Evil Dead Fails to Steal Your Soul

I, like a plethora of other devoted fans, cringed at the prospect of there being an “Evil Dead” remake/reboot. Because we have been down this proverbial road to disaster time and time again. And when Hollywood went and attached Diablo Cody (today’s version of Poppy Z. Bright. And if you don’t know who that is it’s quite alright) to write a revision of the screenplay I was ready to head to the place “where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss but fifty cents for your soul” (Marilyn Monroe) and beat someone with a hockey stick. While I have no real untrammeled animosity towards the person in question (I thought Juno was great), however, she -being Cody- who sold us on her being a HUGE horror fan, then turned around and gave us the shitfest that was “Jennifer’s Body”. I mean, what the fuck was that other than a slap to the balls. So, my prospects for anything GOOD fell off that habitual cliff of shit.

Then when a good friend and die hard horror fan told me that I had see the Red Band Trailer, that it would make everything all that much better, I took his advice, and, quite frankly, he wasn’t wrong on any account. High hopes had replaced the shear sorrow for the remake/reboot.

“Evil Dead” the remake is hard hitting, no holds barred reinterpretation that took out the campiness that 

made the original so much fun (Rami had actually had planned the first to be a real horror film. But do to bad acting his horror flick become the dark comedy that we have). Replaced that campiness with blood and gore and scares galore. The remake updates the story a bit as we find the latest crop of twenty-somethings out in the woods, staying in a run down, dilapidated cabin. What was before a weekend getaway has now become a weekend intervention to get Mia (Jane Levy) off drugs. Again. Her friends enlist her brother, David (Shiloh Ferandez), who has taken to escapism, running off to Chicago for “work” right about the time his sister needed him most when their mother became sick and fell prey to dementia. Leaving it all hanging on dear sis. Who then, in turn, turned to escapism herself in the form of drugs. The idea for this time’s intervention is to head up to David and Mia’s old family getaway cabin, 

where the family saw happier times. To keep Mia there against her will if need be.

The cabin has had seen better times as it lays in the middle-of-nowhere-Michigan (look for Ash’s car sitting and rusting away out front). The group finds that the place had been broken into at some point and has been pretty much ransacked. During clean up they discover that someone had been in the cellar. And when they go to investigate find that some sort of weird ritual had taken place there. David quickly writes it off as teenagers screwing around while his friend, Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) has more ominous feelings that relate to some kind of witchcraft. Of course during their look-see of what the basement holds they come across a book on a table wrapped in a plastic black bag, and round with barbed wire. Setting the basis for bad ideas. Not just bad ideas, but all time bad ideas.

While Eric is perusing the book the line: “You mustn't read from the book!” from the 1999 version of the

“Mummy” kept flashing in my mind. But, as you would guess it, Eric reads from the book. Not only does he have bad ideas but apparently he is an idiot as well. Now I have to say that when the dark force in the woods to steal its first soul, director Fede Alvarez stayed with original look and sound. And as you can imagine things go from bad to worse. As Mia feels that she is losing her mind, her friends and brother think that it’s just drug withdrawal, Mia attempts to flee. Only to find herself crashing. Here we get another nod to the originals with what happens to Mia in the woods. Her brother thinking that she is desperate need of a hospital finds that they are trapped by an overflowing river. Again updating from the first go around when the bridge over the cliff has for some reason fell apart. David, figuring things will be better in the morning, feels that waiting it out is the best option. However, he only ends up playing into the hands of evil.

As I watched the film play out before me, I kept thinking that this is almost like a "Cabin in the Woods" rip off which is, ironically, an "Evil Dead" rip off. Which at times felt a tad bit distracting. The first hour of this go around of "Evil Dead" was strong. When the shit went down, it went down. Alvarez leaves nothing out when it comes to uncomfortable scenes and gore.

But then it happened. Like it always does.

If "Evil Dead" would've ended 12 minute earlier it would have been top notch. But, unfortunately, either 

Alvarez or the Producers or the studios felt the need to put as much as possible into this film. The last 12 minutes could've been the outline and treatment to the (no doubt coming) sequel. Which is sad.

Stay until the credits roll through. It’s worth it to die hard fans of the original films.

I give it 3 and half out of 5 on the severed head scale.

Until next...     

