|
|
|
|
|
|
||
 |
|
|
|
|
Bubba Ho-Tep (Limited Collector's Edition) |
Product Guide |
|
|
Home: You are here: Bubba Ho-Tep (Limited Collector's Edition) |
|
Bubba Ho-Tep (Limited Collector's Edition)  Rating: Rating:  - Bubba Ho-TepOutstanding Off-beat Movie, Cast is GREAT! Extra features are the best! Happy Happy, Joy Joy! Rating:  - Bubba Ho-TepBubba Ho-Tep is based on a short story by Joe R. Lansdale featuring two main characters that are cultural icons and a mummy. Obviously, this is not your typical Hollywood movie. Bubba Ho-Tep is a movie with a beyond-minuscule budget that has gained quite a cult following over the last 6 years. I didn't love the movie, but I found it hard not to admire it. Bruce Campbell plays Elvis Presley, a resident at an East Texas nursing home. Of course, no one believes that he's Elvis because Elvis is dead. Years earlier, weary of fame, Elvis traded places with an impersonator under the condition that he could return to his real life whenever he wished. Unfortunately, all of his documentation was lost in a barbecue accident and now he's just a delusional old guy with a growth in a rather unfortunate area. Another resident is John F. Kennedy (the wonderful Ossie Davis) who claims his assassination was staged by Lyndon Johnson and he was dyed as a result. After scarab beetles are found wandering the nursing home, the two men discover that a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy is afoot. From it's opening title card (providing us with amusing definitions of both "bubba" & "Ho-tep") to it's final scene, Bubba Ho-Tep is a ridiculous, yet amusing B-movie. The film is directed by Don Coscarelli, better known for his four Phantasm films. Here, he's made a unique and meditative horror-comedy that, love it or hate it, is unlike anything you've ever seen. Calling it a horror-comedy isn't quite appropriate. This is a film that really struggles to fit into one particular genre, especially as it's not horrific enough to be a horror film nor is it funny enough to be a comedy. If it's story and execution doesn't appeal to your cinematic palette, it's hard not to appreciate Bruce Campbell's performance, as he completely disappears into his role as Elvis. Casting is pivotal in a movie like this and miscasting could've taken away all credibility from the film. Campbell doesn't just make you believe that he believes he's Elvis but that he IS Elvis. Bubba Ho-Tep is not perfect and how can it be? It has Elvis and JFK battling a mummy, but it has real talent both behind and in front of the camera. There certainly needs to be a substantial amount of suspended disbelief going into this movie to really enjoy it; but Bubba Ho-Tep is charming and completely unlike anything I've ever seen. I recommend it, but be aware of what you're getting yourself into. GRADE: B- Rating: - A departure, but very impressive.First, I gotta say, I am a fan of Bruce and have been for years. I have Xena and Hercules on DVD, as well as Army of Darkness, Brisco County JR., Jack of all Trades, and 3 other movies... This one, Bubba Ho-Tep, is actually a departure for Bruce Campbell, a well thought out and surprisingly well written picture. There is very little that could be termed as sillyness, as in The Screaming Brain or Jack of all Trades. Instead, we get a remarkable performance from Bruce as an aging Elvis Presley - and not the stupid Elvis from his own motion picture days... no, we get a thoughtful introspective Elvis, with a portrayal of real humanity and regrets of his frivolous lifestyle during his days as the rock legend. Campbell is actually believable in this role and I think it is his strongest acting performance to date. And Ossie Davis quite simply added to the all around believability of this absurd scenario. I was amazed at how easy it was to suspend my own disbelief and go along for the ride... This DVD is well worth taking a chance on if you want more than the usual sillyness. Rating: - I don't get itI am a huge Bruce Campbell fan but this movie is weak. NOW, before you throw me to the cavern demon let me tell you this is just not what I expected. Very slow paced and excrutiatingly painful to watch. There were tons of room for Elvis humour but just falls short as if we only knew of Elvis from the tabloids? Bruce is awesome as always but this was too weird rather than upbeat like My Name is Bruce. This was more middle class fare as if the masses care about a film like this-more hehe lamo like like sex in the city or something where I can hear the uptights chuckle on the golf course or the housewives snicker at the 'mild' humour. Why a mummy? (ok Bubba HO TEP I get it) but werewolves/vampires would have been more exciting lore. Phantasm is one of my all time favorite films but Coscerelli is hit and miss like John Carpenter (remember 'Prince of Darkness? Ahck!!!). I forced myself to like it only because Bruce does a great Elvis. I suppose the crude penis jokes (altho funny) are no substitute for true clever humour. |
