Okay, first off let me say that I was not looking forward to this movie. The trailer didn't do much at all to appeal to me and I felt it reminded me so much of the Unborn, a movie I wouldn't recommend unless you were bored with nothing to watch, but only if it was showing on cable. Anyway, as weeks went by I've started seeing a bit of good reviews here and there and I thought, "Eh, it's Sam Raimi. Why not?" Well I just came back from seeing it today with one of my best friends and I must say it was awesome! Don't worry, as sucky as the trailer looks, the movie isn't. It's nowhere near sucky. It's a really good horror movie and a complete great time. Great scary jump scenes and lots of great laugh out loud moments. Sam Raimi has returned to horror and I must say he is in top-form.
 The story revolves around a young woman named Christine Brown played by Alison Lohman. She's a bank loaner on the verge to being promoted to Assistant Manager. Her one problem is that her boss doesn't believe she can make the "tough decisions" as well as her seedy rival, Stu. In an act to prove herself worthy, she denies a strange old woman, Mrs. Ganush played by Lorna Raver, a third extension on her mortgage. Ganush, desperate to keep her home gets down on her knees and begs Christine. Christine calls security which then leads Ganush to attack Christine. The guards lead Ganush out of the bank. Thinking everything is over, Mrs. Ganush attacks Christine on her way to her car which leads to a new definition of cat fight. The two women really go at it and it's beyond intense. Without the charm of Raimi's film-making, I can't imagine this fight any other way. It was beyond brutal and at the same time filled with good humor. After the fight, Mrs. Ganush curses Christine and vanishes. As the day goes by, Christine starts getting attacked by invisible forces and is getting terrible nightmares. She finds out a demon by the name of the Lamia is after her to take her soul to hell. Now Christine stops at nothing to stop the Lamia from taking her away.
Filled with non-stop scares, this movie does not let go. Scares pop out nearly everywhere as  Christine starts to go crazy from all the haunting around her and they are pretty much all effective. There does come to a point where some of the scares start to seem pretty cheesy but if you know Sam Raimi from his other films, you can catch the satire in them. Heck, tons of stuff in this movie were damn hilarious. The thing that made this movie so much fun was how much fun it made of itself. Heck, even the demon Lamia had a ball in this film and led to some chuckles. There were also things that seemed rather convenient to move along the plot, but they were used so obviously that if you were a Raimi fan, you'd get the joke of it all, thus not taking everything too seriously once again. This movie is simply a film to have a ridiculous great time watching and it surely doesn't disappoint. The story was solid, humor was on-point, effects were great, and the music and sound effects were beautifully utilized. A huge element of making horror films and scares effective are the use of sound effects and tension rising music, and Christopher Young provides it well. I actually can't wait to pick up the soundtrack some time soon.
Also, I do know there are tons of people online complaining how terrible it will be due to being a PG-13 movie. This movie here shows how effective a PG-13 horror movie could be. They do exist and could be done really well. And no worries, either. Although no specific gory moments, there is a scene with a ton of blood that will catch you so off guard, so you PG-13 haters can rest easy.
But yes, as I conclude this, I know many folks reading or hoping to see this movie do have one more thing on their mind and that's if our man of steel, Bruce Campbell, makes an appearance. I must say with a frown on my face, "No." But I'm sure he'd like for you all to see this movie and enjoy it. Don't let the weird trailer fool you. Go and enjoy paying the 11 bucks it costs to watch a film now. It's well deserved. Horror is indeed alive and fun and it's name is Drag Me To Hell.
Posted originally: 2009-05-22 00:26:00
 | View All Comments |  | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:36 am (GMT -5) |
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The idea of the movie was mildly appealing.
The trailers were bad, but I still kind of wanted to watch it.
The idea of a gypsy curse being placed on someone because they refuse to give an extension on a mortgage is so fucking dumb I can't give the movie a chance. Maybe when it's on HBO in a year, I'll check it out, but I just can't go out of my way to watch something with that dumb of a central premise.
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|  | Author: jsalwen
User Title:
Location: Jersey
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:38 am (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | The idea of the movie was mildly appealing.
The trailers were bad, but I still kind of wanted to watch it.
