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“I don't know how much movies should entertain. To me I'm always interested in movies that scar. The thing I love about Jaws is the fact that I've never gone swimming in the ocean again.” --- David Fincher ::::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Drag Me to Hell

July 9th 2009 00:34
Drag Me to Hell movie poster
I don’t like a lot of what Sam Raimi has made. I’ll certainly acknowledge his contribution to the modern horror movie, and I’ll even champion The Evil Dead (1981) as one of the best of its kind (a low-budget visceral shocker par excellence), but I have to keep in mind that Raimi also fell prey to the Hollywood machine Big Time with all the excessive trappings.

I’m not a fan of the Spider-Man movies; they’re overblown and too glossy for my tastes. But this was evident with Dark Man (1990), a vivid mess of a movie. I’m not a fan of the Evil Dead sequels, and it disheartens me greatly that Raimi is writing, producing and directing a remake of The Evil Dead to be released next year. Why?! Are his kids that demanding??

Raimi, however, is one of Hollywood’s most in-demand filmmakers with over twenty movies currently in development (!), including The Evil Dead IV (2011) and a remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (2012). But enough of Raimi’s fingers in pies, let’s talk about his current production: Drag Me to Hell (2009), made for his Ghost House Pictures company that he set up to produce modestly-budgeted horror flicks aimed for the mainstream, but returning in style and fervour to his low-budget roots.
Drag Me to Hell Alison Lohman
Alison Lohman as Christine
Christine (Alison Lohman) is a loan officer with almost everything going for her; she’s pretty, has a lovely boyfriend Clay (Justin Long), her own pad, and a solid job. However she desperately wants a promotion and smarmy, butt-kissing colleague Stu (Reggie Lee) seems to have the edge over her. When a crusty old woman seeks her assistance in extending a loan to save her being kicked out of her home Christine realizes that to prove to her boss she’s tough enough she’ll have to show this rather repulsive codger the hard line: no more loan extensions for Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver). Mrs. Ganush takes it hard alright; she loses her gypsy composure and throws a curse upon Christine.
Drag Me to Hell Lorna Raver
Lorna Raver as Mrs. Ganush
Christine visits a fortune teller Rham Jas (Dileep Rao) with skeptical Clay and is told a dark spirit has visited her. Another visit to Rham (after some nasty stuff goes down) reveals to Christine that a powerful demon called a Lamia will torment her for three days and then claim her body to Hell to burn for all eternity. An animal sacrifice might appease the Lamia though.
Drag Me to Hell Justin Long
Justin Long as Clay
Raimi’s love of traditional horror tricks is on impressive display here, he’s throwing all the knives at the audience, pulling all the black rabbits out of his hat. Drag Me to Hell is a rollercoaster ride, or to be more precise, it’s like the rackety old ghost train ride at the carnival; noisy and fun. It’s not an amazing movie, but it’s the best thing Raimi’s done in years. In fact I think it’s the best thing he’d done since The Evil Dead. Curiously he wrote the screenplay with his older brother Ivan soon after The Evil Dead, but it languished in a drawer for nearly twenty-five years.
Drag Me to Hell Alison Lohman and Lorna Raver
Hell hath no fury like a gypsy scorned
Swiftly-paced, bristling with nervous tension, full of special effects and references, yet never seeming too showy-offy, the mix of CGI work is expertly integrated, with some truly fantastic moments, for example the fly that crawls around on sleeping Christine’s face eventually burrowing its way between her lips. Yes, Raimi is enjoying pushing the yurgh! factor in this movie; there’s plenty of disgusting moments, but the tone of the movie prevents them from ever being truly repulsive.
Drag Me to Hell Adriana Barraza
Adriana Barazza as medium Shaun San Dena
Alison Lohman is perfect as Christine; slightly naïve, anxious, but driven. As the title says, the demon will have to drag her to hell, ‘cos she ain’t goin’ without a fight. Justin Long is also well-cast as her boyfriend. There’s an hilarious scene where Clay takes Christine to meet his rich, conservative parents who are none too pleased he’s dating a simple farm girl, and the Lamia plays havoc on poor Christine’s reality.
Drag Me to Hell Adriana Barraza, Alison Lohman, Dileep Rao
Christine has to undertake a dangerous seance with Shaun and the fortune-teller (Dileep Rao)
Also of note is unknown Lorna Raver, who threatens to steal the show as the ghastly gypsy woman, rapping her corpse-like fingernails, her dead eye gazing with deadly intent, her toad-like mouth slobbering, as she flails after Christine. She becomes her nemesis; the poor-good-elderly-woman-turne d-horrendously-evil-instigato r. The confrontation scene between them in the underground car park is one of the movie’s many highlights.
Drag Me to Hell Alison Lohman
Christine gets down and dirty to save her soul
It must be noted however that Drag Me to Hell is rated PG-13 in America. I normally take a grain of salt along to a horror movie with that rating. Raimi is obviously wanting his movie to rake in some serious money (as if he needs it), so there’s no real gore (one scene of bloodletting, but it’s more comic than anything), there’s no real swearing (“shit” is mentioned a few times), and no nudity whatsoever. Still, the movie packs punch and serves up some serious horror elements (the shadow of the demon’s hoofed legs under the crack of the door becoming arms and talons that creep across the floor toward Christine is inspired horror brilliance).
Drag Me to Hell grave situation
Christine has got herself into a grave situation
The story has a solid, but predictable arc, yet it’s unusually satisfying. I went into the screening as “cold” as I could, not sure what I’d make of it. As the lights went up I had a smile on my face, and I turned to my discerning cinephile mate saying “Well, that was a horror hoot’n’half!” He agreed. The touches Raimi bookends the movie are notable; the old Universal logo (from the early 80s when he was first starting out as a filmmaker) and the title credit in black and white slamming the audience in huge letters. Drag Me to Hell is pure carnival popcorn, salted liberally and dripping with butter. Stuff yer face!

