An Exorcist Mini Series?

Oh god, I hope so. Bloody Disgusting has the news...

The Exorcist III - Some quick thoughts

I am now the proud owner of the 3 film set of The Exorcist, The Exorcist 2 and The Exorcist 3. This is in no small part down to the genius of MM's father, who managed to find said object of horror (pun intended) on a ghoulishly good auction site (am I on fire or what?!).

Naturally we've mentioned The Exorcist round these parts already, and I may have touched on the bizzare and unintelligible sequel. However, the third film brings the goods once again, with no less than a nicely OTT performance from genre vet Brad Dourif as the Gemini Killer.

Spoiler Alert!
A quick recap for those of you who want it/want to spoil the film if you haven't seen it already: a spate of murders was brought to an end when the Gemini Killer was caught and executed. However, the killer looks to have returned - which creates a mystery of just how this is possible. Eventually, the cop on the case (a brilliantly acted George C Scott) realises that more than simply a case of copycat killing is taking place, leading him to suspect that an asylum lunatic is somehow responsible for the murders, despite his incarceration.

The greatness of The Exorcist 3 is in how subtle the whole damn film is. It helps to have seen both films previous to it before sitting down to watch, as references are made to time frames and it'll piece together more clearly for you. Almost a murder mystery, it'll have you guessing quite early on just who is responsible for the murders, before exposing you to a shocking revelation that provides some truly unnerving imagery leading up to the brilliant climatic battle of good versus evil.

One thing that Marvel Man did mention was how engrossed I appeared to be during a number of key sequences in the film. I really enjoyed The Exorcist 3 on that particular viewing, despite having to spell out the sequences to Marvel Man who isn't as familiar as I with the plot/background story. If truth be told, there's something to be said for atmosphere - especially of the tense, nerve creating kind - and The Exorcist 3 is filled with moments that'll have you wondering not only what the hell is going on but just about whether you'll be able to get any sleep at all during the night.

As a film that hasn't seen too many bad sequels, despite casting an incredibly large shadow, The Exorcist and The Exorcist 3 should be must haves for any genuine horror fan who prefers their scares more metaphorical than literal - after all, battles for the very nature of humanity and the soul don't come much more metaphysical...

The Blair Witch Project - An Alternative Opinion

Has it really been 10 years since The Blair Witch Project? Seems scary doesn't it? Scarier than anything presented in the film itself. First up let me say that I do not disagree with Mr Butterscotch per se, nor is this piece intended as any kind of rebuttal of his previous post, argument against it or anything like that, merely a different opinion from a different horror fan. Whilst I try and be subjective in my reviews this one will be more about what it means to me as I truly believe it's one of those "Marmite" films which will leave you feeling like either Mr B or myself do. If you haven't seen the film both are legitimate views, but I can't promise which side of the fence you'll be on.
Let me also say that I think The Blair Witch Project is less an example of a great film, more a great marketing campaign. In this respect I'm reminded of The Exorcist, though that at least has a truly disturbing plot idea, great visual effects work, stand-out disgusting and shocking moments and is justifiably iconic (like that one shot in The Blair Witch Project which is shown above). It's this idea that was sold, of the film not being a film at all, which is admittedly ingenious and frustrating to a film geek, but gives the piece it's atmosphere and to an extent as a modern day filmic version of those old ghost stories told around the campfire it's quite good. I'll admit I got suckered in by this and on first watching the film I was too scared to watch past about an hour, expecting that the hype must meant something truly disturbing would hapen or be seen. Imagine my disappointment when I finished the film and just found it boring. I'm not usually one for extreme horror, don't get me wrong, but on rewwatches, divorced from cultural context, this is a poor effort. I commend the film for it's marketing, mostly the reason for it's success I feel, and for pioneering it's shooting style and new sub-genre, as Mr B touched upon. The problem is, divorcing it from this you are left with a piece where directions are already set, with no room for flair, acting that's abysmal except when it's natural and a good tale attempting to hold it all together, and coming off somewhat flimsy.
The ending is genius, like most of the writing itself, with a truly great visual image, but not if you are expecting terror to make you scream. Effective chills, a good little ghost story and a trend setter but unforgivably dull for a horror movie, definitely worth catching for its effect and cultural context but not one you'll necessarily rave too much about. I can never forgive it also for unleashing the truly, indescribably dreadful sequel Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows on the world. Now that one really isn't worth your time. As for the original, for me...

