182: Drag Me to Hell

Drag Me to Hell (PG-13) - 2009 - Runtime: 99 minutes
Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long
Director: Sam Raimi

Holy hell this movie was awesome! I'm not one for horror movies (duh!), but this one was perfect. I'm sick of the current trend in horror movies - lots of sex and blood and guts and torture scenes. I just don't understand the excitement and enjoyment that people get out of seeing such sickening stuff. I like a good scare and Raimi, getting back to his Evil Dead (and Michigan!) roots, definitely delivers on a fun, genuinely scary and sometimes goofy horror movie.

This is what horror movies should be, in my humble, if somewhat inexperienced, opinion. Alison Lohman plays Christine Brown, a loan officer looking to move up the corporate ladder, denies an old gypsy (isn't it always a gypsy?) an extension and basically evicts her out of her home. In doing so, the gypsy woman curses her to be sent to hell, where before the joyful descent, she gets tormented for three very long days by some crazy demon.

And while there is some real good scares in this movie, Raimi's not afraid to have a little fun. And if you are a cat lover, you might be offended, but I was laughing with disbelief as to where this film went. It's a good movie in that you do have to pay attention to every scene - no second was wasted that isn't integral to the story. There's such a good payoff at the end of the movie that although I knew was coming, was totally thrilled and shocked by how crazy it all ended. Great stuff - I can't wait for Raimi to do more stuff like this, but I'm also thrilled that he has (according to him) found new energy to bring to the Spider-Man franchise.

If you're looking for a good scare and some fun, this movie is perfect for a late night thrill. Now if we can only get that Evil Dead sequel going, the world would be complete.


Rating: Buy It!