Good... Bad... I'm the guy with the gun.

[Pumpkinhead]

Guess what I watched for the very first time?

The ulitmate experience in grueling horror. The Evil Dead.

Woah, what a movie.
I have been a big Army of Darkness fan for awhile but I've never seen the first two.
I liked how the movie was really scary and the gore was over the top sometimes but alot of times it's a big mixture of screams AND laughs. It's a great movie. Even during some of the bloodiest moments you can't help but laugh some. I had my share of jumps in this movie. It was a thrill. Unlike being a gory movie like Friday the 13th, this was gory but you could actually sit and watch it.
I'll admit gore doesn't bother me at all but I'm not a gore fan at all. But The Evil Dead becomes an exception. I loved the touch of humour it had, such as when he slaps his dead girlfriends body and she's just laughing away. Heehee.

Anyways, I know there are several versions of this on DVD. What's the best one?

Also, which is the best Army of Darkness DVD?

And finally, how did ya'll like The Evil Dead movies?


"Gimme some sugar, baby." -Ash Army of Darkness

[Triple HHH]

Heh, I watched Evil Dead 2 for the first time about 2 months ago. I too saw Army of Darkness first, and I'm gonna rent Evil Dead 2 one of these days.

I agree, Evil Dead had a lot of chills and funny moments too. The scary parts were with that girl forced underneath in the basement, and she's trying to get out. I swear, the ghastly sounds she made really freaked me out. I dare someone to watch this at night, by themselves, with the volume turned up. hehe

In answer to your question Pumpkin, sorry, I know there are a lot of different versions, but I have no idea personally. The AoD I saw was rented. I dont even remember if there were features or not.


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"Digimon is an entirely different group than Pokemon. Digimon means 'Digital Monsters.'"
"Uh.....thanks for clarifying that." [ESPN]

[This message has been edited by Triple HHH (edited 08-11-2001).]

[Pumpkinhead]

That cool! Yeah, I'd have to agree that part on Evil Dead when that thing under the basement is just watching them and making those icky sounds. LOL. I loved it. It certainly is one of the scarier movies out there.

[UserNameUndecided]

I also saw Evil Dead 2 for the first time recently (about 3 or 4 months ago maybe). Shortly after, I rented Army of Darkness, and about 2 months after that, finally got around to checking out Evil Dead1.

::Side note: I just noticed a rip in a pair of brand new pants I am wearing for the first time, how aggrivating::

Anyhow, I bought Evil DeadII, and am still waiting for the supposed better edition of Evil Dead 1, and waiting to see if they will rerelease the limited edition or something of AOD.

Another, more related to the topic sidenote: About a month ago, Bruce Campbell was doing a booksigning in town, but I did not go because he was only aloud to sign his book, and I didn't "feel like going" and paying $20-$25 for the book...God how I still, and always will until another chance comes along, regret that.

[Pumpkinhead]

[This message has been edited by Pumpkinhead (edited 08-11-2001).]

[3DMan]

I never liked Evil Dead I that much because it was pretty much straight horror, but I love Evil Dead II.
I have the 2-disc Army of Darkness(supposedly limited edition) which has the director's cut, but I was a little underwhelmed. The commentary is good(not near as good as EDII) but the director's cut looks and sounds much crappier than the included theatrical cut on the 2nd disc. Pretty good making-of, though. If you find it pretty cheap, I'd get it.

[Pumpkinhead]

I showed my sis the scene where the zombie things start decomposing after the book is thrown in the fire. I love how that oatmeal looking stuff starts seeping out of the sleeve. Heehee. I love how the blood is exaggerated and you are groaning and laughing at the same time. Good stuff.

[Fart Lighter]

EVIL DEAD 1: go for Elites.

Anchor Bay's impending UK release is going to be a wrongly matted 1.85:1 verison ONLY, so there's a worry that the impending AB special edition r1 may suffer the same fate. The film's correct ratio is either 4:3 or 1.66:1, your choice.
ARMY: Director's cut by far, but the quality is very bad. some bits are p&s with matting for some reaosn. AB messed up badly with that one.

[SmiterJaggy]

From what I've heard, yes the upcoming Evil Dead SE will be matted to 1:85. But, it's being done by Sam (and/or) Bruce, so it's not like it's being screwed with by anyone except the makers of the film. I'm actually quite excited at the idea, and if I dont like it I'll still have the 4:3 edition.

I just hope they manage to get Within the Woods on there.

[Pumpkinhead]

So there's going to be a SE of Evil Dead? Oh boy I can't wait! What's probably your favorite scene there? I can't help laughing and groaning when those possessed zombie things are decomposing and blood's going every where, including that oatmeal looking stuff.

