BY: BOOKMANS

Pick a theme. Make a list. Share it with us. You know her as cult film diva Midnite Movie Mamacita and captain of the Brutal Beauties, 2006 AZ Derby Dames champions. Who better to school you on her Top 10 Grindhouse Films of all time than the lovely Andrea Beesley-Brown?

What is this HANDPICKED thing?

Cult cinema has always been a passion for Andrea Beesley-Brown, aka the Midnite Movie Mamacita. "I've always been a fan of strange and bizarre films, preferring them to mainstream cinema," she says. "There's just something about the quirky acting, stupendous dialogue, groovy costumes, mind-boggling cinematography, and far-out storylines that is so nostalgic, and such a raw slice from the '60s and beyond that you can't find anywhere else."

Midnite Movie Mamacita started at the end of 2005, when Andrea met a few of Russ Meyers' starlets at a convention. "I suggested they come out to Phoenix for a show. When they agreed, it was up to me to put together something worthy of their cult status." February 2006 marked Midnite Movie Mamacita's first show, "The Party with the Pussycats," and her cult film screenings and events have been going strong since.

In addition to mining the fertile depths of grindhouse features, Andrea is also heavily active with the AZ Derby Dames, the newest and fastest growing all-girl roller derby league in Arizona. "We have talented skaters and exciting games where all walks of people come together to watch fierce competition," she says. "For only $8 you get a full night of entertainment with Derby action and a band, all in the comfort of the indoor skating rink at Castle Sports Club."

And if you haven't been out to a Midnite Movie Mamacita event yet? "With Midnite Movie Mamacita and the Grindhouse Redux show at Chandler Cinemas, we are reviving something really unique," Andrea says. "Nowhere else in Phoenix can you see these crazy cult films in 35mm, in a large auditorium. We have great giveaways and are always doing some sort of kooky competition, so it's a film festival without the festival." You can check out upcoming MMM events below or by visiting the official site.

Midnite Movie Mamacita's Handpicked
"Top 10 Grindhouse Films"

WARNING: Some clips may feature strong language here and there, and there's at least one (hilariously fake) decapitation, in addition to the requisite blood and screaming. Watch at your own risk!

Dolemite
starring Rudy Ray Moore
Tagline: "Bone-crushing, Skull-splitting, Brain-blasting ACTION!"

Death Race 2000
starring David Carradine & Sylvester Stallone
Tagline: "In The Year 2000 Hit And Run Driving Is No Longer A Felony. It's The National Sport!"

Pieces
directed by Juan Piquer Simón
Tagline: "You Don't Have To Go To Texas For A Chainsaw Massacre!"

Legend of the Wolfwoman
directed by Rino Di Silvestro
Tagline: "A true story so brutal and horrifying it was kept from the public for over a century!"

Score
directed by Radley Metzger
Tagline: "A Feast for the Erotic Gourmet."

Cannibal Holocaust
directed by Ruggero Deodato
Tagline: "Ripout! Barbeque! Devour! How long can you take it?"

Night of the Living Dead
directed by George Romero
Tagline: "They keep coming back in a bloodthirsty lust for HUMAN FLESH!"

The Corpse Grinders
directed by Ted V. Mikels
Tagline: "They Went in People and Came Out Hamburger!"

The Pom Pom Girls
starring Robert Carradine
Tagline: "It was their senior year... the last chance to raise hell!"

Blood Freak
directed by Brad F. Grinter & Steve Hawkes
Tagline: "Only the blood of drug addicts can satisfy the thirst of the blood freak monster!"

Don't miss out on these upcoming events, courtesy of Midnite Movie Mamacita and I Can Smell Your Brains:

Andrea on the Web:
Midnite Movie Mamacita
Midnite Movie Mamacita MySpace
AZ Derby Dames
AZ Derby Dames MySpace
The Brutal Beauties MySpace

Interested in being featured in HANDPICKED? Got upcoming projects you'd like us to know about and a burning desire to share your favorite finds? Email Heather at heatherc(at)bookmans.com for details.