The Evil Dead

Rating:
Summary: True indie cinema at it's finest (or worst!)
Review: If you're reading this, odds are you're already a fan of the Evil Dead Trilogy, and if you've been a fan for any amount of time, you've been DYING (pardon the pun) to get your hands on a good DVD copy of this classic horror film, and the debut of actor Bruce Campbell, and Spiderman director Sam Raimi.

Anchor Bay has done an excellent job on all the re-issues of the Evil Dead series, and this is probably the best I've seen from them yet. I had a VHS copy of Evil Dead for some time, and the quality was just horrible. Needless to say, after a few years, I'd gotten used to it. When I put this in my DVD player, I was simply blown away by the picture clarity it had. For once, Evil Dead actualy -looked- like the low-budget masterpeice it truly is. The audio is equally improved, and 5.1 mixed to boot.

What really makes this the coolest DVD around is the packaging. It's not one of those standard hard plastic snap cases, with graphics on it. It's an actual replica of the Book of the Dead from Evil Dead 1, with an intro by Tom Sullivan! It also comes with a booklet INSIDE the Necronomicon, following the release history of Evil Dead on video, DVD, and Laserdisc. It's a special feature in and of itself.

There are two seperate audio commentary tracks, one featuring Sam Raimi and Rob Tappert, and one with Ash himself, Bruce Campbell. The only real soft point of this DVD is the commentary. The tracks are informative, and funny as always, but just not as entertaining as the Evil Dead II commentary. That being said, the EDII commentary track is the best I've ever heard, so it's a tough act to follow up.

An outstanding release, both aesthetically, and content-wise. Jam packed with features, and one of the damn scariest movies I've ever seen. Buy it now, or regret it later!

Rating:
Summary: quick and to the point
Review: if a film makes you jump, laugh, and a bit spooked then its done its job. this film has just enough gore a tiny bit erotic watch and see the tree chapter to see what i mean!!
lots of gruesome make up effects and a decent picture to watch.
the only thing missing is seeing the main demon, its left to your imagination. overall worth watching.
zombie films still reign supreme though.
enjoy your viewing

Rating:
Summary: Bound in Human flesh and stamped by American hands?
Review: Outwardly, the limited edition book is a work of art. The appearance does give it the same movie quality "bound in human flesh" look, and the feeling of it is, well, interesting. Its even got an ear designed on the back to help it go that extra mile. Inwardly, I thought the picture recreations were done well, but the inking looks a bit too computer generated. This somewhat defeats the "ancient quality" in my mind. I also had a little bit of a problem with the book having an introduction in it (when I imagine Necronomicon Ex Mortis, I never saw it with an introduction in English) and a nice, fat declaration of copyright on the first pictorial page. And people wonder why they want to take us one by one. Still, I could overlook these minor things and still be very happy with the product because, outwardly at least, its the book of the dead.

Rating:
Summary: GROOVY!!!!
Review: Five college students take a getaway trip to a remote cabin deep within the Tennessee woods. Ash, his girlfriend, his sis, his buddy, and his buddy's girlfriend. The place is eerie and disturbing, and there's something creeping around in and out. While checking out the basement, Ash and his pal find an old book, a dagger, and a tape containing an ancient ritual chant that awakes the Evil Dead! From here on out it's gore and mayhem Sam Raimi style! The kids struggle to stay alive, but things just aren't going their way! And by the end of the film, an unlikely hero is born! You won't know that though, unless you check out the sequels, Evil Dead 2:Dead By Dawn, and MY personal favorite, Army of Darkness. I liked them so much I dressed as Ash a couple Halloweens ago, and will likely do it again, using this book as a prop next time!
This is just the coolest thing I've seen in a while! I wish more DVD's would go the extra mile the way they did with this one! I must admit, when I first saw this DVD in person I was a bit disappointed because I thought it was supposed to be much bigger, and was worried it would be around regular DVD size. Problem was I was thinking of the way the book was presented in Army of Darkness, I had forgotten that in Evil Dead, it IS around DVD size. Anyways, realizing this upon viewing the movie again, I was quite happy. The case is outstanding! You can see that by the pic. Inside are the actual pages of the Necronomicon, as seen in the trilogy, and the cool thing is that the text CAN be read if you concentrate! There are hidden little phrases throughout, such as "Make movies, not war!" 10 stars for the case alone baby! As for the disc, another winner! I had this film on VHS, and had been waiting for a definitive DVD before shelling out the cash for one! This is the one to get if you weren't sure which Edition to buy! And buy it now! At 29.99 it is a tad over priced, but from what I have read the price is only going to go up! Anyway, back to the disc, it contains the trailer and TV spots, a still/poster gallery, two commentaries, one by Bruce Campbell, which is hilarious, and one by writer and director Sam Raimi and producer Robert Tapert, which is watchable, there's an outtakes real that I admit I didn't find all that great, a fan documentary done by Bruce Campbell (awesome!), a short film of interviews about trying to get the movie made, and I have no idea if I'm leaving something out! The film itself is a classic of course, and it's great to see it in widescreen on DVD quality! I remember the first time I saw it, back in high school, and it scared me to death! The sequels just get better and better too! Do yourself a favor and pick it up before it's gone! And if after viewing all 3 films, you're itching for part four, grab "Evil Dead:Hail to the King" for the Playstation video game system.

