I’m pretty sure this is his best effort in years.
My Name is Bruce (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:39
Fresh:16
Rotten:23
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: My Name Is Bruce succeeds or fails based entirely upon the viewer's opinion of Bruce Campbell, an unreasonable burden for even the most accomplished actor.
Runtime: 86 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis:
My Name is Bruce is the heroic struggle of a small mining town (Gold Lick, Oregon) to rid itself of a vengeful monster. Guan-di (Jamie Peck), the Chinese god of war and protector of the dead, has...
My Name is Bruce is the heroic struggle of a small mining town (Gold Lick, Oregon) to rid itself of a vengeful monster. Guan-di (Jamie Peck), the Chinese god of war and protector of the dead, has been unleashed by cemetery desecrating teenagers to protect the graves of Chinese miners lost in a deadly cave-in of yesteryear.
The deadly demon’s mission is to eradicate all those who transgressed against the tomb (relatives included), which is virtually the entire population of Gold Lick. The inbred community has to find a solution so Jeff (Taylor Sharpe), the sole survivor of a deadly Guan-Di encounter, takes it upon himself to kidnap his idol, Bruce Campbell (Bruce Campbell), star of countless B-movie horror films, and recruit him to be their local savior.
Mortified at first, Bruce eventually goes along with Jeff’s prank, convinced that it’s all an elaborate birthday present from his agent (Ted Raimi), and begins to enjoy the spoils of being a movie hero, including free liquor and Jeff’s attractive mother, Kelly (Grace Thorsen).
But Jeff’s scheme goes horribly wrong when his hero, known more for fighting directors than mythical warriors, haphazardly leads the town in battle against Guan-Di. Confronted by a monster that’s not a guy in a rubber suit, and with the blood of innocents on his hands, Bruce abandons the harsh reality of Gold Lick for the sanctity of his former, artificial life.
In his ramshackle desert trailer, Bruce resumes the daily grind of genre sequels, poor housekeeping and cheap whiskey, but a gut-wrenching call from his biggest fan, Jeff - now forced to take on Guan-Di alone - prompts the actor to re-evaluate his destiny.
Against his better judgment (and the angry citizens of Gold Lick), Bruce returns to defeat Guan-Di, save Jeff, and snag his hot mother. In the climactic, mano-a-monster, Bruce tries to rise above the miserable, off-screen schmuck that he is and become a hero…in real life.
Be afraid, Gold Lick – be very afraid. --© Official Site
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Grace Thorsen, Taylor Sharpe, Ted Raimi
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Grace Thorsen, Taylor Sharpe, Ted Raimi
Director: Bruce Campbell
Director: Bruce Campbell
Screenwriter: Mark Verheiden
Producer: Mike Richardson, Bruce Campbell
Composer: Joseph Lo Duca
Studio: Lions Gate Films
Reviews for My Name is Bruce
Doesn't really cut it as a horror or a comedy despite Campbell's undeniable charm.
Add two stars—or even three—if you’re as passionate about cheesy B-actor Campbell as he is about himself.
"My Name is Bruce" won't give you sugar, baby. Not on its budget. But Splenda works fine as a substitute for this Kool-Aid, which Campbell knows fans will happily drink. A little bit of purposefully lousy filmmaking winds up going a long way.
My Name is Bruce is not only a movie-it's also a celebration of the cult of Bruce Campbell.
It's far better than any of the horror remake crap coming out and it earns its laughs honestly by actually intending to be funny.
Pretty bad, but in a way, we'd be disappointed if it wasn't...it's all about Campbell, a limber linguist whose verbal sense seems straight out of the '40s, and a game physical comic. [Blu-ray]
Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead II, etc.) jumps on the post-modern bandwagon with this refreshingly low-key and absolutely hilarious horror comedy.
It's an affably goofy riff on the headaches associated with being America's most underappreciated actor.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said about My Name Is Bruce is that Bruce Campbell has in fact appeared in worse movies.
Light as air, My Name Is Bruce is good for a mild chuckle, not a belly laugh. As any Campbell fan knows, managing expectations is key to getting the most from his work.
Cheerfully embracing his status as cult B-movie genre megastar even as he sends it up, Bruce Campbell's sophomore directorial excursion, My Name is Bruce, is a big in-joke of definite if limited appeal.
It gets by on its concept for a little while but too often mistakes stupid-stupid for clever-stupid.
Subtract Campbell from this movie's idiot-friendly equation and you've got just about any dimwitted horror comedy that's gone straight to video.
As director, [Bruce Campbell] trips through gory gags and gallows humor with more tenacity than talent, while onscreen he mugs shamelessly.
My Name is Bruce is spasmodically funny, but Campbell's counterpoint of cowardice and cockiness remains irresistible.
Comedy/horror movies like Slither and the Evil Dead movies have already done this sort of thing a lot better.
Just know going in that this isn't some hip satire. It's a straight-up B-flick. If that sounds cool, then "groovy"!
A spirited romp of self-deprecation and beheadings that might not hold appeal to the ordinary viewer, but remains absolute catnip to Campbell fans.
Latest News for My Name is Bruce
February 09, 2009:
RT on DVD: Oliver's W, Spike's St. Anna, and My Name is Bruce!
What better way to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama by watching Oliver Stone's W. this week on DVD? While a handful of middling studio releases hit home... More...
November 03, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
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October 29, 2008:
We've always counted ourselves as fans of the criminally underutilized Bruce Campbell and this movie seems to be a fun horror/comedy which will be most appreciated by Campbell's long-time fans. Sure, it's basically the same plot as Space Quest, but hey %u ![]()
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July 08, 2008:
Bruce Campbell Talks Bruce Campbell ![]()
Entertainment Weekly has debuted the first installment in a video series featuring Bruce Campbell talking to Dalton Ross about his many roles -- and what it would take for him... More...
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