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Another BUBBA HO-TEP Show Added At The Egyptian! And A Review From San Francisco!!

Published at:  Feb 19, 2003 6:16:07 AM CST

Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.



Either you know what this is by now or you don’t. If you do, and if you’re in LA, then I bet you’re part of the reason that special screening next week sold out so fast. Have no fear, though, if you got boned on tickets. There’s another show added, as explained here:



Hello,

I saw your posting on the site from last week. The 7:30 PM screening is sold out, but we have added another at 10:30 PM, same day. Please let your readers and fans know. Bruce Campbell and Don Coscarelli will introduce the screening. See below. Thanks.

WE HAVE ADDED A 2nd SCREENING OF BUBBA HO-TEP. PLEASE REFLECT THIS IN YOUR LISTINGS. Thank YOU!

Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 7:30 PM SOLD OUT

10:30 PM ADDED SCREENING

[Tickets are now on sale for the 10:30 PM Screening. Bruce Campbell & Don Coscarelli will introduce this screening.]

BUBBA HO-TEP (2002, 92 min., USA) THE KING OF ROCK VS. THE KING OF THE DEAD!

Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominated short story by cult author Joe R. Lansdale, the stylish and funny BUBBA HO-TEP tells the "true" story of what really became of Elvis Presley. We find Elvis (Bruce Campbell) as an elderly resident in an East Texas rest home plauged by an evil Egyptian mummy. It seems he switched identities with an Elvis impersonator years before his "death," and now he's lost his desire. But now he has the chance to save the other residents from losing their souls (not to mention their lives), so he teams up with Jack (Ossie Davis), a fellow nursing home resident (who thinks that he is actually President John F. Kennedy), and the two valiant old codgers sally forth to battle mummy and save the nursing home. At once a fun sci-fi/horror romp and an exploration of aging, dignity and the meaning of life. Directed by Don Coscarelli. Discussion following with Don Coscarelli and Bruce Campbell.

One of our readers got to see the film in San Francisco this weekend, and here’s what he has to say about it:



I actually was surprised I got to see this movie. Tickets for the SF Indie Film Fest were available for almost every movie except Bubba-Ho-Tep. Yup, the film was apparently one of the only SOLD OUT shows, and enough people showed up that they actually scheduled a last-minute second showing at 11:30pm. Yup, this is destined to be an instant cult classic.

For good reason, too! What I expected to be a deliciously witty romp through a ridiculous script turned out to be a poignant insight into the waning years of our lives. The performances by Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis were superlative, truly making me believe they were who they said they were. You could see how clearly their past lives weighted their current existence...breaking down and withering their souls. I believed! Definitely the most nuanced performance I have ever seen by Bruce.

The mummy was a grand and grisly spectacle, yet I found myself asking "how did this mummy get to this particular rest home?" until well into the movie. That part still seemed unimportant, however. The mummy and special effects work wasn't the part of the movie I was focused on.

Don Coscarelli and Bruce Campbell both showed up to answer questions. Bruce was well disguised, with long coat, newsboy cap, and moustache. I thought I was looking at a stand-in cabbie from "Taxi" until he opened his mouth. Bruce's driver turned out to be an old acquaintance of mine. Turns out Bruce was dressed like a reject from "Welcome Back Cotter" because he'd been mobbed by fans a few too many times. Simon Templar, eat yer heart out!

A few questions were asked. Some goon wanted an autograph (and got it). Another, more clever goon, wanted Bruce to call his friend. Which Bruce actually did! The one side of the conversation went something like this:

BRUCE: "Hello, is this Chris? Yes? I'd like to know how you feel about the quality of insurance you're currently receiving." "Chris, do you feel you could get better insurance? Chris? Hello? Hey, guy. Your buddy Chris just hung up. Does this thing have caller ID? Let me know if he calls back."

Apparently there wasn't a whole lot of winging it on this film, Don said. They worked very closely with the script Don had worked up. I'm guessing that since he was ponying up his own cash, he didn't want to have much film end up on the cutting room floor, although Bruce had said that the first week of shooting pretty much got 86'd until they could get his makeup just right. At first it took 3 hours to get the prosthetics on him until they slimmed it down to a mere 2 hours.

Apparently they are looking into making a second movie, and they had a couple of ideas. They asked the crowd to vote between "Bubba Nosferatu" and "Bubba Saskwatch" - to which "Bubba Nosferatu" recieved an overwhelming response. Apparently the Aged King of Rock N' Roll may end up in New
Orleans. Think Cajun Voodoo Popcorn Fu.

Don also mentioned that they have had a number of distribution offers for the film, but that they opted not to take the short and easy money. The film is good, and I believe that they are holding out for a fair deal. They know that Bruce will make a killing on DVD sales, so...It's just a matter of time until they recieve an offer that they're happy with. Good. They'll get it. When they do...

Redraike says "Check it Out"!

You’ll be glad you did. Thanks for the review and for the updated screening info, everybody.



"Moriarty" out.








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    Readers Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 7:18:49 AM CST

    Missed one George

    by earthworm

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 8:14:06 AM CST

    Hey Moriarty maybe .....

    by pantingbuffalo

    you could get Ebert to screen Bubba at the over looked film fest here in Champaign so we can see it too, since I dont live on the west coast.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 9:19:04 AM CST

    ........

    by dog of mystery

    Still waiting for this damn movie to make it to my neck of the woods here in snowy Central Ohio. I'd go see it if it were in Champaign, though...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 9:48:05 AM CST

    In the name of all that's holy...

    by pseudo

    ...this needs to get distributed so that I can finally see it! I'm glad they have faith in their film, and I wish the best for them, Mr. Cambell is a very forthright person (not exactly what one is used to seeing coming from the town that created and mastered the grin-fuck), I just hope they get a deal soon, or start taking it on the festival circuit where more people will have a chance to see it.

    Cheers,
    ??Pseudo??

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 11:04:03 AM CST

    when's the DVD coming out??

    by nocturnaloner

    Cause that's the only way most of us will ever be able to see it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 1:12:44 PM CST

    Bubba ho-tep rocks

    by redraike

    So glad I got to see this movie, but I'm telling you...Ossie Davis plays JFK, not somebody who THINKS he's JFK. I swear. It's the biggest mystery in the film. Is he JFK or is he crazy? I'm saying JFK.

    The Lone Ranger, now *HE* was crazy!

    ---B.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Feb 19, 2003 3:21:19 PM CST

    Somebody kill me, please

    by goda lecter

    I

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