My thoughts on the Evil Dead

My thoughts on the Evil Dead (2013)

Hey gang, first let me say this...I hope if you have any desire to see the Evil Dead that you don't listen to anyone else's opinions. Go watch and make up your own mind. If you believe anyone's opinion is more valid than your own...you might want to rethink things. Frankly, the only reason I'm writing this is because for some odd reason, people want my opinion. People tend to want to share their own opinions with me, but since everyone's taste differs, only I decide to watch what I want regardless of what others say. (not trying to sound like a dick, but it's the truth) No critic has ever swayed my decision to pass on seeing something that I wanted to see...I even went to the Texas Chainsaw 3-D mess.

Going an seeing the Evil Dead can only lead to both good and bad. The good would mean that studios would realize that Horror has a place and people want to see it...the bad, well, sadly we will be watching more remakes, re-imaginings and any other name they can create for the same drivel. Look at the numbers, the first day, Evil Dead did nearly $12 million...and most people have said "I loved it". That's awesome. Also, please NEVER use this in your opinion "Well, this remake is better than ________ remake". Sadly, that statement is the equivalent of saying "Being punched in the stomach is better than being punched in the face." It just is comparing piles of shit, with some turds being higher than others.

Before reading any further, I have a confession...I was never a fan of the original Evil Dead. I know...I should turn in my horror nerd card...but, if it helps me hold some credibility..I really love part 2 and Army of Darkness. Bruce Campbell has great comedic timing and I love his one liners. Maybe because I saw these when I was enjoying a time period in horror that had more campiness...I'm still a fan of the "Sorority Babes at the Slimeball Bowl A Rama" thanks to "Up All Night". 

With that being said...this will be spoiler free!! It's not a review..it's just my thoughts and my opinion!

Ok, I didn't love the Evil Dead and I didn't hate the Evil Dead. It's not a remake, it's more of a group of kids that wind up in our far too familiar cabin in the woods (another film I didn't care for). The Book of the Dead rears it's ugly pages and hell ensures..literally. There is TONS of blood and horrific imagery that will satisfy plenty. For newcomers to horror, this will be a rude awakening. I appreciate great gore like anyone..but, gore does not mean the movie is good.

The pacing seems like a flatline. The opening 2 minutes are awful...that's your spoiler...go 2 minutes in and you will feel better. I also liked "The Ring"in 2002 with the crazy walk and scary sound..but it's 2013. Maybe I just hate possession movies...I was never a fan of the Exorcist either. The characters are ok, the acting is ok...I did have a few eye rolls during the last 15 minutes as well. Like i said, some really great effects but I don't think I am the target they are aiming for. I went in with an open mind and wanted to really love it, but didn't. I wanted this movie to be our savior!!! But, it wasn't (at least for me)

Maybe you loved it...that's awesome! Maybe you can't wait to see it again...I'm happy you dug it. For me, I left without the feeling that I needed to see it again, yet I've watched Part 2 and The Army of Darkness countless times, even buying the numerous releases. I just felt empty. Plus, after hearing all the hype of "stay after the credits"..I was so excited, but it was just kind of lame. I know, you're reading this and saying "Damn Dimension...you're a complainer and nothing makes you happy!!" Well, if that is what you take from this, then you clearly don't much about me and that's fine too.

This is NOT from Evil Dead 2013, but you wouldn't know it

In closing....I only want the BEST for horror. It's a genre I hold very close to my heart and unlike so many, I'm not opposed to remakes...I'm not. I welcome new retellings of classics that I love. I love the thought of attracting new fans and making the horror pool bigger. To those that went to see the Evil Dead, the genre thanks you and so do I. Good or bad, loved or hated..it is always about if you had a good time. I had a great time, but it wasn't the movie..it was being with someone I love that made it great....see, there is your positive.

Everyone's a Critic.

Everyone's a Critic.

As I scroll through my Facebook feed today, I can't tell you how sad it makes me. People have become so critical of everything and I think it will only become worse. Granted, this is only MY opinion....some will agree, some won't and that's ok.