[SolidSnakeASS]

Do not buy The Evil Dead yet. Anchor Bay will be releasing an extremely sweet version that comes in the necrominacin in 2002. Wait for that! You have been warned.

As for Evil Dead 2, get the tin box. It is so sweet. The video quality is awesome for such a 'low bugdet' and 'old' film. A great purchase.

As for AoD, it is a little more tricky. I have the regular version of the movie (not the director's cut) and the video/audio quality is great. It lacks the commentary, but does include deleted scenes and a documentary. The 2 disc set is were it is at, but is almost impossible to find. Expect to spend $50+ on that puppy for sure, if not twice as much. So I recommend either waiting for a new release, it will happen, or getting the non-director's cut single disc.

Hope that helped someone.

[Pumpkinhead]

Darn it! I've got the regular eiditon of Army of Darkness. But it just comes with a trailer. The sound and video quality seemed great to me but I want one with extras.

Now, there is a new one out it's a SE. But I saw one before it that was a two disc set and it had a redish cover on it. I actually had that thing in my hands. I would have gotten it if I knew I would have liked the movie so much. Crap.

Well, I ought to get the tin of Evil Dead II. There's a place I know of that has one.

Also, there's a regular version of Evil Dead II with the poster art on it. Very 80's like.

[eideal6]

Originally posted by 3DMan:

I have the 2-disc Army of Darkness(supposedly limited edition) which has the director's cut, but I was a little underwhelmed.

just a thought: i dont know how much "collecting-to-collect" you do (ie:get it cuz its limited regardless of enjoyment) but i hafta say these three are the holy grail to me in regards to horror/trilogy/sequel-ish stuffs. if you like, and are unsatisfied, i'll trade you my AOD directors cut and ten or so bucks for your 2 discer(sp?). i would just LOVE to have this, and im obviously SOL, so, any chance?
puhlease eddy?



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"We raped the horses and rode off on the women..."

[SolidSnakeASS]

Dude, sorry to break this to you but that set is like $150 on ebay. He would be insane to trade it to you at that price.

[Fart Lighter]

there's a brief review of the impending UK EVIL DEAD 1.85:1 disk over at the www.splatterhouse.net message baords. There's a mention from somebody who's seen it at www.dvddebate.com

Advance word is that it looks bad matted down to 1.85:1.

Where did this rumor come from that Raimi himself approved this alteration to the framing? Bill Lustig lied blatantly about it on his posts at splat, so if the rumor came from him, it's unreliable.

[eideal6]

Originally posted by SolidSnakeASS:
Dude, sorry to break this to you but that set is like $150 on ebay. He would be insane to trade it to you at that price.

i know what it costs. thats my point. i've noticed a ton of people on here who seem to go above and beyond being cool to others. i was just wishing, and besides, its only worth 150 if thats what its worth to you, which is why i dont have it. whats wrong w/ a request for fraternity?


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"We raped the horses and rode off on the women..."

[SolidSnakeASS]

Your right, but then he would be losing out! To anyone> If you have a 2 disc AoD set keep it! It is doubtful that it will ever stop going up in price.

[Pumpkinhead]

What does the cover to yours look like snakeASS?

[This message has been edited by Pumpkinhead (edited 08-14-2001).]

[Yoda]

Unless Anchor Bay re-releases it in a tin!!

[Pumpkinhead]

This is what I plan on getting:

The Evil Dead Collector's Edition
The Evil Dead 2 regular edition with skull on cover
The Evil Dead 2 Tin
Army of Darkness Special Edition
Army of Darkness 2 disc set with red cover.

By the way, where do you keep the tin on your DVD shelves? Beside Evil Dead or at the end of your collection since it's bigger?

[JayPea]

Hey Guys and Gals. I'm new here, but fortunately, someone has already generated discussion regarding my personal favourite movie of ALL TIME aka "The ultimate experience in grueling horror" (how true, how true). Man, I think I'm gonna like it here

How did I like the Evil Dead movies? Well, allow me to spray the contents of my mind...

