FILMS THAT DESERVED BETTER is an ongoing feature here on The Movie Blog of movies that failed to attract an audience at the theaters and failed to perform well at the boxoffice, yet were exceptional films. We just want to give out a hardy slap on the back and say “We love ya anyway”.
This whole category… nay… they whole phrase “movies that deserved better” was created for this one film. Bubba Ho-Tep is nothing short of a brilliant film. One of those very rare gems that not only was ass bustingly funny, but also made some incredible commentary and observations. The movie has one of the funniest premises I’ve ever seen, with a now very aged and very much alive Elvis Presley living in a seniors home with an old black man (The immortal Ossie Davis) who thinks he’s JFK… the two have to team up to fight an ancient Mummy who is stalking and killing the resident of the Seniors home. HILLARIOUS.
But… at the same time, when you look past the laughs, there are some great moments and observations made about the issues of aging… and life… and reflecting back on what meaning and impact you’ve made. In one heart breaking scene, one of the residents dies, and his estranged daughter shows up to collect his stuff… and really… the man’s whole life came down to a daughter that didn’t care, and a little box with some trinkets in it. How a movie manages to pull off both those extremes is amazing to say the least.
This brilliant film was never given a chance. No studios or distributors picked it up or gave it a full wide release. Instead, it was more important to give movies like “Motocross The Movie” a wide release. I’ll NEVER understand that.
In the end, Bubba Ho-Tep made just over $1 million at the box office. The good news is that it found an audience once it got to DVD due to the insanely popular word of mouth…. but even on DVD I’m shocked by how many people have never seen… and some haven’t even heard of… BUBBA HO-TEP!.
There aren’t enough words for how truly amazing and wonderful this little movie is. A simple, pretty low budget film that relies of a great script, great directing and a masterful.. nay… LEGENDARY performance by Bruce Campbell. If you haven’t seen Bubba Ho-Tep, go rent it… if you have seen it… go rent it again.
I never said “only” fanboys liked it.
I said it seems to be one of those movies that all fanboys adore.
I know you weren’t attacking me or anything, but I just wanted to make what I was saying clear.
…and, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with liking it.
More power to ya. I just dont get it.
P.S. –
Rotten Tomatoes means nothing to me… no offense, but reviews in general mean nothing to me. I make up my own mind as to whether or not I like something.
To all those who say Bubba is only liked by genre geeks, the movie is critically loved too. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with over 80%.
That’s not to say you’re wrong for not liking it. Just that you’re wrong for who you say is the only audience that likes it.
Hey Vic,
I couldnt agree more.
This movie was utter rubbish.
What a complete boring crapfest of a movie.
I tried to watch this thing three times and all three times I had to turn it off.
I gave it three times because of how much everyone raved about it like it’s the second coming or something. I thiought maybe I was just in the wrong mood or something, but man, I just dont get it.
It’s like it’s become one of those fanboy movies that ALL fanboys seem to love indiscriminately. It’s like a prerequisite or something. If you say you dont like it they’ll attack you with barbs like “You have no taste” or “You just didnt GET it” or whatever other juvenile insults they can throw your way.
Regardless, I agree with Barf Bag…
There’s a reason this movie didnt get any recognition…
I’m sorry, but Bubba Ho Tep stunk. I like Bruce Campbell, I like Don Coscarelli, but let’s not kid ourselves here – this was a dumb idea with so-so acting and effects work and horrible horrible execution.
There’s a very good reason why this movie didn’t get any better recognition – because it Bubba BLOWS Tep.
HA! what a contradiction.Grindhouse has as much cheese n corn as Bubba does.
meh….i wasn;t that impressed….my pops liked it, but to me it was way too corny for me….grindhouse should be next on this list tho….fuckin AMAZING movie
the Citizen Kane for our generation surely.
I’m in agreement – this is a tremendously underrated film. I recently bought it on DVD and having not seen in a while forgot how much fun it is.
Bubba Ho-Tep was amazing. It didn’t perform that well at the box office, but it’s definitely well-liked among the college crowd. Check out my list of Most Underrated Films of the New Millenium HERE:
http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/57/listid/8228/Movies/Most+Underrated+Movies+Of+The+New+Millenium.aspx
P.S.
Everyone watch Bruce on USA network on the show “Burn Notice” starring Jeffrey Donovan. 10pm Thursdays.
Comes back on after th U.S. open is over.
A heartbreaking commentary on the retirement home system. If you grow up in a throw-away, disposible society, you too get tossed out like trash when you are old.
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Ossie’s and Bruce’s acting was superb, nearly Oscar caliber.
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And a mummy.
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If you haven’t seen this film, rent it.
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Shane
I loved every single moment of the movie, but I have to say that it’s not for everyone. I would consider something like that, a “cult film lover’s” film. It’s really too weird for the mass audience. Still, Bruce Campbell was awesome and so was the guy who played JFK.
I got this movie because of you and Doug. Its probably my favorite comedy of all time. I wish more people have seen it.
The movie was pretty depressing, somewhat pessimistic; I loved every minute of it.
Agreed. Great film.
BRILLIANT FUCKING FILM, WITH BRILLIANT FUCKING PERFORMANCES BY CAMBLE AND DAVIS (“They dyed me this color”).
Great Horror, Pain inducing laughs, I was pissed, because it never made it to any theater in Tampa Bay, where I was living at the time.
Still waiting for Bubba Nosteruatu!
No one but Bruce Campbell could make an old Elvis plausible. You never question the validity of the premis which is amazing considering how silly it seems on paper. Much like Little Miss Sunshine sounds depressing on paper, but is a charming little picture.
Thanks John, this is a film that deserved much better.
Ya know, I love Campbell as an actor but it seems to me that all he’s been in is utter schlock. I tried like hell to watch Bubba Ho-Tep but all I could stand was about 10 minutes and I had to turn it off.
Vic
I agree…a brilliant film…I have lent my copy to a lot of people, who enjoyed it at one level or another. Amazing performance from B.C.
Amen John… Bubba Ho Tep is a modern classic. Bruce Campbell is just an amazing talent in my book and this movie had some of the best one liners ever.
In this day and age of internet buzz, I just don’t see how the last sequel to Army of Darkness wouldn’t be a hit if placed at the right time of year (say February)