Trapped in time.

Surrounded by evil.

Low on gas.

Army of Darkness (1992) Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.

Written and Directed by Sam Raimi
Starring Bruce Campbell

Deadites and horror movie buffs in general will have heard all about this one...for the uninitiated, you are in for a real treat. While technically part 3 of the outrageous Evil Dead series, Army of Darkness stands on its own and your pure enjoyment will not be diminished in the least from not having seen the first two (trust me). Wild, weird, wacky...this movie has everything, including the King of B-actors, Bruce Campbell.

Amazon.com:
...Raimi's favorite actor, Bruce Campbell, returns as Ash (hero of the first two Evil Dead flicks), a hardware-store clerk who is magically transported -- along with his beat-up Oldsmobile and a chainsaw attachment for his severed left forearm -- to the brutal battlefields of the 14th century. He quickly assumes power (who else in the Middle Ages packs a shotgun and a chainsaw?), and unites his band of medieval knights against the dreaded Army of the Dead. Raimi gleefully subverts almost every horror-movie cliché as he serves up a nonstop parade of blood, gore, and vicious sword-bearing skeletons -- an affectionate homage to animator Ray Harryhausen's classic Jason and the Argonauts.... --Jeff Shannon

For more news, reviews, and updates, check out the horror blog's Evil Dead stuff category.

The Cryptkeeper

Yes, you heard right--there will a movie version of the Evil Dead Musical! Supposedly filming for the Evil Dead: The Musical in 3-D may begin shooting as soon as next spring. Cast has not been confirmed but keep tuning in to the HORROR blog for further information about this exciting venture.

--Posted by the Sci-Fi blogger

P.S. I would like to dedicate this post to the staff member who is a huge fan of horror films and said she would rather have her eyeballs cut out so she wouldn't have to watch a musical with me. Looks like her eyeballs will have to stay intact if she wants to watch the Evil Dead: The Musical in 3-D!

The Evil Dead: anniversary edition New!

Don't miss out on this one! Here is the ULTIMATE anniversary edition of The Evil Dead with tons of extra features.

Product Description: "Today its ferocious ingenuity relentless shocks and gore-gushing havoc remain an absolute standard of modern horror. Now celebrate the original Sam Raimi masterpiece like never before with two versions of the movie, six new featurettes that revisit the cast, crew, biggest fans and undying legacy, plus a jaw-dropping torrent of never- before-seen production footage, outtakes and deleted scenes reconstructed and restored for the first time ever."

Not yet a fan? The Deadites welcome all members -- "Join us"!

The Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn

The Cryptkeeper

Evil Dead News blog: http://www.evildeadnews.com/

I highly recommend this blog to all you die-hard Evil Dead fans out there. If you haven't come across this site already, check it out here. There are LOTS of cool interview clips, news, and updates, especially about the upcoming and highly anticipated Evil Dead remake.

And if you are harboring an unrequited Bruce Campbell crush like me, definitely bookmark his website here for your daily Bruce fix!

You'll also want to check out this Bruce Campbell fan blog -- http://bruce-campbell.blogspot.com/

The Cryptkeeper

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness

by John Layman, Fabiano Neves, and June Chung

I just discovered we had this in the collection and had to bring it to your attention. Looks like too much fun. For anyone who can't get enough of Ash, in whatever shape or form, this one's for you.

Product Description:
"This is it true believers, the cross-over of the century begins here! The Marvel Zombies come face-to-face with Dynamite Entertainment's Ash from the Army of Darkness! Ash has faced legions of the undead before, but never like this... as he lands in the heart of New York just as the Zombie outbreak begins! See how his actions help turn more heroes and villains into Zombies! Under the watchful eye of Marvel Zombie guru Robert Kirkman, this might just be the comic event of 2007! Plus: The entire series will feature classic "homage" covers from painter Arthur Suydam! Collects Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #1-5."

For more updates and info on graphic novels, comics, manga, etc check out RPL's graphic novel blog here.

The Cryptkeeper

The Evil Dead: anniversary edition

Don't miss out on this one! Here comes the ULTIMATE anniversary edition of The Evil Dead, originally released in 1981 as The Ultimate Experience In Grueling Terror.

