Drag Me to Hell

[RTSDaddy2]

OK - two movie choices this weekend; one from reliable old Pixar full of screaming kids, and the other from reliable of Sam Raimi, full of screaming adults  .

I am moving well into my 40s and horror films just don't do for me what they used to, because most of them a) have bad acting, b) have bad directing, c) both.

While never a huge fan of Raimi's horror work, the reviews Saturday morning of "Drag Me to Hell" REALLY began catching my eye....94 percent fresh at Rotten Tomatoes, plus every review saying basically the same thing....and then there was the one review that said "Man, that ending....", to which another commentator wrote " Amen...that was just freakin' awesome."  I knew then I'd have to go see it to see what Sam had done this time.

What he has done is to take a good story and turn it in to a near masterpiece with effetive visual and non-visual scares and laughs.  This ain't "The Ring", but it is damn sure close.

Here's what I'd challenge you to do above all else though; see it, then think on what you've just seen for a day or so - and more than likely you will come to see what an awesome morality play the movie is as well.  One thing Raimi proved he's still one of the best at is telling a story from beginning to end.  And without giving anything away, you won't find a better horror film for the money all summer, especially the last 30 minutes or so.  The ending is a jewel, for so many different reasons.

Spend $5 on it (or whatever Matinees are) around your place.  You will be thoroughly  entertained if you stay with it, and it is quite a ride for that price.

[SNAAKE]

best "boo" movie ever? hilarious too. worth the time/$$

[FrizzleFried]

I was gunna see it Saturday but saw UP instead.  The PG-13 rating scared me away.  It's been my experience that PG13 movies suck ass for the most part.  They tend to be R rated movies cut down just enough to squeeze a PG-13 rating by and the story usually suffers from it. I tend to wait for the "DIRECTORS CUT" versions of PG-13  movies as they tend to be the version that was rated R to begin with then cut to hell to get more commercial success at PG13.

There ARE exceptions,  but they are few and far between. 

Perhaps I should make an exception for this flick... though I wasn't all too impressed with "The Ring" (it was OK...a about 7/10 for me).

[Ginsu Victim]

Friz:
This movie was made within the PG-13, not cut to meet it.

My review I wrote on another site:

Drag Me to Hell - Directed by Sam Raimi



Raimi is back in a big way! He almost seems to be channeling William Castle with this one, so much so, that I expected Sam to introduce the film while wearing his signature suit. We even get an older Universal logo to start things out.

This film relishes in the jump scare. Normally I'm not a fan of this, except Raimi seems to be aiming the scares at seasoned veterans and always hits you hard with them and about a half-second before you expect it.

Poor Allison Lohman. I hope she was prepared for the Bruce Campbell treatment, because Sam Raimi put this unfortunate soul through hell. Most of the time, she's either taking a beating or having some of the grossest fluids I've ever seen in any film dumped on her (usually in her mouth!).

A lot of people won't get it. This is definitely a treat for Evil Dead fans. There are scares scattered throughout, but the comedy really shines here. When "William Castle" isn't trying to scare you, it seems like Tex Avery or Chuck Jones takes over. There is a scene with an anvil that is so unrealistic in its setup, yet pays off big (and disgusting, which is a trend throughout).

If you didn't know this was a Raimi film going in, without looking at the credits, you would still know it was him. His camera style pours off the screen much like the ooze, blood, and mucus on-screen. The shots are well thought out and no scene feels awkward. You are in the hands of a very competent director.

Do not let the PG-13 fool you. This film never feels compromised in any way. Raimi works well within the range of the rating and does it better than I've seen in a long time.

I will definitely buy this when it hits DVD.

9/10

[shardian]

I was gunna see it Saturday but saw UP instead.  The PG-13 rating scared me away.  It's been my experience that PG13 movies suck ass for the most part.  They tend to be R rated movies cut down just enough to squeeze a PG-13 rating by and the story usually suffers from it. I tend to wait for the "DIRECTORS CUT" versions of PG-13  movies as they tend to be the version that was rated R to begin with then cut to hell to get more commercial success at PG13.

There ARE exceptions,  but they are few and far between. 

Perhaps I should make an exception for this flick... though I wasn't all too impressed with "The Ring" (it was OK...a about 7/10 for me).

It is funny that way huh? Many R movies get hacked up for PG13. Many PG-13 movies add worthless crap and F-bombs to get an R, and it hurts the overall movie.

[Ginsu Victim]

He did apologize, by making this.

[shardian]

One has to wonder if Raimi intentionally tanked Spiderman 3 just so he could get out of the oppressive studio contract.

[FrizzleFried]

One has to wonder if Raimi intentionally tanked Spiderman 3 just so he could get out of the oppressive studio contract.

He's already on deck for Spider-Man 4... and he's touting Spider-Man 3 in the trailer for this flick...

[shardian]

Dang, I need to keep up with movie news. I thought he was out for part 4, along with the stars. So they are all signed on again?

[FrizzleFried]

Dang, I need to keep up with movie news. I thought he was out for part 4, along with the stars. So they are all signed on again?

There is already a mur-mur about Spidey 5 for crying out loud.

