DRAG ME TO HELL - UNRATED DIRECTOR'S CUT (Blu-ray; Universal)

[Mike LoManaco]

http://iconsoffright.com/news/DragMeToHell-br.jpg

Studio Name: Universal/Ghost House Productions
MPAA Rating: Unrated/PG-13
Disc/Transfer Information: 1080p High Definition; Widescreen 2.40:1
Tested Audio Track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (tested at DTS core)
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring Cast: Justin Long, Alison Lohman

LoMANACO'S PLOT ANALYSIS:

Amidst swirling, evolving and downright conflicting rumors regarding a shooting schedule for Spider-Man 4, Sam Raimi returned to his Evil Dead horror roots of sorts and released this much-anticipated little shocker fusing demonic possession, gypsy curses and a horrific look into the bowels of hell. Not receiving much theatrical run time, it was believed that Drag Me to Hell was going to be one of the more anticipated titles of the Halloween home video season – in retrospect, there was a great deal of hoopla leading to the video release of this title, and spending a good few days with it in my home theater, and viewing both the “PG-13” rated cut and the Unrated version, I attempted to get a better idea of just what the excitement was all about. In the end, it seems Raimi and co-writer Ivan Raimi borrowed heavily from many late-vintage horror flicks – notably the “exorcism” sequence at the end of the film in the Los Angeles house – but at the same time created something that was rather shocking in certain moments, based on the version you select to watch.

At times, Drag Me to Hell seems to dip into that “made for TV” realm of feel, where the performances and action get a bit campy – much like the other gypsy curse thriller Stephen King’s Thinner. As a matter of fact, I haven’t seen a good gypsy curse horror film since Thinner, and much of the gypsy folklore regarding their curses which was on display in that film carries over here. The film opens with the shot of a home in the suburbs of California many years back, and a Latin family arriving with a sick child; the woman and man carry their son out of their truck, and approach a woman who appears to be able to help him and his “symptoms” of demonic origins. Following her into the house, the sequence explodes into a horrific display of this boy’s spirit being dragged down into the bowels of hell (which are erupting right there in the entrance of the home) as black hands and arms and fiery licks of flame engulf him. The woman who was supposed to save him from this torment mentions “seeing you again” in Spanish, and the film then forwards to the present time.

Alison Lohman plays Christine Brown, a sexy bit of a thing who works at a Los Angeles savings bank as a loan officer. She’s trying to work her way up through a promotion to Assistant Manager, and much of this element plays a big role in the film’s screenplay and plot – her boyfriend (Justin Long) is, what appears to be, some kind of college professor yet he doesn’t seem “right” for the role, what with his sarcastic, immature replies and attitude towards everything around him. Long was an odd choice for this character, but we continue to see more and more of him in Hollywood, which is a disturbing trend to me. They should have just left him alone after Jeepers Creepers and called it a day.

At any rate, Lohman’s character is approached one afternoon at the bank by an old, horrifically decaying woman with a disturbingly displaced eye that begs for the bank not to take her home away from her. It appears she’s defaulted on the mortgage, and she has come to plead for an extension. When she brings this to her boss’ attention, he tells her the decision is hers – but in the interest of securing her promotion, she decides to take the side of the bank, and refuses to help the old lady. After one last ditch at begging, the lady goes into a violent fit that scares Lohman so badly, security must drag her out. Later that night as Lohman is leaving the bank and walking to her car in the underground lot, she spots the old lady’s decaying yellow car parked in the shadows, waiting for her. What follows is just some of the over-the-top visuals and moments Raimi injects into this film – some of it grossly offputting if you’re not prepared for it. The old lady begins an attack on Lohman as she inexplicably ends up in Lohman’s back seat and tries every which way to lay a gypsy curse on her. This includes ripping Lohman’s hair out of her head and then systematically losing her dentures as Lohman rams her car into another in a desperate attempt to get the old gypsy off of her and out of her vehicle – the gyp smashes against the car’s dashboard and the false teeth come flying out, solidifying all the nasty thoughts and nightmares you’ve ever had about old people.

Eventually, the lady gets the curse put on Lohman through ripping off one of the buttons on her jacket – now, a centuries-old demonic force will take possession of Lohman because she is the carrier of this cursed object in three days. How did she discover this? When Long comes to her rescue after the old lady’s attack in the parking complex, the two of them visit a spiritual fortune teller that is able to see this demonic force over her. This is where the film got a bit cheesy; and if you ever had any doubts as to whether or not these so-called “fortune tellers” are in it just for the money, after watching Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell, you won’t be in doubt any longer. First, the fortune teller wants 60 bucks for the reading – later in the film, when he suggests the “demonologist” that tried to save the boy in the beginning, Lohman is informed she costs $10,000 in order to visit her. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

So Lohman and Long are informed that this gypsy curse includes a dark spiritual possession that will indeed drag her to an eternity in hell in three days – and in the meantime, she will be tormented by this spirit. Alas, when Long isn’t around, Lohman is assaulted by invisible forces that attack and harass her, including being belted around by invisible hands (a la An American Haunting and The Entity) and spewing blood from her nose all over her boss and customers at her bank job. One evening, with Long sleeping next to her, Lohman swallows a fly that ultimately shows itself at a dinner Long sets up so his parents can meet his girlfriend – whom they don’t approve of. At the dinner, Lohman is tormented by more demonic visions and attacks that nobody else can see; the old lady’s eye pokes itself out in a piece of cake in front of her, the walls pound with a relentless presence and the fly she swallowed comes bursting out of her mouth in front of her boyfriend and his disgusted parents. Some of the special effects used here are shocking and gruesome – notably a sequence where Lohman is dreaming that the old gypsy is next to her in bed, then rolls on top of her and vomits a sea of worms and maggots onto her.

Meanwhile, Lohman visits the address where the old gypsy’s granddaughter is supposed to live in order to beg her to remove the curse with the agreement that she will attempt to get her house back for her. Upon arriving at this creepy house, the door is answered by the granddaughter, who after seething at Lohman “you deserve everything that’s coming for you” invites her in to witness the gypsy funeral “celebration” taking place in the basement – apparently, the old lady has died.

After the fortune teller suggests to Lohman that she can sacrifice an animal as an offering swap to the spirits instead of her soul, Lohman decides to do just that even though she’s a self-proclaimed animal lover. Now, there’s a difference here between the Unrated cut of Drag Me to Hell and the PG-13 version which involves Lohman’s cat – but I cannot give this away. Suffice to say, her decision doesn’t work, and she’s forced to take the fortune teller up on his final suggestion for saving her life – come to the house of this spiritual leader he knows (the woman from the first sequence of the film that tried to save the boy’s life but failed) for the fee of $10,000, as she has had experience with this dark demonic gypsy force before. Here, the most memorable parts of the film take place with over-the-top effects and shocking demonic images – the last time we saw such antics was in Constantine but they’re taken to a new level here. There is a sense of borrowed elements from that Gary Oldman film that came out not too long ago, in which he played a “rabbi” attempting to exorcise a demon from a girl, but the application here was more effective. The fortune teller, Lohman, the spiritual woman and her assistant form a séance in the middle of this huge room in the house, and before long, she conjures up the demonic force cursing Lohman. The spirit jumps into the woman, possessing her, then into a goat – which actually speaks in possessed tongue with glowing eyes and all – and finally into her assistant, who levitates and spews horrific demonic babble at all of them. This sequence was actually quite effective in terms of demonic exhibition, and something we haven’t seen in awhile in this genre.

DRAG ME TO HELL REVIEW CONTINUED BELOW...

[Mike LoManaco]

DRAG ME TO HELL REVIEW CONTINUED...

While Lohman believes she’s free of the gypsy curse – after this “exorcism” ritual at the spiritual woman’s house indeed claimed a life – there’s a surprise twist at the end of both versions that I will not divulge. It has to do with that coat button which the gypsy originally cursed and Lohman needing to “give it away” to someone else in order for the curse to be off her – she thinks she successfully gives it back to the gypsy after digging up her grave in a ridiculously silly scene and stuffing the envelope containing the button in the corpse’s mouth, but all is not what it seems.

Both versions of Drag Me to Hell share the same running time, and from what I could tell, the only major differences were that aforementioned horrific sequence involving Lohman’s cat – there may have been a bit more gore in the Unrated cut as well.

VIDEO QUALITY ANALYSIS:

Surprising for Universal, this wasn’t a disc that exhibited reference-quality depth or images as most of their releases have been doing – that’s not to say the transfer looked soft, but there was just something missing from this 2.40:1 transfer and 1080p encode – to begin with, the opening sequence which depicted events years ago with the “possessed” boy showed lack of color but exhibited sharp detail. Of course, the color scheme could have been purposely muted for this “flashback” sequence. As the transfer went on, facial close-ups just didn’t exhibit eye-popping detail and rather looked flat and DVD-dimensional; still, there was good detail in clothing and other images.

The detail in the old gypsy’s clothing – specifically her tweed jacket – were rippling with clarity and realism, and there were other positive moments in the transfer, I just feel this wasn’t Universal’s best effort on Blu-ray.

AUDIO QUALITY ANALYSIS:

What stood out most on the 5.1 English Master Audio mix (played back at the core DTS stream on my system) was the hushed quality of the dialogue as compared to the rest of the track – vocal delivery was extremely inaudible when the accompanying action was at its most comfortable level. Outside of that, dynamics were strong and aggressive, save for a slight tendency for most of the track to remain in the front channels. The first aspect I noticed when playing back Drag Me to Hell in either version was the rather lean presence of the surround stage – it’s not really until later in the film that the surround channels heat up and make a presence, as the ghostly spirits fly by Lohman’s house and all around her, or towards the end during the “exorcism” when the gypsy dark spirit cackles and glides through the rear channels.


SUMMARY:

The verdict is still out on this one. While effective creepy in places, Sam Raimi’s modern-day occult shocker seems cheesy and cliché in many spots, and the embarrassing performance by Justin Long just compounds the problem. I am uncertain if I am going to buy this title.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

There are some added shock/gore elements in the Unrated cut of the film, and this is definitely not for those “grossed out” by the exhibition of bodily fluids, bugs or demonic images – but it definitely makes a great rental for this time of year, once again. As for a buy…I’m just not sure.

Let me know what you think!

[Lasareath]

I love that Movie!

[Mike LoManaco]

I love that Movie!

Thanks, Lasareth...

Did you see it in theaters, or did you rent it on Tuesday?

[buymesome]

Drag me to the eject button lol

I cant say I enjoyed this it was way too camp but I did get some satisfaction out of the ending

[Mike LoManaco]

Drag me to the eject button lol

I cant say I enjoyed this it was way too camp but I did get some satisfaction out of the ending

Thanks for your thoughts, Buyme. The ending was a bit refreshing in that...well...that's all I'm gonna say! :)

[buymesome]

Mike I notice you do alot of reviews on new releases do you have spoilers in them?

[Mike LoManaco]

Mike I notice you do alot of reviews on new releases do you have spoilers in them?

If by "do you have spoilers in them" you mean do I provide information on the plot or the endings, I have at times divulged this info (sometimes with warnings) but in this case, I analyzed the plot sequences and then resisted talking about what happens at the end as the "twist" and the differences between the PG-13 and Unrated versions.

[Ricardo]

I love that Movie!


Thanks, Lasareth...


He's saying he loves THE MOVIE....not that he loves you.

