Conference noted::sf

Arrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Want to know what *frustration* is?

I've been waiting close to two months for BUCKEROO BANZAI to open, and last
night, a bunch of us went to Chestnut Hill to see it. We got all the way up
to the ticket counter (literally! I would have been the very next purchaser),
when they announced that the show was sold out. Unfortunately, I couldn't hang
around to catch the midnight show, because I had to go to work.

Arrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


--- jerry

Has anybody seen it yet?  I saw it a while ago in Atlanta.  The weirdness was
pulled off wonderfully in my opinion.  I want to know if they're gonna do a
sequel.

Beth

I saw this evening.  I enjoyed it.  It has the makings of a cult film.
I hope the sequel comes out.  I expect to see it again.
The film reminds me of a modern day Buck Rogers or Doc Savage.
-Andy-

I wonder.....

If I remember right at the end of Buckaroo's credits was an announcement 
for Buckaroo Bonzai meets the World Crime Leaders..(or something like that) 
 If there IS a sequel will they use that premise or come up with a new 
story.  Let's face it, Lectroids from Planet 10 via the 8th Dimension is 
kind of a hard act to follow!

...Jim

    If another BB film is made (which is not too likely, since BB didn't
    make a whole lot of money) it *will* be titled BUCKAROO BANZAI VS.
    THE WORLD CRIME LEAGUE.
    
    I wonder if it will include the death dwarves...
    
    --- jerry

                  <NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO...THERE YOU ARE>
               
    As of last I heard it does not look good for another BB film...The
    rights should have just passed from 20th Century Fox back to the
    group that ended up releasing the film (I don't remember the name).
    But it is a small group and it is not likely that they wll be able
    to, or be interested in getting the cash to make another.  Sad
    but true.  If you want more info you can write to:
    
              The Banzai Institute
              West Coast Offices
              20th Century Fox
              P.O. Box 900
              Beverly Hills, CA 90213
    
    Every letter sent is a vote for another BB film (do it now as chances
    are getting slimmer)!!!!!
    
          Regards,
                   Blue Blaze Irregular -- Mark
    

    The following (after the FF) appeared on Usenet:
    
    --- jerry
    
From fluke!moriarty Sun Aug 31 12:33:26 PDT 1986
Newsgroups: net.movies,net.comics,net.tv
Subject: The latest news on BUCKAROO BANZAI...

Well, just got a big package in the mail yesterday from 20th Century
Fox, which turned out to be literature and several newsletters from The
Blue Blaze Irregulars, those people who "keep the faith" for another BB
movie and update the world on the latest doings of Buckaroo Banzai and
Team Banzai.  Several things which I have not seen mentioned on the net
were covered in said newsletters, and I thought I'd take the time to go
over them here:

======================================================================

First, things do NOT look good for another BB film, despite the extremely
good figures on how the video tape sold.  However, W.D. Richter (director of
BB) and Earl Mac Rauch (the creator, writer and chronicler of BB) have been
working together on several things (a picture called HOT TAMALES, about
which I know nothing)... but more interestingly, a TV series that they are
both involved in -- Rauch as chief writer, and Richter as producer.  The
title is HEROES IN TROUBLE, it's supposed to be released through ABC, and...
but let Mr. Richter tell about it (Reprinted without permission from WORLD
WATCH ONE #3 [comments in brackets are mine]):

	Now it must be told.  While everyone was looking ahead to Team
	Banzai's hair-raising exploits against the dreaded World Crime
	League, behind our backs a new and even more outrageous force of
	evil was taking root on this fragile orb.  On the Pacific Rim.
	Incubating in the rich soil of international commerce.  An
	organization so malevolent and pervasive and powerful that
	alongside its transglobal reach the machinations of Hanaoi Xan
	seem puny indeed! [Gosh, sounds like moi].

	Who are these people?  Dare we even dignify them with such a
	noun?  Earl Mac Rauch has been out in the field digging again,
	hard at work documenting their villainous schemes, and though I
	have precious few details I can yet reveal, I am willing to name
	names.  Hen.  The ferret, Pince-nez (a.k.a. Mr. Takagi).  Max
	Von Seven.  Zulu Warrior.  Switchblade Waiter.  All of them
	loyal employees of the most scurrilous multinational
	conglomerate on the face of this (or probably any other) planet:
	The Buell Tool Company.  Purveyors of chaos.  One twisted soul
	commanding it all from his lonely inner sanctum.  Doktor Wanko.
	High on his perch.

	And with Team Banzai off struggling against the World Crime
	League, just who stands between us and these mad men and women?
	Ichiban Ltd.  Marshalling its awesome Destructo Force Special
	Tactics Unit headed by none other than Richard "Dick" Ready [and
	they expect to get this on TV?!] and Euro Showgirl!  Heroes in
	trouble.  We need them.  They need us.

