I’m not a fan of musicals. In theory. When I start thinking about filmed stories that ask me to be emotionally invested in people who inexplicably burst into song, my brain gets cranky like a baby who hasn’t had its nap. Why are they bursting into song? Why are all these songs so obnoxious? Are these people talking to themselves? If so, why do other people know the melody they were singing during the reprise later? Then my brain starts angrily waving its arms until it gets its bottle, which, as I overextend this metaphor past the point of comprehension, is a genre movie of some kind.
In practice, I always end up enjoying musicals, especially movies. I loved “Moulin Rouge” for its bombast and excess. It’s hard not to enjoy at least a few Disney classics, like “Aladdin.” Musicals in contemporary settings tend to lose me though. “Fame” would seem to fall into the category of too-modern musicals for me, but it does interest me. How many remakes of film musicals are there? And say it’s successful. Know what that will mean? More film musicals and more remakes. This could be good and bad. Here are some wishes for the future of screen musicals. Read more...
Contributed by Rodrigo Perez
For a few years now, there’s been ample talk of revising the Sami Raimi helmed “Evil Dead” franchise with star Bruce Campbell telling MTV last Spring that a 4th installment of the horror-comedy film would not feature a younger sidekick to give it more contemporary juice as many sit-coms in the past have done so to desperately revive their ailing product. Back then, only a year ago Campbell was raring to go.
However, Campbell himself recently shed a little doubt on the project himself when he told the A/V Club that he felt there should be no more stories involving the Ash Williams protagonist he plays in the “Evil Dead” trilogy. "I think there should be an end to everything,” he responded when asked whether the character of Ash is worthy of more movies. “I mean, did anyone really want 'Indiana Jones 4'? The answer is no. I've taken a poll in about seven theaters now. Of 300 people, three hands go up. You are bound to disappoint."
Sounds like Campbell might have had enough, no?
However, speaking to Sam Raimi at SXSW on the eve of the premiere of his new film, “Drag Me To Hell,” the director didn’t seem worried in the least and in fact laughed off Campbell’s remarks and insisted the actor would still be onboard whenever they can find time to revisit the beloved cult and campy horror classics.
"He can dream all he wants. He's trying to get out of getting back in shape,” he smiled. "I'm going to kick his butt in shape. I'm gonna say 'get back in the chainsaw!'" Read more...
Sam Raimi has made his name directing superhero blockbusters (the “Spider-Man” films) and quirky cult horror flicks (the “Evil Dead” series). It only makes sense, then, that movie fans were intrigued by recent reports that the filmmaker wanted to revive a once-successful thriller series as his next project. But if you’ve ever wondered who’d win in a fight between Spider-Man and Jack Ryan, Raimi finally has your answer.
“I’m really excited about Spider-Man,” he told us this week, revealing that his flirtation with the Tom Clancy novel-to-film series that has starred Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck is finished. “Production [on more ‘Spider-Man’ films] would start probably by March, I’m guessing of 2010.”
Raimi revealed to us during the chat that he’d be willing to shoot “Spider-Man 4” and “Spider-Man 5” at the same time, and also spoke about the futures of Kirsten Dunst and The Lizard. And, as he explained, that doesn’t leave him any time to reboot Tom Clancy’s tale of America’s top CIA operative. Read more...
Two weeks ago, director Sam Raimi shocked Comic-Con with a declaration that "Evil Dead" would rise again. So when can we start salivating with anticipation?
"When he's ready, I'm ready," star Bruce Campbell told MTV News.
While nothing remains written or planned, Campbell and Raimi have actually discussed the long-anticipated movie at length, the man with the million dollar chin insisted, saying that they already have a basic idea of where to take Ash, the poor S-Mart clerk who's already narrowly survived three adventures - the last of which, "Army of Darkness," got released in 1992.
Part of that plan, naturally, involves accounting for the fact that the last "Evil Dead" movie got released in 1992. Read more...
Sure, there are always plenty of guys in Spider-Man and Venom tights every year, practicing their acrobatics in the hallways at San Diego’s Comic-Con. But whenever A-list director Sam Raimi comes to the annual convention, one costume impresses him more than any other.
“There’s guys dressed up as Ash!” he marveled, making reference to the star character from the movies that put him on Hollywood’s radar more than twenty-five years ago. “That’s great. Wow. I’m honored that they’re still imitating Bruce’s character from the “Evil Dead” movies.”
Read more...
It's day four of Comic-Con which means yes, sadly the end is near. But our coverage is just beginning today. Before the sun sets on San Diego tonight we'll have talked to everyone from Jason Statham and Wes Craven to the cast of the new "Friday the 13th."
Not a bad lineup and it all comes after a Saturday chock full of scoops. If you weren't with us yesterday you missed McG and Anton Yelchin talking "Terminator Salvation," Frank Miller talking about the "300" prequel, and the latest on "The Clone Wars."
Today the news keeps flying fast and furious. Coming up soon right here you'll find the latest on "The Wolfman," breaking news on James Franco's role as a world famous writer, and Sam Raimi with an "Evil Dead" update. And that's only what we know right now. More big surprises are surely on the way as this crazy Comic-Con wraps up.
