If Chins Could Kill

I do NOT read these kinds of books as a general rule, mostly due to a lack of interest. This book stands out, though, as one of the most interesting nonfiction books I've ever read!

If you're at all a fan of Bruce Campbell, the Evil Dead movies, if you're an aspiring (or barely-working) actor, or if you're just interested in the business of TV and movies in general, you OWE it to yourself to read this book. You won't soon regret it!

I don't think Bruce Campbell and the Raimi camp know just how much of a following they have. Just looking at how many copies of this memoir of Mr. Campbell's has sold shows just how many people are interested in that 'Groovy' man from Michigan.</p><p>I remember that first time my friends and I picked up an unknown videocassette at the local videostore (now long gone thanks to the Blockbuster franchise) called 'Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn'. I didn't know then that the plastic VHS tape I would throw into my old VCR would change my viewing habits forever.</p><p>The Evil Dead II was a witty, farcical, splatter-filled horror romp that practically invented a whole new genre. The comedy gore film! Not only did I instantly fall in love with Ash and films similar, but it started opening up my mind for other more independent, less known films. Who knows what one will find hidden on that video shelf? I couldn't stand it if there was possibly another chance at finding a film as great as 'Evil Dead II'.</p><p>There are three in the series, 'Evil Dead' (which I saw later), and 'Army Of Darkness' of which I remember waiting in a large line to see at the local theatre thinking "This is it! Bruce Campbell is a star now! Sam Raimi is the God of Hollywood directors!"</p><p>Not so apparently. Army Of Darkness bombed in the theatres (I have no clue as to how), but yet, the Evil Deads and Army Of Darkness are always on the top seller lists for DVDs and the like. Heck they even released a videogame based on the films!</p><p>Army Of Darkness may not have made Bruce the most powerful actor in Hollywood, but he has carved in interesting career for himself since. Being a huge fan, I have tried to follow his and the Raimi crew's escapades.</p><p>After Army Of Darkness, Bruce has been in many more films and even expanded into television. Heck, he's even directed some shows! X-Files, Ellen, Hercules, Xena, you name it, he's been in something. I plan on making a 'Bruce Campbell Game' similar to the 'Kevin Bacon Game' popularized on the net.</p><p>Some interesting bits are revealed in this autobiography like his big bid to become a Hollywood superstar. Unfortunately he was beaten for the lead in 'The Phantom' by Billy Zane, but man would that movie have been even cooler with Bruce in it!</p><p>Bruce Campbell writes like a clever, witty, buddy that you play cards with. While reading his notes you can just imagine him sitting across the table, cigar in one side of his mouth, looking at the cards, telling his stories. I try not to think of actors being their characters, but Bruce's writing is as wisecracking as Ash, or his characters in Hercules, Xena, or Jack Of All Trades. It makes me wonder just how similar to them he really is.</p><p>If Chins Could Kill starts off right from the beginning. Growing up in Michigan, we hear about Bruce's family life and then his school days. We get an insider’s telling of Bruce’s college life where he began his 'Super-8' films with buddies Sam Raimi and the rest of a crew whom he will run into and work with many times for years to come.</p><p>A large portion of the book is dedicated to the making of the first 'Evil Dead' film and of course that is what many of his fans want. I'm sure he has pleased everyone. Being a huge fan of Raimi's and Campbell's work, I have noticed many of the strange things they've done over their career. For example, Sam Raimi's same bloody car in every film of his! The meaning of 'Shemp' is another, amongst many more. This book is filled with things that remind us why we are fans. The same gang all together, the small little familiar things thrown in every Raimi/Campbell production, it's all listed here. I remember being excited when I had heard that Sam Raimi had gotten a television show. I watched faithfully but something was missing. I didn't have to wait too long as sure enough Bruce showed up as the King of Thieves in Hercules. Darkman, one of Raimi's first huge budgeted films came out. I remember the huge 'Darkman Is Coming' billboards everywhere. While I had wanted Bruce to be Darkman it was not to be. The film was missing something, wait! There he is, even Darkman had Bruce in it...even if it was for just a second.</p><p>I could reminisce about Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi and his gang, and the Evil Deads forever, but I don’t know them. Bruce Campbell’s witty and knowledgeable history and life story in 'If Chins Could Kill' is what you really should be reading.