Satanic Yuppies

Satanic Yuppies (1996): First released as ‘Evil Ambition’, the original version went straight to DVD hell and no one saw it. (Possibly that was a good thing.) The Cincinnati based moviemakers thought the flick good enough to add additional B&B scenes (blood and breasts) and reissue in its current mutation. With the B&B and the better title, this direct to video schlock fest became a minor success. The title did catch my attention and I had to see something with such an outlandish name. The story concerns some local politicians in league with the devil who are trying to advance their positions and grab more material things in true yuppie like fashion. The implication is, of course, that if you are successful, you must have some sort of supernatural help. But, this is done with some wit as the opening titles flow to the tune of ‘That Old Black Magic’ and the first human sacrifice is rudely interrupted by a ringing cell phone. The phonee, like the true yuppie that he is, then gets into an argument with a caterer demanding Maine lobster and not the less popular Florida lobster for their post sacrifice diner. You don’t see that happening in too many horror movies.

The best lines in the movie were a tie between the scruffy newspaper reporter working for the number three newspaper in a two newspaper town, and the devil. The reporter replied to a question “Do you play squash?” with the come backer, “No and I don’t eat it either.” The devil’s best line was “Let me see, don’t I have a virgin to soil somewhere?” The devil is portrayed with many similarities to and behaviors of a modern corporate executive but when he downsizes his organization, the procedure is somewhat more extreme than in corporate America and the retraining programs don’t look like too much fun either.

The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously and that is a good thing because this is a pretty low budget affair. Acting ranges from good to really awful but there are plenty of naked people running around to distract you from the thespian shortcomings. Overall, better than expected but not a classic by any means. The movie is rated R for: rampant and gratuitous orbulations, multiple silicone enhancements, multiple involuntary heart removals, multiple inappropriate flying geese, multiple wet cigars, rotating medium, snake having far too good a time, excessive rich yuppies, excessive greasy haired yuppies, excessive dead yuppies, and for the smoothest devil to come down the satanic highway in a long time.