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Retro Rewind: That Time Bruce Campbell Played a Demon in the X-Files

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Written by Patti Pauley

Gather ’round you screwheads! The King of Chins is celebrating another year around the sun and this week’s edition of Retro Rewind is dedicated to the grooviest flesh of man meat in the genre baby- Sir Bruce Cambell!

Yes, we all know the REAL Bruce Almighty is mostly recognized for that loveable, Deadite decapitating Ash Williams from the Sam Raimi films and Starz show. But what about his lesser talked about TV roles such as in Burn Notice, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., and even a stunning performance guest starring in a monster episode in X-Files as a demon fetal harvesting polygamist.

 

X-Files/Wiki

Written by series newcomer David Amann and directed by Rob Bowman, the 1999 episode entitled “Terms of Endearment” is a typical X-Files monster-of-the-week story that serves as a breather to the series’ broader storyline. We open up to Wayne Weinsider (Campbell) and his pregnant wife Laura (Lisa Jane Persky) at an ultrasound scan where the couple learns the baby Laura is bearing is riddled with strange abnormalities. The pair, Wayne especially, are obviously distraught upon hearing the results. I mean, I’d be freaked the fuck out too if my scan showed my offspring protruding a set of demonic horns from his head too. Though if it were to result in such a case, naming the kid Adrain would be a no-brainer. Of course, when one of your parents is a full-fledged demon aka Bruce Campbell, a set of horns supplied at birth shouldn’t be much of a shocker.

Speaking of which, the whole episode is absolutely a throw-back to Rosemary’s Baby in the form of demon baby producing with the signature X-Files twist. Complete with demon baby-making nightmares throughout the episode involving both Laura and later, Betsy Monroe (Grace Phillips). Oh yes, Wayne has another pregnant wife on the side to increase his chances of having a “healthy” child. What Wayne deems as healthy however, is not what one would assume a demon is looking for in his offspring. His goals are to have a NORMAL child. As Wayne turns out to be your not so typical devilish entity.

Of course, Laura’s brother is the local sheriff and when Laura awakens from her demon inducing night terror to find herself covered in blood and the baby missing, he turns the case over to Mulder and Scully given the unusual circumstances.

While there is some dark comedy in the episode, I mean IT IS Bruce, Campbell shows his more dramatic range of acting chops in “Terms of Endearment” as we’re taken on an emotional roller coaster with Wayne Weinsider’s struggle within himself and his very un-demon-like agenda in wanting to have a normal, happy family. Also, it’s worth noting the use of prosthetics rather than computer generated effects for the demon Wayne sequences are quite fantastic and the perfect display in bringing this X-Files monster to life.

Season 6, Episode 7 “Terms of Endearment” can be viewed streaming on Hulu for subscribers of the streaming site, as I recently learned Netflix cut the series from their queue of programs, “shakes fist”.  In the meantime, check out the original promo for this special edition of monster-mania X-Files starring Groovy Bruce!

 

 

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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