Hot Off Hollywood: 03-17-2003

HOT OFF HOLLYWOOD: Inside Polonia Bros / Intercoast Films

INTRODUCTION

Greetings fellow readers and film freaks. Welcome to the first in a series of updates / ramblings / entertaining detours in the literary field from Polonia Bros and Intercoast, the people whose films are roasted on a semi-regular basis here at Something Awful. We will keep you current on what's new in our film circle while attempting to defend ourselves (if possible) from our arch nemesis (all the SA reviewers) who represent all that is Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world. For our fans (all three of you) here is a list of the “what and where” of Polonia Bros / Intercoast DVD releases for this year.

"THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED" special edition (April 1st,2003)
"HELLGATE: THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED 2" special edition (June 2003)
"HOLLA IF I KILL YOU!" (October 2003)
"FEEDERS 1 and 2" special Edition (December 2003)
"DWELLER" and "NIGHT THIRST" double feature (December 2003)

All these fine titles can be purchased at www.B-Movie.com. Now that the shameless plug is done, let's look at current news. In May of this year, we will be in production on "AMONG US," a bigfoot movie done in our usual style (no… not terrible, cheap, unwatchable). There's already a song for the movie that should accompany this article, and we are even gonna give a cheap plug to the folks at SA who represent all that is, once again, Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world. Not that that will make them go any easier on our movies.

Finally, let me clarify something: Polonia Brothers represents myself, Mark Polonia and twin brother John (not Jhon as erroneously printed on a video sleeve by morons who have the combined intelligence of a well-used eraser). Jon McBride represents Intercoast Productions. Polonia Bros. and Intercoast team up, thus making Polonia Bros / Intercoast movies. The folks at SA seem to have a hard time keeping all of this straight, which is odd when you consider they have dissected our films one frame at a time and stand for everything Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world. Maybe it's the mind-numbing affect our movies have? These boys should have to sit through the production and editing of these classics, then we'll see what they're made of! Let us begin!

ON "FEEDERS"

THE REVIEWER

"FEEDERS" was reviewed by one, Rich "Lowtax" Kyanka. Let me start out by saying everyone is entitled to an opinion even if they're wrong. And even though Rich, who represents all that is Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world has a keen eye and humorous wit, one can't ignore his name. I'm certain he's a nice chap, so we won't even hold the fact that he's from Missouri against him, although we could. The middle name almost immediately raises red flags… "Lowtax?" To really understand this, lets break it up into a compound word. If any of the reviewers at SA who represent all that is Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world ever passed sixth grade, they'll know what I'm talking about when I write "compound." "LOW"- which could refer to the physical position Rich is in when not destroying brain cells watching our travesties, and "TAX" - something Rich has never had to pay in his life because he never held down a regular job. "LOWTAX" as one word could simply refer to his brainpower. The "Rich" and "Kyanka" warrant no farther dissection.

THE REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

Under this strict and unyielding sliding scale of film review by the folks at SA who represent all that is Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world, even a movie like E.T. couldn't get away with at least a -23. Guys… come on. Stop hurting yourself by creating a number system based on your combined IQs. I know it's all our fault your brains are the way they are, and currently my paycheck is being docked so a small amount can go towards your recovery, but it's not fair to other lousy films not made by us! Maybe a 1-10 score would be appropriate?

"FEEDERS" HISTORY

Before we defend ourselves to other viewers and the SA crew who represent all that is Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world, it's only fair everyone know the real story behind "FEEDERS." This isn't a way for us to make excuses for ourselves or the film… okay, maybe a little itty-bitty excuse. First, I really admire the review of "FEEDERS" at SA. It is honest, if not a little harsh, and funny, if not a little insulting. But hey, people are entitled to say what they want, even if their four-year-old sister helped write the review along the way. We have no animosity to SA and won't hold them responsible for the next five sequels "FEEDERS" will produce thanks to them bringing this nugget (of what I won't say) back into the limelight. Here we go…

"FEEDERS" was a shot on video project that originally started out as "INVASION." Once we saw the budget ($500 bucks, no kidding) and the aliens made for us (who couldn't conquer a girls locker room), we knew we had to change the script. I scaled down the story and wrote something that could be shot in about five days, which is how long it roughly took. Locations were free until the cops showed up and beat us with nightsticks, and actors were… well, recruited in ways I shan't discuss in public. All this is told in explicit detail on the DVD commentary. Jon and Jhon (oops! I mean John) starred because the local high school acting troupe were in a nearby town performing at a nursing home. I, Mark, manned a lot of the technicalities, or, I mean technical aspects. I also drew the startling eye-witness accounts that opens the film and agitates the reviewer Rich at SA, who represents all that is Unholy and Right™ in the film critique world.

We intentionally tried to make a campy throwback (if I can use that word) to the sci-fi films of the 50s, except theirs turned out better. Blockbuster actually did pick it up, and although there were a few disappointed viewers, well okay more than a few, BB laughed all the way to the bank as "FEEDERS" became their #1 independent rental for 1996. You can take that however you want. Honestly, "FEEDERS" didn't deserve a Big BB release, but then again, neither do most Hollywood products. Luck, what a fickle thing. Most people who have animosity towards "FEEDERS" always say they could do better... well, go right ahead!