Connect with us

News

Sam Raimi – Fifty-Eight Years of Screams and Laughs!

Published

on

We’re here to celebrate Sam Raimi’s birthday. In fifty-eight years the man has certainly etched a niche upon the foundations of horror history. With one trilogy of movies alone Sam Raimi could have easily retired, sat back and lived off the ever-growing fandom of the Evil Dead franchise. But thankfully he wasn’t lazy.

 

Sam Raimi and the Evil Dead!

 

The first Evil Dead movie is proof of what one young man with a determined dream can accomplish.

 

Far from being a rich man, Sam Raimi was a simple film student who had to go door to door to local doctor and dentist offices to get funding for his little project – a small independent horror flick shot out in the woods called, Evil Dead. He quickly proved you don’t need a big budget as long as you have talent and a passion for what you’re doing, Sam Raimi not only made his horror film come to life, he brazenly cemented his legacy among horror fans for decades to come!

 

The Evil Dead was an immediate hit! But let’s be real, you don’t need me to tell you that. We all know what a success the movie was, and still continues to be today. I remember hearing how people ran out of the theaters screaming once the scares and gore of Evil Dead lit up the big screen. The dark incantations of H.P. Lovecraft’s greatest creation – the Necronomicon – were unleashed upon unsuspecting viewers and out of the shadows arose a legend to fight evil and send those nasty asshats right back to Hell. That legend was none other than his grooviness himself, Ash Williams.

 

Ash was brought to life by the one and only Bruce Campbell, a man who still to this day steps into Ash’s shoes to fight the legion of evil in Ash vs the Evil Dead.

 

For years there was talk about a fourth Evil Dead movie – or would it be a second Army of Darkness film? Then the age of the remakes befell us all, so it was no surprise to see the deadites get the reboot treatment. To be fair this is a rare remake I do really like. It went back to the original nightmarish quality the original movie had. For a lot of fans, Evil Dead is synonymous with slap-stick gags and laughs. And really, that’s ok. More people think of Evil Dead II or Army of Darkness when it comes to the movie legacy. But let’s not forget that the original movie was meant to be a serious horror film, one that sometimes is overlooked by the offshoot of its successful sequels.

 

So with the remake out people truly thought that was the end of any chance of any further sequels. If there were to be any continuation it would more than likely follow the remake. But little did we know what kind of treat Sam Raimi had in store for us! Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi teamed up again, dusted off the Necronomicon, got ready to unleash some groovy goodness and brought us Ash vs the Evil Dead, a series I certainly consider to be Evil Dead 3(4?).

 

I had the honor of meeting Bruce Campbell last week. He said that one of the good things about getting older was that it also meant Sam Raimi was older too and couldn’t hurt him as much. It really struck me that Campbell’s career is largely due to his friendship with Raimi. I’m not saying that without Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell wouldn’t have been a success. But we do have to admit, Campbell is one of the best gifts Raimi has given to us as fans. We love our Ash, a character created in the mind of a cool guy with a hilarious sense of humor.

 

Raimi And a Big Web!

 

Sam Raimi could easily go down in history just for the Evil Dead movies. But once again he proved the heights of his ambitions. Back in the early years of the Millennium audiences cheered as everyone’s favorite neighborhood Spider-Man swung into theaters and knocked our socks off. It’s said that today kids are clamoring over all the Marvel Studio films but don’t even realize that had it not been for Sam Raimi turning Spidey into a massive success there would be no Avengers films.

 

Just like his original passion to get Evil Dead onto the screen, so was his passion to bring his all-time favorite super-hero to life. Once again Raimi knocked on doors of studios and fought to make this movie happen. And wouldn’t you know it? It was another immediate success.

 

Sam Raimi is a dreamer who isn’t just content with sitting about and dreaming. He makes those dreams come true. He should be an inspiration to all aspiring artists, film makers and writers. Don’t be busy dreaming. Be busy with doing! Make dreams come true.

 

This has been Manic Exorcism. Happy Birthday to Sam Raimi! Thank you for all the laughs and screams!

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

Published

on

Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title