The idea of a gypsy curse being placed on someone because they refuse to give an extension on a mortgage is so fucking dumb I can't give the movie a chance. Maybe when it's on HBO in a year, I'll check it out, but I just can't go out of my way to watch something with that dumb of a central premise. |
That's like half of the Stephen King plots.
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| | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:40 am (GMT -5) |
| | jsalwen wrote: | | That's like half of the Stephen King plots. |
Stop it. I like King's stuff. His plots generally have something better. Like a gypsy curse because a guy ran over a relative while getting a blow job and then had his friends cover it up. 
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|  | Author: Strict31
User Title: Let the sex harvest begin!
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:41 am (GMT -5) |
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Lamia, huh? I think all Lohman needs is like...what, a +3 sword for that sucker?
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|  | Author: Zechs
User Title: Deposed Despot
Location: From Parts Unknown
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:43 am (GMT -5) |
| | jsalwen wrote: | | That's like half of the Stephen King plots. |
I AM GONNA CURSE YOU! THINNER!! See crappy Stephen King plot. 
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|  | Author: Greg
User Title: Token Black Guy in Sundown Town
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:44 am (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | The idea of the movie was mildly appealing.
The trailers were bad, but I still kind of wanted to watch it.
The idea of a gypsy curse being placed on someone because they refuse to give an extension on a mortgage is so fucking dumb I can't give the movie a chance. Maybe when it's on HBO in a year, I'll check it out, but I just can't go out of my way to watch something with that dumb of a central premise. |
Trust me, dude, I wasn't looking forward to seeing this at all. I thought the trailer was pretty meh and the plot seemed very typical and reminded me of the Unborn. Ended up being an absolute blast. I add this film next to Dark Knight, Coraline, and Grindhouse in the most fun I've had in a theater.
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| | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:47 am (GMT -5) |
| | Greg wrote: | | Trust me, dude, I wasn't looking forward to seeing this at all. I thought the trailer was pretty meh and the plot seemed very typical and reminded me of the Unborn. Ended up being an absolute blast. I add this film next to Dark Knight, Coraline, and Grindhouse in the most fun I've had in a theater. |
Let's not go crazy here.
I know you love horror movies, but this one really doesn't do much for me. Next week we are watching Up and if we go to see anything else, it's going to be if The Brothers Bloom shows up in town. Drag Me To Hell is way way down on the list of movies to watch.
Maybe a DVD rental on Netflix, but that's it.
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| | Author: Strict31
User Title: Let the sex harvest begin!
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:47 am (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | The idea of the movie was mildly appealing.
The trailers were bad, but I still kind of wanted to watch it.
The idea of a gypsy curse being placed on someone because they refuse to give an extension on a mortgage is so fucking dumb I can't give the movie a chance. Maybe when it's on HBO in a year, I'll check it out, but I just can't go out of my way to watch something with that dumb of a central premise. |
This reasoning sounds familiar....
Hey, way I figure it, if the bitch can put the lamia on muthafuckas, she's probably got something up her sleeve for getting loans approved. I mean, sure the economy is bad, and the lending market is for shit.
But, that's why Ronald Reagan invented Voodoo Economics.
All ya gotta do is burn your credit score and collect the ashes into your gris-gris bag, and you're good to go.
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| | Author: Greg
User Title: Token Black Guy in Sundown Town
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:50 am (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | Let's not go crazy here.
I know you love horror movies, but this one really doesn't do much for me. Next week we are watching Up and if we go to see anything else, it's going to be if The Brothers Bloom shows up in town. Drag Me To Hell is way way down on the list of movies to watch.
Maybe a DVD rental on Netflix, but that's it. |
LOL. Fine, man. Doing yourself a disservice here. Yes I'm a horror fan, but if you've noticed, the only recent horror films I've generally enjoyed were Coraline and Grindhouse. Others are all older films I'm watching for the first time. I had hoped The Unborn would be able to tap into the type of old school horror I generally love but feel damn short. Drag Me To Hell was literally a thrill ride.
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| | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:50 am (GMT -5) |
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Oh, and I'd also go watch Rudo y Cursi if it came out here.
