Don't Shut It Off!!!

Rating: 8/10 (13 October 2011)

If one were to think of Sam Raimi the director, what springs to mind? Perhaps the SPIDERMAN movies? Maybe DARKMAN? Most assuredly ARMY OF DARKNESS (the third movie in the EVIL DEAD series!) Back in '80 and into the winter of '81, Raimi along with his pals Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell, set out to make a student film that would eventually cross over into their first feature. And what a doozy! Borrowing story elements from some notable Italian horror, SUSPIRIA for one, as well as popular American horror, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE EXORCIST spring to mind, the young filmmakers then proceed to tell their own twisted tale. Five college students spend the weekend at an old dilapidated cabin, only to discover an ancient book of spells called the Necromonicon and a tape recording of the incantations. Unfortunately, the tape recording awakens some very angry demons who then proceed to possess four of the students, soon leaving Bruce Campbell as the iconic Ash the only survivor. And if that wasn't bad enough everything in the forest, from the trees to the fog and wind, seems to have a mind of its own. Worse still, the only way for Ash to defeat the demons is to dismember each one of his friends. Tons of low budget gore, an unhinged plot and some very wicked special effects are what makes this movie shine. It's guaranteed to shock, appall, and terrify you. So gather together your brood of friends, unless you dare to watch it alone. Either way, the best way to watch it is with the lights turned down and the volume turned up! Enjoy some bloody good fun!!!