THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 1, 1997 TAG: 9701310045
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 59 lines
GOOD THINGS COME to those who wait.
Curtis Bush is banking on it.
Bush, a five-time International Sport Karate Association world kickboxing champion from Virginia Beach, has been waiting for five years for his first venture into the world of movie making to reach its pinnacle.
Today, his low-budget action film - ``Psycho Kickboxer: The Dark Angel'' - premieres to the public. The screening is at 5 p.m. at the Cinema Cafe in Virginia Beach.
``It's been a five-year epic,'' said Bush, 34. ``We started on it in December of '92.''
Being in the movies isn't new to Bush. But making his own movie is.
``It's been a real learning experience, that's for sure,'' said Bush, who had roles in both ``Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' films and was in a Canadian flick called ``Dragon Hunt.''
``And this is the first time I get to do the killing instead of getting killed.''
In the film, Bush plays - and this is nice casting - Alex Hunter, a professional kickboxer whose father is the town's chief of police. Dad is preparing to bust the local crime boss. Instead, the bad guy kills Hunter's fiancee, kills dad and, apparently, kills Hunter.
But Hunter miraculously survives the beating and comes back as a ninja crime fighter on a mission to rid the city of the crime boss and avenge the murders of his family. On his quest, he puts some serious hurtings on all kinds of lowlifes.
``It's kind of a cross between `Death Wish' and `Batman,' '' said Bush. ``I think it's great, but I'm in it. My brother said it's the best low-budget karate movie he's ever seen.
``The sound and special effects are pretty nice. And it's pretty bloody.''
The entire film was shot locally at places like Airline Bingo in Portsmouth, and Brose's Sub Shop, Hot Tuna Bar & Grill, and WGH radio in Virginia Beach.
The screenplay was written by Bush, Kathy Varner and Don Carroll. It was filmed by Mardy South and David Haycox. The music and sound effects were done by Danny Denison, while special effects were the work of Creations Unlimited. It was all edited by Bill Gaunce - the lead singer for the Barflys. Randy Melton of Cyber Sounds in Chesapeake did the recordings.
``And all the actors are local friends of mine,'' Bush said. ``It was a big effort and I have to thank everybody for their work and patience while we got it all together.
``It's taken longer than I'd ever have dreamed, but I think it's going to be worth it.''
Bush said he has several distributors who want to market the film, and he has plans to push it at the American Film Market convention in California next month.
``That's where the majority of low-budget action films are sold,'' Bush said.
And hopefully, it will all be worth the wait. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Curtis Bush