"The Purge" First Look and Thoughts

The new thriller "The Purge" set to hit theater at the start at the Summer Blockbuster season has an interesting concept. I mean, I for one, have had many a conversation along this line where if you could get away with murder, would you? and if life would be better if we could go out and kill assholes once year. How the world would somehow be transformed into a better place. I know, I am a sick sick person at times, however, so are you for reading this... lol... any way...

The Purge stars Ethan Hawke (Sinister) and Lena Headey (The Game of Thrones) as two parents that would rather sit out this little soiree of violence, locking themselves and their two children behind a security system that basically is suppose to turn their home into a fortress, as we enter their lives right before the time of mayhem is to begin. Hawke is having to explain why the world is the way it is and why they would rather sit out and not participate. Sound reasoning that falls on deaf ears when it comes to his son who takes it upon himself to rally against the grain of society and help out a stranger who being chase by unknown assailants that he sees from the camera. Unfortunately, for them, that person is seen entering the residents. And quickly hides. Because in truth there is no reason why they won't kill him themselves. But this rash decision now has consciences when the pursuers show up looking for their quarry. Giving Hawke and his family an hour to find and turn him out. Thus sets the stage for a night that will forever change the way Hawke and his family view the world. If they survive that is.

From the trailer it looks like something possibly worth checking out. Especially in a summer that will more than likely be plagued with the same crap that always seems to come out. Your usual set of Superhero flicks and remakes galore. Time for something different in my book.

Until next time... stay bloody

Richard Brooker: RIP to the Man in the Mask

Probably best known for portraying the famed masked, machete wielding maniac, Jason VoorHees, and ironically was the actor that first put on the hockey mask that would forever be associated to Jason, Richard Brooker has passed away at 58.

[Richard] Brooker began his career in the Friday the 13th Part 3 which in turn lead him to other acting spots such as the film Deathstalker (1983) and an episode of Trapper John M.D.. Brooker was also a stuntman and an avid polo player. Originally from Europe he trained as a trapeze artist and performed throughout the world as a circus stage manager.

After his brief stint as an actor, Brooker turned his sights towards production and directing. He is credited for directing 42 episodes for Bill Nye the Science Guy.

He was set to appear at the 30th Anniversary of the Iconic Hockey Mask from Friday the 13th along with Kane Hodder at the Calgary Horror Con in September.

Hannibal Delivers, So Dine In

Shows surrounded by weeks and months of hype rarely deliver as promised. Falling flat because some idiot thought that he knew better than the viewers who know what they want. I can think of two shows right off the top of my head. And while both The Bates Motel and The Followers are decent shows in their own right, the actual story behind them sort of falls flat. The Bates Motel with its already lush and insane backstory of how Norman and his Mother coexist in a world that would shun them if they found out about their love affair. A love affair that eventually goes awry when Norma finds that sweet, sweet love from another man. Forcing dear Norman to punish her and which leads him to do the same to  women here on out. Only now as in the form of his dearly departed better half. But the problem with The Bates Motel is that first off the producers say that it is not a prequel. If it is not a prequel then why the hell call it The Bates Motel? And then use the storyline that was mostly backstory in the original Psycho? Then on top of that use all the main characters? And when it comes to The Followers. A storyline about a serial killer in love with Poe, rabid “followers” that are willing to do his bidding the story at first came off as a retread of Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon. Right down to the FBI profiler that has, well, some major issues. Thankfully The Followers deviated from the Red Dragon story.

But then there came the third very hyped new show. To complete the trilogy so to say. And when it comes to Hollywood in any way shape or form they have to do everything in threes.

NBC promised to be what the last couple of movies that starred Hannibal Lector were not. To see inside that evil, twisted mind before he was carted off to the dungeon to rot out the rest of his life. And after the premiere episode last night, it did exactly that. Hannibal delivered on all fronts. Right down to Mads Mikkelsen as the title character. You might remember Mikkelsen as Bond baddie Le Chiffre in the Casino Royal. And I could not think of a better person to portray Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lector. Mikkelsen embodies the role with a savage clarity that makes you NOT want to see a psychiatrist. Then to pare him opposite Huge Dancy as Special Agent Will Graham who, like Mikkelsen, not only embodies the famed profiler but adds a whole new dimension to him. This time out, Graham is more of an introvert in the likes of where we should see Norman Bates (Bates comes off almost as a sex symbol in Bates). While he teaches other would-be profilers the tricks of the trade Graham isn’t what you call social human being. He would rather spend time with his dogs. Like him, Graham finds the dogs that don’t belong, who are left for strays, comforting. The rest of the cast for the new Hannibal is just as stellar. With likes of Laurence Fishburne (Crawford), Caroline Dhavernas (Dr. Alana Bloom), and I am really digging the fact that they made the sleazy, unlikable tabloid journalist, Freddy Lounds a woman. Lounds if you recall is the happy chap that gets set aflame and pushed down a parking garage ramp in a wheelchair in Red Dragon (and for those of you who seen the original, Manhunter). Lounds is played Camelot’s Lara Jean Chorostecki.

