Column: How ‘The Evil Dead’ And ‘It’s Always Sunny’ Derailed My Nemo Plans

Once news hit that classes were cancelled on Friday, I immediately began planning my art-heavy weekend. I had some big goals for the 72 hours that we were off. So, how’d I do?

Goal #1: Go See Mama In Theaters

Since this semester began, I have wanted to have a Jessica Chastain day, in which I would see Zero Dark Thirty and Mama back-to-back in theaters, fall asleep later that night with The Tree of Life on, and just tell everyone I watched The Help after the fact. If I was with a group of friends and had to pick just one of the above films, I’d pick Mama. I think Chastain is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood, so naturally I want to see her fight monsters. This desire stems mostly from the fact that I’m a horror film fanatic. To me, there is nothing quite as fun as laughing and screaming your way through a movie with friends.


My plan was simple: first, I had to convince those of my friends who disapprove of horror movies that Mama is actually a dysfunctional family comedy starring Betty White and Katherine Heigl. Next, I just had to get them to the theater. The second part of the plan proved to be the most … impossible. I was unaware that leaving BC campus on Saturday was a fool’s game, excepting an afternoon trip to El Pelon, of course.


What I Did Instead

The Evil Dead 2. I had never seen this film before, but I can now say that any self-respecting horror film aficionado needs to see this film ASAP. Written and directed by Spiderman director Sam Raimi, this cult classic is the sequel to a film in which friends battle the forces of the undead in a remote cabin. Instead of building on that original premise, the sequel essentially redoes the original, but makes it several degrees more insane in the process. This time around, series protagonist Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) ends up all on his own, fighting for survival in the woods, in the first 10 minutes. From then on, the movie becomes a volatile mixture of zombie hands, evil trees, inventive uses for chainsaws, dancing corpses, and much more.


Goal #2: Watch The Entirety Of House Of Cards On Netflix

I feel that this series is essential viewing for anyone wondering whether Netflix’s original programming could change the way we watch television. Apart from the novelty of being able to watch an entire first season of a new drama show in one sitting, House of Cards is stacked with talent, including Kevin Spacey in the lead as ruthless politician Frank Underwood and David Fincher as the director of the first two episodes.


I planned to start the show early on Friday, when the winter storm was raging outside, and continue throughout the day. How hard could it be to sit in front of a TV for 13 hours?

What I Did Instead

Pretty hard, it turns out. About 10 minutes into the premiere, my roommate suggested It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the first seven seasons of which were recently added to Netflix. Since I love dark, narcissistic comedies as much as the next guy, I agreed. For the rest of the weekend, any time we sat down in front of the television, It’s Always Sunny was our first, and only, choice. The episodes are short and can largely be watched in any order. More importantly, however, Sunny is an example of a comedy that loses none of its comedic power in its run. If anything, the creators get a better sense of what works and adjust accordingly. Danny DeVito’s Frank transforms from an aging businessman to a half-crazed animal. The five main characters only become more extreme in their sociopathic doings, but the show always grounds them with varying levels of stupidity.

In short, I chose the more easily digestible option this weekend and laughed myself silly.


Goal #3: Read A Classic Novel

I’m tired of being told that I need to read more of the classics. As an English major, I should be able to find time outside of classes to read a few extra books, right? With the snow storm, and the three days of freedom that came with it, I had no excuse to not curl up with a nice book.


What I Did Instead

Sledding across campus, many times, on both Friday and Saturday. I’m only human!