Our next movie to be reviewed is the legendary horror flick The Exorcist from 1973. I watched it as a part of the IMDB top 250 at number 202. I would first like to start by explaining myself on something that I hear a lot, especially about this movie. I used to always hear, almost daily it seemed, someone I come in contact with saying the words “I can’t believe you’ve never seen (insert random movie here)” It never really bothered me, because I always knew I had my own favorites and types of movies I loved and never really care what other people liked. “I like what I like” was always my train of thought, and I never really cared that I was teased for not seeing movies like The Godfather, or The Shining, or even Star Wars. People just couldn’t fathom the fact that I was a “movie buff” and “addicted to movies” yet never saw most of the most popular films of all time. I always seemed to stick to my 100 or so favorite movies and watched them over and over again. Finally I decided enough was enough, and If I was going to consider myself a true movie “buff” or “expert” I had to expand my horizons and see all of these movies that people are always talking about. I decided to commit myself to seeing all of the “important” movies in cinema history, but really, where do you start? The box office releases on average 7 new movies every single week. The first ever movie was made in 1888 called Roundhay Garden Scene. That’s 123 years at 52 weeks a year. At an average of 7 movies per week you are looking at over 44000 films ever made (give or take). Obviously I could not watch EVERY movie, but I did do want to watch every movie “That Matters” I decided to begin by watching every movie on the AFI top 100. I found amazing gems such as The Godfather; it’s A Wonderful Life, The Last Picture Show, Singing In The Rain, Duck Soup, City Lights, and much more. I regret not starting this process earlier, because it’s been an amazingly wonderful experience. No more do have to excuse myself from a conversation about Pulp Fiction, I now get all the pop culture references such as “Stella!” and “Heres lookin at you Kid”, I now know what people mean when they say tell me that they love the smell of Napalm in the morning, etc. I have finished this top 100 list, and have moved on to the IMDB top 250 movies. This is a list made up from internet users who vote on their favorite movies. I have about 90 movies left on this list, when I came upon The Exorcist, let me just say, I can see why everyone makes such a big deal about this movie.
Plot: 8/10
The premise of this movie is one that is was at its time, very unique, and the movie’s creators pulled no punches in doing everything in getting the story across no matter what the cost. The story’s main character is going through dramatic changes both physical and psychological that worry her mother and the doctors that see her. The resulting events are ones that are never to be forgotten, and the story is told with flawless technique and direction that are meant to scare the wits out of anyone who watches. The subplot of the movie, however, of Father Karras’s inner turmoil and relationship with his ill mother, seemed flat, and for the most part, an unnecessary part of this otherwise amazing film.
Acting: 8/10
I was tempted to give the acting of Linda Blair ( Regan) very high ratings. For a 12 year old actress it she seemed years beyond her age and gave a performance that very few teenage actors can claim to have had, but looking deeper into things, I realized that Blair actually did very little of her character’s acting. Mercedes McCambridge did most of the lines by “The Demon” and therefore deserves a lot of the credit behind this very successful acting accomplishment.
Visuals: 9/10
The Visuals of this film were phenomenal. Most of the actions by the possessed Regan were mind boggling and haunting. These much talked about visuals were implanted in my mind, surely not to be forgotten anytime soon. More importantly though, was the mood and tension the visuals were able to create. The Eerie way the room was frozen, to create the breathe and overwhelming cold of death feel were done flawlessly, and the setting during the arrival of Father Merrin out of the Taxi is still one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history. The film’s creators got these visuals spot on. And many congratulations are in order.
Sound: 9/10
This film won an Academy award for best sound in 1974, and it was very well deserved. The film’s feel is attributed directly to the atmosphere that the film’s sound creates. The tension filled background sounds and screams were perfect in their attempt at putting the audience in a state of fright and anticipation throughout the film. People watching this film were at times brought back to reality from their own imaginations and thoughts throughout the film with the films periodical “jumps” or “pops” When the film lags off into one of the subtle side stories or subplots, the film’s sounds always seem to bring you back into the four front and remind you what you are truly there for and brings your undivided attention back to Regan. A job well done.
