Rating: Summary: Great follow up.... Review: This is the TRUE Exorcist sequel. They are both different from each other, but they still have something to link each other. The Exorcist used shocking images, disturbing images, creepy music, unbearable suspense, and a real sense of terror in knowing that this stuff actually happened, to terrify it's audience. The Exorcist III However alloud the viewers mind to terrify them and threw in creepy and disturbing visuals. It added for of a mystery and humor to allieviate the suspense. That's good, cuz I don't think anyone could keep there sanity if something scarier than The Exorcist emerged. Anyway they both have a different approach, and while it is no where near as scary as the 1st, it is much MUCH better than The Exorcist II. I have know idea what they were thinking when they made The Exorcist 2 but this should be called The Exorcist 2. If you haven't seen the original, see it and after you recover from that, see this. skip part 2.
Rating: Summary: Very worthy sequel Review: Very worthy, AND very overlooked. I think this film was overlooked because "Exorcist ll-The Heretic" was so god-awful that people didn't even bother giving this film a chance---me included. I would've loved to seen this on the big screen. The plot, dialogue, acting, lighting, screenplay...it all falls together nicely, and makes for a very creepy movie. I agree with some of the latest reviews below: A special edition DVD with commentary from the director, Jason Miller, and Brad Dourif would be an excellent addition to a DVD collection (too bad we now can't get George C. Scott's two cents worth). The special edition could also be in TRUE WIDESCREEN, for this current DVD is not. This is nothing more than the pan and scan with black bars added (like so many other DVDs out there). I'm sick of it. MGM is notorious for doing this, as are some other studios. Anyway, I, like so many others it seems, am waiting for the proper treatment of this largely unknown classic. We'll see if MGM can deliver or not.
Rating: Summary: Want Warner to release a DVD special edition? Read this! Review: Fans: this classic film needs a DVD special edition, and we need to tell Warner Brothers. A DVD with Blatty commentary is a must. (And how about Dourif?) Try writing to this address: Warner Brothers Movies 4000 Warner Blvd, Building 178 Burbank, Ca. 91522. It couldn't hurt. Warners needs to know that there are devoted fans of the film out there to make producing a new DVD worth their while, so the more letters the better. This great film deserves it.
Rating: Summary: A largely unseen horror classic Review: Ever since I first saw this film I have been absolutely in love with this movie. I typically rarely watch a movie more than every few years or not often over 3-5 times in my life. I have probably seen this film over 30 times, and I can't get over how well done this whole film was. The acting is excellent, especially with Scott and Dourif. The thing that grabbed me most about the film was the mood of the film, it feels so creepy throughout. Its got such smart lighting, film shots, and great creepy sounds/noises that really add to the effect to keep you engrossed in the film. Even the great dry humour in the film really adds to this experience. Its unfortunate that the DVD is so bare bones and without any audio commentary. Hard core fans of this film have been waiting patiently for a quality DVD release of this film and it seems we will have to wait much longer. A film like this doesn't come along often and for people who enjoy horror films this one is a must have for your collection.. If nothing else for the hospital scene that scares people like few scenes in horror have.
Rating: Summary: Why do so many claim this movie's plot was too complicated? Review: This movie is not nearly as scary as the first film, but it's one heck of a good story. Here's a very brief summary: Fifteen years ago, two priests died in an attempt to exorcise a legion of particularly nasty demons from little Regan (we all know that story - and it was a legion of demons, not the devil himself, as explained in the original book AND movie -- hence the title, Legion). Father Karras, after convincing the demons to go into him, jumped out a window - and so ended the first film. Legion tells the tale of the Gemini Killer being executed the very night the exorcism took place fifteen years ago. Lately, bodies have been found that are all too indicative of the M.O. of the late Gemini Killer. Lt. Kinderman investigates, and the movie takes off from there. Apparently, the demons survived Father Karras' fall, and they have an interest in allowing the ghost of the Gemini to continue his ghoulish murders, this time aided by their demonic powers. Why this seemed to get past most other viewers, I don't know, as it is explained in the movie when Lt. Kinderman asks Patient X, "Who gets you out [to commit the murders]?" The response is, "Friends. OLD friends." Patient X later refers to these "friends" as the "parties" that were driven out of a little girl years ago, and these "parties" were not pleased about it. -- This is the essential plot of the movie (doesn't seem overly complicated to me). This movie feels more like a gripping crime/detective flick than a horror film like the original. Still, it is well worth viewing for good acting and a great story.
