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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Reviews    Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  ›  The Last Exorcism Moderators: Nixon
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  Author    The Last Exorcism  (currently 634 views)
Zombie Sean
Posted: August 29th, 2010, 5:05pm Report to Moderator
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When I first saw the trailer for this movie, and it said that it was by the same producers who brought us the remake of Dawn of the Dead, I got pretty excited about it already. From the trailer, I got eerie vibes and was a bit unsettled about what I saw. And the fact that it was all a shakey cam movie just made me want to see this even more. It all seemed very creepy and something that I thought I'd enjoy.

Unfortunately, all my excitement washed down the drain when I saw this.

First off, I wasn't expecting this to be a mockumentary. That's what it is. It's edited in a way to where it ended up being something that you'd see on TV about exorcisms. You have interviews with different people, music, everything you need in a documentary put into this movie. The first half of this movie was fantastic though because of that reason. You really got to know the characters and their lives, and everything seemed to be going on really well with this film.

But once the horror began to happen was when it all started to fall apart. First off, the horror was non-existent, as was the suspense and thrills that I was hoping to see in this movie. The music added to the film also brought me out of the fact that this was supposed to be all caught on camera. The music made things less creepy. Also, this film was all supposed to be shot on one camera, since it was a three-man crew (sound, one cameraman, and the main exorcist), but it was edited in a way to where there were multiple angles that were all shot with one camera, so it didn't really make sense and I was then convinced that I was watching an actual cinematic movie rather than a caught-on-camera movie.

The story kept getting more and more weird throughout the film, which was actually pretty neat because throughout the entire film, it keeps you wondering what's really going on. First you think it's about an exorcist performing a routine exorcism, but then things take a turn, and then you start wondering if this girl is really possessed, or if she's suffering from a mental illness or something, to even stranger events that include the entire town. I don't want to give too much away because I don't even understand what actually happened.

The ending was non-existent. There was no ending for this. It just stopped. No closure, nothing. I think that's the reason for why I was confused when I left the theater. You find out about this strange and weird thing happening to this girl, and then three minutes later, the film ends. I think it would have been better if we had this idea sink into our minds a little bit before everything stopped, because when the credits began to roll, my friend and I were expecting the director to pop up and say, "Hey, look, I just want to apologize about this, and that I wasted 90 minutes of your life." We even stayed after the credits for something, but even then, there wasn't anything to show. Once the credits started rolling, this girl in front of us jumped up and said, "WHAT?!" That was our thoughts exactly.

So overall, this movie wasn't what I expected. Which I think might be the reason for why I didn't enjoy it too much, because I was hoping for something scary and something to stick with me for a day or two, but ended up being something completely different.

One thing I really enjoyed about this film was because throughout the entire film, it really made you question your beliefs about exorcisms and possessions. It makes you ask yourself if it's a mental thing, or if you're actually being taken over control by an invisible, supernatural force. That if there are secrets that you have that may be the reason for why you think something is after you, and this film really throws stuff in your face that leaves you guessing about what's happening, and I guess makes you leave with different ideas for what went on in the film.

Either way, the first half was good, but with an execution like that, the movie just wasn't that good. Nowhere near scary, creepy, or eerie, and with a story that just gets weirder, The Last Exorcism's title may ring true because this might be the last exorcism movie to be made that might be remotely frightening. It was a good try, but definitely had its flaws. But don't take my word for it, give it a watch if you still want to see this.

Sean
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Zack
Posted: August 30th, 2010, 2:52pm Report to Moderator
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I actually really likek it, and i feel that the ending was set up really great. It's not entirely clear, but I don't feel like it needs to be. Pretty good overall and probably one of the better horror flicks this year.

~Zack~
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Brian M
Posted: September 5th, 2010, 10:45am Report to Moderator
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The advert promised it will be the scariest movie I'll see this year. No... nowhere near. It was weird, but not scary. A few decent moments but otherwise, a total let down. It's the last exorcism movie I'm going to watch , it just doesn't work anymore.   5/10
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Dreamscale
Posted: August 31st, 2011, 6:27pm Report to Moderator
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Just saw this last night.  I was actually impressed and the ending totally worked for me, and made the movie a success IMO.

Made for only $1.8 Million, with a supposed $20 Million marketing campaign, this thing raked in $68 Million WW.  Pretty sweet.

I'll tell you what..even though the first 30 minutes or so was interesting and somewhat engaging...even humorous, I had a bad feeling that it was going to be a shit effort.  The next 45 minutes or so was pretty good for a PG 13 horror flick.  Nothing incredible by any means, but pretty well done and again, interesting and engaging for the most part.

Then we get the either love it or hate finale, and I was left speechless.  Very ballsy, pull no punches, gut wrenching ending that we don't see very often.  You could say it comes out of left field, but if you think about it and re-examine the rest of the movie, it makes sense and is very powerful, and downright Evil, with a capitol E.

I thought the acting was all well done.  The tone of the movie and "documentary" angle is what really brought this home.

I do take issue with the PG 13 rating, though.  I understand how it works.  I really do.  A PG 13 film caters to a much wider audience, and teens still flock to horror flicks when they're correctly marketed.  But the subject material isn't PG material, IMO.  Nor is the ending.  It's pretty brutal, even though the 2 big kills are mostly OS (although it's quite obvious what happens).  I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have done as well with an R rating, but it could have been a better movie, as in they could have added a bit more R material, and showed those 2 final kills a little more.

Either way, a successful, well done flick that I wasn't expecting much from.  The ending gave me goose bumps and a creeped out feel, as soon as it started going down.  I don't say or feel that way very often, so job well done, guys.

