Carrie and Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn are horror classics, and it's no surprise that the Terrace Theater would feature them on their monthly fright night lineup. But there's more to the films than that. Both challenged the conventional wisdom of their era, like that the common horror film must contain only passive, weak female victims, or that it must be as humorless as possible.
In Carrie, what begins as something akin to a '70s skin flick complete with mildly sleazy flutework and slo-mo shots of naked girls in a locker room quickly becomes uncomfortably horrific when a mundane shower turns into an awakening for Carrie White (Sissy Spacek). Even though we're treated to shots of a young and very nude Spacek, the real nakedness occurs when the blood dribbles down her leg and we see Carrie's humiliation and fears exposed to her ridiculing peers. The genuine horror in Carrie is the world the shy, friendless girl inhabits, with a mother who equates menstruation with evil, a principal who calls her "Cassie," and townspeople who label her "Creepy Carrie," all furthering the isolation that White already feels. It's this loneliness that fuels her telekinetic powers when she becomes frustrated or upset. When a popular girl, Sue Snell (Amy Irving), decides to make right for the wrongs she committed against Carrie, Sue unwittingly contributes to Carrie's eventual breakdown.
Based on Stephen King's first published novel, Brian DePalma's film breathes life into the standard archetypes that power the movie from the beginning to its quintessential, bloody ending. Released in 1976, the film was a Shakespearean tragedy sprinkled with the influences of the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. The violin strikes bear similarities to Bernard Herrmann's score for Hitchcock's Psycho. In fact, Herrmann was to compose the score but unfortunately passed away before Carrie went into post-production.
When it comes to accentuating suspense, DePalma's camera, like Hitchcock's, never met a dutch angle or 360-degree pan it didn't like. Coupled with DePalma's direction, the great performances by the mostly young cast make the film even better. P.J. Soles (better known for her roles in Halloween and Rock 'n' Roll High School), Nancy Allen (DePalma's future wife/ex-wife), and John Travolta's (pre-disco) performances as Carrie's nemesis are still able to incense a viewer, and Betty Buckley's turn as Carrie's coach balances Piper Laurie's shrill Academy Award-nominated role as Carrie's bible-thumping mom
Even though there are a couple of horror tropes that are about as subtle as a bat to the skull, Carrie has, over time, achieved a legacy for its feminist bent. It equates the uncertainty of blossoming womanhood to the dread and paranoia that come from Carrie's seemingly supernatural powers, while the male characters are all malleable or cruel. But the underlying themes, the supporting cast, and DePalma's direction aside, it's Spacek's Academy Award-nominated performance as Carrie White that makes the film's narrative and the tortured girl's fall so heartbreaking.
Whereas Carrie had pig's blood soaking the frame, Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn drowned it with gallons of cartoonish gore. Unlike Carrie, Evil Dead 2 has no underlying themes, just monsters and unfettered energy. Despite revisionist history, the original Evil Dead was intended to be a serious horror film, so much so that Stephen King dubbed it "the most ferociously original horror film in 1982." Its simple premise five vacationing college students in an isolated cabin in the woods unwittingly release vengeful spirits that possess its inhabitants and terrorize the sole survivor, Ash left plenty of room for mayhem and gore.
By the time 1986 rolled around, the film's creative team of director Sam Raimi, producer Rob Tapert, and actor Bruce Campbell had noticed the slapstick possibilities of the original and, more importantly, the lucrative potential of a sequel. This time, they decided that in addition to grossing out the first movie's fanbase, they wanted to give them laughs as well. It was risky but it worked. Thanks to the murky clearance issues that kept them from using footage from the original Evil Dead, the team decided to do re-shoots that recapped the first one in a scant 15 minutes. What follows is a continuation of Ash's predicament, complete with a new set of victims.
Evil Dead 2, like Aliens and Empire Strikes Back, elevates the mythology while moving past the conventional trappings of genre classification. The dizzying camerawork of the original is back, but on a grander scale. The stomach-churning bile and viscera of the first one were traded in for outlandish green blood and limbs, and Campbell's character was no longer the bland collegiate dullard victimized by gnarly demonic spirits, but now a klutzy dork with fleeting moments of badassery. It operates like a classic Looney Tunes cartoon with a level of gore that the kids went nuts over and, for the adults, exaggerated theatrics reminiscent of the silent comedies of Harold Lloyd. The film and its eventual sequel, Army of Darkness, landed Raimi high-profile directorial gigs (like the Spider-man trilogy) and helped establish Bruce Campbell's status as a B-movie icon and eventual TV star.
While these horror films can stand on their own, together, Carrie and Evil Dead 2 are crowd-pleasing examples of two movies that take the disparate paths of drama and comedy but ultimately achieve the same goal of a good scare.
Carrie and Evil Dead 2 will play at the Terrace Theater as part of Friday Fright Night on Fri. June 1 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $6. Visit terracetheater.org for more.
