants!
Matt Y on July 31, 2016 at 12:49 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

2 -Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
1- The Princess Bride (1987)
3- Time Bandits (1981)
Kendall on July 31, 2016 at 1:09 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Time Bandits (1981)

Yes, yes, some of these aren’t cult movies, but – sorry – I’m not that into Monty Python (gasp!).
Xtifr on July 31, 2016 at 1:19 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
I know there are some arguments for calling Dr. Strangelove cult, but I find them pretty dubious. RHPS, however, has its picture in the dictionary next to the definition of “cult movie”. 🙂

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

Really really tough call between 1 and 2. They’re well matched on both cultiness and quality (although in very different ways). This almost came down to a coin flip. In the end, I think the way that Holy Grail takes over people’s minds and makes them quote it at great length makes it a bit more like a true cult. 🙂

(Though PB certainly has its share of quotiness.)
Nicholas Whyte on July 31, 2016 at 1:29 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1) Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2) Time Bandits (1981)
3) The Princess Bride (1987)
Mike Glyer on July 31, 2016 at 1:33 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Rocky Horror would be the Platonic ideal of a cult movie, because that’s how Plato rolled.

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

The only thing I’m completely sure about is third place.
Bruce Arthurs on July 31, 2016 at 1:40 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
~~Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)~~

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

Time Bandits was a watch-once for me, so I placed it third. I gave Princess Bride the edge over Holy Grail because TPB maintained a more consistent tone and quality over it’s entire length.
lauowolf on July 31, 2016 at 2:33 pm said:

It’s too late for cloths now.

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
I love Strangelove, but the other is true cult

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1) Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2) The Princess Bride (1987)
3) Time Bandits (1981)

Many of my top choices are no longer with us
Sigh
going to go burrow into a pile of cloths and not come out
Jameson Quinn on July 31, 2016 at 2:34 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT (I don’t get this pun. I see it as Spanish despite the double “s”, so the second word sounds like “cool”, which is a loan-word meaning “cool”; but I doubt that’s the point of the pun.)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. The Princess Bride (1987) AND Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

Yes, I’ve deliberately given a tie between TPB and THG. I think they both deserve it, for one. (It’s really a pity that Brazil lost in round 1; Time Bandits is no substitute.) But also, voting systems which don’t allow ties and/or skipped ranks encourage strategic voting.

I think the winner of the Battle of Britain should be the work with the lowest median rank (which is called Bucklin with strict ranking, or Majority Judgment voting as I have), not the one with the lowest average (Borda Count with strict ranking, or Score voting as I have). Chances are these two winners will be the same, but if they’re not, MJ is more resistant to strategy.
Cora on July 31, 2016 at 3:02 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Time Bandits (1981)
Hampus Eckerman on July 31, 2016 at 3:02 pm said:

“1. ESSENCIAL CULT (I don’t get this pun. I see it as Spanish despite the double “s”, so the second word sounds like “cool”, which is a loan-word meaning “cool”; but I doubt that’s the point of the pun.)”

Was supposed to be a very bad pun on the Dr. Strangelove line of “denyng them my essence”.
Bonnie McDaniel on July 31, 2016 at 3:03 pm said:

@Jameson Quinn

My take on the pun is that it is the “essence” of Cult.

Oops–ninja’d by Hampus with the actual explanation!
Doctor Science on July 31, 2016 at 3:11 pm said:

1. Rocky Horror. Strangelove never went through a period of being unpopular.

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)
JJ on July 31, 2016 at 3:15 pm said:

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)
David Goldfarb on July 31, 2016 at 3:42 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
~~The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)~~
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

The genuine classic beats out the cheesy cult classic.

