BLOGS
I feel I should start out this review with a little PSA: If you scare easily, do not allow your vindictive gorehound friends to sweet-talk you into going to this movie. It ain't frickin' Gothika. It's a horror film made for horror fans by somebody who knows what he's doing. It will scare the living shit out of you if you're not properly desensitized to this type of thing. And for the rest of us? It's still effectively scary! I jumped in my seat, I laughed a lot, I thought I might vomit a few times -- to sum it up, I had a fantastic time. This is the measure of a successful horror film, friends.
Of course, you'll have some hang-ups (why doesn't the gypsy curse the entire bank, all the way up to corporate as well? And there's a scene where the evil could easily be eliminated but someone like, slips, basically, and the entire opportunity is over, which was enraging. And why do gypsies get to be in charge of Hell anyway? These were just a couple I had), but the movie wastes no time getting started, and it sprints at such a break-neck pace until the end that you don't have the time or inclination to dwell on them. Another nice thing? Alison Lohman has an unrealistically perfect love interest (Justin Long), because it's a Hollywood movie so of course she does, but he actually serves a purpose and is a key part of the plot. I know, crazy, right? There isn't an inconsequential character or moment wasted in the entire thing (even Lohman's kitten serves a damn purpose), and the plot is unabashedly simple for all the right reasons and refreshingly non-convoluted.
The movie relies on the classic crap-jumping-out-at-you horror formula for the most part (with a few crap-jumping-out-at-you-to-then-gross-you-the-hell-out moments sprinkled throughout), and while that may not be the most high-brow or haunting road to take, it's done here with such passion and expertise that it was like the equivalent of going to the Louvre's haunted Halloween house or something. (Doesn't exist, don't bother Googling.) Drag Me to Hell isn't blazing any new cinematic or horror trails, but it does what it does better than anything else that's tried in recent memory. If you like horror and have been dying for an American film that doesn't wimp out on you or have some stupid-ass rip-off bastardization of a Korean or Japanese film's twist ending or any of the other disappointments we've come to expect from every week's horror releases, this is a spectacularly refreshing change of pace.
So yes, the fun horror king Sam Raimi is officially back, and after a seemingly endless stream of Spider-Man and For the Love of the Game-type diversions (with the exception of A Simple Plan, which is an excellent thriller), it just feels so good to have him. It's just too bad he's got to go make Spider-Man 4 now after such a triumphant return to form.
The movie relies on the classic crap-jumping-out-at-you horror formula for the most part (with a few crap-jumping-out-at-you-to-then-gross-you-the-hell-out moments sprinkled throughout), and while that may not be the most high-brow or haunting road to take, it's done here with such passion and expertise that it was like the equivalent of going to the Louvre's haunted Halloween house or something. (Doesn't exist, don't bother Googling.) Drag Me to Hell isn't blazing any new cinematic or horror trails, but it does what it does better than anything else that's tried in recent memory. If you like horror and have been dying for an American film that doesn't wimp out on you or have some stupid-ass rip-off bastardization of a Korean or Japanese film's twist ending or any of the other disappointments we've come to expect from every week's horror releases, this is a spectacularly refreshing change of pace.
So yes, the fun horror king Sam Raimi is officially back, and after a seemingly endless stream of Spider-Man and For the Love of the Game-type diversions (with the exception of A Simple Plan, which is an excellent thriller), it just feels so good to have him. It's just too bad he's got to go make Spider-Man 4 now after such a triumphant return to form.
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This sounded kind of interesting and I was going to go until I heard about the kitten thing. (I didn't hear any specifics, but still - kitten!)
OH COME ON AVIS, ITS JUST A MOVIE. NO KITTENS WERE HARMED, ALBEIT ALISON LOHMAN GOT PRETTY BEAT UP FOR REAL. DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?! BESIDES, I HEAR HERTZ IS GOING . . .
my personal opinion: not a horror movie at all..just some disgusting scenes, which were all the same during the movie..very predictable..people were laughing more that being frightened in cinema...Haunting in Cneccticut was a LOT better..I do not recommend it if you like scary movies...I was so looking forward to it, watched it last night..total dissapointment.
