Bubba Ho-tep (2002)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Don Coscarelli

Writers (WGA):

Joe R. Lansdale (short story)
Don Coscarelli (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 February 2004 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

The King vs. The King of the Dead

Plot:

Elvis and JFK, both alive and in nursing homes, fight for the souls of their fellow residents as they battle an ancient Egyptian Mummy.

Plot Keywords:

Nursing Home | Death | Texas | John F Kennedy | Elvis Presley

Awards:

6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Bruce Campbell	...	Elvis
Ossie Davis	...	Jack
Ella Joyce	...	The Nurse
Heidi Marnhout	...	Callie
Bob Ivy	...	Bubba Ho-tep
Edith Jefferson	...	Elderly Woman
Larry Pennell	...	Kemosabe
Reggie Bannister	...	Rest Home Administrator
Daniel Roebuck	...	Hearse Driver
Daniel Schweiger	...	Hearse Driver
Harrison Young	...	Elvis' Roommate
Linda Flammer	...	Room Nurse
Cean Okada	...	Attending Nurse
Solange Morand	...	Iron Lung Lady
Karen Placencia	...	Baby
Bruce Rawitz	...	TV Announcer
Joseph Primero	...	Janitor
Chuck Williams	...	Elvis' Boy
Timothy E. Goodwin	...	Elvis' Boy (as Tim Goodwin)
James Maley	...	Elvis' Boy
'Two-Gun' Tyler	...	Elvis' Boy
Steve Kassel	...	Sebastian's Band, Drums
Damon Carruesco	...	Sebastian's Band, Guitar
Lief Frederick	...	Sebastian's Band, Bass
Danny Crossen	...	Sebastian's Band, Keyboards
Gigi Fast Elk Porter	...	Trailer Park Gal (as Gigi Fast Elk)
Emily Wengel	...	Trailer Park Gal
Naveed Mahboobian	...	Egyptian Guard
Omid Naimi	...	Egyptian Guard
Joseph C. Boulder	...	Lunch Room Folks
Virginia Brown	...	Lunch Room Folks
Celia Gill	...	Lunch Room Folks
Harvey Flammer	...	Lunch Room Folks
Sylvia Flammer	...	Lunch Room Folks
Ruth Hansen	...	Lunch Room Folks
Mary Rose Waken	...	Lunch Room Folks
Natasha Kurtz	...	Vintage Picture Model
Avery Taylor	...	Vintage Picture Model
Nadia Angelini	...	Vintage Picture Model
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gabi Ferrer	...	Fan at concert (uncredited)
Regina Pope	...	Extra (uncredited)
André Sogliuzzo	...	Narrator (uncredited)

Directed by
Don Coscarelli

Writing credits (WGA)
Joe R. Lansdale		(short story)
Don Coscarelli		(screenplay)

Produced by
Dac Coscarelli	....	executive producer
Don Coscarelli	....	producer
Jason R. Savage	....	producer

Original Music by
Brian Tyler

Cinematography by
Adam Janeiro

Film Editing by
Scott J. Gill
Donald Milne

Casting by
Jerry Whitworth

Production Design by
Daniel Vecchione

Art Direction by
Justin Zaharczuk

Set Decoration by
Damon Carruesco

Costume Design by
Shelley Kay

Makeup Department
Melanie A. Kay	....	makeup artist
Robert Kurtzman	....	special makeup effects supervisor
Melanie Tooker	....	makeup application: Elvis

Production Management
Rosa Gonzalez	....	unit production manager
Jason Serrato	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rosa Gonzalez	....	first assistant director
Jin Ah Lee	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Paul Cander	....	carpenter
David Gechman	....	illustrations "Book of Souls"
David Hartman	....	illustrator
Carrie Schupper	....	assistant art director
Todd Stauder	....	swing