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

Really close all the way around here.
lurkertype on July 31, 2016 at 3:48 pm said:

1. Rocky Horror, OBVIOUSLY. It practically defines “cult movie”.

2. Ooooh. I need all the non-combusted cloths. Third is obvious, but first and second? Ooooh. Nnnrrrnnnnggghhh.

1. Princess Bride
2. Holy Grail
3. Time Bandits

So painful. Next round even more so.
Lydy Nickerson on July 31, 2016 at 4:02 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3 The Princess Bride (1987)
2 Time Bandits (1981)
GiantPanda on July 31, 2016 at 4:14 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2 The Princess Bride (1987)
3 Time Bandits (1981)
snowcrash on July 31, 2016 at 4:45 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1: The Princess Bride (1987)
2: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
BGrandrath on July 31, 2016 at 4:49 pm said:

2. The Princess Bride (1)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (2)
ULTRAGOTHA on July 31, 2016 at 5:12 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

2 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
1 The Princess Bride (1987)
3 Time Bandits (1981)

Having just gone over my Hugo ballot for the last time, this feels so familiar!
Jameson Quinn on July 31, 2016 at 5:48 pm said:

The clear strategic vote if strict ranking is required would be to put the also-ran TB in position 2. Bucklin actually works just as well as MJ to thwart this.

Sorry, I can’t help it.
Beth in MA on July 31, 2016 at 5:53 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)

This was so much fun! Thank you, Hampus, for running it!
Larry Lennhoff on July 31, 2016 at 5:57 pm said:

. ESSENCIAL CULT?
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) – As many others have said, if you look for the definition of a cult move you see Rocky Horror.
2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN?
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.
1) Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)?
2) The Princess Bride (1987) – Gilder and Florin are in Britain??
3) Time Bandits (1981) – May the Supreme Being forgive me.
Tasha Turner on July 31, 2016 at 6:01 pm said:

@Cally I need forehead cloths which will keep me from combusting. STAT

BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1. The Princess Bride (1987) – I like it best
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – it’s cultist
3. Time Bandits (1981) – sorry gang but your not cult enough or liked enough
Kevin Hogan on July 31, 2016 at 6:37 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Time Bandits (1981)

“Best”? The Killer Shrews is certainly my favorite James Best film.

Much as I love ’em, The Princess Bride and Monty Python and the Holy Grail are enjoyed by a cult of … well … everyone. (My parents). To me, they’ve both grown out of the “cult” designation.

Accordingly –

1) Time Bandits

2 & 3) – tie
Magewolf on July 31, 2016 at 6:42 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

The Princess Bride (1987) 1
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) 2
Time Bandits (1981) 3
BigelowT on July 31, 2016 at 7:15 pm said:

You have some wonderful choices left and I congratulate Hampus (and all of you who voted) on doing such a good job.

That means I will be happy whatever advances and I’m not voting.
BGHilton on July 31, 2016 at 7:20 pm said:

1. Rocky Horror Picture Show.

2. 1. Princess Bride
2. 2. Holy Grail.
2. 3. Time Bandits.
Rubi on July 31, 2016 at 8:41 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Time Bandits (1981)
rochrist on July 31, 2016 at 9:13 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

3 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2 The Princess Bride (1987)
1 Time Bandits (1981)
Soon Lee on July 31, 2016 at 10:54 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
~~Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)~~

Don’t Dream It, Be It.

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3. Time Bandits (1981)
Dex on July 31, 2016 at 11:40 pm said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1.Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
2.The Princess Bride (1987)
3.Time Bandits (1981)
Ken Richards on August 1, 2016 at 12:37 am said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT

Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) prevails, because Rocky Horror is best seen LIVE

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1.. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), only just from

2. The Princess Bride (1987) (book IMHO superior), then daylight to

3. Time Bandits (1981) – must rewatch, given the love shown here
IanP on August 1, 2016 at 2:51 am said:

1. ESSENCIAL CULT
Dr. Strangelove or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

I know, RHPS is more cult. I just prefer Strangelove as a film alright.

2. BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rank the films from 1 to 3, 1 being best.

1 The Princess Bride (1987)
2 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
3 Time Bandits (1981)

Comments are closed.

Share this:

Discover more from File 770

63 thoughts on “Cult Movie Bracket: Semifinal”