Drag Me To Hell (2009)

“Drag Me to Hell” was Sam Raimi’s first movie that he directed after working on the “Spider-Man” trilogy. The script was written by Sam and his brother Ivan before Sam began working on “Spider-Man”, so they had time to tweak the storyline before filming began. Sam also made sure that the film was given a PG-13 rating because he didn’t want to keep make the same kind of horror movie that was solely driven by gore and intense moments. My only complaint about this film is the fact that Raimi chose to use horrible CGI effects in place of his traditional style of special effects, especially during the moments when he was using the same visuals that he had made famous in the “Evil Dead” movies. Although these moments were few and far in between, it left a bad taste in my mouth and a poor impression of the film.

Christine is trying to forward in her banking career but isn’t as cut throat as her manager wants her to be. When she finally decides to prove that she has what it takes, she angers an old gypsy woman who places a curse on her. Christine now has three days to undo the curse before she is literally dragged to Hell!

Wishmaster (1997)

"Wishmaster" is a perfect example of a movie about a dangerous and deadly demon, specifically a demon known as a Djinn. It's a great update to the classic story premise of a "genie" that grants three wishes and once those wishes are fullfilled, he is released and unbound in our realm. 

One of the fun aspects about this film are the various horror movie veterans that appear here and there throughout. From Robert Englund (who plays a main character) to James Hodder and Tony Todd. It even has Ted Raimi! Angus Scrimm even has a small part as the narrator. It's a fun treat for horror fans of the 80's and 90's.

An ancient Djinn is trapped within a gem and which was then encased in a statue. When the statue is broken, the gem is discovered and given to a jeweler to appraise it. She accidentally released the Djinn and begins a deadly game to banish him before he's set free and opens the portal between our world and his.

Favorite moment - when the Djinn collects the souls from the unknowing victims who made a wish that he granted throughout the movie. 

The Attic Expeditions (2001)

“The Attic Expeditions” was one of the films that graced the screens of the H.P. Lovecraft Festival during one of the years that I decided to skip. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had gone and was a part of the collective audience and that fantastic energy that flows throughout that theater. It’s a perfect movie for that festival besides the fact that Jeffery Combs is one of the stars. It deals with magic tomes, false identities (like “The Thing in the Doorstep” style), and magic rituals gone astray.

I don’t want to spoil the movie so I’ll keep the outline simple.

Trevor and his girlfriend are really into magic and spells and during a ritual he kills her as a sacrifice. He doesn’t remember this or much of anything after he wakes up and finds himself in a hospital of some kind. He is then placed in a home for troubled young adults where he is quickly befriended by Douglas (played by Seth Green). The house is under surveillance by Dr. Ek (played by Jeffrey Combs), and Dr. Ek is delighted to share his technique and philosophies to Dr. Coffee (played by Ted Raimi). Ultimately, Dr. Ek wants the book that Trevor used and will resort to some very unethical means to get want he wants

Favorite moment – As always, Seth Green is a hoot to watch and you can tell that he is having a lot of fun with his role in this film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSkNYyd_WyI

Evil Dead (1981)

It’s the one and only….errr, I mean the original “Evil Dead”! Before there was “Evil Dead 2” there was a creepy, low budget movie filmed by a group of friends from the Detroit area including that included Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, and Sam Raimi, who had just turned 20 when filming began. This was a group of young kids who had no real idea what they were doing out in the wood of Morristown, Tennessee. When it was released in theaters, it quickly became a favorite in the UK but was branded as too violent and banned in some countries. Although it’s a cult and mainstream favorite now, it might have disappeared and gathered dust on the rental shelf if Stephen King hadn’t gave it his approval by calling it one of his favorite movies at the time of its release.