NBC has Hannibal in a 13 episode run the sees Lector and Graham paired up like a macabre odd couple chasing down the worst of the worst. A dynamic that works on every level as we actually feel a kinship of likability towards Hannibal as he seems to help Graham through his problems of the mind. However, some of the efforts are not in what you call normal in any sense of the world. Sometimes one has to leave a very bloody bread crumb for things to fall into place.

5 out of 5 severed head is the verdict.  I’m calling Hannibal a actual must see. You won’t be disappointed. FYI: for all you X-Files fans look for Gillian Anderson (Scully) to make her appearance on the show.

Until next time... stay bloody.

Kirkman Talks Season 4 of "The Walking Dead"

After talking with a few people about the season finale of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” many have said that they felt cheated and let down, that the episode prior to the season finale was by far better. And in truth it was. However, I have been hearing a vast number of complaints since the beginning of season 2 of just everything. And some are rightly so. As with any adaptation from book, or in this case comic, the story, while start out roughly the same, tend to take on their own life on screen. I mean, where is the sense that it is a good idea to follow what is exactly on the page? there would be no reason for fans to continue to watch it long term because there would be no mystery. I know a lot of you will say that you would because you would want to see your favorite characters come to life, but in the end I think most of us would be bored by season 2, knowing full well what is going to happen and how it is going to play out. So a little deviation is a good thing. Because in truth we already know quite a bit of what is going to take place. Or at least we did.

Along with how the story is changing another of the complaints has been about pacing. That the show is too

slow. And at times that is a valid argument. However, when the show starts to be ALL ACTION a lot of these same people say that there is NO PLOT. Just random deaths and action. Another complaint is there are not that much in the way of zombies. Again a lot of these same people will go back to the NO PLOT argument when the show IS ALL zombies. And while I try to explain that the zombies are actually really just backdrop of how the world is, that the show is really a character based drama that happens to play out in a world plagued by zombies, it always seem to fall on deaf ears. However, if we look back at some of the greatest zombie films we see the same thing. That the zombies are more window dressing for the story, an extra element of hardship in the struggle to stay alive. All of George Romero’s zombie flicks are character based, 28 Days Later (I know, 28 Days is not really a “zombie” flick per say) is another that mostly focuses on the plight of the characters. We need all of it to equal out. And when we are dealing with a 16 episode ark ike season 3 was and what season 4 is going to be, we are going to have slow parts for the sake of character & plot development.

With that said and how season 3 of The Walking Dead played out many fans of the show are wondering where does it go now? Now that the showrunners are really taking the story away from the comics. IGN sat down with the creator of The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, to discuss just that.

IGN: The last two seasons ended with this definitive change of location for the group, but they seem to be sticking in the prison for now, albeit with a bunch of new people. With the Woodbury threat out of the way, what other kinds of challenges might they be facing at the prison?

Kirkman: A bigger group brings with it bigger problems. They are certainly going to need a lot more resources, and they already have a lot of rebuilding to do, just from the things that happened in this battle between Woodbury and the prison. I don’t think there’s going to be a shortage of conflict and danger coming into the fourth season, despite the fact that they are still in the prison... there are a lot of familiar elements that are remaining. Michonne is still around, Rick and his group are still in the prison, the Governor’s still out there… so there are a lot of things that are carrying over from Season 3 to Season 4, but I can’t stress how different things are going to be.

There are going to be some radical changes to those elements that are going to bring in a lot of new storytelling. While [Season 4] does seem somewhat familiar, it’s going to be vastly different from Season 3.

ING: We didn’t really get any closure with the Governor in the finale. Is it safe to assume that he’ll have a big role to play next season?

Kirkman: Yeah, he’s still very much in the mix. That’s certainly not the last that we’ll see of him.

When we see him again and where we see him again, that’s the big question. It’s not going to be like it was in Season 3; it’s not going to be Rick and the Governor on a collision course with a conflict between them. He’ll be used in very different ways next season.

