The Morgue

This page is dedicated to bringing you the latest in movie news hosted by the best character on SCTV, played by the excellent Joe Flaherty.

AAAaaawwoooo! I bid you....welcome to issue #19 of Count Floyd's Movie News. In this issue I'd like to talk about the new Mike Judge film "Office Space".

As a lot of you know, Mike Judge is best known for creating "Beavis and Butthead" and "King of the Hill". A few of you may even remember his earlier cartoon short called "Milton" which was featured on Saturday Night Live from time to time. Milton was the monotone office worker with big glasses whose office cubicle kept getting smaller and smaller to accommodate the storage of boxes. He would then threaten to do various and sundry harm to the boss and the building in his rambling dialogue. "Office Space" is an expanded version of "Milton" except in this rendition Milton plays a minor role until the end of the film.

The film revolves around Peter, played by Ron Livingston. Peter is your typical 20-something, tie-wearing office worker who must deal with lame supervisors in the land of the cubicles. He has 2 office buddies played by David Herman and Ajay Naidu who share some of the same angst as Peter. Peter is so bored with his job that he seeks the help of a hypno-therapist who puts him in a trance and instructs him basically to be happy, don't worry about his job. I won't give it all away but let's just say something goes awry. The film is helped by Jennifer Aniston who plays the love interest. The 3 co-workers hatch a plot to screw the company over and this is where the movie gets funky with some slow motion work and some cool rap music.

Overall, I'd say the film was a bit of a let down mostly because I'm a big fan of Mike Judge and I expected more. The characters were likeable but the yuks were few and far between. I would pass on this one until you can rent the video. It may play better on the small screen. Now it's time for some movie news. Walk this way, won't you?

SPAWN 2 is taking shape as Todd McFarland and John Leekley work on the script. This time around the film will deal less with fantasy and more with reality. Spawn 2 is due out in the summer of 2000.

THE EXORCIST - THE SERIES will air in the Fall of 1999. This syndicated series will have the hero investigating the realm of good vs evil. The original film was a blockbuster and spooked moviegoers worldwide in 1973.

TOM SAVINI fans take note. The master of f/x is planning on shooting a film called "Chupacabra" in Puerto Rico. The film will be based on the modern urban legend of the goat sucking monster.

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER 2, which began filming last November, will again star Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film will be directed by Mic Rodgers who was the stunt co-ordinator on such films as: "Twister", "Braveheart" and all 3 "Lethal Weapon" sequels. The film should be out this summer.

BOBBY TROUP, that silver-haired doctor on the 1970's television hit "Emergency", passed away on Feb. 7th, 1999 at the age of 80. He originated the hit tune "Route 66". He will also be remembered for playing the part of Tommy Dorsey in the film "The Gene Krupa Story"

I tend to shy away from summer blockbusters unless there is one of my favorite stars or directors involved. That's why I waited to see "Armageddon" on video tape. I'm not much of a Bruce Willis fan, except for "Die Hard", which was a perfect role for him. In this film Earth is in the path of a huge asteroid which will impact us in 18 days. All the pundits say that this one will wipe out all life on this planet. The plan is to have 2 different shuttle crews land on the asteroid and drill two 800 foot holes so nuclear bombs can be lowered down into them. The plan is to cleave the asteroid in twain (I've always wanted to work that phrase into something). Each piece is to then fly past our planet something akin to splitting a bullet with an axe.

Before this occurs there is plenty of action because asteroid debris is starting to rain down on major cities. The special effects here are state of the art with accompanying mayhem and noise. Bruce Willis plays Harry Stamper, a world famous oil well driller. He leads a crack team of drillers including Ben Affleck, Steve Buscemi and others. NASA asks Harry if his team will accompany the 2 shuttles to drill the necessary holes. With only 18 days to go they must be trained in a crash astronaut course. The love interest in this film is provided by Liv Tyler, who plays Harry's daughter, and Ben Affleck. The part of the NASA mission controller is played well by Billy Bob Thornton. (Note to self: Never fly in a shuttle assisted by anyone named Billy Bob.) The 2 1/2 hour film is directed by Michael Bay who also directed "The Rock" and "Bad Boys". If you are in the mood for great special effects sit back, clear your mind and enjoy yourself.

Congratulations go to Dr. Robert F. who becomes the new Triviameister of Mellonville for answering the following trivia question correctly: "In what film did Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson first appear together?". The correct answer is "Wildcats" which came out in 1982. A big hi-dee-ho goes to the following people for also getting it right: Tony B., Richard C., Carolyn P., Jay N., Matt C., Mark N. Alan G., Evan P., Edwardia, George V.,Christopher E. and Ron W.

The new Triviameister asks (by proxy): "What was the name of the first vampire to appear on film?". If you are the first person to correctly answer the trivia question it will be your option to ask the next trivia question. To answer the trivia question please click here. Good luck to you all.

The survey question from the last issue was: "What is your favorite Peter Sellers movie?". The survey SAYS:

• Being There (6 votes)
• Dr. Strangelove (10 votes)
• The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu
• Murder By Death
• Return of the Pink Panther (2 votes)
• The Mouse That Roared (2 votes)
• The Pink Panther
• A Shot in the Dark
• Smallest Show On Earth
• After the Fox
• and The Party as the Beaver

In a tribute to Kubrick's career this survey questions asks: "What is your favorite Stanley Kubrick film?". He has done such films as "2001:A Space Odyssey", "Dr. Strangelove", "Full Metal Jacket", "Paths of Glory" plus much more. At the risk of repitition my fave would have to be "Dr. Strangelove". I think the visual that stands out for me is when Slim Pickens rides the bomb out of the plane whooping and hollering as if he were riding a wild bull. What is your favorite Stanley Kubrick film? To answer the trivia question please click here.

AAAaaawwoooo! Count Floyd will appear in issue #20 titled "Redeye" which will be coming out in May.