SPOILERS AHEAD

How many times can Hollywood meddle with a format that has not been successful since the original “The Exorcist”? Many Exorcist clones have surfaced, as well as several unsuccessful sequels/prequel. The reason that the film “The Exorcist” was so successful falls into many categories. First and foremost, being that the idea of a film focusing on demonic possession was new to film goers at that time. Second, the film “The Exorcist” already had a very successful template to follow, the best-selling novel The Exorcist written by William Peter Blatty. Third, during the release of the film “The Exorcist” in the early 1970’s, most of America was still active church-goers; hence the reality of God versus the Devil was still a very strong belief.

Up until today, I have been extremely disappointed in all the films in which the marketing campaigns have tried to tout films as “the scariest movie since ‘The Exorcist’”. They never are. What made the new film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” such a pleasant surprise to me was the fact that for once, a movie about demonic possession placed the actual possession itself on the back burner.

“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is a very haunting film with some genuine terrifying imagery. Granted, there is some horribly cliché moments in the film (e.g.: Clocks stopping, gratuitous cat scare), but those few scenes are forgiven in the light of a great main plot. If you want to see a movie about a girl who is possessed by a demon that makes her head spin in a complete circle and forces the girl to projectile vomit then by all means go rent “The Exorcist”, because “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is not your cup of tea.

“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is more courtroom drama than it is horror film. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of scares available to break up the visually flat scenes in the court room, but if you are looking for gore galore, you won’t find it in this movie, which is a refreshing break from all the campy horror films that have tried previously to capitalize on popularity of “The Exorcist”. Much like the film and book “The Exorcist”, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is loosely based on a true story. “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is an Americanized view of the alleged possession/exorcism and the resulting death of a young college student in Germany named Anneliese Michel. The pastor or priest performing the exorcism was arrested and charged with second degree murder and gross negligence resulting in the young girl’s death. In the film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”, the audience is taken through the journey of events prior to and immediately following the failed exorcism and subsequent death of the titular character.

“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” is an excellent attempt of breaking away from the tired formula of demonic possession films. The film is more humanistic in its approach. It allows the audience to feel sympathy for both the title character portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter (“White Chicks”) and the priest on trial nicely played by Tom Wilkinson (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”). Rounding out the cast is the Laura Linney as the conflicted defense attorney who was hired by the arch dieses of the Catholic Church.

I was really expecting to be disappointed in this film. I was expecting another Exorcist knockoff. What a most pleasing surprise it was to walk away from the theater feeling quite the opposite. I am sure there are going to be the gore-hound movie fans who will walk away wanting to burn the movie theater down because of the misrepresentation of the film’s trailer/marketing.

***/***** (3 out of 5 asterisk)

Where are all of these Exorcist ripoffs? Beside the couple sequels and the prequel, al I come up with are a couple made for tv movies and repossessed. By the way how come nobody likes the third exorcist? That was a good movie.
Theres millions of vampire movies, ghosts, aliens etc. But I can't think of many possession movies. I think the fact that there is the hint of truth to stories of demonic possession lends the movie/book a greater sense of dread and fear.

Where are all of these Exorcist ripoffs? Beside the couple sequels and the prequel, al I come up with are a couple made for tv movies and repossessed. By the way how come nobody likes the third exorcist? That was a good movie.
Theres millions of vampire movies, ghosts, aliens etc. But I can't think of many possession movies. I think the fact that there is the hint of truth to stories of demonic possession lends the movie/book a greater sense of dread and fear.

"Beyond the Door" and the 2 sequels
"Amityville II: The Possession"
"The Antichrist"
"Exorcism" (2003)
"Eerie Midnight Horror Show"
"The Possessed"
"Stigmata"
"Abby"
"Ruby" (1977)
"Exorcismo"

Just to name a few. There are plenty more out there.

To some extent; Capitalizing on the God versus the Devil theme, "The Omen" franchise (debatable, of course).