Rating:
Summary: Very very scary
Review: Don't think that because Evil Dead is a low budget horror film that it's not scary. Believe me folks- this movie is horrifying! I must have seen Evil Dead at least 50 times and it's just as scary as the first time I saw it. It's great that this film was given the treatment it deserved by being released on DVD. There are few movies that stick with you- the Evil Dead is one movie that will haunt you for years to come.

I won't get into details of why this movie is so scary- I don't want to spoil it. Forget the digital special effects and "Barbie and Ken" type of characters and go out and buy this DVD. There aren't too many horror movies in the past and none in the present that even come close to the sheer horror of the Evil Dead.

Rating:
Summary: The new killer cover might make an EVIL DEAD out of you!
Review: I scored the new super cool re-re-re-release (Has any film been released so many times on DVD?) of the EVIL DEAD today. The presentation is outstanding, the transfer is superb and the extras make this DVD worthy of a new purchase. The most talked about aspect of this reissue is the new Book of the Dead cover. Yes, it is awesome but I send ye a warning, IT STINKS!! Whew, what did they paint this thing with? Honestly, I would keep this DVD away from all hot sources. The casing has a strong toxic smell to it. I had to wash my hands to get the stench off.

Easter egg hunters will have a ball with this disc as I have located two (very easy to find). One needs only to click on the left image of the first two Special Features pages and you will be treated to a make-up test and an interview with Evil Dead cast members. There's probably more but I have not had time to find them. Talking about extras, Bruce Campbell's Fanalysis is a hoot to watch, especially for horror convention voyeurs such as myself.

So, unless you have an aversion to stinky Book of the Dead covers I would help pay for another level on Mr. Raimi's house.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!!
Review: Anchor Bay has outdone themselves with this special packaging. Just handling the case and turning it over in your hands gives one "the willies." The booklet is chockfull of interesting information about the history of the Evil Dead. This is a MUST HAVE for any collector!! Your DVD collection shelf will be nothing without this one being displayed prominently.

Rating:
Summary: A film for sadists
Review: This was the word "Psycho" author Robert Bloch used for those who would watch this type of film. Having seen people's reaction to this movie, I have to agree.

This is a sick film, designed to be such... to gross-out and create fear... not humor. The problem with the movie is that it appears to have been made sadistically. Rather than just show gore, the camera focuses on the violence longer than needed, as if this was pornography---indeed, this appears to be a motion picture for those who wish to be stimulated not by sex, but by suffering.

There seems to be two types of reaction to the film--disgust and fear (normal people); humor and pleasure (people with a blood lust).

The film received an "X" rating but withdrew this. Later, in 1994, the MPAA awared it an "NC-17". It well earns this rating. A film enjoyed by psychopathic minds.

Rating:
Summary: Just plain cool!
Review: This is one of my all time favorite movies! From the cinematography to the script this movie is just plain cool! Also if your an H. P. Lovecraft fan, like myself, having it in the Necronomicon case is a great bonus. I have to go now Cthulhu is calling...

Rating:
Summary: WOW!! The packaging itself makes your flesh crawl...
Review: The feel of the moulded latex box, the patterns moulded on it to mimic the book from the movie, and the ear on the back of the box just makes you shiver as you pick it up. The pages inside are recreations of the artwork in the Necronomicon in the movie, and the accompanying handbook gives a good history of the film. The DVD itself is marvelous, from the menu sequence with various undead faces appearing as if through mist, to the director's commentary track - all top rate stuff. I would recommend you all buy this collector's item as it will be well sought after in a few years.