“Evil Dead” is about five college aged friends driving out to a cabin in the woods for a nice spring break getaway. Along for the trip are Scotty and Shelly, Ash and Linda, and Ash’s sister Cheryl. At the cabin they find a tape recorder and an ancient book that was left behind by the last people there. They listen to the recording and by doing so, they release and summon a host of demons. One of the girls, Cheryl, goes out into the woods and it attacked by a tree and that happens to be possessed by the demons. She manages to escape and tries to tell the others what happened. No one believes her but her brother Ash decided to drive her back into town; on the way to town they find that they are trapped in the woods because the a bridge that they crossed earlier is now destroyed. Back at the cabin, the demons begin to possess the group of friends one by one. First Cheryl becomes possessed and is locked in the cellar. Next Shelly becomes possessed and is killed by Scotty after she tries to attack him. Linda is next to fall victim to the demon’s power. Soon Scotty is possessed as well, leaving Ash in a room full of demons. He is forced to defend himself when he is attacked, killing his friends in order to stay alive.

Favorite moment – So many to choose from! Some of the most memorable moments include Linda sitting on the floor while she is possessed, just giggling even when Ash begins to punch her repeatedly in the face. Another is the way that Shelly’s body is quivering after Scotty chops her up with an axe. Another is when Ash beheads Linda with a shovel. 

The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

Shortly before I began this horror review project, I learned that a few of Clive Barker’s short stories had been turned into movies in recent years. I was only aware of the final installments of the “Hellraiser” series so I was of course quite excited. “The Midnight Meat Train” is such an example, a film from 2008 that was adapted from the story of the same title. I had not read that story so I had no idea what to expect while watching this tonight. I can now say that this is a wonderful discovery and a great horror movie all around; plenty of gore and cheesy special effects that don’t distract too much, awesome casting (Bradley Cooper and Vinnie Jones), Clive Barker as a producer, and a Japanese director who has a Godzilla credit on his resume!

Leon is a photographer trying to make his way into the art scene. His girlfriend Maya pulls some strings and sets him up for an interview with a prestigious gallery owner. At the interview, he’s asked what it is that he that he’s trying to show in his photos; he explains that his art is to capture the essence of the city. Leon is told to come back once he has something that “really” shows the nature of the city. That night, Leon goes out and takes pictures of a gang harassing a model as she’s waiting for a subway. They leave once Leon points out the security camera that he’s standing next to and stays until the model gets on her train… to only never be seen again. It turns out that there is a killer who rides the subway late at night, and once the train is nearly empty, he goes about killing the riders with a large metal mallet hammer.

Leon makes the connection that the model’s disappearance and the killer (Leon saw a ring the killer’s hand) and follows him to a meat packing factory. Leon begins stalking the killer, known as Mahogany, and one day takes a few pictures of him at the plant. Mahogany notices and the two play a game of cat and mouse among a store room full of hanging sides of beef, as Mahogany gives chase with a meat hook in his hand. Leon gets away and is later able to get on the subway without having Mahogany notice. As the train is going along its course, which at this time of night it leaves its actual standard route, Leon watches as Mahogany ruthlessly kills two passengers and begins to remove their teeth and eyes, shave their hair, and neatly pack up their clothing in plastic bags. The meaning behind it all is unique and an excellent example of early Clive Barker.

Favorite moment – The fight scene between Leon and Mahogany on the subway.

Second favorite moment – The guest appearance of Ted Raimi. It’s short and to the point. 

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

“Evil Dead 2” is a unique movie to say the least. It’s more of a reboot than a sequel; the first portion of the film goes over some of the same story points that the first film was about before going on to new material. “Evil Dead 2” is also unique because it includes some very dark comic moments throughout the film but still remains a horror movie. Most of the horror movies I have seen fail whenever they try to change the mood more than once.

The movie is about a couple who go to a cabin in the woods for a romantic weekend. In the cabin they find a tape recorder and when it’s played a professor of sorts is heard explaining his research about the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, also known as the Book of the Dead. After the tape is played Ash’s girlfriend becomes possessed. He is forced to kill her and shortly after becomes possessed as well. He recovers when the sun comes out and he returns to the cabin after seeing that he is trapped in the forest. The movie continues with new the material which includes laughing inanimate objects, more possessions, more people coming to the cabin, and a creepy demonic hand.

Note - The Book of the Dead has a different name in the original Evil Dead and it's recent remake. In those films it's known as Naturon Demonto. I wonder why there was a change between the films...

Favorite moment – I have to be predictable and say that my favorite moment of “Evil Dead 2” is when Ash’s hand becomes possessed and smashes plate after plate against his head before noticing a knife and dragging his body towards it.