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There are few movie characters who embody the role of "underdog" as fully as the Toxic Avenger. A lowly janitor at a chemical facility who is thrown into the slime by his nefarious bosses, he emerges as a mutant with superhuman strength and a glowing mop which is able to corrode human skin on contact.

A remake of the surprise 1984 hit from Troma Studios, this film is nothing if not inspirational. Peter Dinklage is mesmerizing in the title role, particularly in the early scenes before he is transformed into the creature. I can't help thinking that his performance was subdued by the heavy prosthetic make-up he wears in the later scenes. Also outstanding are Kevin Bacon as the scheming boss at the chemical plant and Elijah Wood as his creepy brother - who reminded me of the character of Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Where does Angelheaded Hipster rank among the enormous array of rock'n'roll documentaries? In my opinion it belongs somewhere near the middle of the pack along with the Joan Jett doc Bad Reputation. Much better than the tedious Bowie film Moonage Daydream, but nowhere near the Iggy Pop masterpiece Gimme Danger.

There are some amazing interviews with the likes of Billy Idol and Nick Cave as well as good archival footage of Marc Bolan during his heyday. The only thing I feel it lacks is some new perspective on T. Rex and Mr. Bolan. Of course that does not make it a complete waste of time and energy, just a slight disappointment.

This mid-1980's underground short is probably my favorite Richard Kern movie. It begins in an East Village NYC tenement where Lydia Lunch works as a phone sex operator/prostitute. She gets into it with one of her johns, who then abducts her and drives her out to a strange rural location. Along the way they encounter the incredibly deranged Lung Leg, who appears to be in the midst of a mental health crisis. To say any more would risk spoiling it - so I'll just say check out Fingered!