"MY NAME IS BRUCE"

It's about time Bruce Campbell OFFICIALLY parodied himself. Here we have Bruce, in a movie, playing himself, being mistaken for his famous monster fighting character in a small redneck town. When it becomes painfully obvious the monster in this town is real and the people actually want him to fight it, Bruce becomes a quivering coward and thus a funny and ridiculous movie gets under way.

I wasn't sure I liked this film to begin with, but it grew on me. I was expecting horrible special effects and over the top acting but it just seemed somewhat dull at the beginning. Campbell shines as always though and his role as director is just as good as any movie he's starred in lately. Definitely for any B-movie/Campbell fan. I don't believe this will be his version of "The Wrestler" for Rourke or "JCVD" for Van Damme. But it is definitely his best work in the sea of recent sci-fi channel originals.

*2 and 1/2 Lance Approvals*

"VERSUS"

In the past decade or so, asian extreme horror and action have been the hottest imports. Whether they are bad or good, American distribution companies are all over that shit bringing it to the U.S. masses. Not only do they release it on DVD over here but a lot have been translated into American remakes. Luckily for "Versus" it is weird enough to maybe avoid that horrible destiny.

The premise is simple enough. Prisoners escape into a forest where bad guys must meet good guys with zombies and martial arts violence. Worrying about the plot in "Versus" is like worrying about the plot of a reality TV show; completely irrelevant, just sit back and enjoy the ride. There is enough horror movie gore in this film to make Romero proud, along with enough stylish action violence to get a nod of approval from John Woo.

Although I won't condemn the plot or the over the top acting in a movie like this, I will point out a few flaws. Like many of it's Japanese counter parts, it drags. The violence more than makes up for it, but the pacing and dragging out of scenes can be a little much, even for the B-movie fan club. This film was made for a certain fan base, so be sure of that when viewing it. Japanese film fans and bloody violence nerds should be all over this. Your average movie goer, stay away.

*2 1/2 Lance Approvals*

"RAISING CAIN"

"Raising Cain" is a classic of my pre-teen years. I used to stay up late watching TNT in hopes of a decent B-movie being shown, and whether it be monster vision or just a typical midnight movie "Raising Cain" always came on air. I'm not even sure if I had ever watched it all the way through, but I knew once I began bargain digging for DVD/VHS, this would be at the top of my list. As soon as I bought this, I went home that night and popped it in.

The good news is Lithgow ("3rd Rock From The Sun") puts on a great performance. Honestly, I don't know who could have done a better job. The directing, while not perfect, is a good name for us B-movie nerds in Brian De Palma. I mostly remember him for "Scarface" and "Carrie" but you also may know his other gems such as "Carlito's Way", "Mission: Impossible", and "The Untouchables". Luckily for our sake, "Raising Cain" is not as known as these other films and falls under the category of De Palma's personal cult classic.

Like many other films, it isn't without its flaws. Some of the script and characters are pretty blah, but you walk away from this film feeling very satisfied. Horror geeks and regular movie goers can find something to appreciate in this Hitchcock-esque thriller, so don't question it, just watch it.

*3 Lance Approvals*

"SCHOOL TIES"

Almost everyone knows the names Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Brendan Frasier, and Chris O'Donnell. But not many people these days seem to know the movie that launched all of them as stars. "School Ties" is an early 90's coming of age type story that of course must take place in the 1950s. Frasier plays a poor young Jewish teen who makes it into an elite school because of his football skills. Going to this school pretty much guarantees a path into an Ivy League College, but along the way he must deal with the prejudices of being a Jew in a not so accepting environment.

Not only does this film have a ton of young stars before they were famous, there are recognizable appearances all over the movie in smaller roles. Frasier's father is played by typical 80's authority figure who you might remember from "Youngblood", "Death Wish 3", or "Raw Deal". The asshole french teacher is played by weasel-esque Zeljko Ivanek who you may know as Governor Devlin on "Oz". With a great script and top notch acting, this film belongs among of the better early 90's coming of age dramas. Most people remember "Dead Poet's Society" which is very similar, but "School Ties" should not be forgotten.

