Post by .:FL:. on Sept 26, 2005 8:36:57 GMT -5
I went to see this as a triple bill at the drive-in this weekend.
Directed by Scott Derrickson (Urban Legends: Final Cut, and Hellraiser: Inferno), this seems to be a very mature take on his part, and the producers, to making a good film. And may I remind you, this was a Drama hidden behind a label genre of Horror. Does it make it any less a film? No, because as we all know... the truth is scarier than fiction.
Based LOOSELY on the true story of Anneliese Michel, alot is changed for this Hollywood film in which I do not have the time here at work to point out to all of you. Many people who know the history of Michel have mentioned hating the movie because it wasn't Michel, who DID NOT live in America. Uhmmm.. maybe that's why they changed her name and plot to Rose? Duhhh....
A large number of the audience couldn't stand the film because of its courtroom drama, which they HAVE to watch on t.v. networks every damn day. But, uhhh.. how often do they hear facts given out on the basis of demonic possession?
This film was smart. I have been told by quite a few people, and from critics reviews, that this was a mere religious brainwashing. At the end, even though given facts and truths, many have said this was a deterrent to have people fear God and worship him. Sorry... I just didn't see that. I'm very anti-religion, and I seen no nudge to the audience on the basis of, "worship God to be saved", like these gawd damn Kirk Cameron "Left Behind" films or Micheal York "Omega Code" flicks. I seen no fear of such. BUT, I did see a high use of scientific truth to have many disbelieve the notion of actual spiritual demonic intervention. The facts of schizophrenia and the truths of the medication to treat such are very much real, but not in the actual case of the accused priest.
The cast was great. I just wish there was more background info on Rose, who just shows up and acts all weird and shit. Laura Linney plays a convincing agnostic (but seems more spiritual) defense lawyer, Campbell Scot as the spiritual (but seems more agnostic) prosecutor, and Tom Wilkinson as the exorcising padre. Jennifer Carpenter was phenomenal as a possessed Rose, more so than Linda Blair. I'm thinking so many people have forgotten that, yes, Rose was possessed and it was acted out in the film. Had everyone forgotten? It was superbly done and it is something I won't forget, but I guess people are used to pea soup being chucked at faces and head turning and foul language spewing out from a chronic smoker voice-over.
Fear factors: not too much. But, again, it all depends on the viewer and what they have been exposed to in real life. I got one chuck from a slamming door, the rest of the fear was eye-candy. To imagine seeing things or experiencing sensations that no one else can perceive is quite haunting. Some may find this amusing if they happen to be drug abusers and smile at these scenes, but for others, this isn't a laughing matter but a cross between reality and manifestation.
I like it. I like it alot. Sure, it's Hollywood and not based on too much of the real ordeal, but I still like how the plot was presented: science vs. religion. And all it took was a teenage girl's death to get it out on film 20 years later.
Directed by Scott Derrickson (Urban Legends: Final Cut, and Hellraiser: Inferno), this seems to be a very mature take on his part, and the producers, to making a good film. And may I remind you, this was a Drama hidden behind a label genre of Horror. Does it make it any less a film? No, because as we all know... the truth is scarier than fiction.
Based LOOSELY on the true story of Anneliese Michel, alot is changed for this Hollywood film in which I do not have the time here at work to point out to all of you. Many people who know the history of Michel have mentioned hating the movie because it wasn't Michel, who DID NOT live in America. Uhmmm.. maybe that's why they changed her name and plot to Rose? Duhhh....
A large number of the audience couldn't stand the film because of its courtroom drama, which they HAVE to watch on t.v. networks every damn day. But, uhhh.. how often do they hear facts given out on the basis of demonic possession?
This film was smart. I have been told by quite a few people, and from critics reviews, that this was a mere religious brainwashing. At the end, even though given facts and truths, many have said this was a deterrent to have people fear God and worship him. Sorry... I just didn't see that. I'm very anti-religion, and I seen no nudge to the audience on the basis of, "worship God to be saved", like these gawd damn Kirk Cameron "Left Behind" films or Micheal York "Omega Code" flicks. I seen no fear of such. BUT, I did see a high use of scientific truth to have many disbelieve the notion of actual spiritual demonic intervention. The facts of schizophrenia and the truths of the medication to treat such are very much real, but not in the actual case of the accused priest.
The cast was great. I just wish there was more background info on Rose, who just shows up and acts all weird and shit. Laura Linney plays a convincing agnostic (but seems more spiritual) defense lawyer, Campbell Scot as the spiritual (but seems more agnostic) prosecutor, and Tom Wilkinson as the exorcising padre. Jennifer Carpenter was phenomenal as a possessed Rose, more so than Linda Blair. I'm thinking so many people have forgotten that, yes, Rose was possessed and it was acted out in the film. Had everyone forgotten? It was superbly done and it is something I won't forget, but I guess people are used to pea soup being chucked at faces and head turning and foul language spewing out from a chronic smoker voice-over.
Fear factors: not too much. But, again, it all depends on the viewer and what they have been exposed to in real life. I got one chuck from a slamming door, the rest of the fear was eye-candy. To imagine seeing things or experiencing sensations that no one else can perceive is quite haunting. Some may find this amusing if they happen to be drug abusers and smile at these scenes, but for others, this isn't a laughing matter but a cross between reality and manifestation.
I like it. I like it alot. Sure, it's Hollywood and not based on too much of the real ordeal, but I still like how the plot was presented: science vs. religion. And all it took was a teenage girl's death to get it out on film 20 years later.