Every time I watch this movie, I wonder to myself if Sam Raimi has some sensitive information about the MPAA that he used to bribe them in to the rating he got. (Evil Dead 2013 made me ask myself the same question all over again). Drag Me to Hell may arguably be the hardest PG-13 rated horror film the world has seen. Mrs. Ganush, who curses Christine, is repugnant while alive but manages to be even more grotesque in death. The scene where her corpse projects embalming fluid out of her mouth is nothing short of revolting. Moreover, the sacrifice of Clay and Christines cat was really shocking. One doesnt expect to see the family pet sacrificed in a PG-13 rated movie. Drag Me to Hell is full of legitimate scares and also throws in some jump scares for good measure.
A house that feeds of off death is a unique idea and it translates to a highly atmospheric film. If released today, Burnt Offerings would likely have been given a PG-13 rating by the MPAA. The film is a bit too slow for some viewers, but we think its just the right pace. Burnt Offerings is certainly slow burn, but we see it as slow burn done effectively. And, while this film didnt necessarily appeal to everyone, it is absolutely a classic and has gone on to inspire a great deal of contemporary filmmakers. Without giving anything away for viewers who havent seen the film, the final scene of the film represented the only bloodshed to speak of, but it made for a shocking and effective conclusion.
Before you die, you see the ring. The Ring has a very spooky premise working in its favor. Clearly, the idea of a videotape possessed by an evil spirit is a bit far-fetched, but its the kind of story line that sticks with you after you watch the film. If The Ring were made today, it would undoubtedly be revolving around a viral video, rather than a VHS tape, but the eeriness is just as effective regardless of the medium. The Ring is one of the better reboots to come out of the Japanese horror remake trend of the early 00s. It was met with largely positive reviews, its sequel, however didnt fare so well. Samara scared the shit out of me, and I was in my early twenties when I saw the film. Her now you see me, now you dont antics provided jump scares aplenty. It wasnt really about being graphic or gruesome in The Ring, it was more about incredibly creepy atmosphere; for example, the scene where Samara oozes out of the television wasnt gory, but it spooked audiences, nonetheless. It was completely unexpected and a really cool effect, as well.
