Xan-5 Reviews

Loaf (1991)

Faithful parody

[8/10 · 4 January 2000]

"In the bakery, no one can hear you scream" is the tag-line for this, the second installment of bread-oriented parodies by director Kevin S. O'Brien. A yeasty re-enactment of John Hurt's big final scene in Ridley Scott's Alien, this very short (like 5 minutes) film is guaranteed to get a laugh out of any big time sci-fi buff. As a follow-up to O'Brien's 1990 student film Night of the Living Bread, I have heard sci-fi movie marathon go-ers demand this film, chanting "Loaf! Loaf! Loaf!" then applauding as it appears on the screen. Kudos to a director who is not only humorous, but who is 100% certain of his target audience.

Night of the Living Bread (1990)

Very worthy parody

[8/10 · 4 January 2000]

Being someone who lists Night of the Living Dead at number three in her top five favorite movies of all time, and at the same time loving this student film parody, I feel I must defend this movie against the previously posted scathing reviews. This short but sweet opus has always been a crowd-pleaser at horror and science fiction movie marathons where those who attend have a love of the genre yet know not to take zombie movies too seriously. This film is a tribute to the original, not an insult. It is intended to be funny, and many others who I have heard chant for and applaud it agree with me that it succeeds. Especially for those of us who have seen NOTLD 50+ times. Watch for the director cameo as news reporter Jeff Drexel, and also if you have the opportunity catch his Alien parody, Loaf.

Free Enterprise (1998)

You must be a cult sci fi fan to enter

[23 September 1999]

This movie is great fun even if you only laugh at the Julius Caesar one man show idea, but don't even bother trying to get the whole idea unless you are a true sci fi lover. For those of you who leave during the credits, you missed the best line in the whole movie. When the credits are practically over, you see the line "William Shatner will return in William Shatner vs. The World Crime League." If you don't know what this means, dude, I'm not gonna tell you. An explanation would ruin it.

The Big One (1995 TV Movie)

Other Cast Members

[4 September 1999]

Very funny vignette about a man who is an estate agent as occupation, liar as profession. He finally pulls off the big retirement lie/swindle. Stars also Edward Tudor Pole and the recently introduced to the US mainstream Saffron Burrows.

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)

Subtlety is the key to this one

[4 September 1999]

This is one of those movies where it does take multiple watchings to really love it. Sort of like a Rocky Horror experience. Mainly this is due to the fact that the humor is subtle and takes a lot of attention. For example, when we see Lord Whorfin's room at the asylum, how many people catch the voice on the PA system announcing that "Lithium is no longer available on credit" the first time around? Great performances and sci-fi craziness are what make this movie the ultimate cult experience. Bit of trivia-Scenes cut from the original released version contained scenes of young Buckaroo's parents. His mother was portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis.

This is also a GREAT tool for the Kevin Bacon game. After all, John Lithgow was in Footloose.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Parodies

[4 September 1999]

If you love this movie as much as I do, you should check out something called Stick Figure Theater. This was a feature on the old MTV show Liquid Television. It is basically animated stick figures on notebook paper recreating famous film scenes. One episode of SFT features a stick figure Harry telling a stick figure Ben how the cellar is the safest place. you can find this on video collection called The Best of Liquid Television.

Also check out the 1990 independent film Night of the Living Bread by Kevin S. O'Brien. This too is available on video. It can be found on the 2 tape collector's edition of NOTLD.