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| | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:52 am (GMT -5) |
| | Greg wrote: | | LOL. Fine, man. Doing yourself a disservice here. Yes I'm a horror fan, but if you've noticed, the only recent horror films I've generally enjoyed were Coraline and Grindhouse. Others are all older films I'm watching for the first time. I had hoped The Unborn would be able to tap into the type of old school horror I generally love but feel damn short. Drag Me To Hell was literally a thrill ride. |
Well, I have a friend that brought up watching it today. Maybe if he's going to a matinee on Saturday I'll go with him.
But I swear if it sucks, I'm sending you a bill for $6.75. 
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| | Author: Greg
User Title: Token Black Guy in Sundown Town
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:53 am (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | Well, I have a friend that brought up watching it today. Maybe if he's going to a matinee on Saturday I'll go with him.
But I swear if it sucks, I'm sending you a bill for $6.75. |
If you like good fun, you'll be satisfied. If not, something's wrong with you.
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| | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 12:59 am (GMT -5) |
| | Greg wrote: |
If you like good fun, you'll be satisfied. If not, something's wrong with you. |
Well, I do like fun. And we do have similar taste some of the time.
However, I'm still holding you accountable.
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|  | Author: Fenway
User Title: Girl Next Door
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 8:55 am (GMT -5) |
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Hmmm...interesting review. My friends in Stat Class and I just mock it mercilessly.
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| | Author: Greg
User Title: Token Black Guy in Sundown Town
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 9:09 am (GMT -5) |
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Heh. After writing mine, I checked out some other reviews and they're all praising it too. Thus far I've only encountered one bad review, and I stumbled upon more than 10 good ones praising it as much as I am.
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|  | Author: misac
User Title:
Location: {nomultithumb}
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 2:05 pm (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | | Oh, and I'd also go watch Rudo y Cursi if it came out here. |
What's this?
Damn you Greg! You make it sound really good.
Why doesn't the old lady use magic to fix her mortgage?
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| | Author: Greg
User Title: Token Black Guy in Sundown Town
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 2:07 pm (GMT -5) |
| | misac wrote: | What's this?
Damn you Greg! You make it sound really good.
Why doesn't the old lady use magic to fix her mortgage? |
Then the movie wouldn't exist.
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| | Author: rdrsfn82
User Title: Lead Farmer
Location: Reno, NV
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 2:26 pm (GMT -5) |
| | misac wrote: | What's this?
Damn you Greg! You make it sound really good.
Why doesn't the old lady use magic to fix her mortgage? |
Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal in a movie by Alfonso Cuaron's brother, Carlos, about two brothers that get a chance to play professional soccer. It sounds really good and Y Tu Mama Tambien was excellent, and Carlos co-wrote that.
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|  | Author: Baskerville Holmes
User Title: One-Man Wolf Pack
Location:
Posted Fri May 22, 2009 2:28 pm (GMT -5) |
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It's only got 13 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes so far but they're all positive.
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|  | Author: avengingtitan
User Title: Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch
Location: Hershey, PA
Posted Sun May 24, 2009 5:45 am (GMT -5) |
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I hope you die edit bot.
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| | Author: misac
User Title:
Location: {nomultithumb}
Posted Mon May 25, 2009 12:07 pm (GMT -5) |
| | rdrsfn82 wrote: | | Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal in a movie by Alfonso Cuaron's brother, Carlos, about two brothers that get a chance to play professional soccer. It sounds really good and Y Tu Mama Tambien was excellent, and Carlos co-wrote that. |
Oh, I remember my sister mentioning they saw a trailer for it a while back, didn't know the name of it.
Funny thing, Y Tu Mama Tambien was on tv on Friday.
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| | Author: Greg
User Title: Token Black Guy in Sundown Town
Location:
Posted Fri May 29, 2009 10:48 am (GMT -5) |
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Bump! This comes out today, doesn't it? Go see it!
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|  | Author: Royal Nonesuch
User Title:
Location:
Posted Fri May 29, 2009 11:36 am (GMT -5) |
| | Fenway wrote: | | Hmmm...interesting review. My friends in Stat Class and I just mock it mercilessly. |
Junior statisticians are hardcore.
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