Bubba Ho-Tep

An elderly Elvis impersonator (or maybe the King himself) and a demented Black man (or maybe J. F. K.) discover that their cut-rate nursing home is being haunted by a soul-sucking pseudo-Texan mummy. Despite some pointless 'gross-out' humour, this off-beat comedy-horror is fun and oddly affecting. Cult-fav Bruce Campbell is pretty good as the maybe-Elvis and his impressions of the King's classic mannerisms (and karate moves) is hilarious. Ossie Davis as a possibly dyed 35th POTUS is just strange and the rest of the cast are mostly props to hang sight-gags on, mostly. Not for everyone but if you like this sort of thing, 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is almost as good as its title.

Sebastian Haff is growing old in the Shady Rest Convalescence Home in Mud Creek, Texas. Sebastian Haff likes to be called by his real name, which is Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell). Also in the home is JFK (Ossie Davis), who is now an elderly black man. Both Elvis and JFK are in their twilight years and well and truly past their prime.

There are problems at night in the convalescence home as an unfriendly predator stalks the home for souls to steal. Elvis and his friend JFK team up to rid the home of the unfriendly predator.

The story is quite unusual and fun, there is comedy and some mild horror. The touching part is Elvis questioning his young life, and the dramas and challenges of dealing with old age. The soul searching from Elvis lifts the quality of the movie from being just another B grade movie.

Its a low budget movie and a bit dated by now, but the good performances of Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis carry the movie well.

I was expecting a little bit better movie from reading some reviews. However I was not disappointed with the move due to it being both quirky and sensitive.

I laughed when a friend suggested this movie. "Yeah, right," I answered, eyes rolled up.

"Well," he finally said a few weeks later, "Here, just look at it. Take my copy and bring it back."

"Okay, " I answered, "what do I have to lose? "

Obviously, I was shocked. This has to be one of the all-time surprises I've ever encountered in movie-watching. Who would have thought this film was this good? Talk about "original!" This is about as original and entertaining as they come, and, as I have stated in several other reviews, entertainment is the name of the game....so I have to rank this film right up there with my favorites.

I refuse to detail the story because the more you explain what it's about, the stupider is sounds and the less likely you will give it a shot.

I will say Bruce Campbell does a fabulous job of imitating Elvis Presley. In fact, he is the best I have ever heard, speaking-voice-wise. Ossie Davis is also a hoot as the old black man who thinks he's President John F. Kennedy. See? I can't say more, because it gets worse, story-wise, the more you explain.

Just trust me that if you appreciate dark humor with some horror thrown in, you'll love it. It's a bit sleazy and the language is very rough, so be ready for that. I guess you could say this "is not for all tastes." You have to be a little warped to enjoy this, but most of us are to some degree.

Be also be ready for one of the oddest films you've ever seen.

By the late 1970's, Elvis Presley had grown tired of the demands and stresses of fame. Seeking respite, he swapped places with an Elvis impersonator, who was the one who died in 1977. After an explosion destroyed his documentation, the real Elvis was doomed to live a life of anonymity forevermore. Now an old man, the King resides in a nursing home, where the only one who believes his story is an elderly black man claiming to be JFK. After another patient at the home dies, the King realizes that an Egyptian mummy is on the prowl, feeding on the souls of the aged; and he and the President are the only ones who can stop it.

Written and directed by Don Coscarelli, and based on the novel of the same name by Joe R. Lansdale, 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is a wildly original comedy-horror that also serves as a poignant meditation on the aging process. Arguably the best film about Elvis Presley to date, Coscarelli's characterisation is rich and his dialogue wackily comedic, though also affecting. Despite the fact that some aspects of the narrative concerning the mummy seem slightly rote, and the ending is underwhelming; the plight of the aging Elvis and the skin-dyed JFK is engaging and entertaining.

The film presents these two once all-powerful men being physically diminished by time, though with the same gusto and spirit they had in their glory days. The King might be riddled with cancer, but he can still take care of business, and through his battle with the mummy; a profound point is made about the importance of having purpose in life, and that though someone may be old, that doesn't mean they don't have value. For a film about a lumbering, cowboy-hat sporting mummy in a nursing home; 'Bubba Ho-Tep' has surprising depth.

It is a low-budget affair, though one could be mistaken for thinking otherwise, considering the stylish cinematography from Adam Janeiro and Daniel Vecchione's assured production design. Janeiro creates a grubby visual palette both atmospheric and striking, which Vecchione's detailed work compounds. The nursing home is presented as having a depressing, dull air, as if it were forgotten by time; bolstering the films themes and enhancing its tone. Damon Carruesco's set decoration and Justin Zaharczuk's art direction also contributes effectively to the mood of the piece; both down-trodden and despondent.

Moreover, Shelley Kay's costume design is rich, contributing to the personalities of the characters, and adding to the depth of the narrative. Additionally, Gene Doucette- who designed the outfits worn by Presley in real life- also created the ones seen on screen, lending proceedings authenticity and realism. Furthermore, Brian Tyler's score is stirring, compounding the films tension and suspense; while Scott J. Gill and Donald Milne's intuitive editing keeps things running at a good pace.

'Bubba Ho-Tep' stars Bruce Campbell as Elvis, alongside Ossie Davis as JFK. A charismatic, versatile actor, Campbell has arguably never delivered a performance as powerful or nuanced. He becomes the aged King so believably that the likes of Don Johnson and Austin Butler seem like bad mimics in comparison. Subtle and affecting, Campbell's work lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled, and will have you laughing and crying in equal measure.

Davis, meanwhile, has never been funnier as he is as the supposedly skin-dyed JFK. Sharing a great chemistry with Campbell, he is something of the comic foil of the two; and his sincere insistence that he is the 35th President- despite all the evidence to the contrary- is both heart-warming and raucously entertaining. In addition, Ella Joyce is excellent as a feisty nurse caring for the King, while Bob Ivy's performance as the titular mummy is a masterpiece of physical acting.

Poignant, powerful and a whole lot of fun, 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is a brilliant comedy-horror cocktail, with heart and soul to match its kooky characters and wackily original narrative. Although the ending boils down to a forgettable fight sequence, the journey there is a brilliant one, featuring strong dialogue, rich characterisation, much hilarity and striking visuals. Star Bruce Campbell has never been better, while Ossie Davis is marvellous, and their supporting cast don't let them down. In short, Don Coscarelli's 'Bubba Ho-Tep' will leave you hailing the King; baby.

In Mud Creek, Texas, at the Shady Rest Convalescence Center, a man called Sebastian Half (Bruce Campbel) claims to be the real Elvis Presley. He has been living in coma at the home for twenty years since he tripped off the stage. Sebastian explains that he switched places with an Elvis impersonator since he was tired of his fame but their contract that could prove his real identity was accidentally burnt to ashes in a barbecue. When his friend Jack (Ossie Davis), who is a black man that claims to be President John Kennedy, shows evidence that an ancient Egyptian mummy is sucking the souls of the residents of the nursing home, the skeptical Sebastian sees evidences that show that his friend is correct. Now the two old men plot how to stop the mummy.

"Bubba Ho-Tep" is an original, funny and highly entertaining comedy-horror film. The storyline is absolutely insane and weird, but it is worthwhile watching. Bruce Campbel is unrecognizable in the role of Elvis Presley, the true or the impersonator. Ossie Davis posing of a dyed John Kennedy is hilarious. The fight with the mummy is amusing. My vote is seven.

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