Sound Department
Thomas Appel	....	assistant sound editor
Paul Bacca	....	sound mixer
John Brasher	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Chominsky	....	adr recording engineer
Mark J. Harris	....	voiceover recordist
Eric Hoeschen	....	foley artist
Marcel Lehrer	....	post sound coordinator
Mike Loving	....	boom operator
Rick McLane	....	sound engineer
Paul Menichini	....	sound designer
Dominik Meyer	....	machine room operator
Stewart Nelson	....	adr supervisor (as Stewart Nelsen)
Paul Ratajczak	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paul Ratajczak	....	sound supervisor
Trevor Sperry	....	foley mixer
William Tabanou	....	narration editor
Trevor Ward	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Lance Wiseman	....	dialogue editor
Lance Wiseman	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Chad Atkinson	....	mold maker
Howard Berger	....	special effects makeup supervisor
Kamar Bitar	....	special effects coordinator
Connie Cadwell	....	lab technician
Jason Collins	....	special effects makeup
James Hall	....	lab technician
Steve Hartman	....	lab technician
Chiz Hasegawa	....	assistant special effects coordinator
Beth Hathaway	....	lab technician
Robert Kurtzman	....	special effects makeup supervisor
Gregory Nicotero	....	special effects makeup supervisor (as Greg Nicotero)
Scott Patton	....	sculptor
Brian Rae	....	mold maker
Alan Tuskes	....	mold maker
Alan Tuskes	....	special makeup effects crew

Visual Effects by
Tommy Dorsett	....	scanning and recording
David Hartman	....	visual effects supervisor
Kathleen Hartman	....	title logo design
Nicholas Lund-Ulrich	....	scanning and recording technician
Geoffrey Mark	....	visual effects animator
Dave Matherly	....	visual effects (as David Matherly)
Matt McFarland	....	scanning and recording manager
Santosh Oommen	....	visual effects animator
D. Kerry Prior	....	visual effects creator: bug unit
Michael T. Smith	....	visual effects supervisor
Jonard Soriano	....	CG animator
Peter Alun Thomas	....	scanning and recording technician (as Alun Thomas)

Stunts
John Casino	....	stunts
Eric Chambers	....	stunts
Gary Kent	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Sammy Beavers	....	additional cinematographer
Precy C. Betiong	....	first assistant camera (as Prezy C. Betion)
Thomas Bilyeu	....	still photographer
Chris Chomyn	....	additional cinematographer
David F. Clark	....	second assistant camera
Jordan Garretson	....	key grip
Paul Goldhammer	....	second assistant camera
James Goldman	....	dolly grip
Colin Hudson	....	Steadicam operator
Scott Libolt	....	still photographer
Chelsea Low	....	Steadicam operator
Alexandra Lucka	....	second assistant camera
Michael Miller	....	crane operator
D. Kerry Prior	....	additional cinematographer
D. Kerry Prior	....	photographer: second unit
William Sentelik	....	best boy electric (as Bill Sentelik)
Gary Stamford	....	gaffer
Brent Studler	....	rigging gaffer
Brad Wallace	....	second assistant camera

Casting Department
Joe Ferroni	....	casting associate
Jay Lawson	....	casting associate
Jeffrey M. Paal	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dee Dee Hopkins	....	assistant costume designer
Chloe Kay	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
James Williams	....	color timer

Music Department
Gary Krause	....	music editor
Daniel Schweiger	....	music supervisor
Jeff Vaughn	....	music engineer

Other crew
Carol Lynn Akiyama	....	legal services
Linda Bastin	....	purchaser
Peter Bierstedt	....	legal services
Lisa Charalambous	....	continuity
Stephen Chin	....	production assistant
Ashley Grimes	....	production assistant
Andy John	....	production assistant
Andrew Johnston	....	production assistant
Ramy Katrib	....	consultant
Jin Ah Lee	....	key set production assistant
Mike Loving	....	production assistant
Gabriel Martinez	....	production assistant
Kathy McHugh	....	script supervisor
Vern Moen	....	production assistant
Paul Nix	....	Elvis' limousine courtesy of
Gigi Fast Elk Porter	....	background coordinator
Christiane Savage	....	senior wrangler
Jeremy Tate	....	production assistant
Guy Thorpe	....	hearse coordinator
Tim Welch	....	consultant: Elvis
Emily Wengel	....	production assistant
Megan Whitener	....	production assistant
Sharon Wrisley	....	production accountant

Thanks
Naython Vane	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Silver Sphere Corporation

Distributors

• Vitagraph Films (2003) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• Films We Like (2004) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Klock Worx Company, The (2006) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Magna Pacific (2005) (theatrical) (Austrailia)
• Miracle Films (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• Tornado Film (2006) (Japan) (theatrical)
• WE Productions (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• Zootrope Films (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• Future Film (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (video)
• Manga Films (2005) (Spain) (DVD)
• Midget Entertainment (2005) (Denmark) (DVD)
• Silver Sphere Corporation
• WE Productions (2006) (France) (DVD)
• e-m-s the DVD-Company (2007) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• K.N.B. Effects Group (special effects makeup)
• Special Effects Services (pyrotechnic effects)
• Bad Weasel Productions (visual effects)
• Title House Digital (opticals)

