Raw [DVD]

Saw this in the city (NY) the morning it came out and it did not disappoint. Even with the shock hype. I've seen every horror film there is so very few movies are that good to hit a nerve in me, but this was one that worked! I guess I'd call it disturbing, but in a good way if that makes any sense. Don't get me wrong I wasn't affected the way some of these people at the premiere were affected (supposedly, because I kind of find it hard to believe that people fainted and vomited, but that's the word) but as the story progressed and some of the scenes played out (one scene/revelation near the end in particular) I was taken aback momentarily. More than any particular scene though I think it was the overall affect the movie had on me. Plus it's smart and well executed. It speaks to larger themes of conformity, sibling rivalry and the emotional and psychological commitment siblings have with one another (to varying degrees). The shock element is there, but as the other reviewer here said this isn't quite a horror movie (well maybe it is). The "thing" (don't want to spoil it) is merely a hook, but it's a good hook. This is a movie about trying to adjust to a foreign environment when you're really just a kid trying to fit in and find your way. When you're away from home and lonely and still emotionally and sexually immature from a psychological perspective and not ready to handle it all but can't resist those urges. You want and really need to satisfy those sexual urges, it's part of life, but it's not easy because you don't quite know your way. The film is a horrific metaphor for it all yet also works as a horror movie. It's one of the most original movies I've seen. Don't worry you won't faint or vomit. I promise.

My girlfriend and I both really enjoyed this. The acting and direction were both very well done, and the story was good. The music should get a very serious nod too, it really added a lot to the film. Everything seemed to be in the right place. I didn't find the blood and gore to be too over-the-top the way a few reviewers on here have said. It is, after all, a movie about cannibalism, if you're watching a movie about cannibalism, don't get all judgy when there is some blood and gore. There was hype around the release because of some walkouts and somebody vomiting in the theatre, but anyone who watches a lot of horror movies knows that reports of stuff like that, even if they are true, don't always mean that the film will be incredibly shocking or gory. It's all perspective.One comment though: For all of the discussion of this, and last, year's "new wave of female horror directors" there seems to still be a very specific tendency towards casting nothing but incredibly skinny, or statuesque women for every character. The only female in the movie that wasn't picture-perfect doesn't even get shown, she gets brought up in a story that a doctor tells the protagonist. It didn't ruin the flick for me or anything, all of the actors were amazing. But, I had some hope that these new, incredibly talented, female writers and directors would maybe help break the mold some and allow in women that don't look like the average mainstream movie actress.Still, a win overall. There is a reason that it's been talked about so much since it opened. Watch it and see.

I was expecting a much more gory movie based off what I had heard of "Raw". Instead, I watched a movie that was deeper in plot and symbolism than it was in blood and viscera. Sure, there's some gore, but it's not like it's "Green Inferno"-level (Eli Roth's cannibal movie). If you could stomach an episode of "Hannibal", you'll be able to get through this one. There's even some good extra-dark humour in "Raw", too.One thing I really liked about the movie is the visuals. A lot of the sets and lighting reminded me of a cross between those large, sterile, cold and bold rooms in Stanley Kubrick movies and the grey, claustrophobic, grimy abattoir rooms of a "Saw" movie. It felt like the director, the director of photography, and the set team were all in perfect sync with their vision for the atmosphere.I always try to stay at a 100% spoiler free rate on my movie reviews, so I won't say much more. But it does have a really "didn't see that coming" ending.If you like movies like "American Mary", or any of the Hannibal Lector series (show included), or any other well thought out, well shot, and not over-the-top gory horror movie, this is well worth your time. I look forward to watching it again.