Are you a fan of Evil Dead/Bruce Campbell/Sam Raimi? If you are, this week’s PICKS FROM THE CRYPT are perfect for you! This week’s “terrible trio” consists of three often overlooked 80’s horror flicks that all promenently feature “Evil Dead” alumni. These fun flicks also feature an abundance of splashy carnage and creative originality. Let the bloodshed begin!!!

“Thou Shall Not Kill…Except” (aka “Striker’s War” 1985)

http://imdb.com/title/tt0090093/

What could have been the heart warming tale of a Vietnam vet who reunites with both his girlfriend and his unit after the war quickly becomes a stateside massacre of Kent State proportions!

Sgt Striker comes back from the war with a wounded leg and a lot of painful memories. He moves into a small secluded cabin in the woods and tries to put his life back together. The peace and quiet is short lived when an insane religious cult comes to town, takes Striker’s girlfriend hostage, uses her Grandfather for target practice, and starts sacrificing the locals.

Striker and his fellow vets (convienently in town for a visit!) take up arms and declare war on the psychotic hippy scum. A body count slightly less than that of the actual Vietnam conflict quickly ensues. This flick could best be described as “Vietnam vets Vs. the Manson family”!

“Thou Shall Not Kill…Except” was written and directed by Josh Becker, who worked cameras and sound for “The Evil Dead”. He also appeared as a “fake shemp” in “Evil Dead 2″ and “Army Of Darkness”. ” It was co-written by Bruce “Don’t call me Ash!” Campbell and Scott Spiegel (more about him later!). This flick was mostly shot in the garage and front lawn of Bruce Campbell’s parents house!

“Evil Dead” director Sam Raimi, his brother the one and only Ted Raimi, and Scott Spiegel all make appearences. Sam steals the whole fucking show by wildly overacting as the crazy eyed Manson-esque cult leader who promises “to do nasty things” to the “dirty little sons of bitches.”

A homemade micro-budget horror/action grindhouse epic with a lot of firepower and kick ass attitude. Lots of blood and violence to enjoy, especially towards the climax. The title makes no sense and has nothing to do with the film, but sounds cool which is all that matters. The Anchor Bay special edition dvd has sadly been discontinued, but is still kicking around the internet. This flick is worth seeking out for sure. “Don’t touch the sacrificial fluids. Okey Dokey?”

“Maniac Cop” (1988)

http://imdb.com/title/tt0095583/

Criminals and innocent citizens alike are being snuffed by a large psychopath wearing a police uniform in NYC. As the maniac cop quickly racks up an impressive body count, citizens start freaking out and shooting cops in fear of their lives. A young cop played by Bruce “Are you staring at my chin?” Campbell is mysterously framed for the murders and quickly winds up in jail.

Bruce teams up with his bimbo female police officer girlfriend and TOM FUCKING ATKINS and tries to clear his name before the killer strikes again. But just who is this maniac cop, and how can he be stopped? And did you see the size of those hematomas?!?

“Maniac Cop” is a great genre flick written by Larry Cohen (It’s Alive) and directed by Bill Lustig (Maniac). Bruce Campbell takes a savage beating of “Evil Dead” proportions from Robert Z’Dar in this one! When Campbell and Z’Dar go chin to mutant chin the sparks start to fly! Don’t blink or you’ll miss an uncredited appearence from Sam Raimi as a news reporter in the big Saint Paddy’s Day parade scene.

“Maniac Cop” is a horror/action hybrid that was marketed to exploitative perfection. The tagline: “You have the right to remain silent – forever.” is truly one of the all time greats. Bill Lustig brings the same intensity that he displayed in his classic “Maniac” to “Maniac Cop”. The opening scene where the maniac claims his first victim after she runs to him for help is chilling.

“Maniac Cop” is also full of gritty b-movie attitude. Dialogue like “Fuckin’ a, I’m a cop! What the fuck are you?” and “Do you always take a leak with a gun in your hand? That’s a good way to blow your balls off!” assaults the ears. Richard “Shaft” Roundtree makes a brief appearance as a crabby police chief. Tom Atkins plays a grizzled veteran who pounds booze. Along the way there are plenty of stabbings, shootings, and strangulations.

This flick is easily the most well known of this week’s PICKS, but I’m still shocked by how many people I talk to that have never seen it. I think it’s a cool flick that more people should check out. The sequels are also worth a look.

“Intruder” (1989)

http://imdb.com/title/tt0095379/

The night crew at a small town supermarket is having a rather shitty night. First, the head cashier’s creepy and violent ex-boyfriend shows up fresh from the joint to confront her at closing time. He manhandles her and trades punches with a few of the workers before finally getting run off. After the inept and elderly local police make a brief appearance, the owners of the store tell the crew that the store is closing for good and that they will all lose their jobs in a few weeks!

After much bellyaching the night crew eventually tries to get back to the evening’s work. Soon after, their lives are cashed in express lane style by an unseen intruder who somehow made their way into the store without being noticed. One by one, the night crew is slaughtered in very graphic fashion within the closed supermarket.

“Intruder” has to be one of the most BRUTAL slasher flicks ever made! The special effects in this flick by KNB are the stuff of legend for gorehounds. I’m talking really nasty splatter with completely over the top deaths involving meathooks, bansaws, and cardboard bailers! I worked at a grocery store for years and found these work hazard related death scenes to be very satisfying!

There’s also an abundance of wacky characters, offbeat performances, and inventive and sometimes goofy camera work. This fun flick was written and directed by Scott Spiegel, who also wrote “Evil Dead 2″. It was co-written by Lawrence Bender who went on to produce “Pulp Ficton” amongst numerous other Hollywood blockbusters! It features both Sam & Ted Raimi as body count fodder and a special guest appearence from Lawrence Bender and Bruce “groovy” Campbell! Fans of “Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers” will no doubt enjoy seeing Rene Estevez in a supporting role.

“The Intruder” is a must see for all fans of gory slashers. This superior flick is finally available UNCUT (the previous R rated releases were all heavily edited) on dvd thanks to the fine fiends at Wizard Entertainment. Do yourself a favor and add it to your collection!

KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING!!!

Read All of “Brain Hammer’s Picks From the Crypt!”