I think we have lost the process of understanding that we have an opinion. Making such a bold statement as "If you liked the Walking Dead's finale, please unfriend me" really is kind of shocking to me. You're basing your friendships on if someone liked a Tv show? This can't be serious....right? (I will make another blog about why I believed that the season finale of the Walking Dead worked for me later). Honestly, those that make those statements make it easy for me to see who I will be unfriending this week.

I used to love reviewing films and there was a time when I felt my opinion mattered but one day I woke up and realized that what I like, you might not...that certainly doesn't mean you have bad taste or you're an awful person. Not everyone is the same, which is a great thing. You feel that a great Saturday night might be a warm cup of tea, watching the Notebook, cuddled up next to your loved one...while for me...it might be a Coke, watching some Horror movie, playing UNO with my Wife and kids...which is better? Everyone is different...some enjoy partying, some enjoy romance...everyone different.

Let's get this straight...there is no such thing as a professional opinion. Sure, there are people who are paid to review, that are well versed in the subject and are amazing writers but it is still just an opinion. Obviously, I trust a lot of different people's opinions and words of advice in life or profession, but the bottom line...you have to be your own judge. You can only decide what you like and enjoy. I think this is something that you learn as you grow older and see life...maybe not..I don't know. It just seems as life continues and I start to progress through my 40's I begin to worry about less about the nonsense and do more for me...after all, at the end of the day, it's my life, my thoughts and my happiness. This certainly isn't a self-entitlment issue for me, just a free thinking entitlement. 

I can honestly say, a critics review of a film has NEVER swayed me from watching something I want to see (most recently, the Texas Chainsaw remake as an example...still went and was still sad). I do though, whole heartily agree that several strong reviews do create hype and even I fall victim to it. Let's look at two movies I'm hyped for - Evil Dead and Pacific Rim..both are getting raving reviews and it does make me extremely eager to see them. At the end of the day...regardless of what anyone says, I would still stand in line, spend my $14 and go watch them both. Will I sing their praises if they're amazing?? Of course!! Will I blast them if they are bad?? Of course!! It's the internet and I have a voice too...BUT, I won't ever say "If you liked or disliked these movies..we aren't friends anymore"...(maybe jokingly I might). 

This is my blog post to plead for society to stop taking their opinion too seriously. Sure, real life beliefs are on an entirely different scale, but we are talking about movies and Tv here....pure silliness and full of make believe. Have a great week!

Read My Script?

Read My Script?

First, let me say this "I'm just a depressed nerd, who watches a lot of movies". With that being said, I hope that takes my credibility away from people asking me to read their scripts, treatments or ideas. As of late, a lot of people have been asking me to read or give my impressions about their ideas, but, I just can't...let me explain.

I can only speak from my own personal journey - From writing out story-lines in pro wrestling, to working as a writer on my own TV show to, most recently, writing my own film...I sat and wrote and shared with no one until I was ready. I often have no rhyme or reason in writing, nor am I a professional in any way. As I write, I might run a few jokes or ideas past my wife but she typically will just listen, nod and go with the flow. We've been together long enough, she knows how I just bounce ideas around and sometimes hearing them out-loud, helps me decide if it's good or not. Most often, I write about things that are on my mind, or might even entertain myself. I'm way to low on the ladder to worry about entertaining others. Maybe that is my lack of self esteem talking, but I just don't have enough reach to worry about an imaginary mass of followers that I don't have..haha. I truly appreciate every word of advice, every compliment and even the negatives that people have to say, but you have to create for you!

When someone asks me for advice, I say the same thing I will say here : Stop procrastinating and start doing. Believe in yourself and work towards getting something done. If you're relying on someone else, you will not make it. Don't let things get in your way, don't take No for an answer and help make your own luck.


The biggest part of of me not reading anyone's work is simply this - The last thing I want is to be influenced by your work or ideas or even worse, dismiss your hopes or dreams. Believe it or not, even if nothing happens, I'm working on scripts, treatments and ideas all the time. You must be careful who you share your ideas with...while I sit here and tell you the truth, so many others will lie to you. This just protects me and you. Don't take it as "being too big" or "unwilling to help" because that's far from the truth. I will offer advice about film crews, maybe point you in the direction of someone else that can help your dream become a reality but it's YOUR dream and your project,  it's YOUR idea...make sure you remember that.The satisfaction you will feel once you've reached your goal will be that much better.


