MOVIE REVIEW: DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

 

Dr Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. However, a threat emerges that may be too big for his team to handle.

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, Rachel McAdams

Release Date: May 6, 2022

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language.

Runtime: 2h 6m

Review:

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is a Sam Raimi film from start to finish, it's bloody, outlandish but never boring even if the actual plot plays like a Rick and Morty episode.  Raimi takes very little time to put his stamp on his entry into the Marvel universe by throwing out monster and mayhem from the start.  People familiar with his filmography will pick up on nods to his past film with Evil Dead and Drag Me to Hell being the most obvious inspirations.  Benedict Cumberbatch is surprisingly at ease amidst the general insanity that Raimi throws at him in the film.  He clearly comfortable in the role but you get the distinct sense that he'd relish a bit more depth to his character this far into his run as he throws out quips at the same pace as magic spells.  Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda is untethered, broken and  and she plays her with impressive intensity even though her backstory will requires some Disney+ homework for the uninitiated.  Olsen has the ability to display pain and loss with naturalistic ease and she does so with great effect even though some fans may not be happy with her character ultimate arch.  Rachel McAdams gets some time to shine in the backend of the film which makes you wish the film had made better use of her while Xochitl Gomez is given the task of being little more than a human McGuffin.  The multiverse conceit opens up worlds of possibilities and Raimi takes great pleasure in delivering fanboy moments especially when there aren't any real consequences to what happens.  Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is one of the more jumbled entries in the Marvel franchise but it does overcome some of its story deficiencies by letting Raimi go nuts.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: EVIL DEAD

The Deadites return in this revamp of the Evil Dead franchise from newcomer director Fede Alvarez. The action centers on a group of friends who head out to an isolated cabin in order to clean up their drug-addicted friend (Jane Levy).. The helmer wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues. Film series veterans Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and Bruce Campbell handle producing duties on the Ghost House Pictures production for Sony Pictures Entertainment. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director Fede Alvarez

Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Jim McLarty

Release Date: Apr 05, 2013

Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore, some sexual content and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

Stilted acting, outrageous gore and inventive camera work made the original Evil Dead a horror camp classic. A remake of that film is terribly unnecessary just like all the other unnecessary remakes but it’s a trend that won’t stop so I will. This re-imagining focuses on the same cabin with a group of pretty 20 somethings expect one of them is trying to get clean this go around. When the action starts it engages in a full throttle assault on the senses. Fede Alvarez gives the original it due with a ton of winks and nods but while delivering an over the top gross out that’s as campy as the original. The trailers suggested a more serious tone but the film is just as stupid as the original. The characters are intentionally idiotic and moronic. The FX are notch though, delivering some of the best gross out gore I’ve seen in a long while. Jane Levy, in heavy make up for the better part of the film, does her best to add a little something to her character but it’s not really required for carnival of carnage that borrows heavily from all kinds of horror sources even recalling The Exorcist on occasion. It all builds to a rather thrilling 3rd act that’s rather insane but satisfying at the same time.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL 3D

A mischievous magician gains the wisdom to become a powerful ruler after being swept away to a land of magic and mystery as director Sam Raimi and screenwriters Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) explore the genesis of author L. Frank Baum's enduring tales of Oz. Shady illusionist Oscar Diggs (James Franco) enchants curious audiences at a Kansas circus. When he is inexplicably transported to the wondrous world of Oz, he encounters three witches named Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who pose him an awesome challenge: root out a ruinous force of evil that threatens to destroy the entire kingdom, and become the great leader that the population has been waiting for. Should Oscar succeed in summoning the necessary sorcery and creativity to deliver the land from darkness, he will forever be known as the Wizard of Oz. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Joey King

Release Date: Mar 08, 2013

Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Let me start of by saying I’ve never been a Wizard of Oz fan. I’ve watched the film various times and it just never connected with me. I got it but the connection just never occurred. I went into this prequel expecting something akin to Tim Burton’s mess of an Alice in Wonderland prequel from a few years back. Strangely Raimi’s prequel worked so much better for me. It’s got some obvious issues but for a film that’s 2 hours long, I found myself entertained for the better part of it. Raimi’s general template is borrowed from the original film with plenty of callback to the classic film. Enough to keep any diehard fan happy. Raimi delivers a candy colored assault on the senses, especially if viewed in 3D, from the moment we enter Oz. It’s a rather rousing experience especially as the film’s quasi-fantasy epic story begins to unfold. James Franco at the lead left me feeling fairly conflicted. At times during the film I thought he was terribly miscast and at others I thought he was perfectly suited. In the end, I really couldn’t decide so it’s a mix bag at best. Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz do good work in limited and underdeveloped roles. Kunis is solid but tends to oversell her performance especially later in the film where it feels increasingly off. Weisz on the other hand is having a ball in her role, chewing up scenery with a wicked sort of determination appropriate for the character. Michelle Williams as Glinda is an angelic sight to behold; she fits the character very well. Zach Braff and Joey King voice a pair of CGI creations with impressive ease. The CGI on both of them, especially China Girl, are really impressive creations. The visual effects as a whole are wonderfully done, occasionally recreating the look from original film in some of the backgrounds. As mentioned this isn’t a perfect film. Its evil characters are underdeveloped and the crux of a certain important conflict seemed half baked at best. While I did enjoy the experience I can’t say there are plenty of spots, especially before the final act, that could have been trimmed a tad. Honesty, there no reason for this film to be over 2 hours long; still I found it thoroughly enjoyable warts and all.

B-

Movie Reviews: DRAG ME TO HELL

Friday, June 05, 2009
Movie Reviews: DRAG ME TO HELL
IN THEATERS

DRAG ME TO HELL



Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, Professor Clay Dalton (Justin Long). Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks (David Paymer), and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home.

Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Dileep Rao

Director: Sam Raimi

Opened May 29, 2009

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min

Rated PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, sequences of horror violence and language

Genres: Supernatural Horror, Horror

Review:

If you’re the type that pays attention you’ll notice that Sam Raimi gives you a bit of a heads up as to what to expect with his newest film Drag Me To Hell. With the 80’s Universal logo opening the film, Raimi returns to what made him a name director, schlock fun loving comedy horror. If you’re not familiar with Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead series then here’s the first thing you need to know, don’t expect a serious horror film. If you do then you might be perplexed by the insanely manic and hilarious first confrontation of Alison Lohman’s Christine and Lorna Raver’s Ms. Ganush in a car. By that point, if it wasn’t clearly apparent, it should be clear that Raimi is interested in a few things here. He wants to gross you out, startle you and make you laugh at the same time. Raimi does all of those with great style throughout, so much so that you can almost feel hear Raimi chuckling in the background. Raimi keeps the plot, which he co-wrote, fairly simple and focuses on making the entire endeavor like a funhouse ride from some twisted carnival. He paces the film wonderfully, so much so that even horror movie veteran’s, who know a scare is coming, will be jumping when things continually pop out. The characters are all written as caricatures, purposely, and the cast is fairly effective as everyone’s game for the film’s tone. Front and center is Alison Lohman and she gives her character a believable sense of naivety and general terror when witch women or shadow’s begin beating her around mercilessly. She plays it straight for the most part but finally begins to give more tongue in cheek performance as the film heads towards its conclusion. Lorna Raver gives a fun gooey performance, as Ms. Ganush the gypsy who curse’s Christine, and harkens back to Raimi’s witch demons from Army of Darkness. Justin Long isn’t given much to do than look supporting then look concerned. The rest of the cast in mostly window dressing for a devilishly fun ride that manages to do so many things at once that you’ll never question Sam Raimi’s ability to make his audience multitask.

B+