Originally titled "Book of the Dead", I can't recall how many times I've watched this horror "classic" (hey, I'm being a bit biased since I AM one of this movie's biggest supporters), but all I know is that every time I watch it, I'm truly captivated by what I see on the screen (the ONLY other movies that have that kind of effect on me are ALL of Stanley Kubrick's films...my fave director, BTW, but that's a whole 'nother topic). What I love about ED are the messed up yet masterfully utilized camera angles (dutches, ram-o-cam shots, slow dolly shots along the floor and from the ceiling, etc), the camp-quality acting (not the greatest dialogue, but funny when not trying to be funny), the sly references to the Three Stooges (near the end of the film, the idea of blood flowing from the walls, the electrical sockets, etc. was taken from the Three Stooges "A Plumbing We Will Go"...with water in place of blood, that is), the "stingers" that scare the crap outta me (primarily the hands of Deadite Cheryl busting through the door to strangle Ash...still gets me everytime I watch it), and of course, the over-the-top GORE! I mean, other then "Dawn of the Dead" (another horror classic) and maybe "From Dusk Til Dawn", I can't recall any other movie that has virtually no limit to the amount of on-screen gore that they're willing to show (OK, maybe there are a few that I'm missing...but regardless, this film is a blood bath!). Ex: The bodily dismemberment scene of Shelly by Scotty (is that not the most graphic horror sequence that you have ever seen on film? I think so). I mean, the viciousness of the scene, with the screaming, the blood flying on the wall and running down the camera, and the actual graphic shots of the axe chopping up Shelly's forearm and leg...crazy stuff. And the most amazing thing about this movie is that Raimi, Campbell and Tapert created this horror masterpiece on an almost absent budget (this movie helps to define low-budget, cult classic, campy horror).

I personally cannot comprehend as to why people prefer the 2 sequels (Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn and Army of Darkness) over the original (The Evil Dead). OK OK, maybe if you prefer comedy over horror, then I can kind of understand. But to say that the sequel was a better film than the original (although that was not explicitly stated in this topic thread, I have heard time and time again from fans of the series that Part 2 is the so-called best that the trilogy has to offer...pfff), is ludricrous. Cuz, personally, I wasn't impressed with Part 2 and Part 3's brand of highly comedic horror (more comedy than horror). "Dead by Dawn" was simply a higher budgeted remake of Part 1, with comedy replacing most of the gore (a TERRIBLE decision). And one of the main things that I liked about the first film is that itz main character, Ash (Bruce Campbell) was a shy, timid, likeable hero (an all around nice guy). In the sequels, he became a smart-ass, wise-crackin dick head. ED1's Ash was scared sh*tless (pardon my language), and relied more on instinct when fighting the deadites (a more realistic character). ED2 and ED3's Ass...I mean, Ash relied more on the first witty remark to come out of his mouth. Yeah, I know, without the new Ash, we wouldn't have video games like Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Hail to the King and stuff like that (is that a good thing?), but I still prefer the old Ash, and Evil Dead Part 1, over the new Ash and the subsequent sequels.

As for the best version of "The Evil Dead" (right now), itz hands down the Elite Entertainment Special Collector's Edition (it was, rightfully so, my first DVD ever). The Bruce Campbell commentary track is priceless (and had me in stitches).

All of you know now that Anchor Bay is re-releasing ED in 2002, completely remastered (again), but this time in THX (sweet), and will possibly include "Within the Woods" (sweeter), a short 16mm film shot by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell to generate money for "The Evil Dead" (although I've only seen screenshots, I have heard that this short film is, in itself, a terrific example of horror movie making, with many similarities to "The Evil Dead"). Although I too have heard that the aspect ratio of the new AB release of ED will be 1:85 to 1 (which means that the film's original aspect ratio of 4:3 will be compromised and matted over...don't know if I'll like that), I'm not totally sure about what will be done regarding the aspect ratio presentation (except that Raimi and Campbell will be supervising it, so it shouldn't suck). Regardless, I'm still gonna get the new version simply for the THX quality that "The Evil Dead" will finally be presented in (watching it alone, in the dark, with THX image and sound quality? I CAN'T WAIT!).

Probably, y'all don't agree with what I've just ranted, but hey, that's why we have these message boards, right? My apologies for going a bit overboard, but I LOVE "The Evil Dead" (can ya tell?). OK, I'm out 4 now.

[1138]

Welcome to the forum JayPea!

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1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
They're all dead. They just don't know it yet.

[Marq]

Daaaaaamn JayPea!!!

That's some excellent insight into what I consider one of my favorite films too! I honestly can say that I agree with most everything you stated! Especially how many folks consider ED2 and AoD better than the original.

I will also be buying the new version of The Evil Dead. It's a horror movie massacre!

[Wirehed]

Exellent post JayPea.

I love all the ED films. It's a toss up for me between the first two though. I can't really say if I like one over the other. I think I end up watching Evil Dead II more often, but that's just because I tend to watch comedy more than horror, at least for repeat viewing situations.

I can't wait for this Sunday. Bruce Campbell is hosting a fun filled screening of EDII, complete with a halftime show and horror trivia. And if you dress up you get $2.50 off your ticket price.

He will be signing copies of his new book and for fun I'm going to have him sign my Laser Disc of Darkman.