Bubba Hotep

Bubba Hotep – not only does it have an absurd name but it is one of the most absurd movies a person could ever see. The entertainment value on this can’t be measured nor can the depth that it actually hits. Don Coscarelli must’ve had a lot of creativity bottled away somewhere just waiting to be released in this most imaginative film.

There were so many factors in this film that were so neat. They weren’t necessarily things that kept you waiting on the edge of your seat wondering what was going to happen next, rather you expected what was going to happen but you didn’t know how it was going to come across, and usually in the end, the result was a good one. In this movie, things a normal movie would take serious and make maybe the peak or climax of the movie was knocked around in Bubba Hotep.

Another thing that was pretty interesting was that this story wasn’t your typical storyline and didn’t follow this generic format that directors seemed to follow. It was pure originality and did a good job of showing it. It does cause me to think what in the world was going through Coscarelli mind when he put this all together, but that is the beauty of it. Even more in depth, the part of the movie I found the absolute best were the random lines from each character and how in reality, they didn’t fit in at all but in this story the lines were absolutely beautiful. The characters were excellent and these lines were direct examples of parts of their personality.

Speaking of characters, two thumbs goes up for selection of the cast. The short amount of roles played in this film gave the film more of an added overall touch. The men and women did a fantastic job in accomplishing these awkward roles. They spoke, acted, and did everything in every way to ensure they were living up to the character’s role as if it were a real life figure. They really made me feel like they were real sometimes and like I was watching a live show. I tried to view Bubba Hotep from a serious standpoint and a joking standpoint just for fun. What I found odd yet interesting at the same time about this though is that I actually found myself getting into it when I kept it on the serious level. Although the movie was much in a joking manner, for a director and cast to keep me serious for some parts like it was actually happening is pretty exceptional. It was almost like reality was stepping into this thing we knew was un-realistic.

Even more, outside of the funny factor, the movie seemed to portray some messages in it that many could interpret in many ways. In between those funny segments, specifically when we hear “Elvis” narrating, he throws some pretty deep stuff out there about love and telling those you love that you do and life itself. There is nothing wrong with balancing serious and funny in the same movie.

This is definitely one of those movies you want to see time and time again, and while doing so, laugh at the same thing every time you see it. With a “hit-you-in-the-face attitude” full of character, the movie is one to remember.

-Kevin