Product Description: "Today its ferocious ingenuity relentless shocks and gore-gushing havoc remain an absolute standard of modern horror. Now celebrate the original Sam Raimi masterpiece like never before with two versions of the movie, six new featurettes that revisit the cast, crew, biggest fans and undying legacy, plus a jaw-dropping torrent of never- before-seen production footage, outtakes and deleted scenes reconstructed and restored for the first time ever."

Not yet a fan? The Deadites welcome all members -- "Join us"!

The Cryptkeeper

In January 2008, Dark Horse Comics began its release of a 4 part mini-series based on the original story and characters from Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead. The comics are written by Mark Verheiden with art by John Bolton, and the result is, in the words of Ash, "groo-vy". If you love the Evil Dead franchise, or love someone who does, get yourself to the nearest comic book outlet in your area and snatch these up.

They are so much fun and a MUST HAVE for any collector. Check out the Dark Horse Comics website and judge for yourself! I think you'll agree with me that Verheiden and Bolton got it just right, especially the wry humor and Stooges aspects.

Something else to be on the lookout for: Dark Horse Comics previously released a series based on the Army of Darkness movie, and also collaborated with Bruce Campbell to produce a comic based on his movie Man with the Screaming Brain. Check them out here!

To keep up on all news Deadite related, check out the horror blog's Evil Dead stuff category.

The Cryptkeeper

In October 2004, the American cable channel Bravo TV aired a miniseries entitled: 100 Scariest Movie Moments. The films selected represent a broad spectrum of choices, but with few surprises.

The major appeal of the documentary was its scores of interviews with the horror industry's top talents, including segments with: Stephen King, Wes Craven, Peter Jackson, John Carpenter, Bruce Campbell, Rob Zombie, and Tobe Hooper.

I missed this when it was first broadcast (and rebroadcast last year). I suspect it wasn't even aired in Canada. Unfortunately, my attempts to track down the full special to watch online, or to purchase, have been in vain. Here's hoping our Canadian Bravo! eventually airs it, or that they make it available to buy on DVD. Stay tuned for updates.

In the meantime, TimesOnline have ranked a viewer's choice Top 50 Scariest Movie Moments. This list is great fun and while I don't agree with all of the selections (or their order), overall it works. And the best part? It includes a film clip or trailer (posted to YouTube) for all 50 movies.

My Top 10 (SPOILER ALERT!!!):

WARNING: Links to some of the video clips are to films that have been rated R for a mature audience, and may contain scenes of graphic violence and/or of a disturbing nature. All video clips hosted by YouTube.

X.

The Blair Witch Project - okay, this movie has since been made fun of ad nauseum, but upon first viewing it's really frightening, especially the scene where you can faintly hear kids' voices and laughter outside of the tent. And the very end, where Mike is standing in the corner. Watch the trailer here.

IX.

The Brood - I've said it before and I'll say it again, Cronenberg is one sick puppy, and The Brood proves it. Those mallet-wielding savage little "children" are one of the creepiest things I've ever seen. Watch trailer here.

VIII.

The Shining - Classic horror, classic Jack Nicholson. I can laugh at most of this movie now, because it just seems like a parody after all these years, but the scene with Danny riding around the hotel hallways on his trike and comes upon those twin girls...yikes! Watch scene here.

VII.

The Changeling - Great example of a traditional haunted house story. It builds in tension until you can barely stand it. A lot of the horror is so subtle, but a scene that really got me was that wheelchair turning and moving on its own. The scene where the ball comes bouncing down over the stairs disturbs me too. Watch the trailer here.

VI.

Repulsion - This movie is just plain weird and it made me feel like I was hallucinating along with Catherine Deneuve. Watching her lose her mind really puts you on edge, because anything is possible in the world of someone who's lost touch with reality. It's a really quiet movie, so when something scary and loud happens you jump out of your skin. Like the infamous scene with hands coming out of the walls. Watch scene here.

V.

The Exorcist III - when the old lady crawls across the ceiling like a bug. It happens quick, look for it. The other most famous heart-stopping scene has become known as "The Nurse Station Scene". You might also want to watch the trailer.

IV.

The Silence of the Lambs - Buffalo Bill scene where he is "dancing" (creee-py) and most disturbing, but also when Lecter character sits up in ambulance and pulls skin mask off. Not expecting that! Watch scene here.

