I have heard, more than once, a theory pertaining to Hollywood films and there only being some small number of story ideas. These ideas are then given their own characteristics, but when you get down to the nuts and bolts it's all the same. You combine that with the notion that William Shakespeare wrote just about every kind of story possible and one might be lead to believe there are no more new ideas for films.

Well as my tailor says, try this one on for size. Elvis Presley isn't really dead. Easy enough to believe. But get this, John F. Kennedy isn't dead either. What's more, Elvis and JFK are now inhabitants of the same convalescent (read: nursing) home in a small Texas town. Elvis has to deal with the day in/day out problem of a festering boil on the end of his hunk of Burnin' Love. JFK tries in vain to convince people he's still alive, with a sack of sand replacing a large portion of his brain, and by the way, now a black man. Are you with me so far?

Elvis has VD. JFK is a now a black man and apparently a Beanie Baby. But their troubles have just begun. For an Egyptian mummy has set up shop outside their cozy little retirement community and is stealing the souls of the elderly by way of their....posterior orifice.

I have seen the light....and it's name is Bubba Ho-Tep. Based on a story by cult author Joe Lansdale and directed by Don Coscarelli (the man who brought us "Beastmaster" and "Phantasm"), this film is the culmination of every cinematic desire I never knew I had.

I first heard of the project nearly two years ago when Bruce Campbell mentioned it on his book tour. That's right Fake Shemps, Ash himself is playing the King. When Bruce mentioned he was Elvis and Ossie Davis (TV's "Evening Shade") would be playing JFK AND there would be a mummy, I just knew this film would be worth the wait. And how I've suffered.....

OK, basic story goes like this. Elvis is tired of the wine, women, song and Colonel Tom Parker. He switches places with the best of the best among Elvis impersonators. There is a contract drawn up that allows Elvis to switch back whenever he wants, but that contract is lost in a freak barbecue accident. Apparently the fake Elvis enjoyed the fascination of pharmaceuticals with the real Elvis and ended up dead on the crapper in Graceland. (Shag carpet on the ceiling and a jungle room...do not give rednecks money.)

Dang this review is long...stick with me kids. JFK is fresh off his assassination that apparently went awry. His loss of brain tissue is supplemented by a bag of sand and his skin is died so no one is the wiser. He has now become an expert of the soul sucking mummies of Egypt and has alerted Elvis to the dangers lurking within their old-folks home.

What are two former icons to do? Battle to the death baby. All this movie needed was a chainsaw and a groovy.

This really is one of the more fun films I've seen in a long time. Bruce Campbell absolutely channels Elvis and Ossie Davis plays JFK as straight forward as possible. That's what makes this movie good. There is no sort of wink and nudge for the camera. This isn't a spoof. This is an actual theory as to what really happened to Elvis and JFK. At least, that's how the stars play it. They never drop out of character for the benefit of the camera or audience.

The mummy is dressed smashingly in a southwestern motif. Note the sunken eyes and parched skin. He is both predator and prey. Ooh...watch yourself there Trotter.

All I can really say is watch this film. If you love Bruce Campbell, or the odd ball quirkiness that seemed to define horror of the 80's, you will not be disappointed.

Recommended: Yes