Overall Entertainment: 10/10
Plot: 8/10
The premise of this movie is one that is was at its time, very unique, and the movie’s creators pulled no punches in doing everything in getting the story across no matter what the cost. The story’s main character is going through dramatic changes both physical and psychological that worry her mother and the doctors that see her. The resulting events are ones that are never to be forgotten, and the story is told with flawless technique and direction that are meant to scare the wits out of anyone who watches. The subplot of the movie, however, of Father Karras’s inner turmoil and relationship with his ill mother, seemed flat, and for the most part, an unnecessary part of this otherwise amazing film.
Acting: 8/10
I was tempted to give the acting of Linda Blair ( Regan) very high ratings. For a 12 year old actress it she seemed years beyond her age and gave a performance that very few teenage actors can claim to have had, but looking deeper into things, I realized that Blair actually did very little of her character’s acting. Mercedes McCambridge did most of the lines by “The Demon” and therefore deserves a lot of the credit behind this very successful acting accomplishment.
Visuals: 9/10
The Visuals of this film were phenomenal. Most of the actions by the possessed Regan were mind boggling and haunting. These much talked about visuals were implanted in my mind, surely not to be forgotten anytime soon. More importantly though, was the mood and tension the visuals were able to create. The Eerie way the room was frozen, to create the breathe and overwhelming cold of death feel were done flawlessly, and the setting during the arrival of Father Merrin out of the Taxi is still one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history. The film’s creators got these visuals spot on. And many congratulations are in order.
Sound: 9/10
This film won an Academy award for best sound in 1974, and it was very well deserved. The film’s feel is attributed directly to the atmosphere that the film’s sound creates. The tension filled background sounds and screams were perfect in their attempt at putting the audience in a state of fright and anticipation throughout the film. People watching this film were at times brought back to reality from their own imaginations and thoughts throughout the film with the films periodical “jumps” or “pops” When the film lags off into one of the subtle side stories or subplots, the film’s sounds always seem to bring you back into the four front and remind you what you are truly there for and brings your undivided attention back to Regan. A job well done.
Overall Entertainment: 10/10
Thank you Wayans Brothers! No, that isn’t a miss print or a typo. I have to thank the Wayans brothers for equally ruining and making this film for me. For those who know me, I stick to the claim that the funniest 10 minutes of ANY movie ever is the first 10 minutes of the Wayans Brother’s Parody movie Scary Movie 2. I saw this movie way before I watched The Exorcist, and I never had anything to compare it to and all of the actions in the movie were new to me, and quite frankly, hilarious. Imagine my surprise as I watched the original movie that these moments were copying, noticing the similarities and differences as I went along. Surprisingly though, there aren’t many differences at all. Seeing the Parody first, I found myself thinking “I wonder what she really says, or I wonder what she really did to make them make fun of it this way? There really is not much of a difference! The Exorcist was actually that over the top! I never thought in a million years that a serious film made in 1973 would have a 12 year old girl saying such things, doing such things, and having the surrounding characters attribute to these actions in such a way! Sure enough, this movie shocked me. Therein lies where I say the Wayans both made and ruined this movie for me. Do I consider this one of the scariest horror films ever made like most other people do, Not At All! Just like what’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) and Precious (2009) in my opinion the workers put these films on the wrong category shelf. Drama? Horror? Not in my book. The Exorcist, and people will probably question me on this, is one \of the absolute funniest films I have ever seen. I know it will go on the comedy section of my DVD collection. That is why though; it still earns a 10/10 for entertainment. I love this film, and even though it might not be for the same reason everyone else loves it, it’s a movie I can see myself watching over and over again, laughing continuously as I think back to the Scary Movie 2 version and the similarities and differences between both. This film is now one of my favorites. As many people have said to me in the past, “you haven’t seen The exorcist yet?” “Oh my you have to see it” and they are right. You have to!
Final Chux Flix Rating :88/100
Favorite Trivia for this movie: In an interview, Jason Miller stated that he had a major verbal confrontation with William Friedkin after the director fired a gun near his ear to get an authentic reaction from him. He told Freidkin that he is an actor, and that he didn't need a gun to act surprised or startled.
Final Chux Flix Rating :88/100
Favorite Trivia for this movie: In an interview, Jason Miller stated that he had a major verbal confrontation with William Friedkin after the director fired a gun near his ear to get an authentic reaction from him. He told Freidkin that he is an actor, and that he didn't need a gun to act surprised or startled.
No comments:
Post a Comment