Tag Archives: David Paymer

Drag Me To Hell-2009

Drag Me To Hell-2009

Director Sam Raimi

Starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long

Scott’s Review #591

Reviewed January 7, 2017

Grade: B

Drag Me To Hell (2009) is a fairly predictable, modern-day horror film, with some supernatural elements and special effects that make it slightly above average.

Directed by Sam Raimi (of Spider-Man fame), one can see his stamp on it, as he has a way of horror camp. 1983’s cult classic, Evil Dead, directed by Raimi, is evidence of this.

Young Loan Officer Christine Brown, played by Alison Lohman, is bucking for a promotion and intent on impressing her boss by being a stickler for the rules.

She chooses the wrong day to do this, as an older woman desperately needing a loan is denied one by Christine.

The angry woman places a curse on Christine, causing her life to spin out of control. She has a mere three days to remove the curse before her soul is “dragged to hell”.

As with most horror films involving a curse, the plot is completely unrealistic and filled with holes. The film also tries to be both serious and comical at times- sometimes succeeding, sometimes not.

In a few scenes, I was not sure if the intention was to be comical or if it was unintended, but periodically the acting was over the top.

With all that said, if one is interested in a fun horror film that has a few scares and is not too gory (it is rated PG-13 after all), one will enjoy Drag Me To Hell (2009).

No Way Out-1987

No Way Out-1987

Director Roger Donaldson

Starring Kevin Costner

Scott’s Review #96

Reviewed July 5, 2014

Grade: B+

No Way Out is a slick political thriller from 1987 starring Kevin Costner as a U.S. Naval Officer investigating a Washington D.C. murder.

Gene Hackman and Sean Young are co-stars.

Costner is at the top of his game in the film and is quite charismatic and charming.

The plot has several twists and turns that keep the viewer guessing and engaged, making it a classic edge-of-your-seat thriller.

The film is paced very well, gradually picking up steam with each plot turn until it builds to a frenetic finish. Specifically, the final forty-five minutes at the CIA are quite a cat-and-mouse game.

It’s a film about sex, murder, love affairs, politics, and backstabbing.

Hugely successful in the 1980s, and as much as I still enjoy it, the film unfortunately now appears quite dated as the soundtrack, hair, and clothes all scream late 1980’s, and that is not to its credit.

It now seems all too similar, though a cut above, to other countless themed films of the same period. Truly great films are timeless.

Kevin Costner was in his prime with No Way Out (1987), and Sean Young has a wonderful turn as the mysterious Susan Atwell.