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Late to the Party: Evil Dead

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Evil Dead eyesLook, that wasn’t a clever title. I am indeed tardy for the festivities. A horror fan who’d never sat down to watch Evil Dead.

The only thing I’d seen Bruce Campbell in was an episode of Dinner for Five with Roger Corman, a couple of dudes from Elf and the guy who re-made some Halloween flicks which left a bad taste in Zombighoul’s mouth.

All that said, we the minions of iHorror decided ’twas time to have some fun with the classic horror flicks some of us had somehow or other missed out on over the years, then write all about it after the big unveiling in a series called Late to the Party.

To kick things off, it was all happenstance. I was wandering through Walmart to retrieve my vehicle following its oil change (mouthwash and lilac candle in hand) when I glanced over to see Evil Dead locked and loaded for five dollars.

Rest assured, I felt like a virgin on prom night.

Ash

I haven’t watched a movie with wide-eyed wonder often, but this qualified as one of those occasions. I didn’t know what to expect, but from the legendary status Evil Dead holds, I was prepped for amazeballs.

I’m not going to lie, though, it took a bit for me to get into it. I saw quality before my eyes, don’t get me wrong, but about a half-hour in, I still wasn’t all-in.

Until Ellen Sandweiss’ Cheryl ventured into the woods.

There may have been the cliché “Anybody out there?” but from the howl which momentarily had me optimistic it could be Reverend Lowe to the violence of the vines that followed, there was nothing trite about Evil Dead.

Cheryl

Sure, it’s all old hat in 2015, but in the early ’80s? As James Jay Edwards so deftly pointed out, “You’ve probably seen so many things that are derivative of (Evil Dead) that it seems unoriginal. Put on your 1981 eyes.” I took Jimmy’s advice and it was mind-blowing.

So much of what Evil Dead introduced I now recognize in some of my favorite horror flicks. From Sinister to 1408 to Ghostbusters to Shaun of the Dead and beyond, those filmmakers took Sam Raimi’s “Join us” as an invitation to homage.

Has to be said, though: Two scenes towered above all others.

Cheryl looking out the window then calling the cards as she rapidly morphed with a voice that made the hair on my neck stand up. “Why have you disturbed our sleep?”

That would be my bad and I immediately regret this decision.

[youtube id=”GKR5KdHPiSI” align=”center” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

The gold medal for unsettling, however, goes to Betsy Baker. Those eyes? “Truly amazing, Linda.”

I’m sorry the actors went through hell rockin’ those uncomfortable contacts, but Jesus tittyfucking Christ did they get the job done. One glance at Baker seated in the doorway of that bedroom and I noticed that I leaned back in my chair. And that was before Linda unleashed what can only be described as the inspiration for the taunting cackle of Sheri Moon Zombie’s Baby of Firefly family fame.

[youtube id=”s3O1miUDFoU” align=”center” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

The opening shot looked like an artsy version of The Legend of Boggy Creek, there was a symphony of the eyes, the introduction of what I can only assume is the Boomstick and I could not wrap my head around the fact that it took the other characters a bit of time to catch up to Cheryl’s stance which could be loosely translated to “We need to tuck tail immediately.”

Evil Dead had it all and let there be no doubt, Ash was all that and a bag of pig snacks. Can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.

But before I do, I think a certain someone may have something to say about a bigger boat.

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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