Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

It's St. Patrick's Day!! Put on your green attire and head out to your favorite Irish bar for a round of emerald margaritas and green Budweiser (traditional Irish spirits).

OR...you can kick back with today's "Leprechaun" marathon on SyFy. This is pretty much an annual event (which I covered last year). The first film in the series is certainly worth watching since it's the debut of Jennifer Aniston.

The real highlight is the premiere of "Leprechaun's Revenge" at 8 p.m. (CST). I am not 100 percent sure if it's an official part of the "Leprechaun" franchise, but it looks promising. First off, it stars Billy Zane, who specializes in B-movie sleaze. William Devane co-stars.

If you prefer super heroes to horror, tune in to my new favorite network Me-TV. A "Green Hornet" marathon kicks off at 5 p.m. (CST). Sure, last year's movie blew, but the TV show still kicks ass. Plus, Svengoolie is hosting the festivities!

Born to Be Wild!!

First of all, don't believe everything you read. "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" has been taking a pounding by critics and fanboys. I had a date night with Mrs. Weekend Drive-In this week, and we checked it out.

I loved it!

Look, any movie about a flaming skeleton demon who rides a motorcycle isn't going to be a cinematic masterpiece. Plus, it's made by the dudes who made the "Crank" movies, so fans have to know what they're getting into.

Yes, the plot is flimsy at times. It focuses on former cycle daredevil Johnny Blaze (Nic Cage at his nuttiest), who made a bad pact with the devil and turns into the fiery, skull-faced Ghost Rider. In short, he's out to save a kid (who is the unwitting spawn of Satan). Joining Blaze is action monk Moreau (Idris Elba - star of two other comic movies "The Losers" and "Thor"), who likes to drink and can handle high-powered firearms. The adversaries are the devil himself (a creepy looking Ciaran Hinds) and Blackout (Johnny Whitworth), a super villain who looks like Edgar Winter. Also, look for Christopher "Highlander" Lambert as a creepy monk covered in tattoos.

The movie is quite a bit darker than its predecessor but never loses its comic book sensibilities. The action sequences are entertaining enough, and Cage steps up the lunacy as he laughs, snarls, growls and mumbles through the movie. Hinds also deserves a hand for playing a well-dressed and deformed devil.

As far as comic movies go, it's pretty cool. Of course, it's no "Iron Man," but I'll take it. Honestly, I had more fun watching this than the "Dark Knight" (an overrated film every that elitist fanboy swears by). I believe "Spirit of Vengeance" clocked in at about 90 minutes, which was perfect! No drawn out chase scenes, no talky interludes, no unnecessary romance angles.

So, call me crazy, but I do recommend "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." And yes, see it on the big screen! We have to support as many theatrical B-horror, super hero flicks as possible!

Forget what every comic movie site tells you. "Spirit of Vengeance" delivers the goods. They might not be Oscar-worthy goods, but they're certainly worth checking out.

Belated Birthday Wishes - Jim Brown!!!

Yesterday, I realized that it was Jim Brown's birthday. I didn't have time to blog about this...but better late than never.

The football Hall of Famer has starred in some of the coolest movies ever made. Coincidentally, several of them are available on IMPACT Action on Demand this month. If you have Comcast, check out some of these classics.

For my money, the "Slaughter" movies feature his best work. Brown plays the title character, a kickass ex-Green Beret. In the first film, he's out to avenge his parents' murder by the mob. He follows the killers to Mexico, seduces the main main bad guy's girlfriend and kicks plenty of ass. Do you really need to know any more??? Stella Stevens plays Brown's love interest, and Rip Torn is at his most despicable as the villainous (and racist) gangster. Beatle buddy Billy Preston delivers the awesome title track.



The sequel "Slaughter's Big Rip Off" is equally fantastic. The mob is out for revenge, but gets more than it bargains for when Slaughter goes embarks on an ass kicking spree. The cast is freaking stellar! Ed McMahon plays the main bad guy and Don Stroud is a sadistic hit man. Plus, Gloria Hendry is Slaughter's girlfriend.

Happy Birthday George Romero!!

The great George Romero turns 72 today!!! Where would zombie movies be without this dude?? Thanks, George! You've delivered some excellent films and influenced generations of filmmakers!!!

B-Movies Headed to Broadway??

Broadway has been adapting movies into stage works for a while ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "The Producers").

