The Forbidden Zone April 21st, 2010
Originally Written 06/21/06
I was watching movies with friends tonight. James brought out some of his movies and I finally got to see The Forbidden Zone.
My college friend Matt had told me about Richard Elfman’s cinematic opus, starring his brother Danny and his musical troupe, the Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo. My curiosity was piqued, and James was all to eager to indulge it. Sara, bless her heart sat through it again too. Wow, words can not begin to describe the film. It was fascinating in its badness and utterly inscrutable.
It was a carnival of the damned, but set to music, complete with whiny transvestites and dirty clowns running around in their t-shirts and underwear and engaging in assorted frottage. Not to mention Hervi Velichez and his zaftig queen and their daughter the shapely and very topless princess.
I can’t say it was good, but it was a hoot to watch. It was a totally-whacked out musical theater set piece, with some really funky animation. Plus Danny Elfman as Satan, singing “Minnie the Moucher” was priceless. It was interesting seeing elements of future Oingo Boingo videos in there, and as I remarked afterwards, “and who would’ve though they went on to make something good later on.”