If you’re a connoisseur of bad movies like I am, you’ll know that the name “Troma” stands for quality in that arena.
Since 1974, Troma Entertainment has been promoting independent film to the masses. Although a good chunk of the films in their collection are acquisitions from different locations, they do make their own films (most recently “Poultrygeist,” which may come up for a review if I can get my hands on a copy). They started out with what they called the “sexy comedies,” and moved on to a unique mix of exploitation, horror, sex and comedy.
This list is strictly on the films that I have seen. It’s a mix of Troma’s in-house films and acquisitions. You can put your choices for what else should be included in the list. But for the diehards, these I think should be included in your list.
10) Chopper Chicks in Zombietown
Why Is This A Classic? Other than the first appearance of Billy Bob Thornton, it’s a pretty funny movie to watch.
Plot: A group of biker chicks arrive in a town that has been taken over by a mad scientist who has turned the residents into zombies so they could be his slaves in the nearby mines.
Notes: Watch for an appearance by former MTV VJ Martha Quinn.
9) Redneck Zombies
Why Is This A Classic? Only movie in the collection shot on video. And how can you go wrong with a plot that mixes “Night of the Living Dead” with “Deliverance?”
Plot: A group of rednecks making moonshine accidentally mix in some toxic waste, and turn into zombies, terrorizing a group of college students who happen to drive into the neighborhood.
Notes: Director Pereicles Lewnes would go on to do special effects for several other Troma films such as Toxic Avenger Part 2 and 3 and Troma’s War.
8) A Nymphoid Barbarian in Dinosaur Hell
Why Is This A Classic? You gotta love an action film where there is no dialogue.
Plot: After a nuclear holocaust destroys the rest of the planet, a barbarianette finds herself running from the bad guys. It’s kind of hard to tell what’s going on because of the lack of dialogue in the film.
Notes: If you rent this, make sure to put on the audio commentary with director Brent Piper, who proceeds to rip it apart and tell the audience why he had to make certain decisions.
Note 2: This film was made in New England, more specifically Burlington, MA, and New Hampshire (I think he said Derry on the commentary).
7) Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2 and 3
Why Are These A Classic: You gotta love films that just throw all kinds of in-jokes about their production company into the mix.
Plot: Tromaville High School is no more. In its place is the Tromaville Institute of Technology (T.I.T.). The second film involved a reporter falling in love with a subhumanoid and trying to save her from the fate of melting down. The third film has the reporter and his wife give birth to twin boys, Adlai and Dick, and an evil scientist who tries to pit one against the other.
Notes: I put these two together because they are part of the same continuity. Part 1 is not a straight continuation of the story.
6) Monster in the Closet
Why Is This A Classic: One of the few PG rated Troma films, this one you can show the kids!
Plot: After a series of murders that take place in closets, a reporter and his scientist friend get together to try to save California.
Notes: Some big name actors in this case, including John Carradine, Claude Aikins, Howard Duff, Stacey Ferguson (Fergie from Black Eyed Peas), Henry Gibson, and Paul Walker among them.
5) Tromeo and Juliet
Why Is This A Classic: One of the better acted films (for an in-house Troma film, anyway). And the twist on the modern bard story is interesting.
Plot: It’s “Romeo and Juliet,” except with sex, lesbians, gore, dismemberments, and a funny twist ending.
Notes: Actor Will Keenan, who played Tromeo, would go on to star in two more Troma films – Terror Firmer and The Toxic Avenger 4 – and develop a little bit of an acting career on his own in independent film, including being featured in a Michael Jackson inspired episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
4) Cannibal! The Musical
Why Is This A Classic: One of the better films that Troma acquired. It’s the first film for Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who would go on to create South Park. Plus, you try to get “Let’s Build a Snowman” out of your head after seeing this film.
Plot: Alferd Packer (Parker) tells the story to a reporter of how he and his party got lost while on an ill-fated trip to Breckinridge, where he was the only survivor. Based on a local legend, it also features singing and dancing!
Notes: Since the movie started gaining a cult status, different theater companies have been putting on their own versions of Cannibal! The Musical.
3) Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD
Why Is This A Classic? The character itself would go on to be a co-mascot for Troma.
Plot: A clumsy detective investigating the murders of Kabuki actors unwittingly gets the Kabuki powers after attending a play.
Notes: The film was Troma’s attempt to try to go mainstream, but it didn’t quite work that way. The car flip scene from this film was considered so good that it was used in several other Troma films as homage.
2) Class of Nuke ‘Em High
Why Is This a Classic? It has that classic Troma look and feel to it.
Plot: There really isn’t a truly linear plot to this one. Basically, Tromaville High School is next to the electrical plant, which is leaking toxic waste into the water and it’s transforming the students into mutants. The honor society ends up becoming the worst kids in school, for exanple.
Notes: Director Lloyd Kaufman had a battle with the MPAA over a shot with a little bit of monster blood.
1) Toxic Avenger Parts 1-4
Why Is This A Classic? The Toxic Avenger is the second series that made Troma’s name.
Plot: All three films feature Troma mascot Toxie, a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength, fighting bad guys in gruesome ways.
Notes: 1) The biggest complaints that Troma ever received for any film was over the “shooting” of the dog in the first film. 2) The guy who got his arm ripped off really only had one arm. If you watch closely, you can tell that the arm that gets ripped out is a fake.
