The Raven Review
Title: Raven [Blu-ray]
Release Date: October 9, 2012
About the Movie:
John Cusack and Luke Evans star in this blood-curdling tale of terror that’s as dark and haunting as the legendary master of the macabre who inspired it – Edgar Allan Poe.
Baltimore, 1849 – While investigating a horrific double murder, police detective Emmett Fields (Evans) makes a startling discovery: the killer’s methods mirror the twisted writings of Edgar Allan Poe (Cusack). Suspecting Poe at first, Fields ultimately enlists his help to stop future attacks. But in this deadly game of cat and mouse, the stakes are raised with each gruesome slaying as the pair races to catch a madman before he brings every one of Poe’s shocking stories to chilling life…and death.
Special Features:
- Deleted & Extended Scenes
- Poetry Reading
- The Red Mask
- Emily’s Recital
- Fields Check on Poe
- Poe Brings Carl to Field’s Home
- Doctor Clements and Fields
- The Raven Guts: Bringing Death to Life
- The Madness, Misery, and Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe
- Behind the Beauty and Horror
- The Raven Presents John Cusack & James McTeigue
- Music for the Raven: The Team
- Audio Commentary by Director James McTeigue, Producers Marc D. Evans
- Trevor Macy and Aaron Ryder
- Theatrical Trailer
My Review:
I’ve never read any works by Edgar Allan Poe, but after seeing The Raven I’m inspired to check them out. The Raven is set in Baltimore in the 1800s and stars John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe. The movie starts out by saying that Edgar Allan Poe was found dead on a park bench and the last four days of his life remain a mystery. This film is a fictional account of what happened in the last four days of his life.
The scenery is dark and mysterious and the perfect atmosphere for this whodunit thriller. There’s a serial killer on the loose who is playing out the crimes according to the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The police ask the author for his help in solving the crimes.
It gets even more personal for Edgar when his fiancee, Emily, is taken and held hostage by the killer. He must do whatever he can to find her before she dies. The killer leaves more victims and gives cryptic clues on each body that Edgar and the detective attempt to figure out.
The Raven is full of suspense and I liked that it wasn’t predictable. I didn’t know who the killer was until that information was revealed at the end of the movie. I also felt for Edgar and how desperate he was to find Emily.
There is some gore and I had to shield my eyes in a few scenes that were pretty graphic. Someone is cut in half by an elaborate ax-wielding apparatus and Emily is held captive in a coffin underground. It’s awful to even imagine that situation and the film did a great job in creeping me out.
If you love a mystery mixed with some history, I recommend you watch The Raven and try your hand at figuring out who the killer is.
Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the product.
i have not seen this movie but it looks good!
This looks really interesting–I like John Cusack as an actor and I love Edgar Allen Poe.
I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE –BUT GOOD REVIEW–CANT WAIT TO SEE
I really love John Cusack in movies! His sister Joan Cusack is also a very good actor! This sounds like a really suspenseful movie with an intriguing plot line! I would love to see this movie. I am going to keep an eye out of it to buy for Christmas!
I’ve actually read 2 of Mr. Poe’s works, The Raven and Tell Tale Heart. I would recommend Tell Tale Heart to start with. It’s very appropriate for Halloween.
Edgar Allen Poe from Baltimore , MD which is fairly close to where I live. I have read abit of his things. This would be a great DVD for those that like this type of things for Halloween. It also would make a great Christmas gift to. Thanks for the great review which gives us a good idea of how thrilling it its going to be . It will keep you on the edge of your seats for sure.
Ooh…this looks scary-good and I love John Cusack, so I’ll have to check this out!
This movie might freak me out!
i have not seen this movie ,thanks for the review
I wonder what Edgar Allan Poe would think of all of the hype he has gotten.
You know, had I not read your review, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have wanted to see the movie, since I’ve tried to steer clear of the ever-increasing gore in today’s movies. But being as it focuses on the life of Poe, even specutively, I’d definitely consider seeing it. Thanks for sharing!