[zombie boy 2000]

I didn't bother to read the review (maybe later), but this was my favorite movie in years. I saw it in the theater and returned the next day to see it again. This is about as fun as movies get. Anyone expecting your standard horror movie will be grossly surprised (pun intended?).

[Sherardp]

I didn't bother to read the review (maybe later), but this was my favorite movie in years. I saw it in the theater and returned the next day to see it again. This is about as fun as movies get. Anyone expecting your standard horror movie will be grossly surprised (pun intended?).

Agreed with ZB, watched it on Blu last night. Fun movie with great ending. The BD will definitely surprise you, pristine audio/video.

[Mike LoManaco]

I didn't bother to read the review (maybe later), but this was my favorite movie in years. I saw it in the theater and returned the next day to see it again. This is about as fun as movies get. Anyone expecting your standard horror movie will be grossly surprised (pun intended?).

Thank you for your thoughts, Zombie -- read the review when you get a chance, please, so you can see whether you and I differ in the thoughts on the film; surprising, though, that you thought it was so good you returned to see it in theaters! Most are calling it "too campy" which I found as well.

[Mike LoManaco]

Agreed with ZB, watched it on Blu last night. Fun movie with great ending. The BD will definitely surprise you, pristine audio/video.

Thanx for your thoughts as well, Sherar; indeed, the ending seems to be getting a great deal of attention -- glad we all just hinted at it for those who haven't seen it!

The Blu-ray, however, to me, wasn't "pristine"...in fact, I thought it to be an average effort from Universal, who has been churning out great release after great release in HD -- it was far from the worst transfer I've seen though, and the Master Audio (even in DTS) was shocking when it needed to be, although that dialogue issue concerned me.

[danz1906]

Agreed with ZB, watched it on Blu last night. Fun movie with great ending. The BD will definitely surprise you, pristine audio/video.

I will rent the Blu-Ray this weekend-Thanks Guys!

[Mike LoManaco]

I will rent the Blu-Ray this weekend-Thanks Guys!

Let me know what you think about it when you get a free moment, Danz -- the concensus here has been mixed.

Did you get a chance to scan the review? I also PM'ed you. ;)

[KrazyMofo24]

I watched the movie in the theater and enjoyed it. It got really good reviews I don't feel it was as good as the reviews made it out to seem, but definitely worth watching.

I use metacritic.com over rotten tomatoes I just feel their rating system is a really good indicator on how good the movie will be.

[danz1906]

Let me know what you think about it when you get a free moment, Danz -- the concensus here has been mixed.

Did you get a chance to scan the review? I also PM'ed you. ;)

I got the pm...............will let you know what i think.

[Mike LoManaco]

I got the pm...............will let you know what i think.

Thanks, D.

[zombie boy 2000]

Thank you for your thoughts, Zombie -- read the review when you get a chance, please, so you can see whether you and I differ in the thoughts on the film; surprising, though, that you thought it was so good you returned to see it in theaters! Most are calling it "too campy" which I found as well.

Sam Raimi wanted to return to his "Evil Dead/Army of Darkness" roots. I knew it was going to be campy from the start. The only problem existed with the studio attempting to market it as your regular horror movie. This is why it bombed at the box office and will more than likely kick ass on video as a cult classic.

[concealer404]

I think i just vomited. I just finished watching this movie. Disgusting.

I can't comment on the movie itself, as my less than one week old blockbuster rental is already unplayable on both my PS2 and my DV-50A. Go figure. I had to skip over at least 5 chapters, and i feel i missed some important stuff.

[danz1906]

I think i just vomited. I just finished watching this movie. Disgusting.

I can't comment on the movie itself, as my less than one week old blockbuster rental is already unplayable on both my PS2 and my DV-50A. Go figure. I had to skip over at least 5 chapters, and i feel i missed some important stuff.

Its a Newer Blu-ray, I had to do a Firmware update on my Pany bd-80
to get it to play.

[concealer404]

Its a Newer Blu-ray, I had to do a Firmware update on my Pany bd-80
to get it to play.

I don't have a BDP yet. :( This was normal DVD.

Grabbing that Pio Elite 51FD or whatever it was once my sub sells. :D Soo... help me out! :p

[Mike LoManaco]

I think i just vomited. I just finished watching this movie. Disgusting.

I can't comment on the movie itself, as my less than one week old blockbuster rental is already unplayable on both my PS2 and my DV-50A. Go figure. I had to skip over at least 5 chapters, and i feel i missed some important stuff.


LOL -- thanks for your thoughts Concealer! That's too bad about your rental -- What was wrong with the disc? Damaged?

Some of the film was indeed disgusting, and I pointed these out in the review -- how did that old gyp's dentures flying out grab ya? Or when her eyeballs shoot out of her head in the girl's dream? :eek:

[Mike LoManaco]

Its a Newer Blu-ray, I had to do a Firmware update on my Pany bd-80
to get it to play.

This is common and unfortunate; my Panasonic BD10A wouldn't play Quantum of Solace when I first got it, and I needed to download an update from Panasonic's site...:rolleyes:

[Mike LoManaco]

I don't have a BDP yet. :( This was normal DVD.

Grabbing that Pio Elite 51FD or whatever it was once my sub sells. :D Soo... help me out! :p

Your rental of Drag Me to Hell was on standard DVD, Conceal?

[concealer404]

LOL -- thanks for your thoughts Concealer! That's too bad about your rental -- What was wrong with the disc? Damaged?

Some of the film was indeed disgusting, and I pointed these out in the review -- how did that old gyp's dentures flying out grab ya? Or when her eyeballs shoot out of her head in the girl's dream? :eek:

There was about 5 chapters that just wouldn't play. Would hang up, so i had to skip them.

No worries, blockbuster offered to give me another copy, but honestly i wasn't drawn in enough to worry about it.

It was entertaining, but not on my list of favorites.

