Sam Raimi’s “THE EVIL DEAD” Coming to Cinemas Nationwide on Oct. 7 for Its 40th Anniversary: "LOS ANGELES, CA – July 12, 2021- Fathom Events and Grindhouse Releasing are set to bring writer/director Sam Raimi’s original 1981 horror classic, “THE EVIL DEAD” back to cinemas nationwide for its 40th anniversary. In addition to the movie that spawned a film, TV, and video game franchise, attendees will be treated to an exclusive introduction from Bruce Campbell, who portrayed the film’s iconic lead character, Ashley “Ash” Williams. The seminal film spawned a multimedia franchise including the upcoming feature installment “EVIL DEAD RISE.”

“THE EVIL DEAD 40th Anniversary” comes to movie theaters nationwide on Thurs., Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. (local time).

Tickets for “THE EVIL DEAD 40th Anniversary” are on sale Fri., Aug. 13 at www.FathomEvents.com and through participating cinemas’ box offices. For the most updated list of exhibiting movie theaters, visit the Fathom Events website. (Participating theaters are subject to change).

In the first installment of Sam Raimi's famed original “THE EVIL DEAD” trilogy, Ash (Campbell), his girlfriend Linda (Betsy Baker), his sister Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss), and couple Scotty (Hal Delrich) and Shelly (Sarah York), drive to a remote cabin in the woods for a fun getaway. While there, they find the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis (aka "The Book of the Dead"), an ancient tome whose text reawakens the dead when read out loud. After unintentionally releasing a flood of evil, the five friends must fight for their lives or become possessed.

“We are thrilled to give horror fans the opportunity to gather together and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sam Raimi’s cult classic ‘THE EVIL DEAD’,” said Fathom Events CEO, Ray Nutt. “Let’s kick off the Halloween season with the film that started an amazing franchise.”

"We are proud to present this special 40th anniversary screening of EVIL DEAD with Fathom Events," said Grindhouse Releasing co-founder Bob Murawski, who has edited many of Sam Raimi's films including ARMY OF DARKNESS and SPIDER MAN 1, 2 & 3. "The original film has always been my favorite of the series. It is truly one of the scariest and wildest horror films of all time. I’m thrilled that a new generation of fans will have the chance to experience it in the way I first did – on the big screen with a screaming audience!”

Additionally, Lionsgate Home Entertainment will be releasing a collectible box set of THE EVIL DEAD, EVIL DEAD II, and all three seasons of ASH VS. EVIL DEAD in fall 2021."

----------

NETFLIX BRINGS SHADYSIDE TO WEST HOLLYWOOD WITH THE FEAR STREET RENTALS POP UP: "On the outside, FEAR STREET RENTALS is a 90s video rental storefront and on the inside, it's an immersive experience that takes you back in time and brings to life the horrors of Shadyside in 1994, 1978 and 1666. Filled with iconography and Easter eggs from the Fear Street Trilogy and a secret passageway that takes you into the world of 1978 (Camp Nightwing) & 1666 (the church), the pop up is an experience built for horror and Fear Street fans alike.

The event is free and open to the public. Admission is first come, first served.

Note: Rideshare is highly encouraged. Parking will be limited. We recommend parking on Melrose or metered parking. Please be respectful of the West Hollywood neighborhood and not park in residential areas.

For more information, please visit: FearStreetRentals.com

WHEN: Friday, July 9 - Sunday, July 18

  • Wednesday - Saturday: 5 - 11pm
  • Sunday: 1-8pm
  • Closed Monday & Tuesday

WHEREMELROSE / WEST HOLLYWOOD

8552 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA

----------

THE VIDEO STORE: "Remember that plastic smell emanating from rows upon rows of videos at the local Blockbuster?

While most video rental shops have gone the way of the dinosaur, the classic video store remains alive in the hearts of many. One filmmaker is celebrating all things retro movie store in a new sci-fi film throwing viewers back to the classic 1990s alien invasion experience.

Set in 1997, "The Video Store" from Hectic Films stars James Duval (Independence Day) and Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet), who find themselves locked inside the fictitious California video store Bird's Movie Zone. Forced to escape the locked store, they must figure out how to break into a back room to find a hidden key. The only problem: There's an alien in the back room.

The Video Store, written, directed, and edited by Rickey Bird Jr., was produced by Bird along with Rachel Bird, Jason Sanders, John R. Blythe and Leonard McLeod II, with executive producers Jonathan Boda and Jessica M. Boda.

While the plot hinges on surviving an alien invasion, the centerpiece of the film is a mostly forgotten relic in American history: the video rental store. All the scenes inside Bird's Movie Zone were shot at a recreated video store with close to 4,000 VHS tapes located inside Real Escape in Bakersfield.

