ROTTEN TOMATOES: Sam Raimi Dragging Ellen Page to Hell

Sam Raimi Dragging Ellen Page to Hell

by Jeff Giles | February 11, 2008

Summary

Now that all those Hobbit rumors are out of the way, Sam Raimi can get started on his next thriller -- and with Ellen Page keeping him company, to boot. Back to Article

(1-45 of 45 posts) | Reply

miroshima writes:
on Feb 11 2008 06:24 AM

I'm a Bruce Campbell away from excitement.

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Xavier Telouran writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:14 AM

A script Sam wrote with his brother Ivan? Geez, did Avi Arad remember to tell him to throw in Venom too?

Well, I GUESS we can give those two a second chance, since I still hold to my conspiracy theory that Raimi tanked Spidey 3 after Arad spent too much time meddling. So here's your shot at redemption, and you move closer to the mark adding her, I think.

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frogleg writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:33 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567815)
Just the fact that Sam & Ivan wrote another horror movie is a move closer to the mark. Just because Spidey 3 was mediocre doesn't make Raimi an automatic hack. Evil Dead? Spidey 1 & 2?

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:35 AM

Finnaly Sam Raimi is going back to horror(The Evil Dead series was ausome).

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DaHypr1 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:36 AM

agreed. one bad movie and he gets shunned off the face of the earth? i still hold him in high respects with what he did with the first two spidey films and yes with the evil dead films. hes awesome in my book and im looking forward to this

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:37 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567815)
Everyone makes some bad movies, Raimi (The Gift). I didnt think S3 was bad, it just wasnt that good. I hope he comes back to do S4 so badly.

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:39 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567815)
I also think this will be cool, Cambell better have a part in this! I'm glad he's not doing THE HOBBIT, I'm soo happy that DEL TORO is doing it!

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Product_of_You writes:
on Feb 11 2008 08:19 AM

I actually really liked The Gift. I love Sam Raimi's direction, but him and Ivan's writing is pretty rough, which kinda deminishes hope for a new Raimi flick.

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BrianInSD writes:
on Feb 11 2008 08:54 AM

It's nice to see Raimi return to directing something without the word "Spider-Man" in the title. He's been away for too long.

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FireflyFan4evr writes:
on Feb 11 2008 08:58 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567832)
Raimi is an immediate hack BECAUSE of Spidey 1 & 2, and especially for Evil Dead (all of them except Army of Darkness, which was kinda cool). I'll probably get lambasted for this, but I find it strange how I'm the only person that hates the first two Spidey flicks and Evil Dead's (I've never seen Spiderman 3).

However, this project actually looks kinda cool- maybe back to a Darkman level of filmmaking.

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Bloody Mathias writes:
on Feb 11 2008 09:03 AM

Yeah, it's been 8 years since Raimi last made a non-Spidey film.

It'll be nice to see him redeem himself with a small budget horror and get back to his roots. Ellen Page is also a plus and it means chicks too not just Raimi and horror fanboys will come out to see.

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Xavier Telouran writes:
on Feb 11 2008 09:13 AM

I wasn't saying the man can't direct. I'm just saying he shouldn't write his own stuff. Spidey one was done largely by David Koepp, and 2 was a conglomeration of 4 writers including Alvin Sargent and the guys behind Smallville. Granted, Alvin did return on 3, but I think he was already working with a turkey, so who really cares if it gobbled? Again, I blame most of that on too many cooks in the kitchen and merely say it was a step back, not a "shun from the face of the earth."

And he's still not as bad as George Lucas. Just so we're clear...

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 10:23 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567974)
Its understandable for some people to not like S1 and S2 to, I think Spiderman is something you either like or dont like. S3 was pretty good, S2 was great, S3 was mediocre.

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I Am Remote writes:
on Feb 11 2008 10:36 AM

"Written with his brother Ivan."

lol, oh my god. You might as well advertise a room a retarded howler monkees with finger paint smeared it on a wall. The only halfway decent Spider-Man movie was one, by Koepp. Spider-Man III and, everyone, II, are ridiculous scripts. Plot holes. Bad dialogue. Phoney motivations.

"Punch me, I bleed!" If only I could, Raimi's. If only I could.

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Herberbaly writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:16 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567974)
I agree with you FireFlyFan. All of the Spidey flicks were pretty damn terrible. There really isn't a whole lot of redeeming qualities in those flicks, unless you include horrible acting, a hideous looking Kirsten Dunst, and special f/x that look like something out of a DTV movie. I hate all the Spider-Man movies, and so should everyone else.