I was grossed out the most by the old gypsy "gumming" the girl's chin in the car. That was absolutely horrifying to me.

[concealer404]

Your rental of Drag Me to Hell was on standard DVD, Conceal?

Yeah. I don't have a Blu-Ray player yet. Picture quality was still pretty good though.

What worried me was that the title menu ghosted and showed up again last night when i powered up the TV to watch "Crank 2" again. But that went away.

[Mike LoManaco]

There was about 5 chapters that just wouldn't play. Would hang up, so i had to skip them.

No worries, blockbuster offered to give me another copy, but honestly i wasn't drawn in enough to worry about it.

I know exactly what you went through with this -- I've had so many Red Box and B'buster rentals that just wouldn't play or skipped, I can't tell you...


It was entertaining, but not on my list of favorites.

I suppose that's how I'd sum it up, as well.


I was grossed out the most by the old gypsy "gumming" the girl's chin in the car. That was absolutely horrifying to me.

Agreed -- a sequence I failed to mention. It was truly sickening; but so was her eyes popping out and the dentures flying out, too. :eek:

[Mike LoManaco]

Yeah. I don't have a Blu-Ray player yet. Picture quality was still pretty good though.

You need to jump into the deep Blu already! But I understand your wanting to wait; I did the same thing with the BD/HD DVD wars, where hundreds went out and bought into both formats and some ended up with those horrible first generation Toshiba HD DVD players -- I waited until it looked like Blu-ray was going to "win" the format "war"...but now, prices on the players have come down to reasonable for the most part. My Panasonic was $600 when I purchased it, considered the player to have at the time, or pretty much; what is stopping you from getting a player? Is it budget?


What worried me was that the title menu ghosted and showed up again last night when i powered up the TV to watch "Crank 2" again. But that went away.

Are you serious? The title menu for "Drag Me to Hell"? That sounds like a display issue...what kind of TV do you have?

[danz1906]

The Movie was OK, but the Audio on Blu-Ray was impressive.

[concealer404]

You need to jump into the deep Blu already! But I understand your wanting to wait; I did the same thing with the BD/HD DVD wars, where hundreds went out and bought into both formats and some ended up with those horrible first generation Toshiba HD DVD players -- I waited until it looked like Blu-ray was going to "win" the format "war"...but now, prices on the players have come down to reasonable for the most part. My Panasonic was $600 when I purchased it, considered the player to have at the time, or pretty much; what is stopping you from getting a player? Is it budget?



Are you serious? The title menu for "Drag Me to Hell"? That sounds like a display issue...what kind of TV do you have?

It's budget... i'm picking up the Pioneer 51FD or whatever it is this month, though. :) I JUST got my first HDTV on Sunday, anyways. ;)

The ghosting was on my Panny Plasma. From what i hear, it's normal. Went away pretty quickly.

[Face]

I thought it was kinda goofy. Passed the time though.

[Mike LoManaco]

The Movie was OK, but the Audio on Blu-Ray was impressive.

Thanks for your thoughts, Dan -- I thought the DTS Master Audio mix was tight, too, but on my system, there was a dialogue issue in terms of how tactile the center channel information (during dialogue delivery) was in comparison to the remainder of the mix's other elements.

[Mike LoManaco]

It's budget... i'm picking up the Pioneer 51FD or whatever it is this month, though. :) I JUST got my first HDTV on Sunday, anyways. ;)

The ghosting was on my Panny Plasma. From what i hear, it's normal. Went away pretty quickly.

Gotcha -- I had a good deal of "ticker burn in" on my last Mitsubishi CRT rear pro set.

I know what you mean about budget -- I have been holding off replacing my first generation Panasonic player for a new one because we always seem to need other things that require a big budget...but I have my sights set on that new Oppo.

[Mike LoManaco]

I thought it was kinda goofy. Passed the time though.

Thanks for your thoughts, Face -- what part of the Isle are you on? You near Sunrise Highway? Merrick Road? North Shore, South Shore?

[Face]

Right smack in the middle.

[Mike LoManaco]

Right smack in the middle.

Happague? Linderhurst? Rockville Centre? Massapequa?

[F1nut]

You really don't want to know, nor will you.

[TouchOfEvil]

Movie was ok, little cheesy/over the top with the effects imo.

[quitwifla]

that's good.thanksss

[wutadumsn23]

^^reported

[wutadumsn23]

Saw it over the weekend, wasn't too impressed. As said above, it passed the time, lol.

-Jeff

[Mike LoManaco]

You really don't want to know, nor will you.

Oh really? Why wouldn't I? Does he live behind Hofstra in the Hempstead ghettos?

[Mike LoManaco]

Movie was ok, little cheesy/over the top with the effects imo.

Thanks for your thoughts, 'Evil.

[Mike LoManaco]

Saw it over the weekend, wasn't too impressed. As said above, it passed the time, lol.

-Jeff

Thanks for getting back to us about it, Jeff; indeed, the concensus seems to be that it wasn't that great. I'll have a review up of another Halloween shocker, Trick 'R Treat, up in just a bit...;)

[wutadumsn23]

Np Mike, looking forward to the next review. Wasn't a total waste of time, but I could have been doing better things, lol.

-Jeff

[F1nut]

Oh really? Why wouldn't I?

Simple really, Face is a good friend of mine and I know he doesn't want to tell you where he lives.


I'll have a review up of another Halloween shocker

How about you leave it at that and don't pollute this forum any longer.

[Mike LoManaco]

Np Mike, looking forward to the next review. Wasn't a total waste of time, but I could have been doing better things, lol.

-Jeff

Gotcha, Buddy. I think we all believe this could have been a better film. :)

Thanks again for commenting.

