Has the time come for more Up in Smoke?

Jam!/AP reports that the feud is finally over between Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, and to celebrate they're launching their first comedy tour in over 25 years. Cheech says: "It takes about three minutes for that [fights] to happen. There's this veiled hatred. We've kind of resolved that. We've gotten to the age where we don't feel like fighting anymore because the end is a lot closer than the beginning." I'll say. How often do we get stoner comedies where the stars are in their 60s and 70s? (Chong turned 70 in May, while Marin is 62.)

Now "kind of resolved" isn't the best indication of a solid partnership where the pair can tour happily without diving for each other's throats. However, should they be able to pull it off, I wouldn't be surprised if we got more Cheech and Chong pot-smoking action in the future. Pineapple Express can just pave the way for their return.

Would you want to see them Up in Smoke again?

The week-long Fantastic Fest started on Thursday night and it's difficult for those of us involved to remember that other film events and screenings are occurring all around Austin this week. But there are plenty of choices for Austinites who aren't interested in science-fiction or horror films ... especially if you like movies with a lot of music:

• Indie/arthouse movies opening in Austin this week include the documentary The War Tapes at the Dobie, Time to Leave (pictured above) at the Dobie in collaboration with Austin Film Society, and Confetti at the Arbor.
• The Project Greenlight horror film Feast (which played Fantastic Fest last year) will screen at midnight tonight and Saturday at Alamo Village and the Dobie.

A few months back I caught wind of Charles Band's next inevitable dungpile movie, and something about the concept, cast and cover art just made me giggle. I chuckled partially because I think the idea of a murderous bong is pretty moronically hilarious, but mainly because I know that Charles Band couldn't direct fecal matter to be malodorous if his life depended on it.

Oh sure, Mr. Band churned out a bunch of fairly entertaining ultra-schlock a few decades ago, but if his latest productions are any indication, the guy's not even trying anymore. All Band seems to need is a silly title, a stupid concept and some colorful DVD cases, and Boom! he's moving on to the next project. (Those who think I'm being a bit harsh need to sit through a triple feature of Decadent Evil, Doll Graveyard and The Gingerdead Man and then get back to me.) Even those who have a huge soft spot for cheapo horror (like, um, me) will find very little to enjoy over the course of that 3+ hour triple feature. (Yeah, Band's movies are that short.)

So now comes Charles Band's next attempt at cult classic-dom, and it's a Tommy Chong-led horror-comedy called, yes, Evil Bong. The DVD doesn't hit until October 10th, but there's a wacky new trailer to check out, just in case you were wondering how silly this concept will actually look onscreen. Hoo boy. (Yes, I'll see the damn thing, and yes, I'll still give it a fair shake, but c'mon ... EVIL BONG??)

After the jump ... a poem.

Sometimes you hear about the plot of a new movie and you think, "Damn, why didn't I come up with such a simple concept?" -- while other times you find yourself wondering "Who the hell would make a movie THIS stupid?" Both of those thoughts careened through my brain when I saw the cover for Charles Band's next flick, the inevtiably awful but hilariously stupid-looking Evil Bong. Yes, that's right: Someone finally got the smart idea to make a horror movie called Evil Bong.

If the name Charles Band sounds familiar, then you're probably a serious movie geek who's also the same approximate age as yours truly. As manager of Empire Pictures / Full Moon, Band littered the '80s & '90s with low-rent fun-trash such as Troll, TerrorVision, Ghoulies, and the endless parade of Puppet Master sequels. These days Chuck is running an outfit that delivers titles like Doll Graveyard, The Gingerdead Man, and ... yes, Evil Bong -- which stars Tim Thomerson, Bill Moseley, and (of course) good ol' Tommy Chong.

I've got a perfect tagline for the flick: "Evil Bong! It'll make you hungry ... for a good movie."