This one looks so good! Thanks for your review ~ definitely one to watch out this spooky season 🙂
I remember seeing the trailer for this movie and wanting to see it then. I love John Cusack’s acting, he really gets into the role he is playing. Edgar Allan Poe was such a dark individual, even the way he died was mysterious. I can’t wait to see The Raven, thank you for the review.
I have always been intrigued by Edgar Allen Poe’s writing. I’ve been waiting for this movie to come to DVD. After reading your review, I am more eager to see it than ever. Thanks.
I am not so sure about making Poe into a movie.
I’ve read the book several times in high school and college and now that the movie is out, I really wanna see it!
John Cusack is one of my favorite actors and I just happen to like Edgar Allen Poe’s poetry as well which made me think that this movie would be perfect for me. I saw the previews and I was really curious about it but never got the chance to see it in theaters. I added the movie to my Blockbuster @ Home queue and it should be here via mail this afternoon. I do find it interesting that the score for the movie is not period appropriate. I’m not sure how I fell about it as of yet so I guess all I can do is wait and see. I work for DISH so I’ve been using Blockbuster for a while now and I’m really happy with it. You mentioned showing the ladies being shown as normal and not all starlets which I do appreciate. There have been a variety of movies that have completely thrown the idea of being authentic in that sense right out the window. The cinematography seems to be one of this nicer things about this film and from what I’ve seen, there are some really wonderful shots.
I have not seen this movie but from the description I will problably buy it. I like John Cusack and I like watching scary movies so I’m sure I’ll like it.
this is something I want to see. Full of suspense and leaves you hanging on the dege!
Well, you make me want to watch this so I can find out what happens to Emily and who killed Edgar Allen Poe. I usually don’t like the bloody movies. They scare me too much! I will have to see. Maybe I will try watching it.
I like John Cusack, but this is just not my type of movies. I don’t think I’ll be watching it.
Sounds like my kind of movie. Ill be picking it up when i can
When I heard about this, I could not imagine how they would make this poem into a movie! Sounds interesting. = )
I haven’t seen this movie, but I’d like to.
I saw this movie at Hasting’s the other day and thought about picking it up, but I didn’t. I am definitely going to go back and rent it. Thanks for the review! =)
Why have I not heard of this before?!? It sounds so good! I love John Cusack movies. And it sounds like the special features on this dvd would actually be worth watching.
I love John Cusack,
Wow, I wasn’t aware that this movie was a mystery type thriller! That makes me very excited to check it out. It sounds like it is fast paced and exciting and I like how it incorporates Edgar Allen Poe’s writings into it. Thanks for the great review!
Thank You For Your Review Of This Movie.
The Raven Sounds Very Interesting And I’ll Have To Check It Out.
Huh! I really don’t remember seeing the commercials for this movie when it was out in theatre, but it really looks like something I would enjoy! 🙂
Thanks for the great review!
I like movies that are not predictable Thanks for the review
The book is amazing, I hope I feel good about the movie when I see it.
Thank you for sharing your reviews of the Raven. I have not seen it yet, but I bet it is great. Looking forward to watching it.
It does sound like a cool premise, but I don’t do gore.
I have heard of this movie and would like to see it.
This Really Looks interesting and I now want one. Thank you. Jerri Davis
great movie thanks
Thank you so much for the review! I had been wanting to see this movie even though I had no idea what it’s about until now. I thought it was based off one of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories, not about Edgar Allen Poe himself. I haven’t read any of his work but I’d love to. I’ll have to try and purchase this movie sometime in the future!
Sounds like a good movie for Halloween. Thanks for the review.
This looks like a great thriller film! John Cusack is not my favorite actor but Im really interested in seeing this film.
Ahh I didn’t know they’d made a movie out of this (I’m way behind on the times…don’t watch much tv). I remember reading the Raven and being thoroughly creeped out…the movie sounds interesting…but not something I would watch alone!
Didn’t know this movie was out, I’m an Edgar Allen Poe fan so I’m definitely planning on seeing this movie!