IGN: Carl and Rick seemed to have almost switched roles to some degree, with Carl being incredibly cold and Rick finding a sense of optimism to some degree. How does that inform their relationship from this point forward?

Kirkman: Rick has had a success. The people at the prison have survived this conflict with the Governor, he brought people from Woodbury into the prison, and he’s kind of had this big win. He’s had this moment where he’s brought people together and he’s doing good things. But he’s had this tremendous loss in that Carl has lost this piece of his humanity. This has been Rick’s main mission throughout the show, to protect his family. We’ve seen two very big failures on that front this season.

Moving into next season, we’re going to see a very different Rick, but one of his main goals is to manage this situation with Carl and see if he can bring him back from this darkness that’s crept into him. Whether or not he’s able to do that, we’ll have to see. But this is a big change in the character of Carl, but it’s something that’s going to be weighing heavily on Rick next season.

The Walking Dead resumes production in May with season 4 set to air in October.

The Robert Kirkman interview was taken from ING (http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/04/02/the-walking-dead-kirkman-talks-season-3-finale-teases-season-4) written by Joey Esposito.

Joey is a Senior Editor at IGN and a comic book creator. Follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyEsposito, or find him on IGN at Joey-IGN. If he could, he'd run away to live amongst wild cats for the rest of his days.

Until next time...

Stephen King's "Under the Dome" First Look

Anytime they bring Stephen King to either the small or big screen they usually don’t get it right. With few exceptions being “The Shining” and “Misery” being the most notable best of his adaptations.

“Under the Dome” is a massive novel and when I heard that they were going to film it I was hoping that it would get something better than just a two part mini-series and surprisingly someone in Hollywood thought the same as I. As the book is going to get a 13 week run, ala “Kingdom Hospital”. The next thing they seem get right is their choice of director in the form of Niels Arden Oplev who brought the novel “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” to the big screen in Sweden.

Here is the first look inside the Dome

RIP Jesus [Jess] Franco

He was known as the man with many names. But whatever he called himself, Jesus Franco, aka Jess Franco, famed Spanish director has passed away at the age of 82. After he was admitted to the Pascual Clinic in Malaga, Spain last Wednesday with symptoms related to a stroke.

With nearly 200 films under his belt [Jess] Franco ran the gamut of 

genres from everything from Horror to Science Fiction: Eroticism to Porn. Franco had even did a stint as a second unit director for Orson Welles on the film “Chimes at Midnight” that was shot in Spain. Along with Welles [Jess] Franco worked with great Christopher Lee as Lee reprised his role as the famed vampire Vlad Dracula in 1970’s “Count Dracula”. In this version, Dracula is an old man that grows younger from his consumption of blood from the veins of young mavens.

Born in 1930 in Madrid, Spain, [Jess] Franco debut as a director at the age of 18 with the 1959 film “We Are 18 Years Old”. In 1968, Franco, was nominated for the Festival of Berlin for the film “Succubus”. The nomination brought Franco international reputation. From there Franco’s life and career became more consolidated as he tackled the “B” film genre. Filled with endless creativity and talent Franco was able to deliver more than one film a year. Along with being behind that camera Franco acted in almost all his films. Usually playing some sinister character. Always working a micro-budget, Franco -along with the great Ed Wood- can be considered the Godfather of the Do-It-Yourself style of filming. Always finding funding for his films as an independent, and keeping soul control for his vision. However, Franco has always had a problem with getting films released. Most of which being direct to video. But he survived where others had failed and continued to write, direct and produce his movies up until his death. His latest release was the 2012 film “Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies” premiered in theaters on March 22nd.

[Jess] Franco was given an honorary Goya by the Spanish Film Academy for his “rich and varied filmography, and his absolute dedication and professionalism.” In an interview, Franco, that he considered “film as mere entertainment that helps people live. And feared its use to transmit messages of social-political” which he said was boring.

Some of the more notable films by Franco include: “Snakewoman” (2005); “Killer Barbys vs. Dracula” (2002); “Killer Barbys” (1996); “Slave of Crime” (1987); “Night of a 1000 Sexes” (1984); ‘Devil Hunter” (1980); “Jack the Ripper” (1976); “Female Vampire” (1973); “The Sinister Eyes of Doctor Orloff” (1973); “The Mistress of Doctor Jekyll” (1964).    

Until Next Time...