[zombie boy 2000]

No... I don't think it could have been better. Like I said - it was probably my favorite movie to come out in the last several years. I still don't understand how you were blindsided by its "hokey" nature. Raimi was intentionally returning to his Evil Dead/Army of Darkenss roots and now had the studio clout provided by the success of his Spiderman movies to demonstrate the type of filmmaking he REALLY enjoys to a larger audience and also to appease the fans that got him in this position to begin with.

Don't take this the wrong way Mike, but I thought you (as a rabid movie buff) would have been aware of this? Are his earlier films only good because they have achieved cult status? Or visa versa? I ask this because I strongly believe this film will achieve the same status.

[Demiurge]

Boy was this movie terrible.

[Mike LoManaco]

No... I don't think it could have been better. Like I said - it was probably my favorite movie to come out in the last several years. I still don't understand how you were blindsided by its "hokey" nature. Raimi was intentionally returning to his Evil Dead/Army of Darkenss roots and now had the studio clout provided by the success of his Spiderman movies to demonstrate the type of filmmaking he REALLY enjoys to a larger audience and also to appease the fans that got him in this position to begin with.

Don't take this the wrong way Mike, but I thought you (as a rabid movie buff) would have been aware of this? Are his earlier films only good because they have achieved cult status? Or visa versa? I ask this because I strongly believe this film will achieve the same status.

I stand by the fact that this could have been a better film -- as is the overall concensus of just about everyone who has read my review of this title in this and other forums. And I am aware of this element of Raimi's cinematic style -- there's no need to be a bit rough around the edges with regard to the comment you made about my "being aware"...it seems most everyone thought this was a "hokey" approach to horror, even rabid Raimi fans. I realize he returned to his Evil Dead roots for this approach, but it still wasn't thoroughly satisfying in the end.

[Mike LoManaco]

Boy was this movie terrible.

Did you think it a bit "hokey" as well?

[zombie boy 2000]

It's cool - different strokes. But if you can appeal to the comment sections of various other forums, surely I can appeal to a 92% rating over at Rotten Tomatoes?:p
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/drag_me_to_hell/

[Mike LoManaco]

I don't put ANY stock -- nor do any self-respecting cinema enthusiasts I have spoken with -- in what Rotten Tomatoes has to say about a certain "concensus" or their "ratings;" you just heard from another member who felt the film wasn't good. :p

[zombie boy 2000]

Rotten Tomatoes doesn't say it. Various "self-respecting cinema enthusiasts" are all given a voice in order to determine the general consensus on a film. Rotten Tomatoes facilitates that and then proceeds to sell advertising so that they continue to consume copious amounts of hookers and blow.

As for Demi's opinion on film... he's yet to return my Steel Magnolia and Mystic Pizza laserdiscs. "Director's Cuts", both of 'em. French subtitles and all. How am I going to cry myself to sleep every night whilst devouring a truck load of bon bons?

[Mike LoManaco]

Rotten Tomatoes doesn't say it. Various "self-respecting cinema enthusiasts" are all given a voice in order to determine the general consensus on a film.

There's a LOT more to Rotten Tomatoes than that -- believe me, I have been down this road before with that site. I don't put stock in 'em.


As for Demi's opinion on film... he's yet to return my Steel Magnolia and Mystic Pizza laserdiscs. "Director's Cuts", both of 'em. French subtitles and all. How am I going to cry myself to sleep every night whilst devouring a truck load of bon bons?

You actually LENT someone Steel Magnolia and Mystic Pizza on LASERDISC? That puts an end to this conversation -- about Demi that is -- right now. To the death! It's over! It's useless! :o :eek:

There have been plenty 'o folk before Demi that have cemented their beliefs that this just "wasn't that good" of a film. ;)

[KrazyMofo24]

There's a LOT more to Rotten Tomatoes than that -- believe me, I have been down this road before with that site. I don't put stock in 'em.


What do you think of metacritic?

http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/dragmetohell?q=drag%20me%20to%20hell

[Demiurge]

Did you think it a bit "hokey" as well?

I'll ask the questions.

[Demiurge]

As for Demi's opinion on film... he's yet to return my Steel Magnolia and Mystic Pizza laserdiscs. "Director's Cuts", both of 'em. French subtitles and all. How am I going to cry myself to sleep every night whilst devouring a truck load of bon bons?

My breasts are more tender than yours.

[kuntasensei]

Mofo, don't you know? No one puts any stock in anything they disagree with! God, get with the program! ;)

[fatchowmein]

Did you think it a bit "hokey" as well?

Yes, it was like watching "Saturday the 14th", but sometimes hokey is fun. This one wasn't fun enough.

[Mike LoManaco]

Yes, it was like watching "Saturday the 14th", but sometimes hokey is fun. This one wasn't fun enough.

LOL -- wow, that's a blast from the past! I haven't seen Saturday the 14th in a long, long time...wow...nice to pull that one out of the arse! :D

[Mike LoManaco]

I'll ask the questions.

What???

[Mike LoManaco]

My breasts are more tender than yours.

Dude...seriously...are you taking your prescribed medication?

[Mike LoManaco]

Mofo, don't you know? No one puts any stock in anything they disagree with! God, get with the program! ;)

Ahhhh...welcome to the discussion, 'Kunta! Knew it was a matter of time until this thread took its redundant ugly, nasty turn off the subject matter and into personal "bias" once again, as they all do.

You are wrong in suggesting to Mofo that I don't put stock in Rotten Tomatoes just because I don't agree with their system -- that's absolutely untrue and not what I said, nor is it my opinion. It has nothing to do with disagreeing with anyone or any site...I just know some of their IT maintenance crew and have been engaged in e-mail discussions with them regarding some of the policies over there.

I NEVER said that no one can disagree with what I state in writing -- I wanted to cement that fact because I know that is what you are implying, slowly and surely. That is NOT my stance, AT ALL. I thank everyone for their thoughts and opinions no matter what they feel about a film, each and every time they enter a thread I have started.

