Combs Commendations
Nov 24th, 2007
Lately, I’ve had many new fans ask me for recommendations of Jeff’s films. Below, I’ve compiled a small list of “must sees” for everyone and several other films that would be good to see, depending upon how you first discovered Jeff.
I have tried to choose films that are readily found in video stores or online (Netflix, etc.) to buy or rent. Depending upon where you live, some may be a little more challenging to get your hands on, but definitely worth it. To make it easier, I’ve just focused on films for this post.
If anyone needs any other recommendations, has any questions, needs films/TV eps identified, or anything else, please email me (Elisa) at darias_diner@yahoo.com. I’ve seen everything! I can help you! 
Scenes from several of these movies are featured in Jeff’s new demo reel and are noted below. Use the cheat sheet to find the specific position of the clip in the reel.
Jeff in one of his best (and most diverse!) roles as Dinosaur Bob in Love and a .45
Must Sees
Re-Animator
Jeff plays: Dr. Herbert West, a “mad” scientist bent on defeating death
Classification: Horror
One sentence synopsis: A scientist creates a serum that brings the dead back to life…with interesting consequences.
Why I think you’ll like it: This is Jeff’s most famous horror role. He plays the driven, uncompromising West perfectly and goes on to play him in two more (for now!) films, Bride of Re-Animator and Beyond Re-Animator (demo reel clip). The full “trilogy” should really be seen, but start out with the first (and best!) film.
Love and a .45 (demo reel montage)
Jeff plays: Dinosaur Bob, a grisley, drug-addled hitman
Classification: Action/Road Movie
One sentence synopsis: A wanted couple go on the run from the law and have many adventures along the road.
Why I think you’ll like it: Dinosaur Bob is one of Jeff’s favorite roles and it’s such a different part for him. He and his nasty cohorts hound the main characters to a very dramatic climax. Well-written, funny, and fast-moving.
Read on for more recommendations!
Brutal (demo reel clip)
Jeff plays: Jimmy Fleck, a rather naughty sheriff
Classification: horror/comedy
One sentence synopsis: A serial killer is loose in a small town and a sheriff and his young, beautiful deputy must find the killer before he strikes again.
Why I think you’ll like it: Although it’s still a horror, this is a wonderful breakout role for Jeff. He plays the bumbling, not-too-bright, power hungry sheriff so well! You can really tell Jeff enjoyed playing the part. He just lights up the screen! Jeff also appears as Sheriff Jimmy in Blackwater Valley Exorcism, which is a sequel to Brutal. More on this film next month!
The Frighteners (demo reel clip and montage)
Jeff plays: Special Agent Milton Dammers, a tightly-wound FBI agent who hasn’t had time to be deprogrammed.
Classification: Horror/comedy
One sentence synopsis: A serial killer stalks the living from beyond the grave and a fake psychic is framed for the murders.
Why I think you’ll like it: This is Peter Jackson before Lord of the Rings. A quirky, fun, original plot with Jeff in one of his favorite (and most awesomely bizarre!) roles. Jackson’s also a fan and it shows.
Doctor Mordrid
Jeff plays: Anton Mordrid, a mystical sorceror from the fourth dimension
Classification: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
One sentence synopsis: A good sorceror fights to defend humanity against an evil sorceror bent on taking over the world.
Why I think you’ll like it: This is one of my personal favorites of Jeff’s movies and was this month’s Combs Cinema. Just a wonderful, fun, and thoroughly enjoyable movie.
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Specialized Recommendations
If you are: a horror fan wanting to see Jeff’s sci-fi work…try
Fortress (demo reel montage)
Jeff plays: D-Day, a quirky tech geek with a talent for explosives
One sentence synopsis: A small band of prisoners plan an elaborate escape from a futuristic maximum security prison that no one has successfully escaped from previously.
Why I think you’ll like it: This Stuart Gordon film has enough gore to keep the horror fans happy, with a great plotline and lots of good action scenes. It’s a tight, well-written movie and D-Day really lets Jeff show off his comic talent and ability to disappear into a character. Several fans who have seen Fortress have commented to me they didn’t even realize he was in this film until they saw the cheat sheet!
The Phantom Empire
Jeff plays: Dr. Andrew Paris, a minerologist with the keen ability to communicate with cave bunnies.
One sentence synopsis: A band of explorers seeks out riches and adventure in the hidden underground city of R’lyeh.
Why I think you’ll like it: This is a great, campy, fun movie that will ease the horror fan gently into Jeff’s sci-fi work. A full review can be found in the September Combs Cinema post.
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If you are: a sci-fi fan wanting to see Jeff’s horror work…try
The Attic Expeditions
Jeff plays: Dr. Ek, a Lovecraftian psychiatrist who owns a private sanitarium
One sentence synopsis: A doctor bent on finding an ancient book that will give him unlimited power tests the limits of a patient’s sanity.
Why I think you’ll like it: This is a great psychological horror movie without much gore that keeps you guessing. One really has to watch it multiple times to fully understand the premise. Sci-fi fans will love that Ek is essentially Weyoun without the makeup.
Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy
Jeff plays: Dr. Preston King, a misunderstood scientist
One sentence synopsis: Ousted from the scientific community, a brilliant doctor attempts to defeat death by combining shark and human DNA cells
Why I think you’ll like it: This is a great, fun movie. Jeff plays Dr. King with such gusto, he instantly became one of my favorite characters of Jeff’s. Just enough gore to keep it in the horror genre, but not too much to put off the sci-fi fans. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.