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Within The Woods: The Precursor to the Evil Dead

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In 1978 three friends in their early twenties shot a short film called Within The Woods. This film was used as a selling tool for investors in order to get funding for a feature length film. It was made for almost no money and was never intended to be seen outside of friends and investors. Luckily, investors loved the short and the three friends were able to make the feature that would go down in horror history. The friends? Robert Tapert, Sam Raimi, and Bruce “The Chin” Campbell. The film? Evil Dead. Since writing my review for The Evil Dead Anthology back in January, where I talked about how the set didn’t include this short, I have been asked a few times if it is available to watch somewhere. Well, we did the digging for you and here is the NSFW video below:

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

It always blows my mind watching this, not only seeing very young versions of Bruce Campbell and Ellen Sandweiss, but also seeing the seed that would become Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2. Everything from the ominous camera staggering fluidly through the woods, to the creepy sound design, Bruce Campbell being abused at Sam Raimi’s delight, and even Scotty still kind of being useless. There are shots/sequences the would be reused for the rest of the franchise and an ending that is both ambiguous and dark that would later become a franchise trademark.

Bruce proving to be the King of being tortured at a young age

Bruce proving to be the King of being tortured on screen at a young age

It is great to see the genesis of what would be my favorite film series starting here. Admittedly, the quality isn’t the best for this video and it never will. The short was never intended to be seen publicly and few copies remain of it. In fact, this version was taken from a 16mm print of it that was transferred to VHS that was then digitized. Through of it the print was beaten and handled roughly. With transfer issues aside, its still awesome seeing the seed that will grow into the Evil Dead series and a good way to get pumped for ASH VS. THE EVIL DEAD!

Nap time

Nap time

To learn more about the history and making of Within The Woods and the other Evil Dead movies buy The Evil Dead Companion

Check out the latest on Ash VS. The Evil Dead HERE

And don’t forget our recent interview with Tom Sullivan!

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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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