Rather than the trailer here's the excellent fly scene:

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews
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20 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Natalina

July 9th 2009 01:54


My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I really wanted to see this one since I first saw the preview. I could just tell it would be fun. But, for some reason I haven't gone yet. I don't know why!

I think perhaps I'll go this weekend, before it leaves the theater. Or maybe tonight. Looks like a good time!

Comment by Bryn

July 9th 2009 03:17


Horrorphile
Definitely see it on the big screen fer sure!

Comment by Jason King

July 9th 2009 06:51


Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness

Cool - I am glad there is one to look forward to - have been keen to see this one for a while now!

Your text still cuts off on the right hand side for me - I had to guess a few words but get the point.

Comment by Bryn

July 9th 2009 07:24


Horrorphile
Jason, the reason it cuts off on some computers (like yours), is cos of the youtube clip I put up, which is widescreen. I try and find 320 or 425 size clips, which fit, but ones that are 480 or more bust out, like this one. I couldn't find any smaller ones. Sorry about that. It's fine on my PC.

Comment by Matt Shea

July 9th 2009 08:42


20/20 Filmsight
Hey Bryn - although I'm not as down on Raimi's work as you perhaps are, there's little doubt he's due for a cracker.

It's funny that you mention it's from an old script because as soon as I started reading your review I thought it sounded like something he would have written 20 years ago.

Comment by Casskins

July 9th 2009 12:41
Going to see this tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

Comment by Bryn

July 10th 2009 01:42


Horrorphile
Matt, I don't mind A Simple Plan and The Gift, what I remember of them.

Comment by Christopher Waldeck

July 10th 2009 14:51


Dunk Films
So I see you finally saw Drag Me to hell. How do you get clips onto your blogs. I try to copy and paste them onto mine, but it doesn't work.

Comment by charles

July 14th 2009 17:19


ZCars
Ponderous
Saw the trailer for this movie on TV the other day and rightly guessed that it would be expertly reviewed on Horrorphile - thanks for that.

The film does look a bit scary so I think I'll enjoy this movie when it's released


Comment by Bryn

July 14th 2009 23:00


Horrorphile
charles, long time no see, how's tricks? this is definitely a fun ride, less truly scary, but full of "Boo!" and "Gross!" moments ...

Comment by JESUS

July 16th 2009 07:12


What's Love?
should have seen this before my potter comment LOL

peace out

Comment by Bryn

July 16th 2009 12:22


Horrorphile
JESUS, yeah, you should've

Comment by JohnDoe

July 17th 2009 23:34


Film & TV on DVD
I meant to catch this on the big screen but its left my local cinema now....oh well a DVD screening shoudl be fun.

Comment by Bryn

July 18th 2009 01:06


Horrorphile
JD, curious to know what you think of this. I was pleasantly surprised (especially considering it got a PG-13 in the States).

Comment by Someone

July 23rd 2009 09:57


Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business

Watched this today... Truly excellent, and I now have a newfound sense of optimism about the Evil Dead remake

Comment by Bryn

July 23rd 2009 23:37


Horrorphile
Someone, yeah good fun, but I'm not sold on Raimi remaking his own movie. I bet it won't be as visceral or intense.

Comment by branko

August 9th 2009 04:37
Your text goes hereYour text goes hereim hanging to see drag me to hell sounds like a good night out

Comment by branko

August 9th 2009 05:36
Your text goes here cant wait to see it evil dead is a classic.drag me to hell sounds like will be spooky

Comment by JESUS

August 13th 2009 00:43


What's Love?
HORRORPHILE

finally saw this last night, IT WAS SO AWESOME, hilarious and may me jump so many times, wat a clever and odd film, loved it awesomely!

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