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Bruce Campbell writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:29 AM

In reply to this comment (#1567974)
Please die.

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Bruce Campbell writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:31 AM

Yeah, the first two Spider-man movies both have 90% here, and the third is still fresh. Plus 99.99% of people loved the first two.

So your opinion fails.

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I Am Remote writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:44 AM

Yes. Because nothing says "quality" like a lot of people liking something!!! N'Sync! Dancing with the Stars! And yes, Spider-Man movies. You're ridiculous. Go be a sheep somewhere else.

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mysteriousone writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:48 AM

In reply to this comment (#1568376)
your a stupid bastard!

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Shatter24 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:52 AM

Its not just regular people liking the Spiderman movies (which to the movie studios, is all that matters) but critics all liked Spiderman 1 & 2, and at least over 1/2 liked three to some degree.

So, "I Am Remote", if its not the people, or the critics that judge the quality of a film, . . . who exactly is it? You? I somehow doubt you have some wisdom, that us other post-ers, the majority of critics, and the general public, don't have.

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FireflyFan4evr writes:
on Feb 11 2008 12:50 PM

In reply to this comment (#1568381)
Just because something is the popular opinion, doesn't make it right. Refer to Dilbert's Principle.

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therealdeadite writes:
on Feb 11 2008 12:57 PM

For ****s sake. The man didn%u2019t just do the Spider-man films he also did A Simple Plan which is a tremendous film. He has shown he has a good range and the fact he is doing another horror film gives me hope. Really I understand he has made some crappy films like Spidey 3 but he has a great body of work behind him such as The Evil Dead trilogy and A Simple Plan among others that he can probably produce a quality horror flick. Besides we need them after the crap that people call horror now that has been coming out.

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therealdeadite writes:
on Feb 11 2008 12:59 PM

For ****s sake. The man didn%u2019t just do the Spider-man films he also did A Simple Plan which is a tremendous film. He has shown he has a good range and the fact he is doing another horror film gives me hope. Really I understand he has made some crappy films like Spidey 3 but he has a great body of work behind him such as The Evil Dead trilogy and A Simple Plan among others that he can probably produce a quality horror flick. Besides we need them after the crap that people call horror now that has been coming out.

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Ashron writes:
on Feb 11 2008 01:24 PM

FireFlyFan, you get a lot of slack from me because of your name. And you don't like the Spiderman's or the Evil Dead films, that's fine. Everyone's entitled to their opinion (oh, a little aside to the person who said someone's opinion was wrong, the very definition of opinion makes that a physical impossibility. Misguided perhaps, but not wrong.)

But Firefly, may God kill me the day Sam ever makes a film as wretched as Darkman. Easily the worst thing he's ever made, except maybe for Crimewave.

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~*Admiral Snowstorm*~ writes:
on Feb 11 2008 01:33 PM

Hey guys look at me I dislike well-liked movies because I'm different and original am I cool yet?

I'm still not sold on Ellen Page's acting abilities, and her voice is kind of irksome. However, she shows some promise, so I guess I'll see this movie.

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Ruckas356 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 02:02 PM

Get on with evil dead for christ sakes!

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lestatthevampire writes:
on Feb 11 2008 02:07 PM

In reply to this comment (#1568319)
Spidey 1 was good? Talk about a bad script! The green goblin was a horrible intro villain. He looked like one of those shiny godzilla dolls that you wind up and sparks shot out of his mouth. Onlythe acting by dafoe was so bad that sparks shot out of his ***. Bad movie. Redeemed in 2 with a good villain and good actor.

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TheGreatOne13 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 02:28 PM

Damn you IVAN...Damn You!!!

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 02:29 PM

In reply to this comment (#1568381)
Hey are you Bruce Cambell? If so you're ausome!

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Idiot_Savant writes:
on Feb 11 2008 03:21 PM

In reply to this comment (#1568387)
Grammatically speaking, it's actually, "You're a stupid etc., etc." and writing the possessive 'your' sort of lessens the impact...

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MaxFisher14 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 03:36 PM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

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evilralphwiggum writes:
on Feb 11 2008 03:53 PM

Bruce Campbell will also star...yes?
lol
at least a cameo of course ^_^

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ManofStee1 writes:
on Feb 11 2008 04:01 PM

What a terrible title... but it has Ellen Page in it so I'll see it. I'd see her in any movie. Even something like Good Luck Chuck 2: Better Luck This Time!