I am not a big fan of musicals, but I was pretty stoked to discover that Troma classic "The Toxic Avenger" was transformed into a stage production. In 2008, it started an off-Broadway run and later was produced in Toronto and Calgary. Right now, "The Toxic Avenger" is at Houston's Alley Theatre and possibly headed to Broadway in the near future.

I checked it out last night and am pleased to report that it is awesome!!

The plot centers around Melvin Ferd III (played by American Idol star Constantine Maroulis), an uber-nerd who discovers that the mayor of Tromaville, Babs Belgoody (Nancy Opel), has been taking kickbacks to allow her city to become a toxic dump. Desperate to silence Ferd, she sends her goons Bozo and Sluggo (Antoine Smith and Mitchell Jarvis) to get the job done. Ferd winds up dumped in a vat of toxic waste and emerges as a lumpy, hulking, stinky super hero. In addition to cleaning up the streets of Tromaville, Melvin...or Toxie...tries to win the heart of hot blind librarian Sarah (Mara Davi).

With only five actors in the cast Opel, Smith and Jarvis take on multiple roles...and do so expertly.

The score is pure rock schlock written by Joe DePietro and David Bryan (Bon Jovi keyboardist). It perfectly compliments the play's comic sensibilities.

I like Troma pics and LOVE the Toxic Avenger franchise (even the cartoon). So, I totally dug this musical. It's fast and super funny...not unlike the Troma films.

If you're in the Houston area, check this out before its run ends Feb. 10. And keep your fingers crossed this makes it to Broadway. Who knows? It may inspire a new Toxie movie.

Check out what critics are saying.

Badass Bounty Hunter!!!

Before Duane "Dog" Chapman made bounty hunting hip, Isaac Hayes collected cash for crooks as "Truck Turner."

Of course, Gen-Xers and Yers became familiar with Hayes through his portrayal of Chef on "South Park." Back in the day, the bald badass was a smooth-voiced soul man and could kick ass on the silver screen. This 1974 movie illustrates both of these points as he sings the theme song and takes on a pimp army.

Hayes plays former football star turned bounty hunter, Mack "Truck" Turner. He runs afoul of a murderous madam (Nichelle "Uhura" Nichols). She contracts a killer team of pimps to take out Turner including suave sadist Harvard Blue (the always awesome Yaphet Kotto).

Hayes should have starred in more movies because he's great in this one and delivers some excellent lines: "Before you get that piece out, your ass is air-conditioned!" (Guess you have to see this scene to appreciate the line.)

He's not the only one who's quotable. Nichols is also quite quotable although it's a bit odd to hear the communications officer of the Enterprise use the N-word, P-word, B-word, F-word and a lot of other terms never spoken over Federation airwaves.

"Truck Turner" is one of the earliest gigs for Emmy-nominated director Jonathan Kaplan ("ER," "The Accused").

You can check out this classic on Impact Action on Demand (on Comcast) or track it down on DVD.

Paul Stanley Birthday Weekend!!!!

He's not exactly a film star, but the Weekend Drive-In has to wish Paul Stanley belated birthday wishes. He turned freaking 60 on Friday!!! As the frontman for KISS, Starchild Stanley has been rocking and rolling for decades. While he has limited film credits, Stanley's music with KISS has been featured on several soundtracks.

As an actor, he's best known for the made-for-TV classic "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park." Back in 1978, this was a HUGE deal for kids...myself included. The actual movie is pretty ridiculous but is worth watching. The band is depicted as a hard rocking super hero team, who confront a mad scientist at an amusement park. Stanley (who shoots lasers from his eye) was the best actor of the group. If you haven't seen it, check it out the Kissology Vol. 2 DVD set.



Paul also has a cameo in the excellent "Detroit Rock City." This is a very underrated rock comedy that captures 1970s KISSmania at its wildest. The plot focuses on four KISS fanatics who are desperately trying to make the band's concert at Detroit's famed Cobo Hall. There are several movies that try to capture the spirt of the 1970s ("Dazed and Confused," "The Stoned Age"), but this one is easily the best.


Happy birthday, Starchild! Keep on rockin'!

Sci Fi Sunday on THIS!

I've probably started too many of these blog entries extolling the greatness of THIS TV. It's hard not to because you can always find cool action flicks, horror classics, B-westerns and cult TV shows ("Outer Limits") on this channel.

I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't air the revived "Elvira's Movie Macabre" show any more, but B-movie beggars can't be choosers.

On Sunday (Jan. 22), THIS features two classic 1950s era sci-fi features: "This Island Earth" (2 p.m.) and "Tarantula." (4 p.m.).



