Drag Me To Hell - Movie Review

Drag Me To Hell
*****

There's something terrifying in realizing that you're in line to see The Hannah Montana Movie, when in fact you're just trying to get to Drag Me To Hell, a film that swings so far away on the pendulum that it hits the other side. Especially if you've arrived during the trailers, then you'll find yourself shoving kids with their Montana lunch-boxes "the hell out of the way" just so you can get your fill of hellish mayhem. Well, if that's what your looking for, I found that Drag Me To Hell lives up to it's name. What we have here is a genre movie that has itself firmly rooted in retro values. It exists to thrill, scare, and simply to play upon that which viewers are already afraid of by throwing it up on the screen suddenly and with accompanying sound effects. This film really manages to remove all boundaries, and it does so while keeping up that PG-13 rating, a feat that in and of itself deserves the highest of praise.

How amazing it is to realize that in a world filled with Hostel's and Saw's a film called Drag Me To Hell is the most sensible of the bunch. Not that it's wholesome by any sense of the word. The leading lady will literally have mouthfuls of mud, worms, flies, green corpse goo and so much more by the end of this journey. It's more of a thrill-ride. The scares lie mostly on the border of one of those online videos, where the viewer studies a vacant scene just long enough for an image from the Exorcist to suddenly appear and release an ear-piercing scream. It doesn't take long to realize that at just about any moment something can, and will, pop-up to rattle your bones.

The film is centered around Christine Brown (played by Alison Lohman), a simple country girl turned city-folk who's struggling to make a name for herself while slaving away at the bank. She's aiming for an assistant managerial position but is up against some rotten competition. When a sad (but quite sickly) old woman appears for a third extension on her loan, Christine is given the chance to either give the lady a pass, or prove her worth by kicking her to the curb. Her choice earns the films title as the old woman pays her back with the gift of a horrid curse. If Christine can't manage to save herself after three days of torture a demon known as the Lamia will rag her away to the underworld.

The film is keenly self-aware. Christine is not presented as a "bad person," but rather a good person who is flawed by simply being human. What the film understand is that this is the case with just about everyone. There is a great illustration here in which the question is posed, "who would you really want to send to hell?" Well, no one, not even your worst enemy, but goodness isn't the defining factor as far as humans are concerned. Even further, no sacrifice on your part is going to quell that fire. Christine learns this through some highly questionable (and oddly hilarious) choices regarding household pets.

From a religious standpoint perhaps this film could be regarded as an illustration of the turmoils associated with living under the Biblical old covenant. It could even provide insight into what ran through the mind of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he pleaded to have the burden of his descent into hell removed from him, in any way possible.

Yeah, that's right, I just connected Drag Me To Hell with Christian values. They're there, but Drag Me To Hell really doesn't give them much acknowledgement. It might be aware of them, maybe, but the movie has more pressing matters at hand. In the universe of Drag Me To Hell there's only two realities: those who are alive, those who are in hell, and those who are in the process of being dragged to hell. There's not a single mention of heaven to be found. That's just how it is, and what it results in is something that's simply entertaining and undeniably fun.

Director Sam Raimi knows what he's doing, and he has clearly learned what entertains audiences with a career that spanned from the Evil Dead to Spiderman. The violence is often comical, cartoonish even (at one point actually involving an anvil), and is made all the better for that. Notice the music too. Was that jazz I heard during that battle in the car? I believe so, and it was just perfect.

Was it worth dragging my girlfriend to Drag Me To Hell. I say yes, she might admit yes, and if you can, I say you should too.


----------

as an aside note.

Take notice of some of those new-age references in here too. Christine gets help from a mystic by the name of Rham Jas, not too far from Ram Das the Harvard professor turned LSD experimentalist who authored Be Here Now. I don't think it's a coincidence, and the fact that it's in there personally makes the film just that much more entertaining.

The Chicken Sees

Miniature Tigers - Show Recap

Just before heading over to Spaceland for their weekly Monday night free concert, Beth and I made a stop to grab some Thai food at a local shanty. We couldn't help but listen to the table behind us populated by a group (who we first assumed to just be a couple local hipsters) planning to "rock out" that evening. Asking them what band they were from, they took a break from the pad thai to inform us that they were the Miniature Tigers. With no idea of what to expect, we went to the show anyways, and I'm pleased to report that the Miniature Tigers not only delivered a show well worth paying for, but are a downright fun and musically gifted collection of individuals that I'll be listening to again and again.



Often using a simple chorus rephrase and catchy melodies, Miniature Tigers delivers a sound I want to place between Vampire Weekend and Phantom Planet, maybe with a little Beach Boys mixed in (just enough I'd say). That combo doesn't do them justice, as their upbeat tempo and enchanting lyrics deliver a charming sound with a sense of humor that ranges from singing about a Japanese girl in their closet to their sometimes coarsely rendered cover art. Maybe I've just been a little desperate lately to hear a band who's catchy and not utterly depressing. In any case, Miniature Tigers deliver a sound that's refreshing to hear.

Cannibal Queen - Miniature Tigers (via: kentucky)

Mamma Mia (ABBA cover) - Miniature Tigers (via: papercup)

Geisha Is Robot

Geisha Dance, Geisha Transform, Geisha Chainsaw, Handicap Gun. What else could you want?


Nothing. That's what. This trailer alone qualifies as one of the finest films ever made.

On behalf of America I want to thank you Japan. Just when I thought you couldn't get any more crazier, you go ahead and do something like this. Allow me to take a moment to give you a slow clap of approval. Well played. Well played indeed.

Although next time I'd appreciate a little less butt-stabbing.
Too far is too far, even for you.