Rating: Summary: Dispossessed Review: Though I liked the novel, I found THE EXORCIST to be more laughable than frightening. I didn't see the second movie, and popular opinion indicates that I am better off. However, since I had heard very good things about this third installment, and though it might not date as badly, I decided to rent it. This story takes place fifteen years after the original film. Someone is murdering people in ways which emulate those of a serial killer who was executed years ago -- ways known only to the police who were on the case. Even though it seems impossible, one detective believes there is a connection not only to the earlier series of murders, but to the exorcism of young Regan McNeill fifteen years prior. LEGION was written and directed by William Peter Blatty from his own novel. While the direction is often interesting the script and acting are often unintentionally funny. (Witness an early scene in which George C. Scott's character talks about a fish in his bathtub with deadly seriousness.) There is some great work from Brad Dourif, who plays a patient in the hospital's "disturbed" ward. But like most any other film that uses religious phenomena as its basis, it makes little sense in the end -- it's a hodgepodge of weird happenings and biblical nonsense that doesn't add up. And why does the devil ever do any of the things he does, anyway? Boredom? Had a little extra time on his hands? The only people who find this sort of thing disturbing are the fundamentalists Christians who actually believe it's real. Oh, there is one very effective scare about two thirds of the way in, wonderfully set up. But it's a "make you jump" moment. There's nothing deeper than that. The DVD has no bonus material other than a trailer, which is really just a teaser that doesn't show anything. The picture and sound quality are very good, though.
Rating: Summary: Scary and dark Review: I watch this all alone with the lights shut and it still scary. Buy it !
Rating: Summary: George C at his best! Review: This is our favorite Exorcist movie because of the wonderful performance by George C. Scott. It's just as horrifying as the first....better than the second....
Rating: Summary: Powerful sequel to The Exorcist Review: Let's be honest about The Exorcist 2--it followed the wrong character. There wasn't anything all that interesting about Linda Blair's character in the original. The meat and potatos of the film was Jason Miller as Father Karras and Max Von Sydow. In this spooky and powerful sequel based on Blatty's book Legion, George C. Scott takes on the role of Detective Bill Kinderman. The film follows Scott's pursuit of the Gemini Killer (played by the always spooky Brad Dourif). The Gemini Killer was executed but there's a copycat killer on the loose. Scott's character comes to believe that it's not a copycat killer but something beyond the natural and predenatural level. Blatty's direction is sharp and taunt. He's obviously picked up a hint or two from William Friedekin (The Exorcist, French Connection)and Robert Wise (The Haunting, The Andromeda Strain). His use of silence creates added tension in a number of sequences. Blatty uses suspense vs. gore to create a charged atmosphere that allows the tension to build. His script is intelligent and fleshes out much of what was missing in the original film and novel of The Exorcist. Scott gives a stunning, complex performance and Jason Miller's performance captures the mixture of terror and power his character feels given his circumstances. There really isn't a weak link in this fine, underrated and largely unseen film. By all rights the DVD edition should have a director's commentary. If Scott and Miller were around they'd also provide a fine commentary on their craft. Since that isn't possible, perhaps someone will ask Campbell Scott at some point to comment on his father's strong performance in this chiller. The Exorcist 3 (along with another film Scott appeared in called The Changling)is a perfect example of what horror films should do;' they should not shock as much as build to a number of terrifying moments. THis is a DVD well worth having and proves that sometimes a sequel can be the equal to its original.
Rating: Summary: William Peter Blatty tries again Review: I found Exorcist 3 to be better than Exorcist II but not as good as the original Exorcist. Exorcist 3 is somewhat of a continuation of the first film only without the character of Linda Blair and her mother. This movie is a bit of a snoozer in some areas but the end is pretty wicked. I would only recommend watching this if you want to know what happens after the Exorcist or Exorcist II. However, if you haven't seen Exocist II then do yourself a favor and skip on to part 3.
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