‘The Evil Dead’ (1981) and Style…Also, Comparison to ‘War of the Worlds’ (1953)
What makes some horror films more successful than others? Is it more scares? More blood and gore? The biggest, baddest, most hulk-like villain? Sometimes those things help, but it can also be great to have a vision — or visions — to guide the film into a powerful, lasting presence. Such appears to be the case with Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead, which can still stand on its own as a classic horror film. Despite its flaws (and yes, there are some), The Evil Dead still has a way of grabbing viewers, and it no doubt has roots in Raimi and crew’s commitment to the project, and its underlying concepts and processes. The movie never takes itself that seriously, yet it is not quite as bonkers as some horror comedies (including other entries in The Evil Dead franchise).
The movie features a decent cast, featuring the now-iconic Bruce Campbell, and Ellen Sandweiss, Hal Delrich, Betsy Baker, and Theresa Tilly. However, the first movie largely delivers through its concepts, which combine for a blood-soaked, mind-bending, and surrealistic journey that transforms a cabin into hell. Although you can tell the production budget was limited, the average horror fan can easily glide past those limits and into the warped entertainment of it all.
Style Over Substance? Actually, Sometimes Style is Substance
Sam Raimi brought a distinctive style to The Evil Dead, with an obvious ability to get things done. It’s said to have been a rough film to shoot, which probably only added to the film. If you wish to see a key moment of Raimi’s style, note the burial scene where Ash throws dirt onto the camera. For a moment, Ash can be seen through part of the dirt, then he conceals his own image with the next throw. It’s such a great transition! Granted, the audio commentary reveals it to be a happy accident of sorts. Still, had no one decided to shoot the scene in a creative way, it would simply be a different movie. It would most certainly be a more boring experience.
So, basically, a good filmmaker has an eye for those little things which makes their approach different. If you look at so many other films (horror or otherwise), they often have a “by-the-numbers” feel to them. Some of those movies are still okay, or even good, but nearly all great movies have a catchy style to them. Also, let’s face it: Most good movies have some manic moments thrown it. For horror that might mean a comedy edge or even outright slapstick.
A Unique Vision Can Transcend Flaws
Another part of what makes a film great is that it captures the imagination. Horror can do that, and so can science fiction. Sometimes those domains crossover, too. In an odd way, stories about demons and spirits are still kind of like sci-fi tales. You do end up with some of the same elements, just approached differently. That’s why, at least in my mind, a movie like the 1950s War of the Worlds has some of the same moods as The Evil Dead, at least occasionally.
If you watch War of the Worlds, you’ll see the main scientist guy, Dr, Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) nearing his wit’s end, seemingly overpowered by the alien invaders. In The Evil Dead, Ash experiences a very similar mental collapse, overcome by forces he doesn’t fully understand. Both characters see their enemies defeated by dumb luck more than anything else. Additionally, both demons and aliens can bend the rules of known reality, allowing for some cartoon physics.
The two movies are also similar in that, in the end, both types of invasive forces die oddly; The aliens are killed by bacteria, the demons are thwarted by the burning of a magic book (in a classic claymation sequence). These films are obviously not identical, but they both have that sense of a visionary force behind them, almost like they had to be made.
What are your thoughts on The Evil Dead, Sam Raimi, and War of the Worlds? Let us know in the comments!
Good news to my nonbinary pals – we no longer exist!
“But Brannyk,” you may be thinking, “what am I supposed to do now that I am no longer a real being? How shall I spend my days?”
Unfortunately, the government has not released a handbook for this occasion, so I thought we could brainstorm together.
BECOME A GHOST
There are some benefits to being a ghost, for sure.
No rent or insurance payment. No corporate job, no cleaning cat litter, no AT&T trying to sell you another line after repeatedly telling them that you just want to make sure that your autopayment is on, but they’re all like, ‘Why would you pass up such a bargain on a second line? Are you an idiot? Why wouldn’t you need another phone line?‘ and so you have to tell them, “Because I’M DIVORCED, ASSHOLE, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT!”
Ahem. I digress.
Yeah, you may not be able to venture out, much like Adam and Barbara in Beetlejuice. You may need to put up with someone else crashing your place and moving around all of your shit. Or Ryan Reynolds trying to sell you Mint Mobile. Or some toxic couple taking your creepy doll that you spent years on trying to possess.
Or, my absolute biggest pet peeve, when you’re practicing for the ghost speed chair-stacking championship and the normies just don’t appreciate your cool skills.
But the advantages are that you get to stay home, watch tv, stack your chairs and hope whoever buys your house/visits your creepy woods/gentrifies your neighborhood is a cool person, too.
(2 / 5)
It’s a good choice, but has a lot of drawbacks.
BECOME A CREATURE
Look, if you’re not going to exist, go big or go home, I’d say.
Monsters are cool. They play by their own rules. Sometimes they cause havoc. Sometimes they come around and help people. Sometimes they work alone. And other times, they have a lot of friends. Sometimes they just need some affirmation. And sometimes they’re…in high school, apparently?
The cool thing is that they come in all shapes and sizes.
Monsters are generally misunderstood. Some have their fans. Others are hated.
So basically, just like people, except with more tentacles.
The only downsides are that you might be too big or too “ick” for some people (these can also be pluses), you may have a taste for human flesh (no judgement), or the biggest issue – there are too many choices.