III.

Carrie - when the bloody hand comes up out of the grave at the end. Even though I'm expecting it now, it still gets me every time! Watch scene here.

II.

The Ring - when Samara crawls out of the TV and across the floor. The way she moves is so jerky, and inhuman, I can't bare to look. I cover my face and peek through my fingers. Watch scene here. I actually think the Japanese version Ringu is scarier.

I.

The Exorcist - the whole, freakin' movie! but especially that spider walk down over the stairs (cut from the original). Watch scene here.

Honorable Mention:

The Evil Dead - Because it's probably my favorite horror movie of all time, I refuse to rank it. The Evil Dead gets its own place of honor. While Parts II and III lean heavily towards comedy, the original is quite frightening in parts (even when it's being funny). I especially love the scene where Ash's girlfriend Linda is trying to guess the suit of the cards her friend is pulling from the deck. She's getting them all wrong, but then Cheryl starts getting them all right in this really creepy voice before she morphs into a demon. Watch scene here.

What do you consider the scariest moment in movie history?

The Cryptkeeper

I absolutely adore the Evil Dead movies, each of which are special in their own unique, zany way. I harbor a secret crush on Bruce Campbell and I think Sam Raimi is one of the best directors to ever make it in Hollywood. If you too have been bit by the Evil Dead bug, (or are curious to know what all the hoopla is about) the following books are essential reading. Enjoy!

See previous post: "Are you an Evil Dead fan"

The Evil Dead Companion (2002)

by Bill Warren

A wealth of new information...fascinating facts...who would have thought that three of the most joyfully gross and outlandish horror films could also form the basis of such an inspirational book? --Fangoria

Book Description:
Don't you see, Ash, they're alive! --In the dank cellar of a dilapidated cabin tucked away in a great forest, there is a book, bound in human skin, and filled with incantations writ in blood. To read the words therein is to release a hideously unspeakable force....The Evil Dead. Rigorously made on an almost absent budget in the backwoods of Tennessee, the film was a phenomenal success - the true definition of "cult film" -- launching the careers of its director, Sam Raimi; producer, Bob Tapert; and star, Bruce Campbell. It also spawned two deliriously different and wildly inventive sequels, the Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn and Army of Darkness, which have won over legions of fright-fans around the globe. At last, acclaimed film critic Bill Warren takes us on a no-holds-barred behind-the-scenes tour of the making of the three films, including exclusive interviews with key cast and crew; rare and previously unpublished photographs, storyboards, and concept sketches; harrowing tales of hardship, discomfort, and practical jokes; and much more. Enough to keep any puss-oozing Deadite drooling through the night. Join us!

The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi

by John Kenneth Muir

Publisher's Weekly:
Examining Raimi's oeuvre, from the cult classic low-budget horror film The Evil Dead (1981) through the mega-hit Spider-Man (2002), [Muir] offers lively, behind-the-scenes accounts via interviews with many of Raimi's collaborators. For example, he divulges the trade secrets of Tom Sullivan, the man responsible for the special effects in The Evil Dead, which illustrate the resourcefulness Raimi inspires in his colleagues. Although famous for violent and unnerving films...the director exudes a calm presence, noted for dressing in a suit and tie to indicate his respect for the craft of filmmaking. Even while exploring new terrain...Raimi maintains a strong visual and emotional landscape. In Spider-Man, Muir says, he found the perfect vehicle to marry his love of comic books, his visual talents and his sensitivity, producing the most successful film of the genre....If there is a downside to the nonconformist director, Muir has yet to find it.

If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor

by Bruce Campbell

Fans of the Evil Dead franchise will know (and love) B-actor Bruce Campbell. In this self-deprecating memoir, Campbell serves up some tips, insights, and survival skills for anyone brave enough to take on the film industry. To really appreciate the trials, tribulations and misadventures of making your first full-length movie at age 20 in the backwoods of Tennessee on a shoe-string budget of $85,000 this is a must read...and a joyous one at that.

Campbell's wry wit and charming manner will have you rolling in laughter and cringing with sympathy for the small band of guerrilla filmmakers determined to get their labor of love "in the can" come hell or high water.

by The Cryptkeeper