El Topo (The Mole), yet another Alejandro Jodorowsky film (and on our Top 10 List), is about a gun fighter and his son riding through the desert. They come across a city that has been slaughtered by The Colonel and seek revenge. They do find The Colonel and his men, and eventually cut off The Colonel’s gonads. The Colonel then shoots his own brains out.

After they have secured the prisoners from The Colonel and his men, one of them being a woman, they attempt to leave. The woman fights her way past the gunfighters son and rides with him, leaving his son behind with monks.

The lady says she’ll only stay with him if he defeats the four masters in the desert. So the quest is on. Riding through the desert the gun fighter shows his skills. He can shoot a rock and water will come forth. He can dig in the sand and find eggs to eat. This looks to be based on his faith in God.

As time goes on, the lady seems to corrupt him and lose his faith.

I won’t give up the details of the quest to destroy the masters, but it is epic and he learns a lot. After the quest is over you’ll understand why it’s called El Topo. This is a great movie and Jodorowsky really takes you on a journey. It is a must see. If you had to see only one Jodorowsky film, I’d say The Holy Mountain, but this comes in second place.

Buy it on Amazon

El Topo

Starz / Anchor Bay 2007, DVD, $9.93

or get three of Jodorowsky’s films for one price:

The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky (Fando y Lis / El Topo / The Holy Mountain)

Starz / Anchor Bay 2007, DVD, $24.49

This was a recommendation from a reader. A very good recommendation. The movie is about a scientist that kidnaps children for their dreams. I didn’t really understand why he was doing this though. It also might be the only film I’ve seen Ron Perlman speak French, probably because he doesn’t speak it though his lines were flawless.

The movie is a cross between steampunk themed and something else. I’m not entirely sure. The colors and the way it was shot reminds me a lot of the movie Delicatessen, which I will have a review up here soon. This was a good movie, I enjoyed it. It is French so you’ll need subtitles if you don’t speak French. The story is good and well executed. The acting was great. Definitely check this movie out.

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The City of Lost Children

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 1999, DVD, $7.85

I think a lot of people have at least heard of this movie. It is one of my personal favorites. The Holy Mountain, from genius Alejandro Jodorowsky,  is about a group of people that seek immortality from The Holy Mountain. The character you meet first is suppose to be a Jesus-like guy, who also has a small torso that follows him around, oh, and hookers.

You get to experience some South American history played out with the use of frogs dressed up as Conquistadors as the hand-less, leg-less torso guy follows the Jesus-like guy around town. I’ll spare the wackness you get to see, as it is just too nutty for me to explain.

The Jesus-like character finds a mentor (who is played by Jodorowsky himself), who becomes the teacher for a group of (crazy ass) people looking for the Holy Mountain. This guy is awesome. The other members of the group are from different planets, each one gives an introduction of their planet and businesses. The journey to the Holy Mountain is quite epic and my writings will nowhere near give it the credit this movie deserves. Whatever Jodorowsky was smoking when he thought of this, I want some.

Overall, great movie, a must watch. It might not all make sense to you at first, but give it your full attention. This movie is on our Top 10 List of WTF Movies. Bet you didn’t know you could turn your excrement into gold did ya?

Buy it on Amazon

The Holy Mountain

Starz / Anchor Bay 2007, DVD, $14.25

or get three of Jodorowsky’s films for one price:

The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky (Fando y Lis / El Topo / The Holy Mountain)

Starz / Anchor Bay 2007, DVD, $24.49