The Exorcist III was mediocre at best. It was based on the very wordy and mundane novel Legion, which never had an exorcism in it. The book had the character Det. Bill Kinderman of the original "The Exorcist" novel and film. James G. Robinson of Morgan Creek shot down the original cut of the film originally title "Legion" and had Blatty write in an exorcism, then the title was officially changed to "Exorcist III". George C. Scott was waaaaaay over the top as Kinderman in the film. The only saving grace of that film was Brad Douriff as James Venamun/The Gemini Killer. Even the story of his original involvement in the film is all messed up. Maybe that will be a story for another day.

me personally. There was one scene in it where the preacher was standing at the end of a long tunnel. He was making the sign of the cross and speaking words over and over again. At the other end, running toward him in a form of slow motion that's a horrible spin-off of the matrix, is the possessed woman.

Each time the sign is made, she jerks to the side as if shot. And snarls in a garbled way. He does it again, she jerks the other way. It carries on for a few more times until he finally stops her.

Now here's the thing. It's a completely serious movie, with a lot of drama... which I came to see I might add. So why was I laughing like a maniac at that scene while everyone in the building yelled at me to shut up?

Where are all of these Exorcist ripoffs? By the way how come nobody likes the third exorcist? That was a good movie.

In the words of Chef from Southpark, "I'm not touchin that with a 20 foot pole."

Or Bill Mahr, "I wouldn't touch that if you put a condom on it."

Are you kidding? That brings in souls, not make them run.

As far as the exorsism, (to take a quote from Mr. Falcon) if you weren't there, then it's hearsay. No credability. Sorry.
But, on this subject, has anyone read "Satan Seller" by Mike Warnke? A great auto-biography about a man who who rose to power in the satanic church, (or whatever you want call it). Freaky stuff Batman. Of course he was born again, but the book is really well written and informing.



KRW

Aren't people in Satanic Churches really just pissed off Christian wannabes? I mean, if you really wanted to be Anti-God, why would you choose his ordained 'nemesis'? I personally would go for the church that has a leader with a noodly appendage if I were wanting to be opposed to, or ignorant of, the Church.

Aren't people in Satanic Churches really just pissed off Christian wannabes? I mean, if you really wanted to be Anti-God, why would you choose his ordained 'nemesis'? I personally would go for the church that has a leader with a noodly appendage if I were wanting to be opposed to, or ignorant of, the Church.

Are you also a Pastafarian?

I'm not sure that "demons" is the proper word, but that there is an active evil force abroad in the Universe, I have no doubt. Running out of time, will explain on Sunday.

Aren't people in Satanic Churches really just pissed off Christian wannabes? I mean, if you really wanted to be Anti-God, why would you choose his ordained 'nemesis'? I personally would go for the church that has a leader with a noodly appendage if I were wanting to be opposed to, or ignorant of, the Church.

To tell you the truth, I really haven't thought about it. What would be the lure for satanism? It never really interested me. As far as being anti-god, who better to pick than his ordained nemesis? They may even believe he will win Armagedon, just because it's written in the bible doesn't meen god will win. Edger Casey botched a prediction every now and then too.
But when that day comes, I think those noodly appendages are gonna have a great advantage!


KRW

me personally. There was one scene in it where the preacher was standing at the end of a long tunnel. He was making the sign of the cross and speaking words over and over again. At the other end, running toward him in a form of slow motion that's a horrible spin-off of the matrix, is the possessed woman.

Each time the sign is made, she jerks to the side as if shot. And snarls in a garbled way. He does it again, she jerks the other way. It carries on for a few more times until he finally stops her.

Now here's the thing. It's a completely serious movie, with a lot of drama... which I came to see I might add. So why was I laughing like a maniac at that scene while everyone in the building yelled at me to shut up?

Jay, that was actually Exorcist: The Beginning aka: Exorcist IV. That film was horrible in every sense of the word. Possibly worse than The Exorcist II: The Heretic. Wait until Dominion: A Prequel to the Exorcist comes out on DVD. That is the second best Exorcist film made (after the original of course).