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Synyster_Gates writes:
on Feb 11 2008 04:30 PM

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and no ones opinion is wrong. But saying that someones opinion is wrong, or everyone should agree with my, because I am think I am closer to god, is blasphemous.

My opinion: The Evil Dead trilogy are some of the greatest films ever made, as are the Spider-Man films. Yes, the third one was a little disappointing, but they are some of the greatest comic book movies to ever be made.

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Young Turk writes:
on Feb 11 2008 06:38 PM

In reply to this comment (#1568641)
No it doesn't but it invalidates your OPINION, because it is exactly that, YOUR OPINION. Now the fact that Raimi is held in such high regard, or is praised in so many other people's opinions, then what you are trying to say about him being a hack is completely false outside of your own opinion because the majority of opinions is against you.

As for Spider-man I can attempt an explanation at why so many people loved them. A lot of people love and enjoy Spider-man, the movie form of Spider-man was a completely faithful adaptation (comic book cheese and self righteousness included). It succeeded at being a faithful adaptation of the comic as well as being a summer blockbuster, 3 times! SO, whether you find it strange or not is ultimately irrelevant.

And no, just because something is popular opinion does not make it "right", but you are not arguing some moral dilemma or ethical issue, you are talking about the popularity of a movie in the mainstream. More people liked it than disliked A LOT MORE. It was a commercial success because not only did it really pioneer the comics to movies movement in Hollywood, but it did it in a way that people loved. Your opinion still stands, albeit without any credibility other than yours and a handful of other people's feelings.

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Nil writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:32 PM

Loved the tone of spidey movies.. Just not comfy with the storyline.. So much parellelism with the superman movies.. 1 on discovering powers, 2 on giving them up then regaining them and three on fighting the darkness within..

Supe 3 suck..

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Nil writes:
on Feb 11 2008 07:33 PM

Loved the tone of spidey movies.. Just not comfy with the storyline.. So much parellelism with the superman movies.. 1 on discovering powers, 2 on giving them up then regaining them and three on fighting the darkness within..

Supe 3 suck..

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rt_hire_me writes:
on Feb 11 2008 09:19 PM

Anyone who doesn't like spiderman 1 or 2 ought to get bit by a radioactive spider and not get any superpowers, just a big rash.

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WeaponAndy writes:
on Feb 11 2008 11:03 PM

Sweet, I love Raimi's work and Page was amazing in Juno. Not so sure about the Drew Barrymore directed film though...she sucks in front of the camera and I can't imagine her being any better behind it.

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Product_of_You writes:
on Feb 12 2008 01:05 AM

In reply to this comment (#1568683)
Whoever said they weren't sold on Ellen Page's acting abilities watch 'Hard Candy.' She is easily the best actress under 30 and in the mainstream. Tis my opinion anyway.

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Tollens writes:
on Feb 12 2008 06:45 AM

Agreed, Rami was becoming a little to stagnant doing all those big budget Spiderman movies (as much as I enjoyed the first two Spidy flicks). He needed a better creative outlit and I hope this movie will be it! As long as it's not as bad as the horror movies he produced (Bogyman anyone?)

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RPMcMurphy51 writes:
on Feb 12 2008 08:48 AM

I know that I am not in the majority with this opinion but Ellen Paige is overrated just like Juno is overrated. Different, hip and quirky? More like annoying, unnatural and tries-to-hard-to-be-hip .

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Lesmana writes:
on Feb 12 2008 09:19 AM

as long as it's ellen, it's at it's minimum should be watchable, if only coz of ellen performance...

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Relapse writes:
on Feb 12 2008 05:57 PM

Some of you guys really need to relax. You whine way too much.

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kiss bang kill writes:
on Feb 13 2008 01:43 AM

In reply to this comment (#1570977)
Agree with Replapse. Everyone thinks their opinion is right, otherwise they wouldn't even think it in the first place. Some people think that if they hate on blockbusters and tell everyone how many times they just watched a certain indie flick that it makes them a better judge of films, or it makes them above the majority of the public.

I will say that for the most part, moviegoers just want flashy CGI and enough action to hold over their contagious ADD. But, at the same time, Evil Dead is a really good series. From the first to the last, they are extremely original and well-directed. Spider-Man was OK. Spider-Man 2 was quite possibly one of the top three comic movies ever made.

All my opinions, whether they are "popular" notions or not, Sam Raimi CAN direct. Ivan Raimi CAN write. And this is actually looking pretty good. I don't understand how more people cannot see what is happening here. He was chained for Spidey 3 and he finally got his production house moving, now he is making his OWN movies, free from the chains that bind him. I wish more directors would do the same.

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