October was my EVIL DEAD month! Well, it was Evil Dead month for many actually as we were given ASH VS EVIL DEAD the new television show which premiered on Halloween on Starz and the awesome part is EVIL DEAD times continue on in November. WOOT!

The EVIL DEAD series has had a big impact on my life, shaping who I am. Just recently my mom said to me that it “was EVIL DEAD that made me a little crazy.” She meant that in the nicest way and it’s true nonetheless.

I saw EVIL DEAD 2 for the first time at the age of 12. It began my obsession with all things Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. I’ve devoted many a blog posts to them both and followed along with all they’ve done over the ages.

So here’s one more hopelessly devoted post, yup!

IMAG6771On Saturday October 3, 2015 the Egyptian Theater had the BEYOND FEST going on and I was in attendance for the EVIL DEAD Double feature including a Q&A with Bruce Campbell to be moderated by Edgar Wright. I had bought tickets for the screening the month before ensuring I’d be there. It was a sold out night!!!!!!!!! Yup. (I was wearing my snazzy DARKMAN Converse I was gifted at my wedding a year ago. I finally found the perfect outing for them and let them see the light of day!)

The night was awesome! With my guy Dave at my side we lined up nice and early. I got my name on the list for Evil Dead tattoos, but my names was the last and after some line up confusion I opted for good seats over permanent ink.

IMAG6775

BEYOND FEST RULES!

Once inside, seated and feeling groovy the BEYOND FEST festivities began. They were showing promo stuff for SHUTTER the new watch horror movie site. I was anxious to see Bruce Campbell. There was a storm of ASH VS. EVIL DEAD chainsaws filling the theater and free donuts! They showed the ASH VS. EVIL DEAD trailer on 35mm!

DONUTS!!!!!!

DONUTS!!!!!!

EVIL DEAD screened and it was great! I love that little horror movie. It was fun to see people jump, in fact a guy in our row totally jumped twice. I love seeing young Bruce; I mean who doesn’t? Right?!

Then after the movie it was Q&A time. WOOT! Edgar Wright came on down and as it got started Dave jabs me in the side and points off to the left of the theater. There was SAM RAIMI waiting for his introduction. It was the big surprise of the night, SAM RAIMI joining the Q&A. (Pictures were not allowed, le sigh.)

I couldn’t be happier, I had my DARKMAN shoes on and there was SAM RAIMI! He joined Bruce Campbell down front and Edgar asked his questions.

Sam and Bruce talked of their first meeting, the shorts they did with the Three Stooges influence, and all the drive in movies they watched to figure out what kind of horror movie to make to break into the biz.

Being the fangirl I am I’ve heard these stories before but I’ll never, ever, never get enough of ’em and listen to ’em all 10 times over. Sam and Bruce together is the grooviest as they joke, tease and make jabs at each other. I think they’re great storytellers.

I took notes of all the chit chat and though I procrastinated in sharing, (better late than never, perhaps) I’ve got is saved in my memory forever. YEA!!!

It was fun to see these guys talk their talk with Dave at my side. Edgar Wright geeked out too. Again I get inspired by their stories and how they got started. Sam talked about Wes Craven and the nods in their films to each other. There was a nice moment of applause for Mr. Wes.

It was an absolutely amazing and most unexpected experience. After that EVIL DEAD 2 screened and the theater was still packed!

I’ve seen EVIL DEAD and EVIL DEAD 2 tons of times on a big screen, thanks to midnight screenings and the awesome revival cinemas in my town, but I’m way behind in my movie tally to give the latest total. D’oh!! This screening was of course one of the best!

ASH, Baby! Big and Bold in Hollywood!

ASH, Baby! Big and Bold in Hollywood!

Another EVIL DEAD 2 related highlight of the October month was trying to see if my young nieces would be interested in watching the film. I must admit they’re scaredy cats when it comes to horror. But I had shown them the EVIL DEAD 2 trailer on YouTube and they kinda liked it. When Dave and I took them to see BEETLEJUICE on the big screen of the New Bev they showed the EVIL DEAD 2 trailer beforehand. That was the real test for them. Effie called it creepy, which means scary and I noticed Celia not watching the scene where Henrietta turns into the deadite. Looks like I have to wait a while longer to share the films with them. Oh well…

Evil Dead 2 Trailer

On Halloween night I watched EVIL DEAD, EVIL DEAD 2 and ARMY OF DARKNESS in preparation for ASH VS. EVIL DEAD. My dad had DV-R-ed the movies that were shown on STARZ with Bruce Campbell introductions and factoids. Again never enough Bruce or EVIL DEAD for this Shempcat.

ASH VS. EVIL DEAD episode 1 truly delivered. Bruce Campbell back as ASH living in a trailer, lookin’ for some action, unleashing the Evil Dead deadites back into the world, spewing one-liners and picking up some sidekicks a.k.a. deadite killers in training. For a gal like me, what’s not to love, knowing Raimi is on board and directing the first episode, Ivan Raimi did writing too and there’s Lucy Lawless in the mix. Yes, I’m in heaven. I’m happy. I’m ready for more EVIL DEAD.

The second episode delivered even more! I mean Mimi Rogers becomes a Deadite! Dude!

Yes, I could rattle on all the details but I’m just here to beam about my happiness that this show. It is all I wanted and delivering on more than I could imagine. Since Comic Con and the panels I saw I couldn’t wait for HALLOWEEN to get here!

Hail to the King Baby, EVIL DEAD is here and all is well. Yup.

GROOVY!