Films Viewed (October)

Rise: Blood Hunter (2007)
Anatomy (2000)
The Three Amigos (1986) Repeat
Anatomy 2 (2003)
The Cavern (2006)
The Cottage (2008)
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
Boogeyman 2 (2008)
Red Sands (2009)
Flesheater (1988)
Hack (2007)
Candy Stripers (2006)
Night of the Creeps (1986)
The Devil's Chair (2008)

Screenings:

The Evil Dead
The Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn
Army of Darkness

Purchases:

Army of Darkness (1993)
Natural Born Killers (1994)
Clash of The Titans (1981)
Event Horizon (1997)
Arachnophobia (1990)
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Elvira's Haunted Hills (2002)
Trick 'r Treat (2008)
Grace (2009)
Perfect Creature (2006)
My Name Is Bruce (2006)

A Brief Overview

Born June 22, in Royal Oak Michigan and best known for The Evil Dead Trilogy; Bruce Campbell has also starred in many cult films such as Maniac Cop, Escape from LA and Bubba Ho-Tep. Campbell has also enjoyed mainstream success playing Autocalyus, and playing lead in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Jack of All Trades. Campbell's most recent venture is playing Sam Axe on USA Network's Burn Notice.

Campbell's development began shooting short films with friends; eventually shooting the thirty minute feature Within the Woods which would become the basis for The Evil Dead. The film did not achieve immediate success, but did considerably better and gradually gained distribution after receiving an endorsement from horror author Stephen King.

Aside from acting, Bruce Campbell has also voiced Ash for the Evil Dead games: Hail to the King, Fistful of Boomstick, and Regeneration.  Bruce has also voiced the mayor in 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' and Red "Torque" Redline in 'Cars 2'

Campbell has also authored two books: 'If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor' and 'Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way' Mr. Campbell has stated he plans to work on a third book.

Most complete video I could find. Sorry about the quality.

Love Letter to A Man 25 Years My Senior

Meeting Bruce Campbell two weeks ago definitely was an awesome experience; granted it was some time ago, and I'm still buzzing about it. How often does anyone get the chance to meet someone they have admired throughout their childhood? The thought of it makes me giddy.  Although I didn't watch The Evil Dead until High School, (which scared me thoroughly) I was familiar with Campbell through Hercules and Xena, and I also confess to having a crush on Autocalyus.

Campbell's character's have always been quirky, humorous, and charming; one thing I had not realized is how much of his true personality actually shines through his roles, which only makes me more curious about what he's like in his day to day life.

It was a great experience which I will always cherish. The trip itself was wonderful! 

 

Massacre on a Low Budget

Nail Gun Massacre; also known as Texas Nail Gun Massacre was released in 1985 by Magnum Entertainment. Director Terry Lofton realized early on that the limited budget would greatly influence the quality of the film and so he played up the comedic aspects of the film.

Part of what makes this film so enjoyable is the it does not takes itself seriously. Everything from the canned acting, cheesy dialogue , and unbelievable murder sequences are part of what has made this film a low budget success.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from the film; it had first come to my attention through a news subscription from Texas Frightmare Weekend in association with Fantastic Fest and was advertised as "a movie for humans who hate humans and movies." This odd description is what caught my attention. It was also an opportunity to catch a rare screening of a film I had never heard of.  The shared experience of watching Nail Gun Massacre with an audience definitely was an enjoyable one.

The film is filled with goofy moments, but my favorite has to be the one starring Lofton's grandmother who delivers my favorite line "Remember the days when no mosquitoes or killers would bother you?" She was also the actual store clerk at that particular film location. She had been asked to stand in when the original actress never showed the day of the shoot, unfortunately Mr. Lofton's grandmother would later come to regret her decision to appear when she later realized how much nudity was in the film.

30 Second Mini-Review: The City of Lost Children

Very much along the lines of a warped fairy tale for adults; the story centers around a crazed inventor which for some reason is unable to obtain sleep so he takes to abducting children in order to rob them of their dreams, but his menacing presence only causes the children to feed him nightmares and so a quest is taken in order to find the one who does not fear him.

Wonderful plot, definately draws the audience into the alternate reality like atmosphere; as well as background information is slowly revealed about each character, thus giving each persona a more three dimensional feel. Also not so subtily implied pediophelic romance between Miete and One.