*3 Lance Approvals*

"SHIPWRECKED"

The other night my inner child was calling and I decided to check out a classic of my childhood almost long forgotten. I hadn't watched "Shipwrecked" since I was probably 8 years old and I only had vague memories of Gabriel Byrne being some asshole pirate in it and a young boy discovering gold on a deserted island. My faint memory of the film lead me to believe that this would be one of the better children films to translate to adulthood. I remembered that it was made by Disney ( I used to watch it on the Disney Channel all the time ), but there was something distinctly different about it, possibly more mature? After I finished watching it, I would say I had a mixed bag of emotions.

"Shipwrecked" is definitely different than your average children's movie or your family safe Disney film. I wouldn't say it breaks any boundaries and does anything inappropriate for family entertainment, but it just has the workings of a more mature and respectable production. Though, I believe the different touch relates more to the fact that it is a mainly foreign made film, something a young kid wouldn't pick up on. At the same time, it doesn't take any risks and the ending is as predictable as it gets. This film falls more under the category that I wouldn't watch myself, but would rather watch with my future child instead of all the other children's garbage out there.

*2 Lance Approvals*

"ENEMY MINE"

I swear my sci-fi kick is almost over, but for now let's talk about "Enemy Mine". Enemy Mine stars huge movie star Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr ("The Punisher", "Iron Eagle") as rival species in the midst of a war, but stranded on the same planet together. I'm not going to convince myself this film isn't dated, because really it is, but it also has a uniqueness unknown to science fiction films these day. Although it does have some action and space battles, this movie relies heavily on character. Pretty much a classic for video store nerds around the world, but unknown to the movie going masses, "Enemy Mine" is the perfect little gem to bridge science fiction nerds with serious drama elitists. This is directed by Wolfgang Petersen who you may know more from movies such as "Troy", "The Perfect Storm", and "Outbreak". But "Enemy Mine" is his hidden gem, and my personal favorite film by him. It won't go down as the greatest sci-fi film of all time, but it certainly deserves more recognition.

*3 and 1/2 Lance Approvals*

"LIGHT YEARS"

In keeping with the recent interest in old school animated science fiction, I decided to watch "Gandahar" or better known in the U.S. as "Light Years". It is made by the same folks who created "The Fantastic Planet" but in the 1980s opposed to the 1970s. It very similar to that film in the sense that it is based off a foreign science fiction novel, it has the same kind of animation, and the same type of drug induced story line that can be used as a parallel to our world. It isn't quite as well known as "The Fantastic Planet" and probably for good reason. Besides the animation being a little more up with the times, it just isn't as good overall. It is still a quality animated film, and I'd rather watch this than any children's film. The creatures are something completely unique even to this day. I think to truly appreciate this film you must be a sci-fi nerd, or maybe you just really enjoy animated boobs. Either way check out this original piece of film.

*3 Lance Approvals*

"THE FANTASTIC PLANET"

If I did drugs, I'd watch this movie all day, every day. "The Fantastic Planet" is an animated science fiction film from France in the 1970s. I remember watching this as a child, but there is no way you can understand the strangeness of this movie until you are an adult. "La Planete Sauvage" takes place on a faraway planet where giant alien creatures have small humanoid type creatures as slaves. One pet humanoid creature escapes and makes his way into the wilderness with other rebel "Oms". These "Oms" must gain knowledge and learn to fight for their freedom. I say this often on Death of the B-Movie, but they don't make them like this anymore. I was surprised to see that this was being remade, but it will undoubtably be nothing like the animation and story telling style of this psychedelic foreign animated film. The animation sucks compared to today's standards, but there is something special and unique about the way it is done. The animation is even more special in this day and age where computers rule everything. This is very dark for an animated film and may not be for scared little babies. I recommend this hard to find gem to almost anyone though, check it out.

*3 and 1/2 Lance Approvals*

"WHATEVER WORKS"

I'm starting off the new year with a film I neglected last year. I wanted to possibly consider this in one of my 2009 lists, but unfortunately (and fortunately) it wouldn't have made the cut. On one hand I applaud this film for going back to the classic Woody Allen style we all know and love. But at the same time, I felt Larry David provides more quality laughs in his "Curb Your Enthusiasm" role, than as a fake Woody Allen. The other stars are decent, but in the end they all seem pointless compared to Larry David's character; as is the self centered world of Woody Allen. I wouldn't put this up there with the classics, but like "Match Point" and "Vicky Christina Barcelona" it was a step in the right direction for the Wood man. Definitely an honorable mention of 2009.

*3 Lance Approvals*