Get Your Reps In: “Josie and the Pussycats” Belonged on Top of the Charts

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

In retrospect, Josie and the Pussycats was destined for cult status on arrival in 2001. As the movie itself suggests, teenagers were hungrier for celebrity entertainment than for a satire of its corporate manufacturing. But step back, and what’s not to love? Josie plays like a cross between That Thing You Do! and Austin Powers. The earworm power-pop songs performed by Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) pass the smell test for the idea that the Pussycats actually were good enough to merit overnight fandom. And the dual performances by Alan Cumming and Parker Posey as music-industry archvillains are the comedic core of the movie. No Target-branded scenery is left unchewed by these two. Josie and the Pussycats plays at the Tomorrow Theater on May 16, presented by Violet Hex with play-along bingo.

Also Playing:

5th Avenue: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992), May 16–18. Academy: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), May 16–22. Mark of the Devil (1970), May 16–22. Metropolis (2001), May 16–22. Cinema 21: A Woman Is a Woman (1961), May 16. Fallen Angels (1995), May 16 and 17. In a Lonely Place (1950), May 17. Cinemagic: Universal Soldier (1992), May 16. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), May 17, 19 and 22. The ‘Burbs (1989), May 18 and 20. Inherent Vice (2014), May 18, 19 and 22. Clinton: Starcrash (1978), May 15. Galaxy of Terror (1981), May 16. Forbidden World (1982), May 16. Humanoids From the Deep (1980), May 17. Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), May 17. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), May 17. Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), May 18. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), May 18. The Velvet Vampire (1971), May 20. Hollywood: Real Life (1979), May 15. A Goofy Movie (1995), May 17 and 18. The Annihilation of Fish (1999), May 19. Capote (2005), May 19. Tomorrow: Aftersun (2022), May 15. Pride & Prejudice (2005), May 18. Girls Town (1996), May 18.