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Martian · 06-27-2009, 09:23 PM

My Name Is Bruce: 6.5/10

Bruce Campbell is an anomaly, in that he's a B movie actor who has a huge fan following. After two bestsellers he's decided to try his hand at directing it seems, and the result is something that one can only describe as Campbellesque. So I suppose if his objective was to create an adjective, he can strike that off his to-do list.

The plot is fairly straightforward: Bruce Campbell plays a caricature of himself, a washed-up, hard-drinking, womanizing B movie actor. A group of teenagers fooling around somewhere they shouldn't accidentally release an evil homicidal spirit, and for some reason that's never really explained Bruce is chosen to fight it. If this sounds familiar, you are officially the target audience.

The film's greatest stumbling block is that it's an intentional effort to create the so-bad-it's-good cheesiness that was a huge part of Evil Dead's success. It manages to get some laughs in, but feels rather forced at times.

The film is clearly intended for fans of the star, and is liberally dosed with references to his prior work. As such, it's likely to be completely lost on anyone who isn't familiar with his resume, but then one would have to wonder why anyone who isn't a fan would watch the film to begin with.

Overall I found it to be an entertaining film, though hardly monumental. I recorded it on the PVR on a whim, and was not disappointed, but my feelings might've been different if I'd paid to rent it.

If you have read and enjoyed If Chins Could Kill and/or Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way, you'll probably enjoy this. If you haven't, or if you don't have the entire Evil Dead trilogy on your DVD shelf, you can safely skip this one.

06-27-2009, 09:23 PM	#3385 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	My Name Is Bruce: 6.5/10 Bruce Campbell is an anomaly, in that he's a B movie actor who has a huge fan following. After two bestsellers he's decided to try his hand at directing it seems, and the result is something that one can only describe as Campbellesque. So I suppose if his objective was to create an adjective, he can strike that off his to-do list. The plot is fairly straightforward: Bruce Campbell plays a caricature of himself, a washed-up, hard-drinking, womanizing B movie actor. A group of teenagers fooling around somewhere they shouldn't accidentally release an evil homicidal spirit, and for some reason that's never really explained Bruce is chosen to fight it. If this sounds familiar, you are officially the target audience. The film's greatest stumbling block is that it's an intentional effort to create the so-bad-it's-good cheesiness that was a huge part of Evil Dead's success. It manages to get some laughs in, but feels rather forced at times. The film is clearly intended for fans of the star, and is liberally dosed with references to his prior work. As such, it's likely to be completely lost on anyone who isn't familiar with his resume, but then one would have to wonder why anyone who isn't a fan would watch the film to begin with. Overall I found it to be an entertaining film, though hardly monumental. I recorded it on the PVR on a whim, and was not disappointed, but my feelings might've been different if I'd paid to rent it. If you have read and enjoyed If Chins Could Kill and/or Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way, you'll probably enjoy this. If you haven't, or if you don't have the entire Evil Dead trilogy on your DVD shelf, you can safely skip this one. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame