The Rave: Disco Inferno

Spoiler: He grows orange wings and invents flight at the end

Through an unlikely series of ridiculous events this past weekend, I ended up seeing The Raven twice in the span of two days.  While the movie didn’t instill me with a fervor wild enough to recommend that everyone see it twice, I’d definitely say the movie is worth at least one viewing.

The Raven is a thriller in which a serial killer bases his killings off of fictional murders Edgar Allen Poe has written.  The detective hunting this killer enlists Poe’s help in the hunt, as he has a unique perspective on the case.  However, the film’s literary-nut-appeasing premise doesn’t keep it from entertaining all audiences.  John Cusack takes on the role of Poe in his first impressive role in what feels like forever.  He looks surprisingly similar to the real Poe and his acting is strong throughout the movie (although I wonder if the real Edgar Allen Poe wore as many capes as this version.)  Holding his own as the detective on the case opposite Cusack is Luke Evans.  Although his brow seems to be in a constant state of furrowment, he plays his part well.  Finally we have Alice Eve in the role of Emily Hamilton.  The most notable aspect of this native Englander’s performance is her excellent American accent.

My biggest complaint with the movie is it’s beginning.  Not only is it incredibly slow to start, but it also spoils itself.  The slow pacing at the beginning is a flaw that can be forgiven easily but the spoiler is just kind of confusingly unnecessary.  It’s like The Lord of The Rings showing Frodo drop the ring into Mt. Doom at the very beginning of the first movie or Darth Vader killing the Emperor at the beginning of Star Wars.  Soon though the movie finds it’s stride as the serial killer hunting begins.  The pacing and plot development is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes so if those were your type of movies you will find the same enjoyment here (although there is considerably more blood in this movie.)  Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare co-wrote the screenplay and their efforts pay off with Cusack sounding like the witty and vernacularly impressive Poe.  As the movie posters promote, James McTeigue, the director of V for Vendetta, helms The Raven.  Adding this credit to his relatively short directorial resume will certainly expand his credibility.

All in all, The Raven delivers on the premise it advertised well, pleasing both fans of Poe’s work and the casual movie goer alike.  It provides thrills, action, gore, mystery, and a little bit of humor, so there is something for everyone.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go buy a sweet cape.

"Why yes... I do love capes."

Horror-ception : The Cabin in The Woods

The Cabin in The Woods: A documentary on gravity-defying architecture.

I know what you’re thinking.  “WTF the Mauraider’s first reveiw is The Cabin in The Woods?!”  And to that, I have two responses.  One, your spelling is horrendous.  And two, yes my first review is of a movie that belongs to the genre of cinema most often cast into mediocrity.

So let’s dive in, shall we?

The Cabin in The Woods is described as any average horror movie is described: Five high schoolers who look like they’re in their late twenties go to a secluded cabin for a short vacation when things take a terrible turn and they start dying off one by one.  The premise offers the customary thrills, scares, gore, and occasional boob shots that wind up in all normal horror genre movies.  However, TCITW is anything but normal (ignore the obnoxious acronym usage).

The trailers raise suspicions that this particular horror flick might have an unorthodox tale, but they definitely don’t prepare the average movie goer for how bizarre the plot turns out to be.  As the story is framed in the first few minutes, it becomes clear that there is more to this movie than the simple terror of some cabin in the woods.  In fact, the creativity of the plot is really what raises the movie above it’s sub-par genre roots.  TCITW spends a good part of its 95 minute run time satirizing the horror genre in a smart and inventive way.  The witty way that the movie plays on this irony is what separates TCITW from other more basic parodies like Scary Movie.

On top of the inspired uniqueness of the film, the fundamental storytelling does a good job of engaging you and the pacing of the movie flows steadily along without any major lulls or hiccups.  While Chris Hemsworth looks a little out of place because of his current marketing-induced Thor-ification, the cast otherwise works well together.  Although Kristen Connolly, who serves as the main protagonist, distinguishes herself with strong acting, the rest of the cast underwhelmingly serves their purpose.   However, a surprise cameo from an unexpected actress late in the movie shakes things up a bit and is a welcome addition to the climactic ending.

Overall, The Cabin in The Woods is an extremely new and imaginative take on your classic horror movie.  Writers Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard wrote something that feels contemporary without being completely strange and unfathomable.  While the soundtrack and CGI effects are found a bit lacking, that shouldn’t stop audiences from enjoying the humorous dialogue, the innovative premise, and the unconventional and engaging storytelling.  Walking out of the theater, I heard someone declare, “That movie was like the Inception of horror movies.”  While I would say that simile is heavily hyperbolic, mostly absurd, and deceptively simple, it does speak volumes of how new and refreshing TCITW feels.

I give this movie 5 bear-trap-wielding-one-armed zombies out of 5

“One does not simply start a blog…”

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