We
next enter the home of Jean (Amy Smith) and Roger (Lewis
Smith). Roger's mother Vida (Michelle Trout) has moved
in and is making life a living hell for Jean who is
able to do little good in her mother-in-law's eyes.
Jean is seeking therapy for the anguish caused by living
in close proximity to the woman with whom she is forced
to share her husband Roger. Roger tires of the conflict
and issues an ultimatum to his mother: Treat Jean better,
or go to a nursing home. Meanwhile Jean is busy cooking
the family's favorite dessert, tapioca pudding, and
appears to put some unknown substance into the pudding.
Vida consequently is poisoned and collapses at the dinner
table as death snatches her away in mid-tirade against
the beleaguered Jean. Exit Vida.
As with most Zombie films, some freak accident of man,
machine, or nature has occurred, thereby causing the
dead to rise and walk among us. Unlike your typical
zombie film, there are no undead mobs roaming the streets
in search of unsuspecting grey-matter to devour. Indeed,
not only do they completely forego the traditional gravy
train of brain consumption, they actually attempt to
re-integrate themselves into their former lives.
Most of the great bands of our time have had one of
their member's die tragically …but what if the
deceased member came back and rejoined the band as one
of the undead? This is the main idea pitched by Kashgrab
Records who signs on the newly resurrected Billy Jump
for a new record deal. Because he was dead longer than
most of the other characters, his speech is incomprehensible
unless he belts forth his dialogue in a Guns'N'Roses-esque
falsetto. You can imagine the issues a zombie would
face if he could only speak by singing like Geddy Lee
from Rush. Billy's story moves on with hilarity as he
attempts to get the old band back together for one more
tour. He is accompanied by Beat Ovin (Mike Bennett),
the original deaf keyboard player for his band (and
the only one Billy felt had any real talent). So we
essentially have a screeching former rock idol and a
hearing impaired pianist attempting to recruit the rest
of the band members who have moved on with the times.
I won't give too much away, but it involves quite a
bit of laughter.
Alexander Keaton has found a new lease on life and is
back from the grave, as well. He attempts to re-enter
his old house scarcely a month after his death only
to find his former "love" in the arms of one
of his female co-workers. He is kicked out on the streets
and is only barely able to acquire a catering job from
his former boss Mr Endicott. As he works in this new
position, he meets Zoey Endicott (Kara Webb); a misunderstood,
yet compassionate goth girl. A tender relationship begins
as Zoey takes Alexander under her wing much to the outrage
of Mr Endicott who threatens to disown Zoey. She helps
Alexander learn to talk like the living once more and
begins to see what a kind and sensitive person he still
is. The two soon come across evidence that Mr. Endicott
has been embezzling company funds, and the two decide
to try and bring him to justice--goth/zombie style!