	I had intended to talk about Buckaroo and Perfect Tommy and Reno
	and the confusion in Italy last month, but these other matters
	are far more pressing.  I felt obligated to break the ice about
	Dick Ready and the all-volunteer Ready Rider Rapid Action Force
	[From Hasbro...].  To make you aware of Boron Boy and Solo
	Rocker (they're on our side).  And of Woo Pig and his Deathheads
	from Buell Tool (they're not).  Have you seen those print ads...
	"If you smoke, you better try Buell Blacks"?  Don't bite!
	Instead, try Ichiban 100% Mt. Fuji Oxygen, bottled at the
	source.  Spread the word.  Let it be known you want more.
	ABC-TV has a serious hand deep in this business.  They care/.
	[Right.]  And I know they'd be fascinated to know that you do
	too.  HEROES IN TROUBLE.  Who are they?  When are they?  Ask
	Brandon Stoddard or Stuart Bloomberg at ABC-TV, 2040 Avenues of
	the Stars, Century City, CA 90067.

	And remember, were all in this together because no matter where
	you go, there you are.

======================================================================

There is an article in World Watch #3 that says that Dr. Pepper asked to
have some commercials with Buckaroo Banzai and the Hong Kong Cavaliers
in them, and that Perfect Tommy had decided to do a few.  I have no idea
if this was a gag or if Dr. P. actually thinks this will work.

======================================================================

Finally, in the newsletter of about a year ago, someone put a brief
article in saying that Rawhide, the lab tech and Sam the guy in the
garage, who had all died from Red Lectroid Venom, were not dead.
It was expanded in more detail (by Rauch) that they had been placed in
suspended animation with some dim hope that they could be re-animated.
As luck should have it, it turns out that John Parker (who claimed that
no one ever survived a Red Lectroid dart) not only failed flight school,
he also failed pre-med, and a team of Black Lectroid MDs (headed by the
Planet-10-famous medicos, John Kildare and John Eligius), and all three
were returned to health.

Unfortunately, by the time that the boys had recovered, the novelization
by Rauch had gone to press, and so the world believed Rawhide and the
others dead (including Hanoi Xan, whose East Coast stronghold was
destroyed by a task force led by the discounted Rawhide).  The newletter
goes on to say that "We regret the distress we have caused among the
ranks of our friend and supporters (Rawhide, in particular, was amazed
at the outpouring of public sentiment on his behalf) and hope you will
understand that such an opportunity to strike a blow against the World
Crime League could not be allowed to pass."

======================================================================

That's it.  Just thought you'd like to know.  By the way, to join the
BBI (it's free), just write:

		THE BANZAI INSTITUTE
		WEST COAST OFFICES
		20TH CENTURY FOX
		PO BOX 900
		BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90213

			"Nothing is ever what is seems, but everything
			 is exactly what it is."
						-- Buckaroo Banzai

                                        Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
ARPA: [email protected]
UUCP: {uw-beaver, sun, allegra, sb6, lbl-csam}!fluke!moriarty

    
    
      that movie is a sad excuse...

    It is obvious that you had no understanding of the movie.  BB although
    I admit may be confusing the first time seen (unless you try something
    new like pay attention), was a good flick!
    
    This is proven by the fact that SF conventions (such as Star
    Con-Denver) still include information on it (A rally and a showing
    of the movie).
    
    For you to call ANY movie a "sad excuse" state your facts!
    

	BB was (and still is) an excellent flick.  We had rented it so
    often from the video store, that I was real happy to see it come out
    on HBO (I won't say why, but my video recorder was happy too).

							-davo

    RE: .9-.10
    
        I also agree that it was a great flick. The first time around
    when I rented it I thought.....ehhhh! The more I saw it, the more
    I liked it, and yeah, finally dubbed it from HBO. John Lithgow as
    the evil John Warfin, has to be one of my more entertaining, favorite
    villians. Whoever thinks BB is doo doo should watch it again carefully.
    BB and Repo Man are the two most requested movies guests ask to
    see when they visit, maybe we're all weird.
    
                                            Ray

    
    
    	I would also like to add a positive vote to this conversation.
    	I got BB from HBO a few months ago and have watched it about
    	three times now. Each time I watch it I see things I haven't
    	seen before. John Lithgow and Chris Lloyd were very
    	entertaining.
    
    	There's just one thing I'd like to know, when is the darn sequel
    	coming out?!?!?
    
    zack
    

    re:.12
    
    Probably never. The videotape sales were encouraging, but I
    think they're having trouble getting financial backing. W. D.
    Richter (the directer) and Earl Mac Rauch (the writer) have
    some other projects going, too.
    
    --- jerry

    I found the movie made a lot more sense the first time I saw it
    because I had read the paperback novelization.  My girlfriend,
    who is just plain not into SF, thought the movie was wierd but
    funny.
    
    len.
    