Read more:
Carrie and Evil Dead 2 go beyond horror-movie tropes
- The 10 Greatest Horror Movie Music Themes - FEARnet [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2010]
- BD Horror News - The Most Overused Horror Movie Dialogue in History! [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- The Moon is a Dead World: The Noose #1: relevant horror news [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2011]
- Horror Movie II… Obama Likely to Launch 2012 Campaign Next Week ... [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2011]
- Listing Of Common Horror Motion pictures » Free Article ... [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2011]
- 8 Classic Bollywood Horror Movie Posters [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2011]
- Top 10 Horror Movie Villians - eBookNewser [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2011]
- Friday Night Trailer - 80's Horror Movie Remake! | RadioPlanet.tv ... [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Free download horror Video Movies: Download free horror movie The ... [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Found Footage Horror Movie #2382 | CHUD.com [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Download Amityville Horror Movie : Film Actors | Twanz.com [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Soft For Digging (2001) [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Billy Loves Stu: Horror Movie DILF : The Car [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Charlie Bit My Finger: The Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: More glorious short-film ... [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: A Serbian Film (2010) [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Cannes Film Festival - Horror Movie To Debut Online -- And It's Free [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- HORROR MOVIE TO DEBUT ONLINE — AND IT'S FREE | Studio Briefing [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: PRIEST 3D [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- The Vampire Review: Horror Movie That Leaves You Laughing ... [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Ritual [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Classic horror movie scene- Demons 2 | www.horrorreporter.com [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Debuts on BitTorrent and TV Simultaneously: Online ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Steel Revenge 3(Club Penguin Horror Movie) – The Final Chapter ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- The Chronicles of Horror Movie Night: THE ABOMINATION (1986 ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Steel Revenge 4(Club Penguin Horror Movie) – A New Beginning ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Rob Zombie Plots Next Album, Talks 'Lords of Salem' Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Laura Posada, Wife Of Yankees Compares Yankee Drama To 'Horror ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Laura Posada Compares Yankee Drama To ‘Horror Movie’ [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 01 [05.03.09] (en) 3/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- PMS: The Horror Movie - Film Riot [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: The Wailer II (La Llorona II) (2007) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Hellraiser: Bloodline [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Upcoming Horror Movie Releases: Final Destination 5's Trailer ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 03 [05.17.09] (en) 4/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- New Horror Movie Series Shock Theater to Deliver Monthly Fright [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- English Horror Movie Lobby Cards (Zombos' Closet) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- More English Horror Movie Lobby Cards (Zombos' Closet) [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 05 [06.07.09] (en) 4/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 06 [06.14.09] (en) 4/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Homemade HORROR MOVIE (the midday horror) | Pentagon Directory [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- SHINee Onew have no reaction while watching Horror Movie « Korea.com [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Caffeinated Joe: Day 19: A horror movie that gives you nightmares [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Children Of The Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Art Of The Devil (2005) Thailand horror movie DVDRip - abbiee's blog [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Youth Horror Movie Trailer Competition happening now | Haliwood ... [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Youth Horror Movie Trailer Competition happening now [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- The Sims Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Scariest Horror Movie Scenes (Volume 1) [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Horror Movie Factory – SNSD EP 02 [05.10.09] (en) 3/5 | www ... [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Dismal 2009 DVDRiP XviD-horror movie scary - alisonb's blog [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Uncle Buck Horror Movie Trailer [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Mr Bean - Watching a horror movie [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: ARACHNOPHOBIA [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- ROOHANI TAAQAT (HORROR MOVIE) – PART 1 | www.horrorreporter.com [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: Free and awesome: THE ... [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY: Bye! [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- WOH PHIR AAYEGI (HORROR MOVIE) – PART 1 | www.horrorreporter.com [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Speculative Book Review: Korean Alien/Leviathan Hybrid Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Download Hood of Horror Movie : Online Movie | Twanz.com [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Download Hood of Horror Movie : Full In High Quality » Easy Web ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Download Hood of Horror Movie : Film In Hd | Science News Articles [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Horror Movie A Day: Killing Spree [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Watch Art Of The Devil 2 Online (Thai Horror Movie) | Jezonhamster [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Horror movie [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Download The Last Horror Movie Movie : Hi-def Quality » Easy Web ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- Horror Movie Reviews: When A Stranger Calls (2006) & The House of ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2011]
- 0 - Dead Derrick's Horror Movie Reviews [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Download The Amityville Horror Movie » Website Articles Online [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Download Hot Rod Horror Movie : Hi-def Quality » JMZ4.com [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Horror Movie Montage (Beat made with FL Studio). | www ... [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- 100 Horror Movie Spoilers in 5 Minutes [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Dearborn High horror movie to be screened this week [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- Man busted for masturbating on flight [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2011]
- Dan Collins: Rudy Giuliani's Endless Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2011]
- Amar'e Stoudemire Producing Horror Movie [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2011]
- Daily TWiP - Horror movie villain Vincent Price is born today in 1911 [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2011]
- Daily TWiP - Horror movie villain Vincent Price is born today in ... [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2011]
- TV Q&A with David Inman [Last Updated On: May 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 29th, 2011]
- Hilarious 1970s Horror Movie Trailers [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]