NOT ANOTHER B-MOVIE

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Troma films have remained an unfaltering force within the shlock horror subgenre over the past couple of decades. One thing that is abundantly clear when looking back at their numerous titles is the fact that the Troma brand produces exuberant movies containing a risibly unrealistic premise. How intriguing it was then to tune in to a recent offering that burst out of Tromaville with more than a hint of sobering realism to it…

NOT ANOTHER B-MOVIE, as the title suggests, is a comical movie parodying the horror movie making process. As such, the body of the film revolves around a farcical business meeting at a restaurant between Byron, a script writer, and two movie producers. As Byron struggles in vain to stick to his original vision, his associates are intent in altering the script, in order to create their latest abomination! Apart from wishing to make $$$’s , they also want to create a film that will "make the audience walk out… in a good way!" Their shocking movie is tentatively titled "The Umpire Strikes Back", due to the narrative revolving around a baseball referee who flips and goes psycho (quite literally in a rip off of Hitchcock’s iconic black and white shower scene with a bat replacing the infamous knife!)

The alterations to the script, along with the mogul’s recollections of past ventures, are portrayed in short skits and scenes that are wonderfully interspersed into the static restaurant setting. They feature some hilarious results; Joe Estevez and Joe Faustino (the kid, now all grown up, from 90’s sitcom Married With Children) are the bickering, bad-ass cop duo who are at times outrageously violent.

Reggie Bannister adds some menace to proceedings as the aforementioned sports judge turned killer, who steadily gouges his way through a stream of budding scream queens.

But my personal favourite had to be the audition by Maniac Cop himself Robert Z’Dar, whose gurn and scream laden ‘audition’ has to be seen to be believed! I haven’t laughed so hard at a scene in a movie for years! Top class!

In a nice little side plot, Linday Gareth plays a waitress and struggling actress Holly who tries to convince the trio to give her a chance in one of their projects. Gareth actually does an excellent job of portraying the moral dilemma of a young actress on the casting couch in a truly poignant flashback scene. (when is the last time you read that about a Troma movie?!?!)

While NABM is obviously an exaggerated depiction of the movie industry, it does a brilliant job of representing some of the struggles a creative writer inevitably faces when trying to get the project of the ground. If that’s not enough, the greed of marketing executives is also alluded to with some uproarious merchandise. (Must have gift for your child this Christmas surely has to be a bloodied and bruised victim doll from the movie. Choose from ‘Too Slow Sue’ and ‘Unfortunate Annie’!)

As you can hopefully tell, I had a hoot watching this movie. An original idea executed brilliantly. The humour did die off a little toward the end but overall a very funny 90 minutes peppered with some cheap gore and of course a smattering of "T & A"!

So that’s the main feature. If you are still not convinced, the extra’s section on the disc may well clinch the deal.

In a 26 minute feature entitled, JAMES VALLO and LLOYD KAUFMEN ON INDEPENDEANT FILMAKING is a truly intriguing watch. Murdoch, Time Warner and Sony among others take a real bashing as the harsh reality of the independent film industry is discussed. Of course this is based experiences in the USA and it could be different here in the UK. Either way, it is still downright vulgar how these major corporations seem intent in bully independent film makers into submission. For example; I was unaware that theatres in America actually PAY the likes of Time Warner to show that latest blockbuster, such as Harry Potter etc. So what? But when you learn that an independent movie has to PAY THE THEATRE if they wish to pursue a theatrical release of their labours, you realise it’s not exactly a level playing field! To witness the likes of Kaufman, Vallo and Z’Dar speak so intelligently and passionately about fighting to keep independent film making alive was uplifting and really struck a chord with me.

Then there is a 16 minute sequence showing footage from the premier of the movie. Ok so there is no red carpet but it’s great to hear anecdotes and observations from the cast and crew confirming that the concept of the movie is of the very real challenges writers face in the movie business.

While it’s easy to criticize the likes of Troma for distributing a seemingly endless stream of juvenile cheapies, it’s also worth appreciating just how difficult it is for independent film makers to see their projects hit the screen at all.

I haven’t always been particular kind to Troma films, but in this instance, can’t recommend this DVD highly enough. If you want a bit of light hearted fun with a message, grab a copy now!

Review by Marc Lissenburg