Digital Spy is reporting that Sam Raimi is currently hard at work on the script for Evil Dead 4. Raimi has confirmed that about 9 pages of the sequel have been written. Those 9 pages are not the beginning of the script part are in fact some of the structure of the second act as well as bits of dialogue and some random jokes they’d like to see play out during the course of the much anticipated sequel. Digital Spy does not have a link to their source so this could obviously be a load of BS, but if it is in fact the real deal I’m sure millions of fanboys including myself will soon be having dreams of deadites.
Here is a link to the original article.

Came across this low budget gem while surfing around on Daily Motion. The story of this intentionally b-grade horror revolves around a group of loners in a small town on Christmas eve who must work together to fight the forces of the undead. You can check out the films Official Site for more info. There is no official release date yet, but I’m sure it’ll find it’s way on to home video at some point. If the film is put together with the same tongue in cheek quality as the trailer it’ll be a damn good time.

Example #5
Adaptation
In Spike Jonze’s Adaptation Cage plays dual roles as brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman so well that you almost forget it’s the same person playing both. This film takes Cage back to his quirky roots and reminds us that he can act, even if it’s been a while since he’s actually done it.



Example #6
Leaving Las Vegas
Easily the best reason on this list that Cage should be forgiven for such sins as Ghostrider. Director Mike Figgis reigns in Cage’s over the top tendencies and helps him give the performance of his career as Ben Sanderson the alcoholic screenwriter that is determined to drink himself to death over a weekend in Las Vegas. A depressing and emotionally draining masterpiece.



Example #7
The Rock
I’ll likely be crucified for putting a Michael Bay film on this list, but I don’t give a shit. I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. The Rock is a fun, over the top, quirky action flick that doesn’t exactly remind us what a great actor Cage can be, but he’s sure as hell fun to watch in this ridiculous film. “Winners go home and fuck the prom queen”



Example #8
Moonstruck
It was a tough sell to get MGM execs to cast the then 23 years young Cage as the headstrong and angry Ronny Cammareri. In fact it took Cher walking away from the production insisting that she wouldn’t do it without him. It’s a damn good thing they came to their senses. Cage is spot on as Cher’s love interest in the film. Co-stars Cher and Dukakis both walked away with Oscars for their performances and while Cage received a lot of critical acclaim for his performance but sadly wasn’t nominated.

There you have it. 8 reasons why Nic Cage shouldn’t be forced into early retirement. Sure he makes bad decisions, a lot of them, but he’s made a lot of good ones as well. Other than the 8 films I’ve listed here how about Race to the Moon, Peggy Sue Got Married,Face/Off, Birdy, Rumblefish, The Cotton Club, or even his small role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. There are also a few promising films on the horizon for Mr. Cage, he’s got Kick-Ass due out later this year as well as The Dance and a Bad Lieutenant remake with Werner Herzog in the directors chair. There was a time when Cage was considered one of the most exciting young actors in American cinema. He may have shit the bed for the last 10 years of his career, but there is still time for redemption.

Cage makes a pretty easy target. Whether it be his ridiculous ever changing hairpiece choices or his long list of craptastic films, he’s just an easy mark. With the release of the already critically panned Knowing this weekend I thought it might be a good time to remind you that Nic Cage didn’t always suck.



Example #1
Raising Arizona
This is the Coen Bros. second and probably still one of their best films. Cage’s Iconic performance as the babynapping H.I. McDunnough made this movie. It also features a great supporting cast that includes Randall “Tex”Cobb, John Goodman, William Forsythe, and of course his costar Holly Hunter. It’s an absolute must see if you haven’t already.



Example #2
Valley Girl
“Gag me with a spoon!” Martha Coolidge’s Valley Girl is one of the most underrated 80′s comedies around. Cage punks it up for his performance of the loud but ultimately sweet Randy who falls for a girl from the valley. Cage is hysterical this might be his best role ever. Great soundtrack too.



Example #3
Wild at Heart
Cage as Sailor Ripley in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart is nothing short of amazing. The story, about two young lovers Sailor and Lula who are on the run from a variety of seedy characters hired to kill Sailor by Lula’s mother, is completely ridiculous and 100% entertaining. If you’re a Lynch fan and haven’t seen this dig it up. The scene where Cage’s character crushes a guys skull with his bare hands during a fight might be one of the coolest scenes he’s ever done. Watch this movie!



Example #4
Red Rock West
John Dahl’s Noir Western about a drifter, Nicolas Cage, who takes advantage of being mistaken for a hitman is a reminder that Cage isn’t just good at being quirky. Cage’s low key performance sets the tone for a great thriller with solid supporting performances by Lara Flynn Boyle and Dennis Hopper. The movie didn’t get much in the way of a theatrical release but critical acclaim helped give it new life on home video when it was released. Highly recommended film.

There are four solid reasons not to hate Nic Cage. Check back tomorrow for the second half, and if you have Cage films you think might be worthy of this list feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

Finally a remake to get excited about! Having just wrapped A Serious Man the brothers Coen have announced that they will next tackle remaking John Wayne’s 1969 classic True Grit. The original is about a drunken U.S. Marshall, a texas ranger and a young woman who track the killer of the young woman’s father through hostile Indian territory. The Coen’s version will be told through the eyes of the young woman’s character rather than the U.S. Marshall originally played by John Wayne. Robert Duvall played Ned Pepper in the original. I think the Coens should consider brining him back. What say you?

The subtly titled Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre is the story of group of whale watchers, whose ship breaks down and they get picked up by a whale fisher vessel. Of course their rescue becomes their worst nightmare. I’m always on the lookout for a good slasher flick and if the good folks over at twitch, where I dug the trailer up, are recommending this, I’m all in. Oh! Gunnar (Leatherface) Hansen has a cameo! How can you not watch it? The films Icelandic premiere is in September with no US release set, but I’ll keep you posted. Check out the trailer below.

The cast of this indie dramedy alone is enough to suck me in, but throw David Eggers and Sam Mendes into the mix and I’m pretty sure you’ve got a rock solid film. Away We Go is the story of a couple (John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph) expecting their first child who travel the US looking for a place to start their family. Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels, Catherine O’Hara, Cheryl Hines, and Jim Gaffigan round out the killer cast. The film will see limited release starting June 5th with a wider release expected in weeks to follow.

Park Chan-Wook is the man! If you haven’t seen anything from his Vengeance trilogy Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, you’d better get of your ass and do it now. Below is the trailer for his vampire drama Thirst. Thirst is the story of a priest turned into a vampire via a botched medical experiment. The trailer lacks english subtitles but it’s visually meaty enough to warrant a watch. This one is at the top of my must see list for 2009. Let me know what you think.

For better or for worse legendary producer Dino De Laurentiis, alongside his daughter Raffaella, will bring 80′s nerd action icon to theaters at a yet TBD date. The pair have teamed with series creator Lee Zlotoff, but have yet to sign a writer or director. It’s unclear what the tone of the film will be but I’m guessing with Zlotoff’s involvement they’ll likely be sticking to a serious adaptation. So how about it MacGyver fans? Who gets cast as the ultra resourceful hero? Who should direct? Does Richard Dean Anderson get a cameo? Ideas? Anyone?

Finally found a trailer for this mean spirited cringe inducing comedy. The Snake, is debuting at SXSW this week and damn it all do I wish I was there. The Snake is about a desperate low life sack who is fixated on a troubled young woman. He joins a support group to get closer to her and then enables her eating disorder. It only gets worse from there. Check out the NSFW trailer below and enjoy, if you can .