Definately a must see and if you enjoyed this title you should definately see: "The Cook, the Thief, his Wife, and her Lover"

Hannibal Retrospective

Set in the WWII era, this fourth installment of the ever growing Lector legacy chronicles young Hannibal’s ascent into darkness. As we follow our fiendish anti-hero’s origin in the well bread world in which he was brought up, and witnessed the mindless slaying of his parents as well as the murder and feasting of his sister; acts which set off a methodical chain reaction of vengeance.

This installment however, falls short of the grotesque, psychological thrills set up by it’s predecessors; rather, this film is more an in depth analysis of the events which altered the life of Lector and reshaped him into the being most are well acquainted with. Though sutally analytical; the film also radiates symbolic undertones as well. (I.e. The rejection of Lady Murasaki; Gong Li’s character, which not only could have redeemed Lector, but save his humanity as well).

Despite the sudden change of tone in the franchise; casual movie goers will find disappointment due to the lack of action. Hannibal Rising is definitely an elitist film as opposed to the “low brow” films the “common man” is most comfortable with.

Gospard Ulliel makes his American debut in the title role, and if this twenty something actor seems familiar; audiences may recognize Ulliel from his short international breakout role in ‘Brotherhood of the Wolf’ (2001). It was this roll which got the ball rolling and allowed him to further pursue an acting career.

Filmography

Hannibal (2007)
The Last Day (2006)
A Very Long Engagement (2004)
Strayed (2003)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)


In the role of Lady Murasaki, we find Gong Li; also no stranger to American and international audiences; Ms. Li first gained notice in the 1987 release ‘Red Sorghum, a widely publicized film which made her a household name. ‘The story of Qui Ju (1992) is regarded as her most noteworthy film. And if Ms. Li is still doesn’t seem familiar, one may recognize her from ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ (2005) or ‘Miami Vice’ (2006). Often regarded as an ‘actress of elegance and strong presence; capable of holding the interest of foreign and domestic audiences alike’.

Selected Filmography

Hannibal Rising (2007)
Miami Vice (2006)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
The Story of Qui Ju (1997)
Red Sorghum (1987)


Hannibal Rising written by the reclusive, media shy Thomas Harris, born 1940 in Jackson, Tennessee; later relocating to Rich, Mississippi; Mr. Harris attended college at Baylor University in Waco, Texas on a journalism scholarship.
Harris began his career as a crime journalist. Inspired by the 1972 Olympics in which eleven Israeli athletes were killed; Harris wrote Black Sunday, which was adapted into the 1977 film depicting a terrorist attack on a football stadium; involving a blimp (not to be confused with ‘Black Sunday’ [1960]).

Bibliography

Black Sunday (1975)
Red Dragon (1981)
Silence of the Lambs (1988)
Hannibal (1999)
Hannibal Rising (2000)

The Hannibal legacy though quick to gain popularity did have its humble beginnings: the 1986 television film ‘Man Hunter’ (adapted from the 1981 novel Red Dragon). The movie’s reputation grew like wild fire and the 1991 theatrical release ‘Silence of the Lambs’ soon followed. ‘Hannibal (2001); the next installment in the series picks up from where the previous feature left off (this time picking up a “Beauty and the Beast” undertone). 2002 Brought the last real sequel; ‘Red Dragon’, which technically is a remake of the ’86 television movie ‘Man Hunter’(a feature in which Lector plays a minor role).


*Frankie Faison plays Barney, the orderly in all four films with the exception of ‘Hannibal Rising’.


Hannibal-ography

Man Hunter (1986)
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Hannibal (2001)
Red Dragon (2002)
Hannibal Rising (2007)





Recommendations (based on similarity):

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The beginning (2006)
Ed Gien (2001)
Young Poisoner’s Handbook (1995)

Equus (1977)*

Massacre Tour (1/3)

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Took a day trip out to see the TCM house yesterday. It was a great trip and we had so much fun running around the house taking photos and videos.  We actually got there when they were closed to prepare for the dinner crowd, but they were kind enough to let us in to look around.  We later returned and had dinner there. The food was definitely worth the drive out there. It stank not being able to pick up wifi out there, I was dying to upload some of my pictures all day!

Front view of the house

Front Porch

Crab cake appetizer 

Chicken fried chicken

Coconut Shrimp

Key lime Pie and Raspberry Sauce

Upstairs display

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