** (2/5)

MM

Exorcist: The Beginning - Commentary

I've mentioned in a previous post that I am a huge fan of The Exorcist. However, this regard I have for the hallmark horror film featuring possession doesn't stem to the many sequels and spin-offs, but it does stretch to the prequel.

For the record, this film had a very difficult birth. The 'prequel' idea was thrown around the studio and there are in fact two versions of the film - one directed by Renny Harlin (the film I am commenting on) and another, more thoughtful piece directed by Paul Schrader. Harlin's film came afterwards and was supported by the studio much more, with a wide variety of reasons being cited for this director-switch - including that Schrader's original cut didn't have enough shocks in it.

It's beyond the scope of my commentary to discuss both (primarily as I've only seen the Schrader film Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist once during a very late night session), so I'm going to focus on Harlin's film.

I'm just going to say it, as it quite annoyed me at the time - this film is fantastically under-rated. Whilst it wasn't a big box office smash, this is a film that delivers on multiple levels, right from the very first sinister massacre sequence all the way through to the shock of possession - or rather the person possessed.

The story follows a much younger Father Merrin, who, in this prequel, meets his arch-nemesis from The Exorcist, Pazuzu. An archaeological dig takes place, revealing an incredibly old church, buried in the sands of the desert. After the church is opened, strange things begin to happen around the encampment, culminating in a war with a local African tribe and Merrin coming face to face with another possessed person.

Atmosphere is kept at a high point throughout the film, with Skarsgard putting in a terrific performance as the (at first) faithless priest, who has seen such horrors as to question his faith. Equally, Izabella Scorupco plays her part exceptionally well, as the tragic central character of the film.

Standout horror scenes for me were the moments of first entering the unholy church set up to contain the evil of Puzazu, the meeting with the insane asylum patient and the first moments of facing Puzazu in the church. Sinister just doesn't even begin to describe the atmosphere on offer here.

Ultimately, Exorcist: The Beginning doesn't quite live up to the promise, but given the 1973 original has such a following and reputation, then this is perhaps unsurprising. It's a quality production and goes some way to explaining the motivations of the older Merrin in the first film. A decent film and definitely worth a watch - just not on the same level as seeing Reagan spin her head around.

The Exorcist - A Favourite Of Mine

Every so often, a channel will stick The Exorcist on. The original is far better than the strange sequels that were spawned, including the newest prequels. Here's a few reasons why I like the film so much:

• I saw The Exorcist when I was 16 and it genuinely gave me goosebumps
• I have long been into ghost stories, and the idea of being possessed by the devil is right up there. Seeing Linda Blair's transformation from normal child to something else amazed me
• The subtlety of the film (the moments of flash frame when we see the face of Pazuzu) and the almost documentary feel of the hopsital sequence remains chilling to watch
• Acting in the film is on the whole of a very high quality
• The supernatural element of the film - moving from knowing nothing, to disbelief to ultimately the exorcism of Reagan was handled in a mature and carefully stated way

Ultimately, The Exorcist IS a film of power. The conclusion of the film speaks of sacrifice; of good overcoming evil in the face of huge adversity. It is the success of man over the beast. Yet for all that, I'm not religious.

However, The Exorcist is a film that speaks to me on many levels and provides chills whenever it is watched. William Friedkin, your seminal horror film is a masterpiece. A showcase of the art for thrills and chills. No wonder it caused such a stir on release back in 1973...