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Dreamscale  -  September 14th, 2011, 9:19am
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: August 31st, 2011, 10:56pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Dreamscale

Then we get the either love it or hate finale, and I was left speechless.  Very ballsy, pull no punches, gut wrenching ending that we don't see very often.  You could say it comes out of left field, but if you think about it and re-examine the rest of the movie, it makes sense and is very powerful, and downright Evil, with a capitol E.


Jeff,

I was very into this movie up until the climax.
I did feel the end undermined what I enjoyed.
I'd be curious to know what parts foreshadowed the ending for you.
If you wouldn't mind sharing your opinion on the subject.

E.D.




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Dreamscale
Posted: September 1st, 2011, 1:10am Report to Moderator
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Brett...I'm surprised you didn't appreciate the end here, as for me, it totally made it.

I didn't say it was foreshadowed, and just for the record, I am against foreshadowing to the point where it's no big surprise.

I said it makes sense if you re-examine a number of things presented in the movie.  Like the picture Nell drew - all 3 of our Protags met their demise exactly as depicted in the picture (or did all "3"?).  Like the behavior of Pastor Manley, especially when he came over and was "reacquainted" with the family, after supposedly not having any contact with them for years.  Like with the kid who was accused of impregnating Nell, telling of Pastor Manley's little get togethers.

Definitely far from foreshadowed, but certainly not out of left field, at least IMO.  It leaves you asking yourself a number of potential questions, and for me, that's a sign of success.
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: September 1st, 2011, 1:47am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Dreamscale
Brett...I'm surprised you didn't appreciate the end here, as for me, it totally made it.

I said it makes sense if you re-examine a number of things presented in the movie.  Like the picture Nell drew - all 3 of our Protags met their demise exactly as depicted in the picture (or did all "3"?).  Like the behavior of Pastor Manley, especially when he came over and was "reacquainted" with the family, after supposedly not having any contact with them for years.  Like with the kid who was accused of impregnating Nell, telling of Pastor Manley's little get togethers.


Well Jeff, you make a fairly convincing case.
I'll revisit the film and see how it hits me on the second go.

Meanwhile, you can read about the sequel.
http://screenrant.com/last-exorcism-2-sequel-sandy-129005/

E.D.


LATEST NEWS

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is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Matt Chisholm
Posted: September 1st, 2011, 2:52am Report to Moderator
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I liked most of the most and I'm also of the opinion that the climax was pretty awesome. I just didn't think the movie was all that scary. There were a couple of jump moments, but nothing that was really frightening.

Having said that, I thought the writing was pretty solid (in spite of getting pretty undocumentaryish at the end) and the performances of everyone were solid. It's not really a great film, but it sure as shit could've been a lot worse.


I can't live the buttoned-down life like you. I want it all. The dizzying highs, the terrifying lows, the creamy middles. Sure, I may offend some of the blue bloods with my cocky stride and musky odors. Oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called "city fathers," who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards and talk about what's to be done with this Homer Simpson?
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: September 14th, 2011, 9:08am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Dreamscale
Brett...I'm surprised you didn't appreciate the end here, as for me, it totally made it.

I didn't say it was foreshadowed, and just for the record, I am against foreshadowing to the point where it's no big surprise.

I said it makes sense if you re-examine a number of things presented in the movie.  Like the picture Nell drew - all 3 of our Protags met their demise exactly as depicted in the picture (or did all "3"?).  Like the behavior of Pastor Manley, especially when he came over and was "reacquainted" with the family, after supposedly not having any contact with them for years.  Like with the kid who was accused of impregnating Nell, telling of Pastor Manley's little get togethers.

Definitely far from foreshadowed, but certainly not out of left field, at least IMO.  It leaves you asking yourself a number of potential questions, and for me, that's a sign of success.


Hey Jeff,

I revisited the movie last night.
I don't hate the ending, but it certainly left me, deflated.
Yup, there's the bread crumb trail you mention, it's there.
But I can't escape wanting a more dramatic and less action oriented conclusion.
Sure, have your fire and brimestone. I'm fine with that.
Due to the "documentary" style, I never got a satisfying ending.
I wanted to see our protag have his moment of faith and believe.
Instead we get shaky cam and CG as he runs away from us.
And with it, he took my hopes for a truly intense climax.
In retrospect, I fault the film for abandoning its protag in his moment of "glory".
Choosing style over character in this case didn't work for me.
The rest of the film is pretty stout though, IMO.

E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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Dreamscale
Posted: September 14th, 2011, 9:47am Report to Moderator
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Brett, although the finale is somewhat ambiguous as to the fate of our main Protag, IMO, it does highlight his true faith.  Didn't he go running into the fray with his cross held high?  The fire (demon) may have consumed him, but his belief in God gave him confidence to "attack" so to speak.  I think most would have turned and ran.

That's what I took from it, at least.
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: September 14th, 2011, 12:56pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Dreamscale
Brett, although the finale is somewhat ambiguous as to the fate of our main Protag, IMO, it does highlight his true faith.  Didn't he go running into the fray with his cross held high?  The fire (demon) may have consumed him, but his belief in God gave him confidence to "attack" so to speak.  I think most would have turned and ran.

That's what I took from it, at least.


I see your point, I wanted more after the feature length "investment" in the protag.
But, I will say this, the movie was decent enough to inspire legitimate debate.
Not a lot of films you can say that about these days.

E.D.


LATEST NEWS

CineVita Films
is producing a short based on my new feature!

A list of my scripts can be found here.
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