Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi FROM THE PUBLISHER
Following his highly successful An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith (Applause), John Kenneth Muir now turns to the life and work of legendary cult-film director Sam Raimi. Raimi exploded on the movie scene in 1982, when he was 23 years old, with the audacious, independently produced horror film The Evil Dead. Re-igniting the horror genre to such a degree that Wes Craven credited Raimi on-screen in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Raimi went on to direct two Evil Dead sequels, his own comic-book superhero, Darkman, and an over-the-top, post-modern western, The Quick and the Dead. Raimi's influence on other filmmakers continues to be enormous - from the "shaky cam" shots of the Coen brothers to the early oeuvre of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, both of whom have been termed the "direct progeny" of Raimi's works.In 2002, Raimi's Spider-Man had the biggest opening weekend in history, earning more than $114 million at the box office. The Unseen Force also features a sneak peek at the much anticipated Spider-Man 2. Included are 30 first-person accounts and interviews from a number of eclectic sources - from the cinematographers who shot Raimi's early films to the producers, screenwriters, actors, special effects magicians and composers who collaborated to make his films the stuff of legend, earn mainstream success, and still be the focus of obsessive cult followings.
SYNOPSIS
Raimi is part of a generation of directors whose works reflect their love of classic horror films and comic books. The author of such books as Horror Films of the 1970s (MacFarland, 2002) discusses Raimi's influences, mastery of special effects, and behind- the-scenes accounts of films from The Evil Dead (1982) to Spider-Man 2 (2004). Muir includes production photos (some newly published), a Raimi filmography and movie-making lexicon. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Muir, author of Horror Films of the 1970s, admires and enjoys Raimi's highly praised work. Examining Raimi's oeuvre, from the cult classic low-budget horror film The Evil Dead (1981) through the mega-hit Spider-Man (2002), he offers lively, behind-the-scenes accounts via interviews with many of Raimi's collaborators. For example, he divulges the trade secrets of Tom Sullivan, the man responsible for the special effects in The Evil Dead, which illustrate the resourcefulness Raimi inspires in his colleagues. Although famous for violent and unnerving films like 1990's Darkman, the director exudes a calm presence, noted for dressing in a suit and tie to indicate his respect for the craft of filmmaking. Even while exploring new terrain, such as the neo-Western The Quick and the Dead (1995) or 1999's baseball/romance film For Love of the Game, Raimi maintains a strong visual and emotional landscape. In Spider-Man, Muir says, he found the perfect vehicle to marry his love of comic books, his visual talents and his sensitivity, producing the most successful film of the genre. Muir shows how signature flourishes (e.g., his "Point of View subjective shot") pop up in Raimi's fledgling works yet still thrill when used in Spider-Man. If there is a downside to the nonconformist director, Muir has yet to find it. B&w photos. (July) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Muir, who has written extensively on pop culture, guides readers on director Sam Raimi's 20-year journey from Michigan movie brat to Hollywood heavyweight. Raimi's 1980s Evil Dead trilogy fast established him as a cult favorite, but he catapulted to the uppermost spires of geek Olympus-and box office returns-with 2002's fanboy wet dream, Spider-Man. Interestingly, as his films' budgets and star power swelled, so did production problems. Though Muir did not interview Raimi himself (he was shooting Spider-Man 2), he talked to over 30 cast and crew members who worked with the director for a detailed, behind-the-scenes dissection of each of his ten features, plus a bonus peek at the hotly awaited Spidey sequel. From his early indie gore-fests to the Western The Quick and the Dead to the comic-based blockbusters, Raimi mixed underlying physical humor (he's a huge Three Stooges fan) with inventive camera moves, which make his films distinct. Raimi also brought new players to film including producer Robert Tapert, Frances McDormand, and, especially, that darling of the sf con set, Bruce Campbell. Muir's giddy enthusiasm for Raimi shines through, but since the volume's major audience is fellow Evil Dead heads, the tone is perfect. All Raimi fans will want this book on the shelf next to their homemade Necronomicons. Highly recommended for film collections.-Michael Rogers, Library Journal Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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