Haunting in conneticut was not better it was the same they both were great but h2 is probley going to be better
A Haunting in Connecticut was a HORRIBLE movie that deserves to go in the "crap" list. It didn't follow the exciting and good parts of the real story, and the stuff they replaced it with was run-of-the-mill movie horror garbage. DO NOT see a Haunting in Connecticut, it is waste of your money.
Just came back from watching this "scary" movie. It was ridiculous. Everyone in the theater was laughing. They showed all the best parts in the movie trailer.
Don't waste your money on this film...was really looking forward to it after viewing the trailer-what a let down! Horrors should not be funny...people walked our laughing not shit scared?!!!
This movie was very scary, I actually looked in my back seat when I got to the parking lot.
Go see it. It is well worth it.
Evil Dead was full of laughs so what else do you expect from Raimi? This movie was effing AMAZING! It's one of the best horror movies I've had the pleasure of watching at the theater. I've grown so tired of these new-age horror movies full of CGI... Raimi did a GREAT job remastering the horror genre of today. This movie had my heart racing through out the whole thing & I'm so glad that there were scenes which allowed me to take a from being scared & have a laugh. I'm so freaking satisfied with Drag Me to Hell & I recommend all you knowledgeable Raimi fans, fans of gore and everything gross to go watch these movies. People into lame movies like Haunting in Connecticut, Shutter, The Grudge, or any shitty remake of a classic shouldn't go see this movie because surely, you'd be disappointed by greatness.
your fucking retarded
Oh god.... this was a total let down for me.... The trailers made the movie worth while. Not the movie itself. Basicly... It was a waste of 9 dollers.
You can't waste nine "dollers" since the "doller" is not legal tender.
Just finished watching the movie. It was great!!!!!!
ya right....its pretty good...
shit it was a waste of 12 bucks for me.
AMEN. This movie was freaking amazing!
Swa the 7:05 showing in our theater. It's 11:21 and I'm still sick at my stomach. I'm an official hell-ophobe. Yes, I know that's not a word, but my stomach is still doing backflips. I loved it. No really cheap scares, like in A Haunting in Connecticut. I'll prabably wake up tonaight screaming, "I'LL SHOVE IT DOWN HER GD THROAT!" XD
Personally I didn't like this movie one bit. As the author of the article mentioned there were many annoyances throughout the movie, like gypsies being in charge of hell. Also the acting was terrible. It seemed like the main character had no emotion whatsoever - especially with the very likely possibility that she was about to burn in hellfire for eternity. Furthermore there is no discussion of the other side to the afterlife, heaven. In my mind, if hell exists so must heaven. Damming people to hell for trivial issues seems a bit much to me, as the punishment should fit the crime. Don't waste your money.
I sure do hope this movie is worth it, I'm seeing it tonight! :)
I think its nothing short of DEMONIC...I like horror...yet didnt like this one! It had to do with spiritual matters and a damn demon (curse) that if they emplyed GOD in it there would have not been a movie. Not mention of God anywhere (except when justin says thank God) Why do people have to turn to the mrs Cleos and wicca for answers, why not GOD. U get a true Christ believing person in there...that demon will run for the hills....not impressed not humored....that why I like SCI-FI movies...cause they aint real! Reality based horror ticks me off.....Alittle God goes along way!
yea, no kittens were killed making the movie, but some people (like me) would find that kind of scene with her kitten very disturbing. I can handle people getting chopped up much better than I can little animals. I'll pass.
I like the 'Mike' guy who said "you're fucking retarded", but spelled 'you're' as 'your'. It's base irony--but I like it!
Oh yeah...bless you Sam Raimi, for a damn near perfect grade-B horror throwback. Since when did crap like Haunting in Connecticut and all of the 'torture porn' become the new standard for scary movies? Lighten up people, and you will have one of the best times at the flicks. Shut up about 'god' and 'the poor little fuckin' kitten'---it's a purposefully cheap homage to low-budget Sam Raimi and 70's drive-in flicks! Stop making a big fuss over nothing and go get some cheap, hilarious and creepy thrills-- or stick to 'happy-ending-chick-flick-hell' like Ghosts of Girlfriends Past if you can't handle some scary fun. (Come to think of it, Matthew McConaughey is pretty damn scary, but well, you get the point...)
Loved the movie (lots of scares, lots of laughs), but as soon as she killed the kitten, we stopped rooting for her character. Didn't detract from the film, though.
this is fuck shit its not even scary