[Demiurge]

What???

Are you trying to be a smart ass, Mike LoManaco?

[Mike LoManaco]

Are you trying to be a smart ass, Mike LoManaco?

Are you? You're the one who said "I'll ask the questions" and then said something about breasts in response to the other member's reply -- what is your deal?

[Demiurge]

Are you? You're the one who said "I'll ask the questions" and then said something about breasts in response to the other member's reply -- what is your deal?

Are you playing f'king games with me, Mike LoManaco?

[Mike LoManaco]

Are you playing f'king games with me, Mike LoManaco?

You said "you ask the questions"...are you playing f'king games with me? And what's this obsession with a man's breasts? :eek:

Demiurge has been reported for his last handful of thread responses.

[Demiurge]

You said "you ask the questions"...are you playing f'king games with me? And what's this obsession with a man's breasts? :eek:


Are you on narcotics, Mike LoManaco?

[Mike LoManaco]

Are you on narcotics, Mike LoManaco?

Enjoy your deluge into having a discussion with yourself, you crackpot -- aside from being reported for trolling, you've made your way onto my ignore list. ;)

[Demiurge]

Enjoy your deluge into having a discussion with yourself, you crackpot -- aside from being reported for trolling, you've made your way onto my ignore list. ;)

Oh, well drag me to hell. :(

[F1nut]

Demiurge has been reported for his last handful of thread responses.

Hilarious!

[F1nut]

Oh, well drag me to hell. :(

I don't care who you are, that's pure wit.

[Ricardo]

Mike LoManaco has an ignore list. The whole forum is there, except Danz and himself.

[kuntasensei]

Ahhhh...welcome to the discussion, 'Kunta! Knew it was a matter of time until this thread took its redundant ugly, nasty turn off the subject matter and into personal "bias" once again, as they all do.

You are wrong in suggesting to Mofo that I don't put stock in Rotten Tomatoes just because I don't agree with their system -- that's absolutely untrue and not what I said, nor is it my opinion. It has nothing to do with disagreeing with anyone or any site...I just know some of their IT maintenance crew and have been engaged in e-mail discussions with them regarding some of the policies over there.

I NEVER said that no one can disagree with what I state in writing -- I wanted to cement that fact because I know that is what you are implying, slowly and surely. That is NOT my stance, AT ALL. I thank everyone for their thoughts and opinions no matter what they feel about a film, each and every time they enter a thread I have started.

Wow... way to take a one-off joke and turn it into "dogpile on the rabbit". Can I say anything here without you launching into a tirade?

Incidentally, I have mixed feelings about this movie, but I think it was because of my expectations going into it. I thought I was gonna see a serious horror movie in the vein of The Gift. Once the nosebleed scene happened, I was like, "Oh... he's being THAT Sam Raimi in this one." After that, I had fun with it. I need to watch it again now that I know what I'm in for.

[Jstas]

Are you trying to be a smart ass, Mike LoManaco?

I don't think so, he's missing a critical piece of that puzzle.

[Jstas]

I posted it before but it must have been deleted. Imagine that. Hey, Mike LoM, Face and I are not the best of friends...ah hell, not even friends, period, from the looks of it. But your insinuations about Face and his social status from your suggestions of where he might live are obviously intended in a derogatory way. While just the fact that he is from Lawn Guy Land is grounds enough for incessant ridicule, whether he is rich, poor or anything in between is not. I really don't care for your insinuations on his or anyone else's socio-economic class. We have all kinds of people here from all walks of life and none of them are or ever should be measured by their paychecks.

You get ridiculed and harassed for your self-important postings as well as your air of superiority you have about you. On top of that, you respond to it like clockwork and that only serves to encourage it.

Some suggestions for you. Lose the 'tude. If you want to contribute to the forum, great, but stop using it as your own personal publishing space because the majority here feel it detracts from the environment and circumvents the rules. Vendors are not allowed to post here so why should other commercial interests?


But, this will probably get deleted as well because it is critical of our buddy Mike LoMa.

[Face]

John, I have nothing against you(aside from being a Ford owner and Jerseyite).

As for Mike L, I'm not posting my home town on here, sorry. And to insinuate I live in a ghetto, you can go shit in your hat. And if you passed geography, you would know that Hempstead isn't anywhere near "right smack in the middle" of Long Island.

[reeltrouble1]

also, I have it on good authority the Face man's Lawn Tractor is awesome.

RT1

[kuntasensei]

Some suggestions for you. Lose the 'tude. If you want to contribute to the forum, great, but stop using it as your own personal publishing space because the majority here feel it detracts from the environment and circumvents the rules. Vendors are not allowed to post here so why should other commercial interests?

+1. I'm honestly dumbfounded as to why the admins haven't nipped this problem in the bud a long time ago.

[Zoomzilla]

I liked this movie. I could do without a lot of the gross stuff, I don't think it really added that much to the movie. The ending was great. You don't see movies end like that very often.

[pmckeealaska]

I thought the movie was terrible. They tried using grossness to create something scary. It did nothing for me. Glad I borrowed this from a friend instead of buying it!

[Mike LoManaco]

Wow... way to take a one-off joke and turn it into "dogpile on the rabbit". Can I say anything here without you launching into a tirade?

Incidentally, I have mixed feelings about this movie, but I think it was because of my expectations going into it. I thought I was gonna see a serious horror movie in the vein of The Gift. Once the nosebleed scene happened, I was like, "Oh... he's being THAT Sam Raimi in this one." After that, I had fun with it. I need to watch it again now that I know what I'm in for.

While I appreciate your feelings on the film, what I stated to you was NOT a "tirade"...I was defending myself against what you were attempting to spread about me personally -- that if I don't agree with someone or a "take" on something, it's automatically wrong...and that's simply not so.

