Paprika (2006):

"When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patients' dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist, Paprika, can stop it."

This magical tale centers on a revolutionary machine that allows scientists to enter and record a subject’s dream. After being stolen, a detective and brilliant therapist join forces to recover the device — before it falls into the hands of a “dream terrorist”. It really needs to be seen to be believed. There's a beautiful contrast here between dreams and mundane reality. Plus, many secrets the characters have are only expressed in dreams.

As the movie goes on, the dreams become darker and more surreal. People start talking nonsense and killing themselves. And eventually the nightmare visions infect reality. Only Paprika, who appears to be a happy-go-lucky therapist can stop them. Paprika's early scenes have a great sense of limitlessness and flight, in contrast to drab waking life, highlighting the theme of magical realism. Check it out, whenever you can!

Death Race: Beyond Anarchy (2018):

Death Race: Beyond Anarchy (2018):

"Black ops specialist Connor Gibson infiltrates a maximum security prison to take down legendary driver Frankenstein in a violent and brutal car race."

Technically, this is Death Race 2000 4. In this version, a privatized security firm runs the Sprawl, a massive prison housing around 420,000 inmates. One of the inmates is hired to kill Frankenstein, the race's champion. It's pretty fast-paced with a death metal/punk aesthetic vs. the original game show parody setting. The action and racing scenes are over-the-top as always. I liked it. It's on Netflix. Check it out!

Fist of the North Star (1986):

Fist of the North Star (1986):

"A practitioner of the deadly martial art "Hokuto Shinken" allies with two children and an expert in "Nanto Suicho-Ken" to fight against the rivals who kidnapped his lover and threaten the prosperity of mankind."

Popular, but strange! In a nuclear wasteland, you have Kenshiro, who can make people's heads explode by punching them. You have his brother, who can cut through people with his fingers and stole Ken's girlfriend. Then, there's King Rao, who's raising an army across the wasteland to stop some kids from planting seeds. On top of all this bonkers fighting, there's some classic memes here too. Watch it if you can.

Night Hunter (1996):

Night Hunter (1996):

"Vampire hunter Jack Cutter must fulfill his destiny and destroy the last of the bloodsucking creatures of the night before an unholy disaster strikes."

Jack Cutter is the last in long line of vampire hunters. After killing a few vampires in one L.A. restaurant, he is chased both by police and by other vampires. Free on Tubi!

Yamasong: March of the Hollows (2017):

Yamasong: March of the Hollows (2017):

"An automated girl and tortoise warrior journey with a band of outlaws on an incredible quest. Their one hope is to find a legendary relic to defeat a sinister mechanized army and save the creatures of their world."

Nani the automated girl's heart beats so fast that it causes the prison moon housing the Hollows (robots) to plummet into planet Yamasong. Now, it's up to Nani and her friends to stop the Hollows from turning everyone into a soulless robot.

Great puppet work here from Brian Henson. An all-star voice cast! A crazy alien planet! My only complaint is that thematically, it's like The Dark Crystal, with souls being sucked out by an evil army, so if you didn't like that, you won't like this. Otherwise, check it out! Free on Tubi!

The Circle (2017):

"A woman lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, only to uncover an agenda that will affect the lives of all of humanity."

Basically, Mae (Emma Watson) joins a social media company, The Circle, that removes any privacy from people's lives. Like, people willingly submitting themselves to 24/7 surveillance. Probably doesn't age well, but is strange for the idea that social media could become a sinister cult. Check it out!

Escanaba in da Moonlight (2001):

Escanaba in da Moonlight (2001):

"A macho man in a family on the eve of deer-hunting season must deal with the eldest son's curse of never having bagged a buck."

Wacky hunting buddies must appease a Native American god while on a deer hunting trip. Hijinks and hauntings ensue in this very strange dark comedy. Free on Prime. Check it out.