David Beard Movies
The producers of a television documentary discover all-too-real terror in this mock-documentary horror film. Steven Avkast (Stefan Avalos) and Locus Wheeler (Lance Weiler) were the hosts of a public access TV show called Fact or Fiction? dealing in unsolved mysteries and the paranormal. For their first live broadcast, Steven and Locus headed into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey in search of the Jersey Devil, a Yeti-like creature long-rumored to haunt the area. Steven and Locus were joined for the expedition by two fans they "met" on the internet, sound recordist Rein Clackin (Rein Clabbers) and psychologist Jim Suerd (Jim Seward). However, only Suerd came back, and the other three were found brutally murdered, as local documentary filmmaker David Leigh (David Beard) tries to put together the pieces of what happened and who is responsible. Shot on digital videotape for a reported $900 and edited using a personal computer, The Last Broadcast was widely compared to The Blair Witch Project. The directors of The Last Broadcast, Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler, alleged that their film was made first and that the makers of The Blair Witch Project borrowed their basic premise, though Blair Witch was released first. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Beard, Stefan Avalos, (more)
- 1994
This collection of skits from the fourth series of French & Saunders lives up to its title. Although the comedic duo takes aim at British culture, BBC TV, pop stars, and the Middle Ages, most of the material focuses on Hollywood parody. Dawn French takes on a pair of box-office villains as she pokes fun at Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs and Kathy Bates in Misery; partner Jennifer Saunders, meanwhile, essays the Jodie Foster and James Caan roles, respectively. French experiences the familiar progression from face-hugger to stomach-exploder in a send-up of Aliens that also features Kathy Burke standing in for Jenette Goldstein as Pvt. Vasquez. Thelma and Louise also gets the patented F&S treatment. Other sketches include faux music videos for the Mamas and the Papas, Guns N' Roses, and Shakespear's Sister; "Lucky Bitches," a parody of celebrity sisters Joan and Jackie Collins; and an elaborate re-creation of the historical soap House of Eliott, in which the show's original stars, Stella Gonet and Louise Lombard, appear. The DVD edition of French & Saunders: At the Movies also includes the duo's 1999 Christmas special French & Saunders: The Phantom Millennium, an elaborate parody of Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, (more)
Purporting to be loosely based on Hamlet, Strange Brew is about an evil braumeister at the Elsinore Brewery who has discovered an additive that when guzzled in beer, allows the drinkers to be easily controlled. Braumeister Smith (Max von Sydow) has a plan to take over the world with his new brew, and only the Great White hosers of the North, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) -- with their plaid shirts, ski toques, fur-lined parkas, and addiction to beer -- can stop the dastardly plan, sober or not. There are several jabs at "hoseheads" and the business of movie-making, including an epilogue that critiques the film itself. Strange Brew found a cult audience with fans of the Second City comedy troupe, of which Moranis and Thomas were members. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, (more)