[Mike LoManaco]

John, I have nothing against you(aside from being a Ford owner and Jerseyite).

As for Mike L, I'm not posting my home town on here, sorry. And to insinuate I live in a ghetto, you can go shit in your hat. And if you passed geography, you would know that Hempstead isn't anywhere near "right smack in the middle" of Long Island.

LOL -- "go shit in my hat"? Wow. Haven't heard that one in awhile. I didn't "insinuate" that you lived in the ghetto -- I merely asked the 'nut why I wasn't ever going to "find out" in the "terms" HE put it in, and then continued on to ask why this was such a problem...being sarcastic in the response. :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, Geography wasn't a major of mine at college level (passed that ages ago though) and again, you misunderstood what I was saying about suggesting Hempstead. Furthermore, the town IS in the middle of Nassau from many perspectives, and when you said "in the middle" I assumed you were somewhere in Nassau, not Suffolk.

Don't post your home town on here, that's fine...I was just trying to make conversation with a fellow 'Islander (I no longer live there, and haven't for quite some time); indeed, for a laundry list of reasons, I don't blame you for not wanting to post your personal information. Was just curious as I grew up on the South Shore.

If I can get this Metamucil to work, I can go shit in my hat. ;)

As for "Jstas" and the others who have added nothing but harassment and personal flaming towards me in this thread (and others) by claiming I have an "attitude" (because I simply DEFEND myself against hurtful banter and commentary from people who don't even know me), they have been reported multiple times already to Pat and other administrative members. As I have said in the past, I have a handful of these assclowns on "ignore" but I see their replies when they reply to someone I do not have on the list, so I can see what's been going on.

And for the record...it is ABSOLUTELY asinine and ridiculous to state that I am using this forum for "advertising" means and for commercial purposes. That is ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY UNTRUE -- I'm merely sharing thoughts on DVD and Blu-ray titles, and this is NOT FOR "ADVERTISING" PURPOSES.

That's just utter B.S.

[kuntasensei]

While I appreciate your feelings on the film, what I stated to you was NOT a "tirade"...I was defending myself against what you were attempting to spread about me personally -- that if I don't agree with someone or a "take" on something, it's automatically wrong...and that's simply not so.

Well, as the creator of the de facto official Polk Audio review of the film, I'm so glad you appreciate my feelings on it. :rolleyes:

And for the record, you don't have to defend yourself against statements that aren't attacks. As I've told you many times before, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU.

[Mike LoManaco]

Well, as the creator of the de facto official Polk Audio review of the film, I'm so glad you appreciate my feelings on it. :rolleyes:

WHEN DID I EVER STATE THAT? WHERE DID I EVER CLAIM THAT'S WHAT I WAS POSTING? You're beginning a whole slew of B.S. once again for absolutely no reason and with no evidence of anything you're claiming -- it just doesn't get through to you that it isn't my stance...I posted a review of a Blu-ray Disc -- what in God's name is so WRONG with that? Where are you COMING from with all this?


And for the record, you don't have to defend yourself against statements that aren't attacks. As I've told you many times before, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU.

They're not "attacks"? AND WHAT YOU SAID TO START THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You implied to the other member that what I don't agree with is immediately frowned upon, and that different opinions other than mine are looked at as "not allowed" in my eyes somehow -- BUT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY UNTRUE. Everyone's opinions have been thanked and credited EACH AND EVERY TIME THEY ARE POSTED in one of these threads.

AND YOU ARE TELLING ME YOUR COMMENT TO THAT OTHER MEMBER WASN'T ABOUT ME? That's an outright lie.

[kuntasensei]

WHEN DID I EVER STATE THAT? WHERE DID I EVER CLAIM THAT'S WHAT I WAS POSTING? You're beginning a whole slew of B.S. once again for absolutely no reason and with no evidence of anything you're claiming -- it just doesn't get through to you that it isn't my stance...I posted a review of a Blu-ray Disc -- what in God's name is so WRONG with that? Where are you COMING from with all this?
It's the WAY you do it. You claim lordship over the thread, congratulating anyone who shares their comments on the movie as if it somehow reflects on you. You don't have to thank everyone who posts!


They're not "attacks"? AND WHAT YOU SAID TO START THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You implied to the other member that what I don't agree with is immediately frowned upon, and that different opinions other than mine are looked at as "not allowed" in my eyes somehow -- BUT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY UNTRUE. Everyone's opinions have been thanked and credited EACH AND EVERY TIME THEY ARE POSTED in one of these threads.

AND YOU ARE TELLING ME YOUR COMMENT TO THAT OTHER MEMBER WASN'T ABOUT ME? That's an outright lie.

You don't have to thank us or credit us. That's the problem. If someone says something about the movie that you want to discuss, do so... but there's really no need for you to thank everyone. I assure you that they're not doing it for you. We're all here because we like movies, music and home theater.

Please go back and re-read what I posted. It was a one-off smartass statement noting that no one lends credence to opinions that diverge from their own (which is a general truth, not just true of you in particular), and it was undeserving of the paragraphs of reactionary drama that you've posted in response. I'm not attacking you. The only thing I know about you is what you present to this forum, which so far as I've seen is similar to a kid in school who always feels like he's being picked on and runs to teacher, even though he's being treated no differently than everyone else.

[Mike LoManaco]

It's the WAY you do it. You claim lordship over the thread, congratulating anyone who shares their comments on the movie as if it somehow reflects on you. You don't have to thank everyone who posts!



You don't have to thank us or credit us. That's the problem. If someone says something about the movie that you want to discuss, do so... but there's really no need for you to thank everyone. I assure you that they're not doing it for you. We're all here because we like movies, music and home theater.