Posts I Steal From Beth's Blog

Beth's new apartment complex has a variety of fancy trappings that really brighten up the place. Things like fountains, rock gardens and trees that grow huge banana-shaped objects that aren't really bananas (trust me).
Strangely, whoever decorated the place decided that all rocks should be placed in pairs directly next to each other.


Hence, the Butt-rock was born.



I embrace the butt-rock.

Now I Am 22

Yesterday was my Birthday, hooray!!!

I am officially now 22, an age that is only notable for being one year above 21, for now at least.

a pretty b-day picture by beth

a not so pretty b-day picture by beth

a very pretty picture of Beff

A picture of us both on Beth's birthday

In a message I'm not entirely sure how to take, my parents sent me a wonderful set of knives and a hair-cutting kit as my gift, further pressuring me into a career as an insane barber not unlike Sweeney Todd.

me, after my birthday.

Beth and I meanwhile celebrated with delishi crepes. They were fantastic. One of the many gifts she gave me was a wallet, which means I no longer have to flip through a wad of napkins and loose change every time I make a purchase. In some ways I'll miss that, but man do I look great. Then we ventured to various vintage stores until collapsing into a deep sleep/nap on my couch.

I woke up to find that Anthony, Jon and Sarah had arrived as a birthday surprise. We toasted to my 22 years of being alive, and to having 22 more, and, as Anthony emphasized, only 22 more.

I have to say, being with my friends was the best gift I could have ever wanted. It was a great night.

I Love You Man - Movie Review

I Love You Man
****-

Judd Apatow somehow isn't just a name anymore. It's a genre. It's a genre comprised of films that make you feel gross but are grounded in relatable characters facing often crude but also relatable situations, and usually featuring some supporting cast member from the television series Freaks and Geeks. Some of these movies are more successful than others. Many of them were films that had very little to do with the actual Judd Apatow. Even still, Knocked Up was actually quite good. Superbad won me over. Forgetting Sarah Marshall consistently kept me laughing. Labeling them these classics is a tough prospect as much of the humor is dependent upon audience reaction, currently relevant political/social commentary, and most notably, shock value. They just might not be as funny in a few years. With that said, the film I Love You Man has something very strong going for it. It has a sense of observational cleverness that is surprisingly easy to relate to, even when it goes against your better judgement.

Peter, played by Paul Rudd, is a nice guy in a nice happy relationship (something that's uncommon for a "guy flick"), but their relationship is stilted due to Peters lack of guy friends. To balance this problem, and perhaps find someone to be his best man at his approaching wedding, Peter begins to find his search for Mr. Right. With this, I Love You Man becomes an excellent exercise in satire as it examines the dynamics of a romantic relationship and the dynamics of friendship under the same microscope, viewing neither as easy, nor even entirely platonic. What Peter finds is Sydney, played by Jason Segel, whose laid-back attitude and overall demeanor makes him an ideal candidate for best friend material, but Sydney's immediate acceptance of Peter hints that he too may be influenced by an unhealthy relational imbalance.

Paul Rudd has previously proven himself as a demanding comedic force with his minor role as a delusional surfing instructor in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. His character of Peter walks the line between amusing and occasionally annoying, frequently delivering lines in a voice borrowed from Steve Carrell. The movie understands that this voice is not his own, and what Rudd understands is that when he acts like himself, Peter can become rather endearing. His performance is often uncomfortable, but only because his character is trying so hard to be the exact opposite. It's a wonder that Rudd manages to keep himself from falling too far away from the audience's sympathy. Segel is immediately likable, and his brief confrontation between a body-builder and his dog had me laughing well after the film had ended. He functions not just as a buddy, but a sort of twisted psychologist.

Compared to the other "Apatow" movies released in the past few years I Love You Man seems to be going for less visually shocking gags than others, yet it still remains rather explicit. It appears as though in a universe such as this it only takes a moment for any character with any varying degree of innocence to suddenly recite a definition from Urban Dictionary. Which is still funny, at times, but not always THAT funny. At other times the film appears to be catering to the audience that seeks to laugh out of gross revelation, which is likely the male audience engrossed in contact sports and weight-lifting, while the characters themselves are seeking to avoid that very same stereotypical camaraderie that the general public considers healthy male friendships to be centered around. I can't remember any gags involving a kick to the family jewels, but there will be farting, sleeper-holds, and frank discussions of, well, you'll see. It's actually all very funny.

I have conflicted feelings in regards to films like this. Lately I've been overdosing on them, especially with the recent release of the Hangover, and want to give each of them their fair chance. Crude humor often hits me the wrong way. The more I think about the Hangover, the less I like it. With this one it's the exact opposite. What I Love You Man gets right are the moments of keen observation in which the difference between friendships, relationships, and what makes each of them work, or even funnier, result in projectile vomit, are well documented. I laughed consistently throughout, and, even more interestingly, I felt an undeniable connection with many of these characters. Even when it's over-the-top, the frank nature the film exhibits is very honest, which oddly isn't always the case. Luckily, this isn't just another "Judd Apatow" movie.

My New Favorite Website

Haven't you ever wanted to see numerous photographs of cats sitting upright?


...No?

Then get out of my face. Right now. Go. You're not wanted at the Awkward Unicorn. Get OUT OF HERE! GET! HISSS!

Some things you just have to stand up for, and I've decided the thing I'm going to stand up for is this crazy Japanese online collection of photographs featuring cats sitting upright.

http://contest.pets.yahoo.co.jp/hiroba/photocontest/contest/23/detail/?page=11#photoContest






There isn't a single doubt in my mind that at the precise moment of these photographs being taken these cats passionately hate their lives.
It's wonderful.





Evil Kitty.



Drunk Kitty.



Confused Kitty.