Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

Okay, so I am cheating a little tonight as I am going to review one of my all-time favorites. To be honest, I probably watch this one twice a year, and that date came last night as I was working on a couple project ideas. That movie is the 1987 classic Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn.

Plot/ The lone survivor of an onslaught of flesh-possessing spirits holes up in a cabin with a group of strangers while the demons continue their attack.

The Evil Dead series is one of my all-time favorites and amazingly are just as entertaining today than they were when they came out. That is especially the case with this entry, which in many ways help energize the genre with its cult status. This low budget story is in no way a sequel, it is a different perspective on the classic source material. While it did lack the serious tone of the original, it makes up for that with a perfect blend of comedy, gore, and horror that takes the series to a completely new plane. Yes, it has all of the action, possessions, and of course, Bruce Campbell, but it is the combination of solid performances, outstanding storyline, and crazy characters that truly brings this one to life. In the end, if you are a horror fan and have not watched this one, shame on you. The may be one of the best horror films on the 1980s and is one that will surely continue to stand the test of time. Find it and watch it!

Don't Breathe (2016)

Tonight after catching the end of the Steelers game because of a high school softball game, I decided to kick back and finish review the movies I caught last night at the drive-in. Honestly, this was one of the better double features to play in some time with Blair Witch and Don’t Breathe. Since I did Blair Witch last night when I got home, it is time for arguably one of the best films of the year (in any genre) Don’t Breathe.

Plot/ Hoping to walk away with a massive fortune, a trio of thieves break into the house of a blind man who is not as helpless as he seems.

I had heard a lot of hype about Don’t Breathe and was unsure what to expect from such a simple premise. However, this one was one of the best thriller/suspense films I have seen in some time and does show what can be accomplished by a studio when they support an original idea of horror. This movie has everything that a horror fan should appreciate, featuring a intense atmosphere that builds throughout, solid performances from the minimalistic cast, and a storyline that offers enough complexities to keep the viewer interested. Sure, there are a couple clichéd moments and there may be too many plot twists sprinkled in, but the outstanding characters and powerful visuals easily shroud those flaws. In the end, this movie is one that must be seen to appreciate fully and is another example of what horror can be if studios would embrace original ideas instead of attempting to make a quick buck with a remake or reboot. If you have not seen it, you should definitely watch it (if for nothing else to see the turkey baster).

Army of Darkness (1992)

Tonight as I have been finishing up my Friday article for Steelers 101, I decided to throw something on that I have not watched in some time. Of course, with boxes of DVDs here at the house, I have a ton of choices. In the end, I decided on something with some comedy sprinkled in (that can match the Steelers performances). I decided to watch the 1992 classic Army of Darkness.

Plot/ A man is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D., where he must battle an army of the dead and retrieve the Necronomicon so he can return home.

The Evil Dead franchise is one of my favorites. Thee is so much depth ad variety in play throughout the series that it has a life all its own. In Evil Dead Parts One and Two, the gore is there and the dark comedy is developing, yet with Army of Darkness the series turned a direction that cemented its cult status. This flick is hilarious, with great dialogue, perfect performances and a true classic B-Movie creature feature feel. Sure, there are some cheesy moments, but those definitely seemed intentional to create the campy atmosphere (watch the skeleton armies close if you do not know what I mean). In the end, this is a great movie, which is both disturbing and fun. If you have not seen it, check it out, you will not be disappointed unless you are looking for a gorefest.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Searching for new and interesting horror is often a challenge. Lately, the movie industry (especially in the horror genre) has fallen into an uninventive cycle full of remakes and sequels. However, sometimes even mainstream filmmakers can hit a home run. To me, one such film is Drag Me to Hell from 2009.

Plot/ A loan officer who evicts an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try to save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point.

The first time I watched this I liked it. The second time, I liked it even more. Yes, the storyline was a bit cliché, but it had just the right mixture of the basic premise with some innovative twists to make it quite enjoyable. The acting was solid, the atmosphere creepy and the effects were memorable (even the CGI was decent).  Sure, there were some bump here and there, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, this is one of the better movies from the decade and reminds me why Sam Raimi is one of the legends of the horror genre. Check it out!