DVD
REVIEW: THE LAST EXORCISM
1/02/11
OVERVIEW: Everything you believe will be changed this January as Lionsgate releases The Last Exorcism on Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack (two discs including Blu-ray and DVD - as well as code to download a Digital Copy). The film will also be available on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. This clever, bone-chilling film comes from a collaboration of minds – rising director Daniel Stamm (upcoming M. Night Shyamalan’s Reincarnate), as well as all-star horror producer Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel, Hostel 2) and the producers of Dawn of the Dead. Hailed as “Scary, gripping and very intense!” (Access Hollywood), The Last Exorcism was a festival favorite chosen for the LA Film Festival, Toronto After Dark, Fright Fest and others throughout 2010. The film tells the story of a charismatic preacher expecting to perform a routine “exorcism” on a disturbed religious fanatic but instead he encounters a true evil far beyond his wildest imagination. Both the Blu-ray Disc and the DVD provide a deeper look into the film with two commentaries from the actors, director and producers; a “making of” the film; the 2009 Cannes Film Festival teaser trailer and a featurette that examines those involved in real life exorcisms. The Blu-ray hosts exclusive bonus materials including an additional commentary containing stories from a spiritual warfare counselor, a “haunting” victim and a clinical psychologist; audition footage from Ashley Bell and Patrick Fabian and the theatrical trailer. “The scariest movie of the summer!” (WABC) heads home on January 4th.
SYNOPSIS: After years of performing “exorcisms” and taking believers’ money, Reverend Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) travels to rural Louisiana with a film crew to document what is to be his last so he can dispel what he believes is the myth of demonic possession. The dynamic reverend is certain that this will be another routine “exorcism” on a disturbed religious fanatic but instead comes upon the blood-soaked farm of the Sweetzer family and a true evil he would have never thought imaginable.
FILM REVIEW: If you’re
up for a horror film that will make you cringe, scream, cover
your eyes every split second, and make you want to go home and
sleep next to your mommy, then this is not the movie you want to
see. This is the complete opposite of what you would expect from
a horror film especially being classified in the same genre as
The Exorcist, it slightly upholds the stature of the other
films. The writer’s intent to define this film differently by
means of portraying the main character, Reverend Cotton Marcus,
as an individual who is humorous which is conveyed through
questioning his own faith, creates a unique comical tone to the
storyline. At the same time, it depicts the credibility and
morale of an imperfect human being, that chooses to lead his
life and preach in the name of God, in which is readily
reflected in today’s and historical times of religion.
Reverend Marcus’s faith is put to the test through his own
documentary over his disbelief on exorcism. He randomly selects
a distorted family living on a Louisiana farm as his subject to
prove a point over exorcism while extorting money at the same
time, however, throughout his visit he slowly ironically
discovers what he was patronizing to become a reality. The
setting, storyline, and characters of the movie were perfect and
had the potential to create a spine chilling film.
Unfortunately, having the greatest tools doesn’t automatically
give you an award winning film unless you know how to exercise
them. The plot leads to a disappointment, desperately wanting an
ending to have more of a message or ironic judgment. Instead,
the viewer is left with a horrible ending leaving one to believe
the writer did not know how to end the story or basically
production was cut short.
In short, even though some parts of the film did have its
highlights of neck cringing disturbing moments compared to the
original exorcism film where till this day I have images of the
creepy little girl embedded in my head, it is forgettable the
minute you walk out of the theater.
Film
Review By Nidia A
VIDEO:
Widescreen (1.78:1) 16x9
AUDIO:
English and Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles - English Spanish
SPECIAL
FEATURES:
Actor and Director commentary with Daniel Stamm, Ashley Bell, Patrick Fabian and Louis Herthum
Audio commentary with Producers Eli Roth, Eric Newman and Tom Bliss
“The Devil You Know: The Making of The Last Exorcism” featurette
“Real Stories of Exorcism” featurette
2009 Cannes Film Festival teaser trailer
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