EVIL DEAD 2 (1987)

With special guest Doug French

Intro, Math Club, and Debate Society (spoiler-free) 00:00-27:00
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy) 27:01-58:09
Superlatives (spoiler-heavier) 58:10-1:18:21

Director Sam Raimi
Screenplay Sam Raimi & Scott Spiegel
Featuring Sarah Berry, Denise Bixler, Bruce Campbell, Richard Domeier, Dan Hicks, Theodore Raimi, Kassie Wesley

Released March 13, 1987
Budget $3.6 million. 
Box office $5.9 million (worldwide)

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

A couple, Ash and Linda, are driving to what they believe will be a romantic getaway at a cabin in the woods that Ash claims is deserted.  The cabin, we discover, once belonged to an archaeologist, Dr. Raymond Knowby and his wife Henrietta, who, while on an archaeological… mission of some kind, discovered the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, the Book of the Dead.  Upon arrival, Ash finds a reel to reel recording of Dr. Knowby discussing his mission and reciting lines from the Necronomicon.  Harmless stuff, you’d think.  Harmless, that is, until Linda and Ash’s world starts coming alive, with evil spirits pouring out of every crack, crevice, and ditch.  When Dr. Knowby’s daughter Annie arrives, along with her lover, a pair of locals, and new pages from the Necronomicon, all are in for a rude awakening.  Fortunately, Ash is there, and proves mighty handy with a chainsaw and sawed-off shotgun.

SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO

Doug French is a writer, podcaster, speaker, and conference organizer who is preparing for artificial intelligence to put him completely out of work. And now that his last child has graduated high school, he feels like Chuck Noland at the end of CAST AWAY.  His latest project is "When the Flames Go Up," a podcast community he started with his ex-wife about the unique challenges of late-stage parenting. Whatever we thought we were preparing for, this isn’t it.  His favorite movie used to be “Brazil,” until it came true. Now it's “Adaptation.” Favorite recess snack: peanut butter and butter on raisin bread.

EPISODE NOTES

Music from “Evil Dead 2” by Joseph LoDuca.

Why did Professor Louryk choose this film? Find out in our blog.

To read reviews from Eric & Doug’s first collaboration, Filmington (1999-2003), click here (including their review of another Sam Raimi film, SPIDER-MAN.)

TRAILER

SUPERLATIVES

The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
Doug: Scene in which Ash cuts his hand off
Eric: Scene in which Ash cuts his hand off
Bradford: Encounters with ghoul Henrietta as she starts wearing less clothing

The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live
Doug: Linda
Eric: Ash
Bradford: Linda

The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die
Doug: Prof. Knowby
Eric: Jake
Bradford: Jake

The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
Doug: Ash ends up in another dimension surrounded by knights
Eric: Ash tries to rid himself of Linda’s decapitated head, which is attached to his hand
Bradford: The death of Henrietta through the arrival of the forest in the cabin

The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
Doug: Prof. Knowby
Eric: Ed
Bradford: Jake

FINAL LETTER GRADE

Doug: B-
Eric: A-
Bradford: A