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.