By Jake TenPas
The Entertainer | Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2007 12:00 am
With 'My Name is Bruce,' Campbell once again shows that he's got it
Bruce Campbell is a legend, if only in his own mind. At least, that's the premise of his new film, "My Name is Bruce," which premiered at the Ashland Independent Film Festival on Friday, April 13, directly following a screening of the actor's cult classic, "Army of Darkness."
Despite the potentially inauspicious day, the premiere was a smashing success as the actor dispelled any doubts about his prowess as a director that might have been lingering after his critically assailed feature debut, "The Man With the Screaming Brain."
While that might come as a surprise to some, it certainly didn't to the fans packed into the Historic Ashland Armory to see the new film and hear Campbell speak. And speak he did, savaging one fan who asked what the worst question he'd ever been asked was with the reply, "You mean besides that one?"
Campbell is clearly not just a legend in his own mind.
With a series of B Movies to his credit, including "Moontrap," "Maniac Cop," "Alien Apocalypse" and the critically acclaimed "Bubba Ho-Tep," Campbell has carved out a niche for himself as an actor with a personality - and cult following - far bigger than any of his films. He starred in his own TV series, "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." and "Jack of All Trades," and he's also made cameos in a number of movies by the Coen Brothers, as well as appearing, albeit briefly, in all three "Spider-Man" movies. He remains best known, however, for playing the comical anti-hero Ash in the "Evil Dead" trilogy, which culminated in "Army of Darkness." He's also the author of two books, "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor" and "Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way."
"My Name is Bruce" is a send-up of not only his own selective celebrity, but the fans that have helped him achieve it. Filmed mostly on Campbell's property in Southern Oregon, and set largely around the historic town of Gold Lick, the film employed a slew of Oregon residents, including Corvallis High School graduate Jesse Nordhausen as production sound mixer. It follows Campbell as he is kidnapped by an overzealous fan and brought to the town in the trunk of a car to do mortal combat with a vengeful Chinese spirit, Guan-di.
More than a comical tale of Campbell's misadventures attempting to protect the townfolk, the film expertly parodies the actor himself, portraying him as a drunken egomaniac living alone in a filthy trailer with his neglected dog and a nasty habit of calling his ex-wife at entirely inappropriate times.
In one hilarious scene, Campbell, who has mistaken the town's population for extras in another of his procession of low-rent movies, is led to the graveyard from which Guan-di has arisen to take revenge for the desecration of his people's tombstones.
Upon realizing that he's actually expected to fight a real monster, Campbell begins screaming like a girl and sprinting back to his car while firing indiscriminantly behind him, hitting several of his would-be flock along the way.
If it sounds like black humor, it is, and for fans of his past work, "My Name is Bruce" represents another gloriously cartoony chapter in a life story already packed cover to cover with such entries. It also rewards his die-hard fans at the same time as it makes fun of them, inviting all who love Campbell to join the actor and director in having a good laugh at their collective silliness.
After attending the festival, I contacted Campbell, who agreed to a 10-"single-question question" interview via e-mail:
Jake TenPas: In "My Name is Bruce," you portray yourself as an actor in search of a "meaty" role, or something more serious than the exploitation stuff you make it seem is all you do. What are you most looking for at this point in your career in terms of a role?
Bruce Campbell: I'm looking for roles just like "My Name is Bruce," where I control as many aspects of my own performance as I can.
JT: You keep making "B Movies" - not that I'm using that phrase in a derogatory fashion - so it would seem you're pretty content with your niche in the film world, despite what your character is saying in the film. Is that not the case?
BC: I'm very happy doing what I do where I have a direct say. Beyond that, budgets or "status" means nothing to me. I'm in the arts - it's all about creativity and freedom of expression.
JT: After directing your second film, what would you say is the most drastic improvement you made in terms of style or technique between the two projects?
BC: I learn new things every time I make a film, but there is never anything earth-shattering in the process. I've directed myself since 1995, so no biggie there. My job as an actor or director is to entertain the audience and "style" should never get in the way of story.
Check it Out
"My Name is Bruce," a Dark Horse Indie production, premiered at the Ashland Independent Film Festival on Friday, April 13. The film was written by Mark Verheiden and directed by Bruce Campbell, and starred Bruce Campbell. The film is slated for an October release. For more information about "My Name is Bruce," go to www.bruce-campbell.com. For more information about the Ashland Independent Film Festival, go to www.ashlandfilm.com.
JT: Onstage at the Ashland Film Festival, you had your character nailed down in terms of flipping comments back at the fans like a tennis pro. Did making "My Name is Bruce" further solidify certain aspects of your personality or attitude?
BC: No. I've been doing personal appearances since 1988, so I basically know every question before it's asked and I have an answer in my pocket. What really throws me is when someone asks an original question.
JT: You recently appeared in one of the greatest commercials I've ever seen, for Old Spice. How did they convince you to do that commercial and would you do it again?
BC: It wasn't hard - I used to wear Old Spice and I thought the copy for the ad was really clever. And yeah, I'm doing a second ad that airs in May.
JT: Although "Bubba Ho-Tep" flew under the radar of the Oscar committee for certain obvious reasons, was it frustrating at all to not have what was a top-notch performance recognized simply because it wasn't in a mainstream film?
BC: No, because I've pretty much been "under the radar" my entire professional life. I just like acting. The accolades and awards are off my own "radar."
JT: What would you ultimately like to see with "My Name is Bruce" in terms of its distribution? Is it going to go direct to DVD, or will it get the theatrical run it deserves?
BC: Movies do what they do based on what folks think of them. We're fine, because of the budget, if we only go out direct to DVD, but we are going to do some theatrical as well.
JT: I assume you'll direct again. If that's the case, are there filmmakers whose movies or careers you've been studying as you plot your trajectory?
BC: I don't study anyone, but I like guys like Danny Kaye and Bob Hope. If you're too young to know who they are, try Google.
JT: In "My Name is Bruce," you're kidnapped and coerced into fighting the forces of evil by an overzealous fan. What is the all-time most bizarre experience you've had at the hands of a fanboy? (And I beg you not to ask "Besides this one?)
BC: I had some loser taking pix of my house in Los Angeles years ago, but I didn't own the house and I wasn't there at the time, so the joke is on him.
JT: A coworker told me she was planning on driving to Portland for a booksigning you were scheduled to do back on Sept. 11, 2001, but because of that day's events, she didn't go. Did you go through with the booksigning, and if so, what was the vibe like. If not, what made the decision for you?
BC: I wanted to go to the signing, but it was cancelled, so I drove home. I didn't want fear to stop what we do in this country.