7
A&E
TkiE CÎAckAMAS P r ÎNT
WedNEsdAy, FebRUARy 20, 2002
Animation is taken to a whole new level of indecency
SALENA DE LA CRUZ
started for themselves so many years
ago.
“We get submissions from all over
the world; (from) major colleges and
world has opened up full of universities,” said Decker.
surprises: it’s raunchy, crass,
Some of their more classical works
..and stopping in Portland on have won them awards. In 2001, the
Feb. 15 and playing various
classical short, ‘Father and Daugh
dates in March through
ter” won an Academy Award
April. It’s “Spike and
for “Animated Short
Mike’s Sick and Twisted
Subject” and this year
Festival of Animation,”
looks to be no dif
back to give its audi
ferent. “For
ences more odious liveli
the Birds”
ness.
was
Mellow Manor Pro
just
ductions, Inc., is based
in La Jolla, Calif., and
was founded by Craig
“Spike” Decker and Mike
Gribble, who began a classic
version of entertainment for the
beginning of a set for their band
Stemo and Flames in the early
‘70s. It then progressed with
more and more people sending
in ideas and short films to be
featured, some being too “col
orful” for the regular viewing
audiences. Then ten years ago
they established the more fes
tooned and adult-oriented pro
gramming of the “Sick and
Twisted” segment.
“We had to come up with a
more colored segment to program nounced as a nominee. This is just to
these animations in,” said Decks'.
show a little variety of the talents and
The idea was formulated through car
animation skills of everyone involved
toons of the 1930s. The band opened
at Mellow Manor. However,theorigi-
up using those programs
nal plan of
to entertain audiences be
Mellow
fore their musical sets. It
Manor
went so well, they started
Produc
adding their own ideas
tions was
into the shows.
to sponsor
T guess because I was
under
in a greaser-type band. We
ground
would open the shows
bands with
with animation from the
retro ani-
30s. Shortfilms, which in
mated
cluded Betty Boop and
shorts
Superman,” said Decker.
mostly be
Spike and Mike have established a cause Spike sang for Sterno and
name for themselves over the years Flames in the early 70s. They began
and have been approached by people their works in 1977, when their shorts
everywhere. Students from all over created such acclaim.
the world are vying for the attentions
“We opened up the rock and roll
of Spike and Mike and trying to get shows with animated shorts,” said
their works shown. Unfortunately, in Decker.
1994, Gribble passed away. So, it is
Someoftheir work includes “Slaugh
now up to Spike and his crew to con
terhouse 5”and “Bambi Meets
tinue the name that he and Gribble Godzilla,” and they’ve also worked with
Opinion Editor
A
Caricatureof
Craig "Spike"
Decker
Igg
wt||
the creator of “Beavis and Butthead,”
SALENADELA CRUZ
“King of the Hill,” ‘The Rugrats” and
“SouthPark”. As of 1999, Spike and
Opinion Editor
Mike signed a deal with IFILM.com
i My eyes have opened to what’s
(www.ifilm.com') to show their work via
really’ demented in the world of
the Internet Spike and Mike have also
animation On Feb 15,1 decided
been involved in The Sundance Film
to enlighten my self in ihe ways of
Festival in 2000 and in May of that
“Spike and Mike’s Sick and
year toured with KORN.
Twisted Animation Festival” and
Spike and Mike currently showcase
wenY to Cinema 21, off Hoyt in
the Classical Festival every spring and
the Sick and Twisted Festival every . Portland.; > .-
summer, both of which play in over 50 'Y ^Gh, for the love of God. I must
cities across the United States and JTsay this festival isn’t for everyone.
I efragged along two fellow report-
Canada.
So, come have your senses dis ■^ers 'to gauge their reactions and
turbed
and ^decided that at intermission it was
time to go. Now, I’m not saying I
your mind
.wasn't amused some of the time,
boggled
because I was. I think it was just a
wake-up call to the senses. I didn’t
really expect the shorts to be as
badas the names, but low and be-
i hold, there was naked ass and bad
phone sex staring back at me.
But hell, if you want, make fun
of some of the bad names of music
(or good names, however you see
it). You might enjoy “Behind the
Music that Sucks,” produced by
Heavy.com and starring Eminem,
and one with “virgin" slut Britney
"Harry Pothead and the
Magical Herb"
Spears. However, if a little drink-
Los Primos Productions
;. jng.and depression are more your
at this year’s “Sick and Twisted Ani
mation Festival."
According to Decker, Robin Will
iams states (with his permission),
‘“Sickand Twisted" is like Disney with
tits.”
The admission is $8, but if you go in
with a tattoo of one of their characters
such as No Neck Joe, you get in for
free.
"The Sick and Twisted Ani
mation Festival" inPort-
landisatCinema21,
located atólóNW
21“ Avenue.
r
Friday arid Saturday
Sunday-Thursday
Caricature of
Mike Gribble
style, try < “Maakies” on for size,
produced by Tony Millionaire. It’s
•flbouta .blackbird that gets money
for whiskey then ultimately a gun
to, well, I don’t want to tell you the
Jend? If gross is more your style, sit
‘ ‘.down/or a nice plate of “Eat” and
enjoy a little vomit with your meal.
»However, if you want to push the
J folds of decency with a melodic
tune let “Fuck her Gently” take
you to climax, featuring Tenacious
D and directed by Spumco, Inc. ii
featured a devil and a demon
nymph of sorts going at it when
two angels appear to sing to the
’ devil about loving his little demoi
' right. In the crowd of nearly 30
: people, this one got the largest re
sponse; and what can I say, it was
rather amusing.
So, “Spike and Mike’s Sick an
TwistedFesü val” is not for tlie Din:
of heart or those younger than 18,
but it sure gets the laughs. I rec
ommend it if you've had abad da
and just want to laugh3’>
Caution: “Spike and Mike’s Sick
and Twisted An imation Festival”
is rude, crude, naked and crass, but
5f yqu<lQn’txhind a whole lot of tits
and ass, check it out. .If you do, go
,tiome and read a good book..
"Choke, Spot, Choke"
Brice Beckham <
Showtimes
Feb. 15,16,22,23
I Feb.
g 17-21
VMX
7 p.m., 9:15 p.m. & 11:30 p.m.
7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Sundav
Feb. 24
7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
Mar. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22
11:30 p.m. ONLY
Friday and Saturday
Mar. 23, 29, 30 & Apr. 5, 6
11:30 p.m. ONLY
J i