“Where did she get those SHOES? Whores for Less?!” These words, uttered by Blue Bay rich girl Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards) to Everglades bad girl Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell), set the tone for the nonstop chaotic energy of this hypersexualized neo-noir set in swampy South Florida. Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), educator of the year, is the guidance counselor at Blue Bay High. We’re introduced to him as he gives a speech about sex crimes during a school assembly. Shortly afterwards, two students accuse him of rape. Short on funds, he turns to greasy strip mall lawyer extraordinaire Ken Bowden (Bill Murray). Rounding out this illustrious cast is Kevin Bacon, a hunky police detective who suspects there is more going on than meets the eye. Wild Things is brimming with alligators, big boats, wet t-shirts, salacious make out scenes and so many twists and turns you may find yourself lost in the swamp. From director John McNaughton, who previously brought us Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, comes yet another unforgettable piece of cinema for the cult canon. And for those of us old enough to remember, Wild Things is notable for being a film we rented from the video store, popped into the living room VCR, and watched while praying our parents wouldn’t walk in. With a soundtrack featuring late ‘90s classics from Morphine, Third Eye Blind, and yes, of course, Smash Mouth. You’ll never look at a pair of pliers the same way again.

35mm from the filmmaker, permission Sony

Preceded by: “Pools” (Barbara Hammer, 1981) – 8 min – 16mm from Canyon Cinema