“Drag Me to Hell”

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

“Up”

Rated PG for some peril and action.

What a weekend for filmdom. Sam Raimi’s horror film, “Drag Me to Hell” and “Pixar’s Up,” available in 3D.

“Drag Me to Hell” is about a female loan officer named Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) who is in stiff competition for the position of bank vice president. She is warned by her slimy, smarmy boss (David Paymer) that she needs to be able to make the “tough” decisions if she is serious about getting the promotion. Her rival is an odious suck-up who seems to be the boss’s favorite. So, to prove she is heartless enough for the VPship, she turns down a horrible, haggish, gypsy-looking woman (from Hungary no less) when she asks for her third extension on an overdue house loan. The woman falls on her knees and begs but our gal tells her “no deal.” So, the woman puts a curse on Christine Brown and the scary stuff begins. Christine’s boyfriend is a professor of psychology at the local college and does not believe in the supernatural but he has the hots for her and, therefore, agrees to go with her to a Hindu fortuneteller. Is this multi-cultural or what? She learns she has three days to convince the woman to remove the curse or she will be dragged to hell. We know this is possible because in an introductory scene to this story we see a poor, possessed Mexican boy snatched up and sucked into the aforementioned location. “Drag Me to Hell” eschews the usual horror film technique of slash and gash and uses the more subtle boogie man scare method to keep the audience jumping. There are no major gross-out scenes — well there is some projectile vomiting and a flood of bug barf — but as horror flicks go these days, this is downright old fashioned. Not your typical teenager’s vivisection fiesta.

 Christine is sweet but apparently not very bright. I mean, denying a one-eyed, wrinkly, blanket skirted crone is a recipe for disaster, right? The old woman’s dentures look like rotting shark teeth, for heaven’s sake. Give her the money, you fool; the heck with the promotion. From the first scene to the last, we have first rate acting and professional special effects. If quality matters, this is the one to see.

“Drag Me to Hell” earns four bow ties out of five.

 If, however, you prefer lighter fare, you can’t beat “Up.” Pixar once again delivers a fantastic product. The story is as good as it gets, the characters are unforgettable, and the technique flawless. A young boy, Carl Fredricksen, growing up in the 1930s, is inspired by the exploits of adventurer, Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). Muntz brought back from South America the skeleton of an exotic bird, but nobody believed it was the real thing so he went back to Paradise Falls, South America, swearing not to return until he had the real thing.

 Young Carl meets a young girl (Ellie), also inspired by the great adventurer. It was love at first sight. They both dream of going on great adventures … traveling to Paradise Falls at the very least. They end up with each other — spend a lifetime together, yet, sadly, they grow old, childless, and never make it to their exotic destination. Ellie dies of old age. Carl (voiced by the “spot on” Ed Asner) is now elderly, and finds himself alone … and grouchy … particularly when he is visited by a “Young Adventurer.” The corpulent little lad is, rather creatively for the storyline, a young Asian American boy (voiced by Jordan Nagai); his name is Russell. He is very eager to earn his “elderly assistance” badge. Carl chases the boy off his property (he thinks) and releases thousands and thousands of helium balloons, which take his house off its foundation, setting himself and home aloft for a trip to, at last, Paradise Falls … but, you guessed it, with Russell trapped on the front porch. It should be noted that Young Russell is starved for paternal attention and Carl is somewhat adrift with regret. I wonder if they will find what they both seek. You reckon?

 How do I put this? “Up” is perfect — not just good. It is 100 percent, take-it-from-me, super-pluperfect. I loved it in 3D, but, I imagine, it is just as good in 2D, because what makes this film great is its simplicity, humor, charm and sincere sweetness. It is a beautiful film as well; gorgeous. See it or don’t complain to me that there aren’t any good films to see these days.

“Up” earns five bow ties out of five.

 Two superlative films; I think this is a great start for the summer of 2009.