The Rite (2011)

Date Watched: January 29, 2011
Source: Theatre

For any of you who’ve either been following my blog or have gone back and read, oh, the last week of October, you’ll already know that my all-time favorite horror movie is The Exorcist. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it a million times: It’s the perfect, timeless horror movie. It never gets any less haunting. So naturally, any movies having to do with exorcism are facing some hard criticism from me, to say the very least. Exorcist: The Beginning = crap. Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist = crap. The Exorcism of Emily Rose = a crappy ripoff.

So of course, I felt like this was going to be garbage too. The problem with all of those movies, especially the latter, is that they try to recapture The Exorcist by using the same tricks. No. Doesn’t work. I guess Michael Petroni, Matt Baglio, and Mikael Håfström figured that out too, because not only do they refrain from ripping off the original great, but they actually poke fun at others who do. Early on in the film, when skeptical seminary student Michael visits Father Lucas to see an exorcism first hand, Father Lucas actually says something along the lines of, “What, are you expecting pea soup?” When I heard that, I figured that this film was finally going to take exorcism a little bit more seriously.

And, they most certainly did. A lot of reviews of this film bashed it, but that’s because I think they were looking for some pea soup. This film goes more into what a real possession and exorcism looks like. It’s not always just a bunch of obscenities and grotesque physical manifestations.

So while the two people who accompanied me to this movie were so-so about it, I really enjoyed it.

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Devil (2010)

Date Watched: September 19, 2010
Source: Theatre

I have been waiting to write about this movie since the day I saw it.

Okay. I wanted to see this really REALLY bad, because obviously, I like teh h0rr0rz. I avoid previews and such so vehemently because I hate spoilers, though, that I had no idea it was an M. Night Shyamalan film. Now folks, I hate M. Night. Shyamalan. He writes, produces, directs, and appears in every film he does. And like my friend karmander once said about him, “if one is to rely solely on oneself, one must produce better results.” So true. Man, for all the crap this guy does with a movie, you think it’d be good.

So when I was sitting in the theatre and his name popped up, I was like “oh, crap.” But then I noticed that there were other people involved as well. Well, would you look at that? Mr. Cocky learned to play nice with other people!

Now, the premise is a little bit shaky. Anyone that doesn’t believe in God isn’t going to like this movie, because the entire premise is based on Catholic folklore. If you believe in God, then you’re probably interested in the story. So I had no issue with the story the way a lot of people do.

I enjoyed the whole movie. I didn’t think it was bad at all. But it wasn’t scary. If the movie stayed constant from start to finish, I would’ve hated it. But the reveal of which person was satan? O. M. G. I do not get THAT creeped out THAT easily and let me tell you? My boyfriend’s leg probably had finger marks in it for a while afterward. I had visions of that face in my head. It was Sunday, and now it’s Wednesday, and I STILL get the willies.

So I am considering this movie a definite win. The entire movie could’ve sucked as bad as all of M. Night Shyamalamadingdong’s movies have, and that 5 minute span of film would’ve saved it completely. Criticize if you must, say I have bad taste in movies, but let me tell you something. When I need to turn the lights on before I enter a dark basement… it was a good movie.

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Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Date Watched: June 13, 2010
Source: Netflix

I kept thinking, “When is something going to HAPPEN?” I kept wondering when the heck she was going to pop that kid out. It wasn’t until the very end that everything came together, and I realized the reason for the slow buildup. The pregnancy almost feels like a full 9 months sometimes during the movie. Like you’re watching it in real time. Maybe it was the times, but I would never go to a doctor if he told me not to take any vitamins, but instead to take some drink made by my quack neighbor. I can see if he gave me the recipe for a drink to make it myself, or if it came in little packets or bottles or whatever… being a naturalist is fine. It’s the part about it being from the crazy neighbor I never would have gone along with. But she did… she had to… or else there would have been no movie.

But as she grows, so does her fear that someone wants her baby for something sinister, and worse, that her own husband promised the baby to them. Even as you watch, you can’t really tell if she’s nuts or if there’s something to the whole thing. You don’t really find out until the last couple of minutes, but it’s worth the wait.

The only reason why I’m rating this the way I did is because again, this was very Seven Pounds. I’m sorry, but I just can’t ever say I loved a movie that really didn’t move until the last bit. The ending was great, but it didn’t make up for the other 2 hours where I kept wondering when something truly interesting was going to happen.

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The Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Date Watched: June 7, 2010
Source: Netflix Instant Play

The first thing I have to say is that this film has some pretty darned big shoes to fill. The Exorcist is my all-time favorite movie, horror or otherwise. Considering I go into most sequels expecting them to be crap, and I go into most horror sequels expecting them to be utter garbage, this had some marks against it already.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it wasn’t horrible. I would kill to look like Linda Blair does in this movie. She’s gorgeous. I have two small problems with the film. The first is that when they show Regan as a younger child during the first possession, it’s another actress. I would’ve thought they could’ve used the original footage… even though the words being spoken were different, most of the phrases were similar enough that old footage could’ve been used instead. The biggest disappointment was Mercedes McCambridge not returning to do the voice of Pazuzu (the demon, we find out in this film, is named Pazuzu). There is nobody that can match the chilling voice that Mercedes gave to the original movie. Those were my two biggest issues. On a much lesser note, Dr. Tuskin’s office was an insanely un-therapeutic environment, but it’s Hollywood. What else could you expect?