You could get stuck trying to figure out what kind of monster you are. If you’re not into labels, it’s an absolute nightmare. Or if you’re like me, it’ll be like standing in Subway for 15 minutes trying to figure out what toppings and dressings you want while the “sandwich artist” is openly judging you.
(4 / 5)
I like the customization, but it can be a bit too overwhelming.
BECOME A CRYPTID
Hear me out. I know it seems a lot like the monster category, but it’s not quite.
Cryptids are weird and mysterious. They keep to themselves. They have people who are fascinated by them and post on Reddit about them. Some have people making documentaries about them.
They’re like monsters’ quieter cousin who reads books in the corner at family gatherings. They collect shiny things they find by the side of the road. Sometimes they’ll steal a peanut butter sandwich or two.
Ever so often, they might scare a human just by existing or by politely asking for their stuff back.
Each one kinda has their own goals and priorities. Their own hangouts and interests. But unlike monsters, they’re not looking to rock any boats-
Never mind, I stand corrected.
(5 / 5)
I like the freedoms of being a cryptid and also dig the cottage-core vibe I get from them.
CONCLUSION: LET’S BE REAL FOR A SECOND…
I know it’s hard right now. It’s going to be hard. You may not exist to some assholes, but you are real. You have real feelings and thoughts and dreams. You have a real future. You have real decisions. Real actions that affect this world.
You have the real ability to wake up tomorrow and choose to exist. And for whatever reason you choose. Use it. Ghosts and monsters and cryptids are powerful, just like you are, even when you don’t feel like it. They have a place in our human world, just like you do. You make this world interesting and important.
You are part of this world, you are real, and you are not alone.
The horror community is one of acceptance, diversity, creativity and passion. In these times, it needs to be. We need to rely on each other. We need to cultivate and protect each other, as much as we need to protect ourselves.
And it looks like I’ll be coming out of my own cryptid hovel I’ve spent the past few years in to remind you that. My job isn’t done. Not by a longshot. And neither is yours.
You exist to me. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
Be safe out there, friends.
If you live in the United States, it’s time to rock the vote for real. I shared this video before in conjunction with my identity-based costume work, and I feel it’s important to revisit now, with the election coming up in just a few days. Besides which, Jack Black and Tenacious D are brilliant and given the current political climate, who doesn’t want to do the time warp? But seriously, get out and rock the vote, your life kinda does depend on it (at least insomuch as being able to make for yourself the life that you want, without the government telling you how to do so – especially if you live on the fringes of socially acceptable awkwardness like me and so many of my friends).
Besides which, this video is so good, it’s worth sharing again anyway. And again, if for some reason the video doesn’t load, you can find it here.
Art Attack
And here are some artworks I made awhile back as political commentary. The photograph was shot of the scene exactly as found, of a sign above a parking lot in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood making sure all knew that any unauthorized vehicles were unwelcome, and hung right in front of a flag that was tattered and torn from being caught on the chain link fence driving the point home. The flags were meant to be interactive, with gallerygoers waving them while singing The Star Spangled Banner in its elitist entirety. The whole really spoke to me regarding some of the political climate at the time (this was right before Trump was elected President the first time). How much has changed since then? In some ways, a lot. In other ways, I guess we shall see.
So on my recent road trip to Miami AZ USA for my menstruation art installation, we decided to detour to Roswell NM en route home. To be honest, this was one of the best decisions of my life, up there with road trippin’ from Arizona to San Francisco along CA-Highway 1, and I will go into the details of why here soon.
Roswell NM USA has totally embraced its alien history of the UFO crash in the late 1940s and subsequent government cover up. The whole town is alien-happy with beautiful hand carved wood totems, murals and statues everywhere celebrating otherworldly denizens of all types, though predominantly the gray aliens of the crash (and their green counterparts). Even the city logo features a flying saucer as the center of the letter “R”. It really is kind of incredible.
One of the biggest draws is the International UFO Museum and Research Center, housed in the wonderful old theater building. This museum details the crash history as well as celebrating aliens in movies and media and examining newer alien sightings and abductions. It is very thorough and includes maquettes, statues, written accounts and an extensive research library, as well as an interesting art collection of various items.
And there are TONS of fun alien themed curiosity shops. I will give a shout out to the newer Invasion Station north on Main Street where there had once been an old car dealership. I love the quirky nature of this particular store as well as their strong desire to promote local artists. Most of their wares are hand-painted in NM and feature designs by prominent local artists including one of the lead muralists in town (I bought a magnet of his). They also feature really alternative kitsch like KISS and Ace Frehley alien bobbleheads, marijuana and anal references, and such. All in all, our own Haunted MTL’s kinda folks…
And the city is a huge tourist draw internationally, so you can meet some amazing and interesting folks from all walks of life who have caught the alien bug or at least want to check out all the hype. As a result of the tourism, the residents seem really laid back and accommodating (kind of like Hawaii but not quite as much) and there is a thriving art scene. And it’s totally my kind of art – weird and a little creepy. Anyway, I feel like I’ve finally found my peeps and am eager to return someday.
If you’re feeling a bit extraterrestrial, I invite you to also check out some of my alien-themed stories here on Haunted MTL: LTD UFOs among us; my Drive-By short story; and LTD Abducted.
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