[shardian]

This is the down-side of The Lord of the Rings sucess - every ---smurfy--- movie in Hollywood gets granted at least a trilogy if it is even moderately sucessful.

[ChadTower]

Yeah, I'm sure Star Wars or even the Godfather had nothing to do with that.

Just found this poking around:

Did you know that director/writer Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Spider-Man) wrote a script for a Shadow movie? He even wanted Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness, Spider-Man) to play the title role. Unfortunately, Raimi could not get the rights to the character, and had to rewrite the script and create a new hero.

Now that would have been pretty cool.

[RTSDaddy2]

I've heard about Sam's interest in the Shadow, and I'd love to see that get done.

My family has had a long week - I know it's an odd film to go see to let off tensions, but I'm trying to drag as many of them as I can to "Drag Me to Hell" for my second viewing.  I want to see it again, but I want to see it with friends who HAVEN'T seen it this time....just to see their reactions!

[Ginsu Victim]

I've heard about Sam's interest in the Shadow, and I'd love to see that get done.

That's old news. When he couldn't make it, he made Darkman instead.

[AtomSmasher]

I just got back from seeing this and was extremely disappointed.
2/5

It's basically Evil Dead without Ash, and having a "straight man" (or woman in this case) in the leading role just doesn't work for this type of movie.  The comedic parts were just lame and the ending was so incredibly predictable.  I'm amazed this is getting as good of reviews as it is.

I don't know, maybe I'll give it a second try when it comes on HBO in a year or two and see if theres something I missed that made it so great.

[Ginsu Victim]

You missed the point of the "straight man"

Remember, Ash was the straight man before the events of The Evil Dead changed him.

[AtomSmasher]

You missed the point of the "straight man"

Remember, Ash was the straight man before the events of The Evil Dead changed him.

True, but she was still essentially the "straight man" by the end of the movie.  It just didn't work IMO, not that I expect anyone here to agree with me since most people seem to love this movie (although at the showing I went to I heard a number of people saying "I can't believe I paid to see this" and "wow this movie sucked" when I was walking out, so I guess I'm not alone).

[ChadTower]

You missed the point of the "straight man"

Every time someone says they didn't like a movie you tell them they missed the point... 

[Ginsu Victim]

You missed the point of the "straight man"

Every time someone says they didn't like a movie you tell them they missed the point... 

Because not liking this movie is NOT AN OPTION.

[shardian]

Date night saturday, and I saw this was playing at the 'cheap theater'. Much better to shell out $6 for 2 tickets then $20.

First off, I am a huge fan of Evil Dead movies. As a control subject, my wife is not. She has only seen bits and pieces of Evil Dead. The movie was 100% excellent. My control subject, though grossed out and now terrified of gypsies, thought it was excellent too.

Most people probably thought the dancing demon dude was stupid - if they hadn't seen Evil Dead. It brought a hell of a smile to my face though.

Raimi proved to me that he is a master storyteller.

SPOILERS!!!!!!!! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
















SERIOUSLY, DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!




I felt the ending was like a clever magic trick. He set it up the whole movie and dared you to notice. I just knew there was a catch about the button, but he convinced me it was legit. I should have known better, but I was too busy being engaged and entertained. If it were a bad movie, I would have resorted to picking out plot and continuity inconsistencies. Raimi did his job superbly as a filmmaker, and I give him props for it.

[Ginsu Victim]

I had no doubts you would enjoy it. 

[lordtodd75]

Good movie. Loved the ending!

[ChadTower]

Still need to see this.  Need to check to see if it's still in the theaters or out on DVD yet.

[Ginsu Victim]

DVD and Blu-ray on Oct 13th

[danny_galaga]

Yeah, I'm sure Star Wars or even the Godfather had nothing to do with that.

I blame Sylvester Stallone

[danny_galaga]

You missed the point of the "straight man"

Remember, Ash was the straight man before the events of The Evil Dead changed him.

True, but she was still essentially the "straight man" by the end of the movie.  It just didn't work IMO, not that I expect anyone here to agree with me since most people seem to love this movie (although at the showing I went to I heard a number of people saying "I can't believe I paid to see this" and "wow this movie sucked" when I was walking out, so I guess I'm not alone).

You are not alone. Saw this a couple of weeks ago and thought it was 'so-so'. I wasn't inspired to post about it here like i often do. It wasn't bad, just the ending felt a bit predictable to me. 3/5 from me.

my score for recent movies you may have seen:

  5/5 - Michael Clayton, In Bruges, Gran Torino, Mary and Max

4.5/5 - Taken, Iron Man, Reign Over Me

  4/5 - Traitor, Bedtime Stories, Sunshine, pineapple express

3.5/5 - 300, Max Payne, You dont mess with the Zohan, Yes Man

  3/5 - That new Indiana Jones flick, Disturbia, That new TMNT flick,

2.5/5 - Angels and Demons

  2/5 - The Love Guru. Note: My 2 is probably someone elses 1. Just leaving room for worse!

[Ginsu Victim]

It wasn't bad, just the ending felt a bit predictable to me. 3/5 from me.

The title spoiled it. Of course it was predictable.