"The set is full of nostalgia, with a payphone, a snarky video clerk, and that classic plastic smell," Bird said. "We are trying to keep the memory of our favorite childhood video rental stores alive."

According to a review from The Horror Society blog, the Video Store contains the excitement of Netflix' "Stranger Things" without dragging on unnecessarily.

"The vibe is the same, the themes are the same, the nostalgic value is definitely there and so is the primary villain," wrote reviewer Michael Therkelsen. "However, it's worth noting that writer/director/editor Rickey Bird Jr. pulled this off without copying."

Independent movie guide Film Threat called Video Store "…a wonderfully silly short film."

"This film is a love letter to the 1990s Sci-Fi and the video store," Bird said. "Viewers will love the way we brought the local video store back to life while enjoying a fast-paced and suspenseful story."

The Video Store is now available for purchase on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thevideostore."

--------

ANNA KENDRICK TO STAR IN LIONSGATE’S FEMALE-LED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER “ALICE, DARLING” FOR DIRECTOR MARY NIGHY:  "SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 12, 2021 – Global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) announced today that it is partnering with Babe Nation Films, Elevation Pictures, and Castelletto Films on the upcoming psychological thriller Alice, Darling, which is now in production in Canada. The film, which stars Anna Kendrick, Wunmi Mosaku, Kaniehtiio Horn, and Charlie Carrick, is directed by Mary Nighy, written by Alanna Francis, produced by Katie Bird Nolan, Lindsay Tapscott, Christina Piovesan, and Noah Segal, and executive produced by Anna Kendrick and Sam Tipper-Hale.  The film is being made with the support of Ontario Creates and Urban Post.

Nighy’s feature film directorial debut, Alice, Darling focuses on Alice (Kendrick), who is behaving strangely, keeping secrets about her mercurial boyfriend (Carrick) from her two best friends (Mosaku and Horn). When the three friends take a girl’s trip out of town, all secrets are revealed when a local girl goes missing and Alice’s boyfriend arrives unannounced. Lionsgate will handle worldwide distribution of the film, except in Canada, which will be handled by Elevation.

A key element of Lionsgate’s slate strategy involves teaming with partners and filmmakers on projects specifically curated for a variety of distribution strategies. Through these collaborations, Lionsgate is focused on delivering a pipeline of films in a wide range of genres, including action, thriller, comedy, romance, and horror, with each tailored toward distribution platforms that best suit its audiences.

Nighy said, “Alice, Darling is a subtle, nuanced story about coercion and control. As a director, I couldn’t wish for a better cast of talented actors and creatives to bring this important story to life. The chemistry between Anna Kendrick, Wunmi Mosaku, and Kaniehtiio Horn as the three friends is a joy to see.”

Lauren Bixby VP, Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Lionsgate said, “Alice, Darling is just the kind of film we are looking to champion at Lionsgate, a captivating psychological thriller with three strong women at the center. We are excited to support this amazing female-led team of filmmakers and diverse cast.”

The producers at Babe Nation Films added, “We strive to tell female stories unflinchingly, with nuance, care, and authenticity. Alice, Darling will keep audiences riveted, but ultimately, it is a story of female resilience and empowerment.  We are so proud to be working with Alanna, Mary, our brilliant cast, Elevation, Castelletto, and Lionsgate on this project.”

ANNA KENDRICK most recently starred in the HBO Max series “Love Life” and Netflix’s feature Stowaway; she also reprised her voice role as Poppy in Trolls World Tour. She was nominated for the Academy Award® for her performance in Up in the Air and more recently received acclaim for her performance in Lionsgate’s A Simple Favor. She is represented by CAA, Range Media Partners, and Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.

WUNMI MOSAKU most recently starred in the Netflix’s feature film “His House”, for which she received critical praise and won a British Independent Film Award. She can currently be seen in Disney+’s “Loki” and was previously celebrated for her role in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”. Deadline previously reported she has signed on to star in HBO’s “We Own This City”. She is represented by Gersh, Scott Marshall Partners, Principal Entertainment LA, and Ziffren Brittenham.

KANIEHTIIO HORN most recently starred in the feature Possessor and the television series “Barkskins” and “Letterkenny.” She is represented by Amanda Rosenthal Talent, Authentic Talent & Literary Management, and The Nord Group.

MARY NIGHY makes her feature film directorial debut with Alice, Darling. Her previous directing work for television includes episodes of “Industry,” “Traces,” and “Silent Witness.” She is represented by Markham, Froggatt and Irwin and Independent Talent Group."

  • Jonathan James
    About the Author - Jonathan James

    After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.

    As the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dead, Jonathan is responsible for bringing the latest horror news to millions of readers from around the world. He is also consulted with as an expert on zombies in entertainment and pop culture, providing analyses of the zombie sub-genre to newspapers, radio stations, and convention attendees.