But there wasn’t much of that at all. They didn’t try to reclaim the glory that the original film carried, and that’s probably why this one even had a shot. They really broke away and explained more back story to Pazuzu. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending… I thought it could’ve executed it better. But really, I enjoyed watching. Highly recommended.

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Poltergeist III

Date Watched: May 10, 2010

Source: Netflix

I may have skipped the third Poltergeist had it not been on the same disc as the second. I actually kind of liked this one more, though. Lara Flynn Boyle has freaking great hair in this movie, and I love the building they live in. But the apartment itself seems sort of bland, I think. Anyway, I think it’s crap that Carol Ann’s parents just dumped her with an aunt who can’t stand her, to go to school with a psychologist that convinces everyone she’s brainwashing them into believing her lies.

The thing with all the mirrors was pretty interesting, along with the ice in the swimming pool and the puddle and blizzard in the parking lot. This one was just a lot more fun to watch than Poltergeist II. I was disappointed that Satan looked so different this time. Personally, I think he was creepier in II. And he was defeated too easily. And… poor Tangina!

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Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Date Watched: May 10, 2010

Source: Netflix

Meh. The phone trick was neat, and Satan was awfully creeptastic, but it didn’t hold the same spook that the first film did. I still don’t understand why nobody believes them. The mother being psychic was stupid, and likewise, I really enjoyed when the father was posessed and severely abused his wife. She was really irritating this time around.

I… wouldn’t waste my time. I don’t remember much else because it’s that unmemorable.

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Needful Things (1993)

Date Watched:  Unknown

Source:  Blockbuster

Right off the bat… this is based on a book by Stephen King.  When a movie is made from a Stephen King novel, I watch it.  Although I never finished reading the book, I still wanted to see this movie.  Often times, I’ll have read the book first.  So in this case, I can’t attest to the accuracy of the movie in relation to the text.

But I will say I rather enjoyed this movie, which didn’t surprise me.  In fact, the only times I don’t like Stephen King films are when I know it’s terribly inaccurate, such as It and worst of all, Misery. (I’m considering doing posts of movies I’ve seen before I started this project, but I haven’t decided yet.  If I do, the post on Misery will be quite an undertaking; I have a lot to say.)

I think Max von Sydow was such a great choice for Leland Gaunt.  He sounds dignified, yet sinister.  Which is really interesting, considering his role as the expert priest in The Exorcist.  A stark contrast in roles, but he served Gaunt well.  Also, the choice of Ed Harris as Sheriff Alan Pangborn was pretty cool for me, because I’m very familiar with The Stand, another Stephen King work, in which he played General Starkey.  He played a person of authority in both films, but in one, his main objective was not getting involved in the evil and stamping it out, whereas in the other film, he was responsible for the evil and committed suicide over the guilt.  I really enjoy catching repeat actors in Stephen King’s films, as there are many.  In fact, Pangborn’s deputy Norris Ridgewick was played by Ray McKinnon, who also popped up in The Stand as Charlie Campion, the security guard responsible for spreading the virus outside the compound.  Very cool.  I love those kind of connections.

Anyway, the best part about this film is the intricacy of the connections between the characters.  Basically, Gaunt starts pitting the townspeople against each other, by getting them to play “pranks” that are destructive, violent, and sometimes deadly, but making it appear as though a different townsperson did the deed.  So when the prank-ee seeks revenge on the person they believe targeted them, they are actually getting back at an innocent party.  The pranks are in return for mystical purchases from Gaunt’s store, Needful Things.  The item the person couldn’t imagine owning in their wildest dreams comes at the cost of pulling this “prank.”  Eventually, Gaunt has the whole town in shambles, with everyone pitted against someone else.  The whole web spun by King is very delicate and well-executed.  The film made me really want to read the book, which I am probably going to buy next.

My only complaint is that it seemed a bit too easy to stop the townspeople and make them realize what was happening.  Sheriff Pangborn was the only person in the town who didn’t get sucked in, and he basically stood amidst the ruins of his sleepy little town of Castle Rock, Maine and gave an impromptu speech that just snapped everyone out of it.  The problem is, it wasn’t just paying back Gaunt that made them do these things.  They were all heavily under the influence of Gaunt’s black magic.  I think it should’ve taken a bit more than an impassioned speech by their noble Sheriff to set them straight, but I digress.

While my best friend and horror movie cohort “Shwam” said this movie was horrible, I enjoyed it quite a bit.  It’s surprising how many movies we disagree on so much… but you’ll see that more in future posts.

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The Omen (1976)

Date Watched:  Unknown

Source:  Blockbuster

I really am not sure I liked this one much.  First of all, I thought the father bought into the whole Satanic thing a little too easily.  Maybe I’d have to watch it a second time… I don’t know.  I think the nanny would’ve been harder to get rid of.  She was sleeping while the father cut Damien’s hair, and I think if she would die to save Damien, she would at least wake up when someone is discovering the big secret.  Also, I think Damien would have woken up with someone pulling and cutting his hair.  And I don’t think the dog had a whole lot of relevance.

The various death scenes were cool though… falling out of the window was neat.  But the best by far was the worker beheaded by the glass.  Wonderful.

I’m going to watch the remake eventually, but it’s pretty far down in my queue.  Omen II and III are 116 and 117 in my queue, and I think when it’s time for those to arrive, I’ll re-rent this one and give it another go.  I’ll probably re-review it then.

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