Please go back and re-read what I posted. It was a one-off smartass statement noting that no one lends credence to opinions that diverge from their own (which is a general truth, not just true of you in particular), and it was undeserving of the paragraphs of reactionary drama that you've posted in response. I'm not attacking you. The only thing I know about you is what you present to this forum, which so far as I've seen is similar to a kid in school who always feels like he's being picked on and runs to teacher, even though he's being treated no differently than everyone else.

This entire above tirade is absolute and utter nonsense creted solely for the purpose of trying to discredit someone -- and it's exactly what I have been citing here. It's simply not worth breaking down succinctly and replying to. Now, for "thanking people" for their opinions, I've been once more villianized and told that "it's not necessary" and they're not "thanking me for me"...unbelievable. That's not even what I was thinking or assuming. Utterly unbelievable. I share a review, and get a sermon on how I need to keep my "thankful" commentary in check because it's what is causing the so-called "drama" -- when other members ADMIT to adding nothing but hurtful commentary because they're self-proclaimed "jerks." Utterly ridiculous.

It's humorous to me that you feel "I am being treated like everyone else" when moderators have stated to me in private that they can sense what is going on in these threads as soon as I put one up -- they are aware of an instant pattern and have gone as far as to tell me it's as if random people wish to add harrang to the threads simply because they don't like reviews or people who write them, and I have agreed. Your comments about all of this are illogical, ridiculous and not on point, at all.

But, alas. We're not discussing the elements of Drag Me To Hell, which the thread was designed for, so I'm unsubscribing. Knock yourself out with the lies and banter which you accuse me of keeping alive within these thread pages -- and you did lie. I did not say what I said about Rotten Tomatoes because they or anyone else in the thread disagreed with my feelings on the film. That's ABSOLUTELY not true, and you did try and imply that to the other unsuspecting member.

[kuntasensei]

And there we go... Someone points out one of your annoying tendencies and you cry to the admins and then unsubscribe rather than try to get along with everyone. You ARE being treated like everyone else here. We bust each others' balls all the time. The difference is that the rest of us take it for what it is - typical internet forum usage, whereas you take it as some sort of personal affront to your sensibilities.

Your need to play the victim reminds me of Mrs. Ganush in Drag Me To Hell. (See what I did there?)

[F1nut]

mikey,

You have very serious mental issues. I encourage you to seek professional help. That's not an attack, it's the truth.

[kuntasensei]

Some entertaining reading:

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/102471-marlowe-hdf-exclusive-drag-me-hell-unrated-directors-cut-universal.html
Hey, look! It's Peter Marlowe's "exclusive" review for highdefforum! Wait... okay, maybe not THAT exclusive.

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/85817-my-take-mummy-tomb-dragon-emperor-deluxe-edition-universal.html
Clearly, he's the wanna-be "official reviewer" there as well. We're not the only ones who get that vibe.

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/81553-marlowe-exclusive-incredible-hulk-u-s-version-universal-marvel-studios.html
Watch as he reports that site's most prolific reviewer for a one-line joke. Also, see pg. 3 of that thread where he launches into an angry missive over someone disagreeing with him, which he WAY overreacts to. Seem familiar?

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/92330-after-firmware-update-here-my-thoughts-quantum-solace-mgm-columbia.html
The above has this comment from him: "ORIGINAL REVIEWS ARE THE ONES WE WANT IN THIS SECTION OF THE FORUM -- NOT CLIPPED ONES FROM OTHER SITES" Funny, considering he posted it here as well.

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/102942-marlowe-hdf-exclusive-trick-r-treat-warner-premiere-legendary-pictures.html
Even his follow-up post here in the Trick R Treat thread is cut-and-pasted from that forum.

http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/91989-marlowe-exclusive-twilight-summit-entertainment.html
One of his many spoiler-ridden reviews that he is called out on. But when I did the same here, I was reported.

Oh, and the best for last... Check out the same "you've been reported" nonsense in this thread:
http://www.highdefforum.com/blu-ray-movie-reviews/84872-my-take-tdk-two-disc-special-edition-legendary-dc-comics-syncopy-warner-6.html

[megasat16]

Awesome!!!

[KrazyMofo24]

That's crazy Peter why use a different name here?

[F1nut]

And for the record...it is ABSOLUTELY asinine and ridiculous to state that I am using this forum for "advertising" means and for commercial purposes. That is ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY UNTRUE -- I'm merely sharing thoughts on DVD and Blu-ray titles, and this is NOT FOR "ADVERTISING" PURPOSES.


Maybe not here, but by your own words you seem to be getting paid for writing these reviews.




I AM a professional optical disc reviewer (this is DIFFERENT from being schooled in film for many years, which I actually have been at NYU and New York's Hofstra University) certified in being able to make out differences in DVD and Blu-ray transfers and such


I am a credited Blu-ray and DVD optical disc reviewer with published work under by belt



I wouldn't be doing Blu-ray and DVD reviews for other publications if I didn't understand this basic rule of HT.






Oh, and BTW, before you begin spewing untruths about someone, I am ABSOLUTELY NOT a "ban dodger"...I made it clear that I write for multiple sites under different aliases for security purposes, as well as for printed publications in the home theater sector. Yes, HDF is one of them.

Could this be the same person as Zombie and GG have pointed out before? The writing style certainly seems the same.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37176

[dkg999]

As my kids would say, he's a poser!

[shack]

I don't believe he is a pro reviewer. I think he is a pro reviewer wannabe. IMO, the only reason he is on this and other forums is NOT to share his great insight with us poor uninformed...but to try and get some sort of rep...or body of work to showcase his "so called skills" so that he can reach his goal.

I think he has motives other than merely wanting to be a part and contributor to this forum and that is my problem with him.

[Keiko]

Oh, well drag me to hell. :(


I don't care who you are, that's pure wit.

I damn near pissed myself after reading that exchange. That is just downright funny, Demi. :D:D:D

[Demiurge]

The movie sucked, but this thread is now 5 Stars. :D