Self Check Time - So, before you send off your ideas to someone else...are you just looking for someone to do all the work so you can have the easy way out? It's a legit question and requires you to be honest with yourself. There is no easy way to accomplish anything. It will require your attention, your love and a lot of times a lot of money. The options are out there, from self publishing to making your own movie to anything you want. Indiegogo and Kickstarter exist for a reason, LuLu is out there...so many options but it just isn't easy and it's a long, lonely road sometimes...but when you succeed, it's great.


Remember, my opinion matters no more than yours. Who am I too tell you if your idea is "dumb" or "won't work"? Do for you...it's a new year, maybe it's YOUR year! If anything, I hope you have an idea, read this and decide that you're ready to create.

Your Opinion and You!

Your Opinion and You!

All I could think of when I was writing out the title of this was, some 70's PSA commercial that I might have seen in Sex Ed class, except it was "Your Penis and You". Like I needed any help with that; I would've known my Penis by the 8th grade...trust me.

More than ever, it's easier today to share your opinion. Places like Facebook, Twitter, Yelp and countless other ways to "review" or "critique" a service, a film, a song or even a person, are now more dominate than ever before. You get bad service, no more writing a letter to the cooperate office. See a movie, love it or hate it...share your thoughts immediately after or even during to let people know "My opinion matters". 

Is it me or has this "convenience" or "right" made people extremely negative? It's almost becoming a rare find to see someone post a positive review or not over analyze something. Maybe giving everyone a voice was a bad move...sometimes, one persons vendetta can really put a hamper on someones momentum. 

This past weekend I took the Mrs. to see Life of Pi in theaters. A movie, going into, the only interaction I'd had with, was my two kids "not being fans of the book". When I saw the trailer I was blown away by the scenery, the visuals and the amazing beauty that was on the screen I was standing in front of, literally captivated. I was skeptical yet optimistic and went in with an open mind.

Let me say this before I continue, the very, very little bit of reputation I have within the Horror community was built on sharing my opinion. I was an eager film reviewer but I had a philosophy on reviewing people's work - If I had something positive to say, I'd say it....loud and clear. People who's work I loved, I shared with everyone. People who sent me their works of art to screen, if I wasn't a fan, no one would know I even watched it. I would remain silent. My thought process was this; negativity rules the Earth, from the daily news to people's everyday life. Wouldn't it be great to share a positive? 

This weekend I witnessed a Twitter discussion between a movie reviewer and a few non-reviewers. I quickly realized that this "reviewer" believed his opinion ruled. I've heard others state "If you've never been to film school, you shouldn't review films." Another outlandish theory. 

Look, I feel pretty confident that I could review a Hamburger, even without graduating from a reputable Chef school. I've eaten my fair share of Hamburgers in my lifetime...from the tasty to the sub par, but I'm not delirious enough to think my taste-buds speak for the masses. I like my Hamburger cooked a certain way, I like certain condiments on my Burger, yet that doesn't make my way, best.

With that being said, I'm at the movies, enthralled with Life of Pi, giving my eyes an orgasm (ok, maybe I didn't fully climax, but it was close) from the beauty I'm seeing. Proving that Ang Lee was one with the camera, and more importantly proving that beauty in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure, not everyone will share my sentiments about how amazing this film was. Visually, I was nearly brought to tears...this was a first for me. I had never seen anything, besides when I laid my eyes on my children, that moved me so much. 

This is MY Opinion.

I encourage people to share their opinions..I know "It's our right!" I sometimes wish people would put more effort into raising their kids, working on themselves and being better humans than worrying about pushing their  Rights". Pick your battles people. 

Let me leave you with this - If you believe your opinion is more important than anyone else's...my advice would be to never leave the computer and enjoy your delusional trip. People have all kinds of likes, I've seen films that are downright awful, yet they capture an audience. 

Worry about those who support you, create for yourself and more importantly, spread some positive vibes...not everyone digs hate.