ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK
1988 / d. James Signorelli

There’s a touch of mature innuendo, but it’s a treat to see Cassandra Peterson’s alter ego host in a full length picture. The plot’s a predictable fish out of water scenario; with sexy Elvira taking an inheritance in a quiet, conservative town. Nevertheless, Peterson’s wit, bosom, and personality are all in spooky good fun. (KB)

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THE EVIL DEAD
1981 / d. Sam Raimi

Claiming to be the "ultimate experience in grueling terror", THE EVIL DEAD is truly an unrelenting splatter gem. Ridiculously over-the-top gore has this walking a fine line between outright horrific and ludicrously comical, but it's a thrilling line all the same. An incredibly memorable performance from Bruce Campbell transformed him into an ass-kicking cult icon. Unrepentently violent and shocking, but not horrifying, THE EVIL DEAD is a monumental achievement in the horror genre.

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EVIL DEAD 2
1987 / d. Sam Raimi

Essentially a remake of the first film, but this time brimming with nonstop tongue-in-cheek (or more accurately eyeball-in-mouth) and slapstick humour. Bruce Campbell reprises his role as Ash, hamming it up to the max with an over-the-top performance that never fails to put a smile on my face. Director Sam Raimi pulled no punches and managed to crank the gore-dial even higher, offering enough arterial spray and flesh trauma to satisfy any gore connoisseur.

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