| Sam RaimiBorn 23 October 1959 in Franklin, Michigan, USA
Sam Raimi has only made a few horror films, but is still by many considered to be the king of splatter. Of course is it his Evil Dead trilogy that led him up to that position. He was only 19 years old when he at his parents home 1978 made the quickie "Within the Woods".
They who saw it cried out for more, and after a great deal of blood, sweat and tears released Raimi his first feature film "The Evil Dead" 1982, which was based on "Within the Woods". The production took place in Tennessees uncanny woods, there Raimi with borrowed camera equipment and his friends as actors took down all the experienced horror directors. With a minimal budget he managed to accomplish one of the most frightening movies ever made. "Evil Dead" is hysterical violent and bloodstained, full of sick black humour. The plot about some young people who meet with a spiteful demon in a wood are simple. But it is the way Raimi handle the camera that makes it stands out from the rest. The camera flit along uncanny, for in the next moment become wild and forward. Raimi is also using bizarre camera angles and sound effects.
In his next film, the comedy "Crimewave" from 1985, got Raimi problems with the film company Embassy Pictures, who after a while took over the production. This shameless thing resulted in Raimiīs forgotten flick. In 1987 came his long-awaited "Evil Dead 2". It wasnīt a regular sequel, more another version of the first film. With "Evil Dead 2" worked Raimi with a considerably larger budget, and thatīs evident. The trackings and the demons were now even more wild and grotesque, and the blood sometimes simply colored the movie screen red. In consequence of this has the result been on the verge of self parody. If "Evil Dead" was black as night, was "Evil Dead 2" as much comedy as horror. A very successful combination which makes it just as remarkable as "Evil Dead".
In 1990 made Raimi his first big Hollywood film, the effect larded "Darkman". It was a comic book like action film there Raimi created his own superhero. It went directly to the first place in USA. In 1993 was it time for the third installment in the Evil Dead trilogy, "Army of Darkness". It begin where "Evil Dead 2" ended. Ash is conveyed back in time to medieval England there he has to fight against a whole army of deadites. In "Army of Darkness" has the comedy taken over completely. To avoid censorship problems was the gory special effects toned down, and therefore hasnīt it quite the same standing as its predecessors.
In the satirical western "The Quick and the Dead" (1995) had Raimi the opportunity to work with a whole bunch of star actors such as Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone, Russel Crowe and Leonardi DiCaprio. Thanks to his visual camera-work isnīt it like any other western. With "A Simple Plan" (1998) he had his great breakthrough among the critics. This drama/thriller deals with how circumstances changes two brothers existence, when they find a fortune in a crashed plane. Gone was the wild trackings, Raimi was instead direct his energies towards the characters.
His next film, the romantic baseball drama "For Love of the Game", was unfortunately not quite so good. It seems that the leading actor Kevin Costner poked his nose a little too much. Itīs more like an ordinary Costner film than a Sam Raimi film. And thatīs not good. I havenīt seen his latest flick, the mystery/thriller/drama "The Gift" yet, but it at least seems to be a clear improvement of his disastrous Costner drama.
What everybody waiting for now is Samīs screen version of "Spider-Man". With his childlike mind and originality can it be something quite extraordinary. One can only hope that he then makes "Evil Dead 4". Iīm already longing for that.
Written by Kent Palmgren.
Filmography:
The Evil Dead (1982)Crimewave (1985)Evil Dead II (1987)Darkman (1990)Army of Darkness (1993)The Quick and the Dead (1995)A Simple Plan (1998)For Love of the Game (1999)The Gift (2000)
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