Oh Scott. Anyone who invokes the Holy Joe v. Volcano movie immediately gets my special consideration. I've been fixated on this film since the day I saw it, alone, at a multiplex on Milwaukee's northside, my own private screening room since the thing was roundly dismissed upon release. I was in a dark place that day and every note this film hit struck a chord with me. A large portion of the people I profess this unwavering Joe/Volcano adoration to look at me as if I've committed some sort of bad-taste-crime and then wonder if I'm also an Ishtar fan (for the record, I am, but let's not get into that now). A small handful nod knowingly when I sing this film's praise. We're a small cult, indeed.

Jeff, the movie grossed $39M which as I recall was considered not good. Scores a 58/54 on RT. So my dim memories are that it had at the time fairly negative associations. However one of the ways I measure a movie is by how many scenes / moments I remember. And I remember a LOT of JVTV. I also remember walking out of the theater feeling pretty upbeat. Makes me want to see it again. Anyhow glad to have given you an emotional boost with this post today!

Interesting addendum, Scott...I screened it for my kids a few months back and Abby (age 14) and Jane (age 10) absolutely loved it. I warned them not to speak of this at school because you don't want to be like Dad and get shunned by all the "cool" kids! ;)

"I'm not arguing that with you." Joe Vs Volcano is one of my favourites, in a 'It's so bad it's good' kind of way. Knowing that all the film-makers are in on the joke and knew it had such an off beat sense of humour makes it all the more fun. So many things make me laugh just thinking about it - the 'brain cloud'concept, all the factory sequences, the luggage, Meg Ryan's 3 characters, the music, even the fake shark is hilarious. Count me in to the JVTV Cult :-)

Oh, yes, there are fans of this film. This film opened Ebertfest in 2012 (I think that's the year). It was the first public screening of an ultra-high resolution digital copy of the film. Steven Goldblatt, the DP, was there for a Q and A afterward, and he said it was the best projection of the film he's ever seen. Anyway, I am a fan and was since I saw it on its initial theatrical release. I can quote large chunks from memory. "I am not arguing that with you." "It's taken me my whole life to find out who I am, and I'm tired now, you hear what I'm saying?" "As a luggage problem, I believe I have just the thing." "I have no response to that." "That outfit's wearing you, Felix." (That one is quite versatile.) "I bribed them to sing a song that would drive us insane and make our hearts swell and burst." Anytime somebody asks if something's the matter, answer, "Brain cloud," with a little swoop of your hand down the middle of your scalp. Yeah, it loses a little steam in the last half hour, but there's really not another film like it.

Good for you, Inger. I don't believe there is a 'right' or 'wrong' when it comes to a person's assessment of movies. Each of us brings our own personal history to the experience of watching a movie, so who's to say that JVTV is a 'bad' film when obviously there are people who enjoy it? Now, there is a level of discourse we can engage in when doing more serious analysis relative to our own education about the craft, where we can spotlight things we think work, and things we think don't. That's one thing. But to dismiss a movie as 'bad' in some sort of ultimate way... I don't get that.

Thanks for that, Bretton. Did not know about the Ebertfest screening. Interesting. I assume Roger gave it two thumbs up in his original review? It's interesting, I'm in the middle of my Coen Brothers and the Craft of Storytelling class, and it strikes me that JVTV has a kind of absurd Coen-esque quality to it. Never made that connection before. The scene where Joe quits is a good example. "I'm not arguing with you." The set. The inane interactions. Doesn't it feel like something the Coens could have written? And yet, there's a sincerity to it that doesn't feel quite post-modern like the Coens. Interesting. Must do more thinking on this...

Oh no almost missed this post. I love this film own the DVD that opening scene you quote and the visuals of Joe marching into the factory.. Surreal and hilarious. So count me as another cult member.

You are counted in, Lois!