	This sounds great ................

	I have never heard of it over here (Great Britain) - or seen a
	video of it.  Does anyone, this side of the pond, know anything.

	Count yourselves lucky over there - talking about sequels *huh* -
	I haven't even seen it yet..............

	CJA

    	For those in the Boston area, BUCKAROO BONZAI will be broadcast
    on Channel 25 (WFXT-TV, FOX) on Friday, January 29, at 8 p.m..
    
    	Larry
    

    Does anyone have any leads on where I could get a copy of the book?
    
    Is it still in print?
    
    Thanks!
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    re:.17
    
    No, it's been out of print virutally from its first release. It's
    very hard to come by these days, and seems to be going for premium
    prices from dealers.
    
    --- jerry

      Isn't there supposed to be another movie with the Adventures of
    Buckaroo Banzia? I saw the last one, "Buckaroo Banzia and The Eighth
    Dimension", and thought it was a great satire.
    
    Gus

    re:.19
    
    They planned a second film, BUCKAROO BANZAI AND THE WORLD CRIME
    LEAGUE (I think there's even a "coming soon" card at the end of
    of the first film). However, the film did miserably at the box
    office. It did well on tape, well enough to support the idea of
    doing a sequel, but the studio's contract with Vestron (the video
    release company) basically gave Vestron the lion's share of the
    income from the video release. The bottom line is that the studio
    which made the film made very little money from it, and was not
    encouraged to make a sequel.
    
    BTW, it's "Banzai", not "Banzia". And the title of the first film
    is THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI: ACROSS THE EIGHTH DIMENSION.
    
    --- jerry

    re .18 re .17 - what's a "premium price"?  Not that I have any
    intention of parting with my (paperbound) copy...
    
    len.
    

    Frankly I liked this movie better than Peter Weller's Robocop movies.
    For those who don't know Peter Weller played Buckaroo Banzai.

    re:.21
    
    No, it was never published in hardcover. As for "premium price",
    I've heard tell of prices upwards to $30+.
    
    --- jerry

    
    re:.22  I agree.
    
    The only reason we went to see Robocop is because of BB. IMHO,BB
    ranks right up there with the great Sci-Fi movies. We bought
    the video disc and it's amazing how many times we watched
    it and still found more little subtle things going on in the
    background,that we missed in previous viewings. 
    I still love that movie.
                   

    Hi.  As others have indicated, this is not an easy book to find. 
    However, I have to try; I borrowed a copy that, true to Banzai form,
    disappeared from my office.  Now I'm in the doghouse with no hope of
    release until I find that book.  so:
    *******************************************************************

    Desperately seeking a copy of the book "Buckaroo Banzai" by Earl M.
    Rauch, c. 1984, Pocket Books.  
    
    Please send me mail if you have A COPY YOU CAN SELL ME.  
    
    I have already tried the following resources:
    
    - Books in Print.  It's definitely out of print.
    
    - Calling the publisher. They say they have none in stock.
    
    - Used bookstores in Cambridge.  I've tried the sci-fi book and comics
      stores, AND Victor Hugo books on Newbury Street.
    
    - StarLand News in Denver doesn't have it either.
    
    - Two large bookstores in New York city. Most used book resources
       will only search for hardcover books.  
    
    So, I don't need more hints, I DO need the book.  I'm offering cash and
    a yummy homemade cheesecake to anyone who can get me the book.
    
    This note is also posted in Ask the E-net and in Classified_ads.  Help!
    
    Send mail to me at PICA::CLEMINSHAW.  Please don't reply here, I'm not
    a regular noter in this conference.  Thanks.  
    
    					Peigi
    
    				Thanks -- Peigi 

    

    My kids rented BB once. I saw the first few minutes and got bored with
    it. On the recomendation of some wierd types who use it for "Labyrinth
    Training" (huh? shaman types) i rented it again. It definitely requires
    at least some attention span. I think most people watching Video assume
    that if you can't understand it its because the director was being
    stupid. Definitely not so with this movie though. If you don't catch it
    they're probably playing tricks on you. Now its one of my favorites.
    

In the theatre I recall that the rocket car had a license
plate saying something like "ROCK-IT 88" -- this is not shown
in the video version.  Anyone know why or am I just imagining
things?
		Bob A.

    B.B.  great flick, enough said.
    

    
    I just found this conference and this note and I cast my vote for this
    being one of the best SF movies I have ever seen.  I liked it so much I
    bought the video and watch it at least once a year to relive the
    adventure.  Cool movie!
    
    

    I was sure when this movie came out that it was going to be a cult
    classic.
    
    MBH
    

I'm still waiting for the sequel: Buckaroo Banzai and the World Crime League.

    re .31
    
    Ain't likely to happen.  Negotiations for the rights for the series
    broke down about six years ago and no further attempts have been made,
    despite letter writing campaigns.