James Best very well might, and since he's been busy lately, there's good reason to check this one out!
Wow that is a truly wicked awesome poster! This is a movie I never saw as a kid, finally catching up to it right after college on local television. Being a huge Dukes of Hazzard fan (something I haven't acknowledged on this blog - an oversight of epic proportions!) I enjoyed seeing James "Rosco P. Coltrane" Best himself playing a boat captain trapped with several others on an island full of mutated outsized rodents with big sharp teeth.
The movie has suffered a lot of ribbing over the years, and even got zapped by the Mystery Science Theater 3000 gang - but you know what? I reviewed the movie for my old Mad Mike newsletter back in 1990 or so, and what I said then still stands - this is not a bad old flick, and the effects are really pretty cool until the shrews get shown too much towards the end of the movie.
And there's a double reason for making it tonight's movie choice - not only is it well worth a watch - a sequel just wrapped filming!! And it's got James Best in it, reprising his role as Captain Thorne Sherman! That's an incredible fifty-two years between original movie and sequel - which has got to be the new world record!
Director Steve Latshaw and I have almost known each other for years now - which is probably news to him - but he and I were both knocking around Southern Illinois University in Carbondale Illinois in the mid 80's, and we've been online acquaintances through director Fred Olen Ray's late lamented Retromedia Forum site for the last few years before Mr. Ray closed the cyber doors earlier this year. Steve Latshaw went on from Southern Illinois to become a successful writer/producer/director of movies like Dark Universe, Jack-O, and Vampire Trailer Park. He also recently wrote the Dolph Lundgren action flick Command Performance, which is bound to turn up here sooner or later in review form.
Latshaw has assembled a hell of a cast for the new Killer Shrews movie - in addition to Mr. Best, there's a mini Dukes reunion as both John Schneider (Bo Luke) and Rick Hurst (Deputy Cletus Hogg) are on hand to battle the toothy menaces. The movie also features a guy who knows a thing or two about killer rodents - Willard himself, Bruce Davison! These veterans are supported by some fresh young faces who've appeared on several popular TV shows like Zoey 101, Desperate Housewives, and Monk.
Here's a look at a possible poster for the new movie:
Isn't that just awesome! I am super excited to see this new movie - while we wait for the release, you can check out the movie's website:
They also have a Facebook page, and there are several other website links available through the movie's site.
And in the meantime, the original 1959 movie sits ready to spin on DVD in my video vault, and we could be watching that one as soon as...tonight! If you care to drop by, that is!
Til next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!
OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!! I looooovvvvveeeee this movie. A sequel?! Please, please do not be toying with me. I will heartily face killer shrews and the killer rabbit of Caerbannog to see it. I have to pull out my copy tonight.
ReplyDeleteWe're not toying with you. We just completed shooting RETURN OF THE KILLER SHREWS out here in Hollywood, with the cast listed above. And we don't just have any ZOEY 101 star... we have Sean Flynn, grandson of Errol Flynn.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - OMG indeed! Nope, there's only one day a year when I might be trying to wool pull around the ocular area - and we're far away from that day! Truly happening - and OMG again - you have confirmation one comment down from THE SEQUEL'S DIRECTOR HIMSELF!!! Excuse me while I compose myself!
ReplyDeleteMr. Latshaw - Wow and wow again - thanks so much for coming by - congratulations on putting together an exciting project featuring so many wonderful actors, including the one I forgot to mention - Sean Flynn! Best of luck for the post production phase - can't wait to see the finished film!
and Wow. Wow!
Wow!!! Thank you so very much Mr, Latshaw. You have made my year. I will be spreading the word about this all over the place. Sean Flynn...Holy Cow!!! I absolutely cannot wait to see this. I am doing cartwheels and a happy dance... WHEE!!!
ReplyDeleteCraig, this is an awesome post and I am going to be tweeting and retweeting this. Killer Shrews!!!!!
I haven't contributed for a while... our new trailer is up on the web site and our film is finished and hitting the festival circuit as we speak... we recently garnered three nominations from the Los Angeles Action on Film Festival, including Best Actor (James Best), best supporting actor (John Schneider) and best special effects (Sean Hart's SILO, INC.). The next US festival screening will be Friday night, September 14, in Columbus, Indiana, as part of the B MOVIE CELEBRATION. Our film will screen about 9:00pm, right after the premiere of Jim Wynorski's new remake of GIANT GILA MONSTER, called GILA. Irony of ironies...
ReplyDeleteMr. Latshaw - thanks again for coming back by with this update comment - hopefully you won't mind that I'm going to copy this comment into a new post for fans to check out - I wish you the best of luck with your festival screenings - and if you want some pre-release review action - I stand ready and willing to serve. Can't wait to see the movie!
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