Suppose Elvis (Bruce Campbell) was alive and swapped places with an impersonator, only to have the faux die before they can switch back. Now Elvis is 68 years old and living in an old folk's home. His only friend is a black man who thinks he's JFK (Ossie Davis). Elvis spends his days watching the world go by and dreaming of the past while his nurse rubs some salve on the pus-filled lump on his little Elvis. So when a mummy in cowboy gear starts making meals out of the souls of the weak, unsuspecting inhabitants of the same rest home, it's time for Elvis and JFK to put geriatric foot to mummified ass!

Cleopatra does the nasty.

Director Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) took Joe Lansdale's story and came out with one of the most audacious features in recent memory. So it was no surprise that it took the film a couple of years to make its way around the festival and arthouse circuit before getting a theatrical release. Was it worth the wait? The answer, my friends, is a resounding yes!

Eat the dog dick of Anubis, you ass wipe.

In a world of big budget remakes an other assorted unoriginal ideas, Bubba Ho-Tep gives us a cool mummy (when was the last time that happened?) and as many chuckles as there are scares. Throw in a flying scarab beetle, and you got yourself one unique film. And not one CGI image in sight!

I'll lube my own crankshaft from now on.

Bruce Campbell is at his best, never overplaying his part or making his character a parody. He is Elvis. Granted, an old, cancer-ridden Elvis, but Elvis indeed! He's helped out with the new Master of Horror - Ossie Davis. I can't remember the last time I've seen an actor as elegant and as unparalleled as Mr. Davis. He might be "thinking with sand" but he's so earnest you believe every word out of his mouth.

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

But what makes this film more than just a horror/comedy is its agonizing look at how we treat the old. Elvis is not without regret and JFK is probably just a senile old man. Both left to live out their remaining days inside the cold four walls that cage them. Amongst the mummy stalking, Bubba Ho-Tep is all about dignity. In fact, this film is quite poignant - not a word you liken to horror movies these days.

Let's get decadent.

Although still playing in a few select cities, the folks at MGM have done right by Bubba Ho-Tep and released a truly amazing collector's disc. Two commentary tracks (one with Bruce Campbell as Elvis!), several entertaining featurettes especially "The Making of Bubba Ho-Tep," a collectable booklet, a couple of fun deleted scenes, a photo gallery, trailer… you name it! I'm surprised it didn't come with a lock of Elvis' hair. Bow down to the kings, baby. Bubba Ho-Tep is in the building!

(Click Here for DVD's Technical Specs)

AMANDA BY NIGHT