Hump-Day Harangue: Bruce Campbell--What's the Big Deal?

Another guest-harangue from Marilyn Merlot, who dares to question the appeal of one of horror's most beloved thespians...

The more important question after this might be how many women are not going to be a fan of me? Yes, I’m putting it out there. I never saw the big appeal of Bruce Campbell.

I know he’s a big fan favorite with horror websites, blogs, etc. But when I started reading through the interviews for Ms. Horror Blogosphere that the handsome Mr. Solomon put together, I started to ask myself the same question that he was asking some of the lovely contestants. “So what is it about Campbell that you all like, anyway?”

So I thought about it, too. I started off like many other people, catching him as Ash in the Evil Dead movies. At first glance back then, I thought, not bad, easy on the eyes, nice body. Then I was like, okay, this is what everyone’s talking about? Here he’s supposed to be a “real man”--a hero, even. But instead, he’s this whiny little bitch who is just as scared as the girls, and screaming like one. So, if you were his girlfriend, he would be someone you cannot rely on. He would be more likely to throw you in front of himself in self-defense.

Then there is the disaster of Evil Dead II. He is fighting with a possessed hand--enough said. I’ll be honest, I actually had a hard time getting through that movie. I found it laughable at times. I understand that he is a B-movie guy and definitely a B. or maybe C-actor at best. Don’t get me wrong, I like my B-horror movies, but with Bruce and his movies it’s just the same old thing after a while.

For instance, let’s jump ahead to My Name is Bruce. Here, he is still trying to capitalize on the character of Ash from The Evil Dead. Seriously, Bruce? Ash is long gone and done with, let him go. Even Corey Feldman knew he made a mistake when he went back to make Lost Boys: The Tribe. Then, to see someone in his 50s still chasing young starlets around who may be just turning 20 is a little creepy.

When all is said and done, you have a huge fan following, Bruce Campbell, and have made a fine living out of your movies. So until the next Evil Dead movie, I will continue to laugh at your expense.

His Name Is Bruce

If you're reading this blog, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you're probably a really big Bruce Campbell fan. And if so, I advise you to head on over to The New York Times, which Friday published a nice little feature on the King of the B-Movies himself.

Nothing too earth-shattering--he talks about his cult status via the Evil Dead movies, his new flick My Name Is Bruce, plus his current success on the USA Network series Burn Notice. Still, it's nice to such a high-profile piece on everyone's favorite lantern-jawed hero. Hail to the king, baby.

"My Name Is Bruce" Update!

It seems like we've been hearing forever about the almost mythical film My Name Is Bruce starring horror legend Bruce Campbell. Although shooting was completed some time ago, the production has been stuck in limbo, with no news regarding when or how it will be released.

Now, Horror Yearbook is reporting that the reason for the movie's delay is actually a very good one. Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Comics is quoted as saying that the studio was so pleased with the finished film (originally intended for DVD) that they ponied up some more money for a second round of shooting, in order to "beef up" the picture for a theatrical release.

Good news for fans of The Chin. It looks like My Name Is Bruce will indeed be coming soon to a theater near you, although the release date remains unknown. Maybe Halloween?

REVEALED! Bruce Campbell Really Is God!

Well, it looks like Bruce's die-hard fan base has been right all these years! This picture appeared this morning on Ain't It Cool News, submitted by the man himself.

It's apparently from Mr. Campbell's upcoming movie My Name Is Bruce, which capitalizes on the actor's cult following. In the flick, Campbell plays himself--when a bunch of fanboys discover a real-life supernatural threat to humanity, they enlist the aid of an unwitting Bruce, who turns out to be nothing like his cinematic persona. The film has screened at a few festivals over the past year, and will be going straight to DVD sometime this year.