BUBBA HO-TEP; Full-Tilt Review

"Ask not what your rest home can do for you. Ask what you can do for your rest home."

Elvis 

Elvis is the main character, only as a hero, and not a pervert who manipulated little girls.

 

Synopsis:


Based on a short story by cult writer Joe R Lansdale and bought to the screen by cult director Don CosCarelli (he of Phantasm fame), what we have here is very 'cult'... In a nutshell, two residents of an East Texas retirement home, one of whom believes he's Elvis while the other (a black man) thinks he's JFK, must put aside their differences to combat a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy who preys upon the elderly and in-firmed. Honest, that's the plot.

Script: 2/2 - funny yet poignant

Pace: 1/2 - laid-back but never dull

Acting: 1/2 - hit and miss

Aesthetic: 1/2 - makes good use of a shoe-string budget

Intention: 2/2 - a heartfelt, off-beat, buddy-movie horror comedy

Final Word: 7/10

Now, the setup may sound like a comedy that derives cheap laughs from the fact its central characters probably have Dementia, yet the subject is dealt with a surprising amount of affection, and rather than ever poke fun at such a cruel disease, this merely serves as a way of bringing together two lovably bizarre characters. The result is the baffllingly affectionate team-up ever put to film, and what follows is the most relaxingly paced supernatural investigation this side of Scooby-Do. 
Bruce Campbell excels as the old-timer convinced he's Elvis (believing he swapped identities with an impersonator to escape the limelight), and while his acting may skew occasionally into impersonation rather than acting, he is never less than completely entertaining. He gets a fine sidekick from Ossie Davis as a lovably kooky 'JFK' (dyed black after a failed assassination, obviously). Sadly the side is let down by some less than convincing supporting thesps, but thankfully this never takes the shine off the movie. 
It's a surreal experience, that's to be sure, but a film that's definitely worth a look- love it or hate it, you won't have seen anything quite like it before.

"IT'S HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE'S ENTITLED TO ONE GOOD SCARE."

Sheriff Leigh Brackett

What is the most important subject a witch learns in school?...

 

So I got to thinking; it's that time of year again, and if I were ever to host a Halloween movie-marathon with friends (assuming I had enough friends), what horrors would I pick?  T
There are many, many horror classics to choose from, but in this instance, considering the 'party vibe' I'd be favoring (laughs and interruptions as assured as spillages and spoilers), here's what I'd recommend as my personal 'short list' for guests to choose from...

1. Nightmare on Elm Street, the Dream Warriors
A welcome return for original heroine Nancy, kitsch gallows humor from Englund on fine-form before the franchise got too silly, and some memorable characters.

2. Braindead (aka Dead Alive)
Possibly the most bloody climax ever committed to film, and some surprisingly good effects (for such a cheap film) in what is otherwise a slapstick comedy.

3. Scream
Wes Craven's satirical take on the old 'slasher' formula, never sacrifices it's scares in favor of daft comedy- instead the humor flows quite naturally from the characters as the body-count racks up to a memorably tense final.

4. This is the End
I've already paid lip-service to this in a whole review, so rather than go over the same stuff again why not just look it up? It's a good read- honest.

5. 30 Days of Night
A simple idea well told, fun if a little flawed at points. America's most northern town (so north in fact, it actually has a night that lasts 30 days- hence the title) is besieged by an army of Vampires. The survives of the initial bloodletting, led by the sheriff, must find a way to remain alive till sun-up. Kudos for featuring, in an age of soul-searching sparkly Vampires, some truly scary beasts...

6. Evil Dead 2
Common? Of course it was going to make the list- what's not to love? "Groovy"... 

7. Bubba Ho-Tep
A second entry for horror-hero Bruce Campbell, but this time round he gets to show off his considerable acting ability as a geriatric Elvis (don't ask) defending the aged patrons of an East Texas retirement home from a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy. Yes, it's a comedy (without ever resorting to being silly) and yes it's a horror (although the sweetest most lesuirley horror you're ever likely to watch).

8. Split Second
Rutger Hauer has a tough job ahead of him stalking a crazed heart-ripping mutant through the darkened flooded streets of near-future London. This little gem made the video-nasty list back in the 90's, but despite some gruesome scenes there's actually some decent banter between Hauer and his inexperienced Cambridge-educated partner. Think TV's Morse meets Predator 2.

9. An American Werewolf in London
Another obvious candidate. Excellent and (tragically) lovable performances, some moments of real tenderness and humor, but never at the expense of some of the most unbearably tense scenes in horror history. And who could ever forget that transformation? Perfect soundtrack too!

10. Dawn of the Dead (remake)
Not seen it? Shame on you! Call yourself a horror fan? Following hot on the heels of 28 Days Later, a film that makes Zombies actually scary again.

While I've not exactly favored comedy, I have opted for films unlikely to kill a party atmosphere, so some notably brilliant horrors have failed to make the list simply because they require too much attention to fully work or would leave everyone depressed. Honorable mentions include; Alien, The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, The Thing, Pumpkinhead, Halloween and The Hills Have Eyes (remake). Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil as well as Shaun of the Dead failed to make the shortlist, both excellent films in their own right but I had to be ruthless.



So, what are your thoughts? Have I overlooked any party-friendly horror films? Why not let me know... Happy Halloween...

The answer to the joke is "spelling". Thank you.