transcript
show notes
Time to rev up the chainsaw and clear out the workshed because we’re heading back to 1987. Welcome to episode two of Sarahs “After Death” season on Shoot the Hostage, where we carve into director Sam Raimi’s ultimate 80s comedy horror masterpiece: Evil Dead 2 (1987).
Is it a straightforward sequel or a refined redo of the original cabin nightmare? We slice through The Evil Dead vs Evil Dead 2 debate once and for all while celebrating a film that remains a cut above the rest when it comes to Splatstick. Bruce Campbell delivers an unhinged Ash Williams with a physical performance for the ages, battling possessed trees, getting flung through puddles, and giving himself the finger leading to a hilarious farewell to arms gag.
Tune in to hear us discuss the practical effects gore movies standard set by Evil Dead 2, featuring stop-motion animation, grotesque prosthetic makeup, popping eyeballs and Ted Raimi sweating inside a Henrietta suit. Plus, we analyse Ash Williams’s character evolution, conceive an idea for a bedside shrine honouring the filmmakers, pitch throwing problematic celebrities into pits filled with serpents, and pair the onscreen carnage with a crisp Riesling wine for an episode packed with Dead by Dawn chaos!
What to expect from this episode:
- We debate whether Evil Dead 2 is a direct continuation or a refined remake of the 1981 original.
- Dan laments his unsold copy of Crimewave on eBay while also praising Sam Raimi’s low-budget resourcefulness.
- We cover Stephen King brokering the $3.6 million Dino De Laurentiis deal while encouraging King to start a writing career.
- We dig into the Deadites lore to decide whether we’re dealing with demons, ghosts, or zombies.
- Sarah and Dan compare Sam Raimi’s cinematic style to Peter Jackson’s early gore and splatter era.
- We unpack the slapstick genius of Bruce Campbell.
- Praise for the effects team which included Mark Shostrom, Greg Nicotero, Robert Kurtzman and Tom Sullivan.
- We analyse Deadites rules, Kandarian demon mechanics, and why the film’s narrative absurdity succeeds.
This season has eight episodes, concluding December 7th!
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