B-movie legend returns home with new film

Celebrated B-movie actor, director and producer Bruce Campbell will be screening his new film “My Name is Bruce” on Nov. 21, 22, and 23 at Royal Oak's Main Art Theater.

The film, which Campbell directed, produced, and stars in, tells the story of a small mining town in Oregon, called Gold Lick. A group of teenagers in the town unwittingly awaken Guan-di, the Chinese god of war, by desecrating the graves of Chinese miners who were killed in a cave-in.

Guan-di begins to hunt down and slaughter the teens who unleashed him as well as their blood relatives, who make up almost the entire population of Gold Lick.

Jeff, one of the teens who awoke Guan-di, decides it is his responsibility to defeat the demon, and his plan is to recruit the help of his idol, Bruce Campbell.

At first, Campbell believes the town of Gold Lick has been hired by his manager to make him feel like a hero. He leads the town to battle against Guan-di. When Campbell discovers the demon is real he flees the battle, leaving the townspeople to be slaughtered. After an eye-opening call from Jeff, Campbell returns to Gold Lick to have a final show down with Guan-di.

The movie is another in a line of films where Campbell has taken on the roles of actor, director and producer.

“As an actor, you show up on somebody else's film set and you participate in what they've set up,” he said.“As a director and a producer and an actor participating in the script, you know exactly what's going on.”

“I like having a world where I can just go play; where it’s fun and free and creative.”

The film was written by Mark Verheiden, who wrote  “The Mask” and has written for “Battlestar Gallactica”, and was produced by Campbell in association with CEO of Dark Horse Indie, Mike Richardson. Richardson and Campbell are both residents of Oregon, where the movie was filmed.

Much of the film is set in the town of Gold Lick, which was constructed on Campbell's property. Campbell even provided some of the trees used to build the town.

Campbell, who attended Wayne State for four months, was born at Royal Oak Beaumont in 1958.

 “It's always great to come back,” he said. “I lived there in the 70s, 20 years after I was born, and even then, the town was the place you would go to get a flattop haircut.

“Now, it's the hipsters’ spot. I'm not sure if I'm hip enough to go.”

Campbell will also host a question and answer session following the 7 and 10 p.m screenings each night. Tickets will be $9.25 after 6 p.m. $7 before 6 p.m., $7 for students.

The movie has a lot to do with Campbell's fan base, which he is known for tormenting during Q&A sessions.

Overall, Campbell likes his fans.

 “I think they're great, most of them,” he said.

“Ninety-nine percent of them are really nice, quiet, shy, devoted people, but the other one percent of them are freaked out of their gourd. This movie's really only about the one percent, it’s only done for comedic effect.

“This is not meant to be my ultimate life statement of who I am or who the fans are.”

Nick Poissant, an employee at the Main Art Theater, has attended one of Campbell's Q&A sessions before, “It's fun for the fans, he really works the crowd, he's good at it.” Poissant said.

Jim Olenski and Gary Reichel, co-owners of Thomas Video in Clawson are both excited for Campbell's return to Michigan.

“From what I've seen from the previews the film certainly seems like it suits his personality,” Olenski said.

Olenski and Reichel both said that Campbell, whom they once hosted for a book signing, is a great guy.

Olenski said that Campbell works very hard with independent filmmakers.

“He does a lot for up-and-comers,” he said.

Assistant manager of Flipside Records in Clawson, John DeVleg, is looking forward to the new movie. He says that Campbell has not disappointed him yet.

“I remember the first time I watched 'Army of Darkness', I remember looking forward to it because of how much I liked 'Evil Dead',” DeVleg said.

“I really love how much fun Bruce Campbell has brought to movie-watching in my life.”

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