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Review of "Operation Belvis Bash (2011)"
By: Terry Bunch
Release Date: Summer, 2011
Format Reviewed: US Screener
Starring: Alexander Loy, Corey Feldman, Mark Metcalf, Noelle Locke, Daniel Baldwin
Writer: Alexander Loy
Directed By: Mihail Levitan
Genre: Dark Comedy/Musical
Rated: NR
Review Rating: 8/10
SYNOPSIS:
In a time of delicate political and religious conflict, a struggling rock and roll musician, Belvis Bash (Alexander Loy) is recruited by Major Emile Hickory (Mark Metcalf) of the United States Army to fly to Afghanistan and win the hearts and minds of the Afghani people.
Joined by the outrageous "Jewtastic" comedian, Samuel Stilman (Corey Feldman), an impassioned Afghan drummer, Samir (Walid Amini) and an overworked musical theater actress May (Noelle Locke), he embarks upon his futile quest.
To make matters worse, as danger emanates all around at the hands of the infamous terrorist Abdul (The Iron Sheik), Belvis is being upstaged by a musical theater heavy-weight - Alfons Logoluso (Frank Stallone), starring in Major's original production, "Les Miserables: Episode One."
Trusting that his agent Namco Douglas (Daniel Baldwin) will come through for him and with the help of his only fan in Afghanistan, Hamid (Larry Thomas), Belvis must reach the people before it is too late.
As another night falls on Kabul, will Rock 'n Roll shine the beacon of freedom in a land ravaged by darkness when East meets West?
TRAILER:
REVIEW:
Operation Belvis Bash is a mockumentary style comedy about a failing musician who is sent to Afghanistan to perform for the troops. Belvis Bash quickly learns there is a hidden agenda to his presence there and an incredible adventure ensues.
The movie bravely delves into the real world tension that exists between the peoples of the Afghanistan and Americans. Using dark humor and a deliberatly methodical storyline, the movie takes you through exaggerated versions of the problems faced by the two groups of peoples. Corey Feldman's character, Samuel Stilman, is a rude, over the top comedian who uses insults and racial humor in his act. Samuel Stilman, Belvis Bash and other performers are all part of a military plan to help bridge the gap between the cultures.
A few plot twists, terrorists, a lost love and some self realization scenes later, we land up with a movie that is well written and acted, but will surely be misunderstood. This is like one of the artsy films that no one gets, but if they took they time to watch the movie as it was intended, they would see it for it is. Operation Belvis Bash is not a pee your pant comedy... it is not a dry explorative documentary. It is a hybrid of both of things and the result is a movie that is unlike any other. Operation Belvis Bash is an original, fresh and entertaining dark comedy well worth seeing.
Editor's Note: For those of you old enough to remember watching Twisted Sister videos, you will recognize Mark Melcalf from "We're Not Gonna Take It" (played the father) and "I Wanna Rock" (played a high school teacher). Mark "What Do You Want To Do With Your Life" Melcalf will always have a place in metalheads's hearts as the symbol of the authoritarian oppression we all rebeled against.
