A b-movie that brings a whole new meaning to the term "low budget," you're not going to find much in the way of production values, special effects, good acting, or innovative plot twists in "Zorg and Andy," a gleefully silly horror-comedy produced in Central Indiana.
But we wouldn't have it any other way.
"Zorg" tells the tale of Andy (Scott Ganyo, "The Dark Knight"), a bumbling new lab assistant who is hired to clean up a recently-unearthed statue by the pretty assistant (Kate Rudd) to a scientist named Dr. Tarpax (Sally Weatherston).
Andy can do little right, including protecting what is presumably a rare, valuable artifact from the Economics department of "Baal State University." The Econs have their own agenda involving worshipping the idol, which looks suspiciously like a generic troll with a phallus on its forehead.
Can Andy recover the statue for Dr. Tarpax? Will the Econs do something sinister with the artifact, which they claim is named Zorg? And what's up with those beetles?
You get answers to all of those questions in "Zorg," along with a variety of silly scenarios involving a guy with a giant pig mask, chases through deserted university corridors, and see the heroes pursued by a woman who uses her high heels as a mind-control device. It's utterly ridiculous, and I mean that in a good way.
Somewhat surprising is, despite the statue with some kind of wee wee on its head, the film is surprisingly family friendly. The action isn't particularly scary (this is straight comedy), the characters are light-hearted (there's virtually no swearing), and there is little blood to speak of. If your kids can handle a severed head in a refrigerator, "Zorg and Andy" could be the perfect primer for younger horror fans.
It's "Scooby Doo" without the speech-impeded Great Dane.
But in all, "Zorg and Andy" captures the essence of making movies, and having a good time while you're doing it.
"Zorg and Andy" is playing as part of the "Summer Tromadance" section of the 2009 B-Movie Celebration in Franklin and Shelbyville, Indiana. It screens at 12:35 p.m. at The Strand Theatre in Shelbyville.
Rating: 3 1/2 Yaps