Other Companies

• Production Magic Inc.  background coordination
• Silver Sphere Records  score album released by (limited edition)

Also Known As:

Bubbahotep (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief violent images.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Finland:K-18 | France:U | Argentina:16 | Germany:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Australia:M | Canada:14A | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Silver Sphere Corporation

Trivia:

Due to all the cameras, lights, and equipment virtually trapping him in his bed, at one point Bruce Campbell was forced to actually answer nature's call by using the same bedpan his character used to capture the giant scarab beetle.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Elvis and the mummy ride over the riverbank on the wheelchair, "Elvis" is a dummy. When the wheelchair flies over the camera, the Elvis Dummy's head actually falls off.

Quotes:

Callie: It was nice meeting you, Mr. Presley.
Elvis: Get the hell outta here.

Movie Connections:

References Scarface (1983)

"Always the Hopes... Never the Fulfillments"

I'd heard that when the end credits rolled for 'Bubba Ho-Tep' during the premiere in Detroit, there was a five minute standing ovation. Having seen the movie, I have to honestly say a five minute ovation seems not long enough. What a film! Other reviewers have called this film, "excellent," "fantastic," "wonderful," etc. While I won't question the reviewers' choice of words, I'm not sure the they're sufficient to describe just what an experience 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is.

"Superlative" probably comes closest.

So what exactly IS 'Bubba Ho-Tep?' Take your pick of one or all: Drama. Horror. Comedy. Tear Jerker. Life Lesson.

'Bubba' not only succeeds in each genre, but excels. Lesser movies have attempted to be jack-of-all-trades, but usually fall far short of one goal. One movie may be hilarious at its core, but preachy in the moral lesson. Another could be a fantastic horror film, but the creature ends up as more interesting and sympathetic than it's human co-stars. Yet another movie can teach a valuable lesson on life, but leave you depressed as you're exiting the theater.

'Bubba' succeeds where others have failed.

Enough praise can not be heaped on Bruce Campbell for his utterly believable performance as Presley. Even the hokeyness of Elvis threatening the mummy with his karate "stuff" was never over the top, as one could OH so see Elvis doing that! Campbell offers an amazing view into Presley's soul. Here lies a man upset with his lot in life, wanting to get away from the limelight yet craving it at the same time. A man wishing for the best but accepting of the worst. A man ready to shake off his failures and embracing his desire to be what he's always wanted to be - a hero. His finest line: "Always the questions, never the answers. Always the hopes, never the fulfillments." Sound familiar?

And how can one go wrong with Ossie Davis, who adds an aristocratic touch of humanity and sympathy as Jack Kennedy. IS he the President? Hey, stranger stories than his have been told! Best line: "It's now up to you, Elvis. You got to get him... You got to... take care of business." I challenge you to still have a dry eye after that.

The accolades should not stop here, however. Director Don Coscarelli didn't just write and direct 'Bubba,' he crafted it. With love, and with the finest attentions to detail, fit and finish. More so, he was faithful to Joe Lansdale's original story. (Which is a tribute to Coscarelli, as most mainstream Hollywood movies would have mangled the source material into something unrecognizable from what it once was.) The supporting cast was as fine as could be had. Pay special attention to Ella Joyce as the nurse. Though her character is meant to be cold and uncaring, Joyce still manages to sneak glimpses of humanity into the performance. One could see the nurse as someone who once had and still wants to care, but has become so desensitized that caring for her charges has all but dissipated. And who can forget the score? Talk about a custom fit between movie and music!

All in all, it is a crime that 'Bubba Ho-Tep' did not get greater exposure. More of a crime is a lack of Campbell's recognition by mainstream Hollywood for his outstanding turn as Elvis. (Then again, one gets the refreshing impression that Campbell gladly accepts this shun.)

Just as William Hurt's outstanding movie 'The Doctor' should be a prerequisite for any prospective medical student, 'Bubba Ho-Tep' should be required viewing for anyone who wants an uplifting, thoughtful, humorous, scary, and just plain great movie!

10 out of 10, no question, ifs ands or buts.