Charles Band Gets The Munchies

[Scott W. Davis]

Full Moon Entertainment used to mean something. For a couple years, they made fun exploitation films that pushed the envelope with what you could do on a limited budget. Aside from the celebrated PUPPET MASTER and SUBSPECIES films, they produced other gems like THE PIT & THE PENDULUM, MERIDIAN, DARK ANGEL, DOCTOR MORDRED and more. Unfortunately, as they expanded production, they got less creative and entered into convoluted distribution deals that all but killed the little studio that could.

The company, headed by Charles Band, bounced back in the last couple years, but not with any great quality. Production highlights have included tired concepts like DOLL GRAVEYARD and THE GINGERDEAD MAN (Oh Gary Busey, it isn't THAT rough, is it?). They've also released cheap compilation videos like WHEN PUPPETS AND DOLLS ATTACK and ALIENS GONE WILD.

Now, it looks like Band's latest concept is to mix the horror film with the drug comedy. Fangoria reports:

"Genre veteran Charles Band is gearing up for his latest directorial effort, EVIL BONG, about a group of slackers who pick the wrong 'recreational device' (a relic from the '60s) to get high with. Also appearing in the self-described 'stoner horror comedy' will be Band friends/regulars William Shatner (!), Phil Fondacaro, Bill Moseley, Robin (THE GINGERDEAD MAN) Sydney and DOLL GRAVEYARD's Kristyn Green and Brian Lloyd. Best of all, 'We got Tommy Chong of Cheech & Chong for a great part!' Band says. 'Having Tommy Chong in our film is like having the 'weed seal of approval'! There will be additional exciting guest stars announced soon, many to be featured in the film's Bong World sequence. EVIL BONG will be my LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.'"

Okay, my sincere respect for William Shatner guarantees I will see anything he's in. I hold up the two hours I wasted watching AMERICAN PSYCHO 2 as proof. Likewise, Bill Mosley and Phil Fondacaro are always welcome.

But in my opinion, if Full Moon wants to become a real player again, they are going to have to do what they did in the beginning. No, not more doll-oriented horror films. We've seen enough of those to last several lifetimes. No, they will have to come up with original ideas combined with innovative special effects to give their studio an edge.