Bleak Future (1997)

Dir: Brian S. O'Malley

Quirky no-budget 16mm effort that pits post-apocalyptic mutants against one another in a race against time! Slangman (Frank Kowal) is a dictionary-toting anti-hero who, with the help of a mute Scotsman and a quirky blonde actress, embarks on a quest to find 'the source' (this appears to be a compact disc - or possibly a library - I lost track). A number of others are searching for this too, including King Malice (a mutant with two faces, one that spits goo) and Doctor Obvious (a punk rock prophet who believes himself the smartest man in the world). It all culminates with a ton of fake gore and terrible puns. To be honest, as hard as it tries, "Bleak Future" is one ghastly, Godawful mess. There's some talent and enthusiasm here, but the best thing about the movie is, by far, the Pig Latin subtitles on the 2007 DVD release. If only the screenplay were anywhere near this funny! I'd like to think it's because director O'Malley has genuinely gotten funnier in the 10 year interim. Might have to watch another of his to fully conclude. *1/2