Review: I’d been hearing rumblings about this film for quite sometime and was thrilled when I found out that it was at this year's Toronto Film Festival. Midnight Madness shows at the festival (if you hadn’t already guessed) are my absolute favourites. The sacrifice of sleep is a small price to pay to view some of these gems in their intended forum. Plus, I know that if I miss them at the festival, it’ll be ages before I can find get my hands on them domestically. The Irrefutable Truth about Demons, a film from the 2000 festival, still manages to elude me. Anyway, the Midnight Madness showing of Bubba Ho-tep was no exception to this rule.

Don Coscarelli, the man responsible for the Phantasm franchise and Bruce Campbell, who needs no introduction, were both present at the screening. I met Bruce at a book signing last fall and not only is he personable and extremely funny, but also a great public speaker.

Coscarelli and Campbell’s antics before and after the show made for a great experience. Bubba Ho-tep, as with most independent projects, seemed to be a labour of love and the maker’s appreciation of the receptive midnight crowd was evident.

Given what I knew, I really don’t think I couldn’t have enjoyed myself that night. Especially when I walked by the theatrical poster and saw Bruce decked out in the Elvis get-up. And besides, it couldn’t possibly be worse than Phantasm IV.

I had a blast. Bruce Campbell fans are going to eat this up. He Is the King! Campbell’s slow-motion walk from the limousine with his entourage is classic and got a huge ovation. Ossie Davis, as a decrepit old man who thinks he’s JFK, holds more than his own, delivering some of the funniest lines in the movie. The gore gurus at KNB EFX Group do another great job with their design of the ancient soul sucker, Bubba Ho-tep. Judging from the capacity crowd, fun was had by all. All is well.

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Copyright© Written By: Tom Servo
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