Bit to Do

Just two weeks ago we discussed filmmaker Sam Raimi and his legendary Evil Dead trilogy, which tells the story of Ash, a man plagued by the undead. Of course, these days he is known as “The Director of the Spider-Man Trilogy,” which, to me, speaks to the transient nature of the minds of modern theater-goers. Most of the young’uns watching the trailer for his upcoming film Oz: The Great and Powerful will most likely be much more impressed with his more modern big-budget superhero credentials than his much more badass humble beginnings. No mention, either, of his most recent film, the truly awesome horror film Drag Me to Hell, which is closer to his origins than Spider-Man.

Spider-Man is not Raimi’s first superhero film – that honor belongs to the 1990 film Darkman, which plays at midnight at Baxter Avenue Theater tomorrow (Saturday). Darkman came about after Raimi was unable to acquire rights to existing superhero properties such as The Shadow and Batman, and so he decided to create his own. Liam Neeson stars as the titular character, a scientist named Peyton Westlake who is severely disfigured after being attacked by a gangster. Now a deformed vigilante, Darkman makes revenge and justice his mission.

The film also stars Frances McDormand as the hero’s girlfriend, Colin Friels as a corrupt businessman, and Larry Drake as the man responsible for Westlake’s disfigurement.

Baxter Avenue Theater is located at 1250 Bardstown Road, in Mid-City Mall. Further theater information, as well as advance ticket sales, can be found at the Baxter Avenue Theater website.

Image: Internet Move Database