Fresh on Scream Factory: ‘DRAG ME TO HELL’ burns with intensity on ultimate collector’s edition

Preston Barta // Features Editor

DRAG ME TO HELL (2009)

Rated R (and unrated), 99 minutes.
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza and Reggie Lee

Movie:

The absolute madness that ensues within the walls of the Scream Factory collector’s edition of 2009’s DRAG ME TO HELL is an event experience. It transports us back to those days when you’d enter a movie, jump out of fear, yell at the screen, and quiver in shock and disgust. (Trust me. There are many moments that will push your buttons, including a deceased woman vomiting up green goop into the protagonist’s mouth.)

When a creepy old woman (Lorna Raver) walks into a bank and asks for an extension on her mortgage, a loan officer (Alison Lohman) is forced to make a tough decision. She can either save the woman from being evicted from her house with an extension on her mortgage loan, or she can get a promotion by pulling the trigger on a foreclosure.

Stepping outside her comfort zone, the loan officer decides not to grant an extension, and all hell breaks loose. Literally.

The Scream Factory release, like many of the other collector’s editions I’ve discussed thus far, comes with its own unique packaging and special features. The film is completely terrifying and loaded with many well-executed moments to keep you frozen in fear. How some of those scenes were achieved are explained in captivating detail in the all-new interview segments.

[Grade: B+]

Extras:

The Scream Factory Collector’s Edition includes reversible cover art, the theatrical and unrated cuts of the film, and a slew of interviews with the filmmakers and talent.

[Grade: B]

All Special Features:

Disc One:

• NEW HD Master Of The Theatrical Cut Taken From The 2K Digital Intermediate
• Production Diaries –  With Behind-the-scenes Footage And Interviews With Co-writer/director Sam Raimi, Actors Allison Lohman, Justin Long, David Paymer, Dileep Rao, Lorna Raver, Special Effects Guru Greg Nicotero, Director Of Photography Peter Deming, And More (35 Minutes)
• Vintage Interviews With Director Sam Raimi And Actors Alison Lohman And Justin Long (33 Minutes)
• TV Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

Disc Two:

• NEW HD Master Of The Unrated Cut Taken From The 2K Digital Intermediate
• NEW To Hell And Back – An Interview With Actress Alison Lohman (12 Minutes)
• NEW Curses! – An Interview With Actress Lorna Raver (16 Minutes)
• NEW Hitting All The Right Notes – An Interview With Composer Christopher Young (17 Minutes)
• Still Gallery

DRAG ME TO HELL can be purchased through Shout Factory’s website.

Official Trailer:

Bonus Feature Clip – Alison Lohman on working with director Sam Raimi: