It probably isn’t normal to get excited over an awful, awful movie, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m actually giddy that The Room is making its way to Calgary. Tommy Wiseau’s melodramatic scheisse-terpiece has been gathering steam in the seven years since its release, slowly transforming from a baffling failure to a legitimate cult classic. (Check out the trailer below.)

Written, directed and produced by lead actor Tommy Wiseau, The Room has been compared to a late-night Cinemax movie with less sex and worse acting — which doesn’t sound like an endorsement until you see the hypnotically awful clips floating around YouTube. Bad film buffs won’t want to miss the screenings this Thursday, April 1 and Sunday, April 4, both at the Plaza.

In fact, there’s an abundance of cult film at the Plaza this week. In addition to the aforementioned abomination, the long weekend will also see screenings of the much-loved The Muppet Movie every day from April 2 through April 5, perfect for indoctrinating your kids on the appeals of Jim Henson and vaudeville.

Henson and crew make another appearance with a pair of screenings of Labyrinth, starring a young Jennifer Connelly, with special appearances by David Bowie’s barely concealed package. Not to be crass or anything, but, really — once you notice it, it’s hard to look at anything else. The Labyrinth screening is a double feature with Monty Python’s Life of Brian, a lampooning of religious fanatics that drew protest from flocks of Christians who decided to completely miss the movie’s point. Seems like perfect Good Friday viewing to me.

On a less blasphemous note, the Calgary International Film Festival and Doc Soup is presenting Soundtrack for a Revolution on April 2 at Eau Claire, an examination and celebration of the “freedom songs” that have been a part of the civil rights movement since its inception. With performances from The Roots, Blind Boys of Alabama, John Legend and plenty more, plus interviews with major civil rights figures, expect something more energetic than your average doc.

Wrapping things up, Academy Award-winning drama Shine is the latest installment in Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions’ Science and Cinema series, which pairs free movie screenings with discussions of the medical issues at their core. Catch it on Thursday, April 8 at the Plaza. Entertainment and learning — together at last.