Greetings fellow film fanatics. My apologies for such a long time between
installments of The TOWER. This time out instead of focusing on a single film
I've decided to expose the works of a director to the world to show what you're
missing by not viewing the world of micro budget cinema.
Michael Legge, the head of sideshow cinema (http://home.comcast.net/~sideshowmike)
has done something pretty uncommon in the sea of shot on video dreck that
assaults our senses. Sure I'm just like the next guy and really can't get
enough of the Attack Of The Lesbian, Vampire, Zombie, Britney Sears Clones
That Only Attack Pathetic Fan Boys Part 2. But, how much of that crap can
you watch? You gotta have something different. Something that isn't the pabulum
foisted on us by the lawyers of Hollywood. Thankfully, we have Michael Legge
to fill that void.
I'll show you what I mean by examining four of his films that are currently
available on DVD in double feature format. You get twice the flick that way.
The DVD's are available at www.b-movie.com and be sure to tell the gang at
b-movie that Penguin Comics sent you.
First up we have LOONS. It seems that there in an ancient curse on the Coukos
family. One male member of the family thought he was a doorstop for the better
part of his years. Another thinks he's a puppet complete with invisible strings.
Now you can imagine that when Jeff finds out that not only does he have a
crazy brother, but the brother is the aforementioned puppet. Well, Jeff doesn't
handle things well. Especially when he has plans to marry the love of his
life. How can they have children if there's this whole curse thing hanging
over their heads? Then the impossible happens. Jeff's brother is cured for
no reason. And at the same time Jeff starts to see clowns everywhere. And
if that wasn't enough, the witch that initially cursed the Coukos family has
returned to life and is out for additional revenge on the Coukos family.
LOONS is actually an earlier film and while it may have some rough edges those
just add to the charm of the movie. It's a well done black comedy with some
bizarre, horrific overtones to keep things jumping. The acting is well done
and Michael has a great comedic presence on film. It was with LOONS that I
realized that Michael has a great knack for giving himself the best parts
in his movies. Or at least the funniest.
On the same disc is what may be one of the strangest comedies ever put on
film. I'm talking about CUTTHROATS and it is fantastic!
Michael manages to capture the politics of an office working environment.
The cheating, the underhanded behavior and the gossip mill. Our hero, Don
Drinkwater, finds himself with two problems. One, he can't sleep nights. Two,
the office has been taken over by a new boss who's methods are cruel and unorthodox.
It isn't long before the office is in turmoil. And when Don finds solace in
a tape of the ocean waves things get weirder by the minute. Don finds a new
reality intruding on the old one. And when you get to the end of the film
you will not believe what waits for you! Needless to say, the film is quite
good, but the ending makes it priceless.
Next up is BRAINDRAINER and Mr. Legge transports us to the days of yesteryear
and cheesy pulp novels. A harmless meteor drops to Earth. Unfortunately, it's
not harmless. The rock has the ability to drain all your intelligence in a
matter of seconds. Doctor Belinda Garland of Pointless Research Institute
tries to find a beneficial use for the new discovery, but her research is
foiled by the mad hypnotist The Amazing Jacques. Teaming up with The Spiderwoman
they steal the meteor for their own insidious means.
BRAINDRAINER is a laugh a minute as well as an homage to the potboilers of
the 30's and 40's. On a micro budget Michael Legge gives us a quality piece
of entertainment. The interesting thing is that the budget of his film is
probably comparable to those old films when you consider the budget of a Hollywood
epic from back then. Director Legge demonstrates that a great script and competent
film making styles will make a low budget unknown film into a true winner.
Finally, there is HONEY GLAZE. When I first got the disc I marveled at the
cool, retro art work and the tagline 'Justice Is Blonde."I knew I was
holding a winner in my hands at that point. And I was dead on the money. Honey
Glaze is the perfect little girl. She loves her doting father and always plays
nice with her toys. Problem is that she's thirty years old and she has no
idea that her father is a government agent. He is protecting a secret micro
chip called The Master Stroke. The Master Stroke is capable of shutting down
every computer in the world and the evil genius, Dr. Sum Thaim, wants it.
By wiping out all the computers in the world he can introduce his own operating
system. Venetian Blinds 2005. The most unfriendly computer operating system
in the world. (I guess the good doctor didn't know about Windows ME).
With the help of secret agent Dash Hope Honey grows up real fast and sets
about exacting her revenge for the death of her father.
HONEY GLAZE once again shows Michael's love for the genre films of old. He
managed to include most of the major spy thriller cliches on a budget that
probably cost more than James Bond's hair tonic. The laughs are plentiful
and of a more intelligent nature than your average Hollywood comedy. That's
what separates Michael's films from the rest of the micro budget pack. Intelligence.
He never talks down to his audience and just assumes that you know what he's
trying to do. Michael makes movies that Michael wants to see. Since he's your
average joe with a higher than average intelligence, he's writing films for
a great many of us. As a matter of fact, he's making a new film as we speak
titled, DEMOCRAZY. And you know if Michael has decided to attack the political
scene that it's guaranteed to be hilarious. I can hardly wait. In the meantime
his other films are available now. So, instead of blowing a twenty on the
newest batch of release at Lackluster Video, send off the cash and get a couple
of great films that stand up to repeated viewing. You won't be sorry. Don't
forget, go to www.b-movie.com and order your copies today. And I'm not being
paid to say any of this. Just a heartfelt opinion of films that the general
public must be exposed to before we all become pathetic, mindless drones weaned
on the tit of Hollywood pabulum. Have a great day and be sure to visit the
Tower again soon. I'll keep the rack warm for you .