Based on Raymond F. Jones novel of the same name, "This Island Earth" is a great looking movie. The plot is a little hazy at times. It focuses on big-headed aliens from Metaluna, who are under siege by another alien race. Under the leadership of top noggin Exeter (Jeff Morrow), the Metalunans seek aid from the Earth's top scientists including square-jawed Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) and Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue). It's a pretty forgettable film, but its monsters, the Metlunan Mutants, left an impression on many sci-fi fans (and inspired Halloween costumes). It also was the featured flick in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie."



I clearly recall watching "Tarantula" as a kid. Loved it. I recall freaking out when the lead scientist played by Leo G. Carroll became disfigured. As you can guess, the plot is centered on a giant tarantula terrorizing a desert town. The special effects use a real spider, which looks great in black and white.

Weekend of Birthday Awesomeness!

This is a bit late, but the Weekend Drive-In had to salute a few B-Movie birthday boys.

Let's start with David Bowie, who turns freaking 65 today!!! Yes, he forged his career on the rock stage, but the Space Oddity also has starred in a few film oddities as well. Among these are "The Man Who Fell to Earth," "The Hunger," "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" and everyone's favorite anti-drug flick "Cristiane F." He's so cool, I have to include two movie trailers in his honor.





Today is also Larry Storch's 89th birthday! He's best known for his role on "F Troop," but he won me over in the original "Ghost Busters" TV show (not connected to the Bill Murray classic). I lived for this show when it aired on Saturday mornings back in the 1970s. This short-lived kiddie show reunited Storch with fellow F Trooper Forest Tucker.



Storch also starred in one of the first R-rated movies I saw in the theater, "Without Warning."



Yesterday, the great Nick Cage turned 48. He's made quite a few classics. I even rank "Ghost Rider" among his top films. Plus, I gotta support a dude who ditched a moneymaking name like Coppola and took the name of Marvel Comics' Power Man. My favorite Nick movie? "Wild at Heart!"



And of course, Jan. 6 marked the coolest birthday of all...MINE! Happy birthday to me...Capricorns rule!

Busey's Back!

I have a new favorite TV show..."Celebrity Wife Swap." I never had an interest in watching the regular version of this trash TV show, but Mrs. Drive-In Mike turned me on to it last week. Luckily, the episode I watched starred B-movie great Gary Busey.

These days, Busey's known as being a pretty far out dude. Check out last week's "Celebrity Wife Swap" episode for examples of his eccentricities. Some folks attribute Busey's weird behavior to head injuries sustained during a near fatal motorcycle crash.

Nuts or not, Busey always have place in film history for a near flawless performance as the title character in "The Buddy Holly Story."

Anyways, Busey also has had memorable supporting roles in a number of classic action flicks: "Lethal Weapon," "Predator 2," "Point Break."

Busey headlined a pair of forgotten and very cool action pics in the 1980s. Both of these pop up on cable (Impact Action on Demand, THIS), so keep an eye out for them.

"Eye of the Tiger" features Busey as a Vietnam vet trying to rebuild his life. He rekindles the romantic flames with his wife and reconnects with his daughter, but finds trouble with a gang of motorcycle thugs (led by biker film badass William Smith) and corrupt sheriff (Seymour Cassel). It's a lot better than you'd imagine, and Busey's pretty good as the likable hero. Yaphet Kotto plays his sidekick. Of course, the seminal Survivor song is on the soundtrack.



He's also awesome in "Bulletproof," one of the era's better "Rambo" clones. Busey stars as Bulletproof McBain, special agent turned super cop. His nickname comes from the fact that he's survived being shot in the line of action so many times. He's given the task of recovering a stolen attack unit, the Thunderblast, from terrorists. Henry Silva plays the main bad guy, and William Smith plays a Soviet officer (much like his role in "Red Dawn"). This is a pretty wild action flick and requires much suspension of disbelief. Still, I liked it! Busey definitely had promise as a leading action hero. He ultimately would be pigeonholed as a villain in many of his movies. Check out this movie or "Eye of the Tiger" and let me know what you think.

The Weekend Drive-In Returns!

Well, it's been more than two months since the Weekend Drive-In has been open for business. No excuses on my part. Work and other issues pushed this blog to the back burner. Anyways, it's 2012 and I've FINALLY gotten into the 21st century (thank you, Netflix). So, I have access to more B-movies. Look for more previews, reviews, features, etc.